On the Santa Fe Trail: Trinidad to Santa Fe
The mountain route of the old trade trail, over Raton Pass past an extinct volcano and frontier forts to the plaza in Santa Fe.
- Distance
- approx. 408 km (254 mi)
- Driving
- 4 h 32 min
- Suggested days
- 5
- Stops
- 8
- States
- CO, NM
- Best time to go
- April–May and October
- Tolls and vignettes
- None expected
- Updated
- May 26, 2026
At a glance: 5-day road trip of about 408 km (254 mi) with 8 stops, from Trinidad to Santa Fe. About 4 h 32 min of driving in total. Best time to go: April–May and October. No toll roads expected for a car.
More road trips in Colorado, New Mexico
Photos along the route
Route description
The Santa Fe Trail carried wagons between Missouri and Santa Fe from 1821. Its mountain branch passed through Trinidad, a brick town with museums of the trail and ranching era. I-25 follows the old route over Raton Pass into New Mexico.
From Raton, detour east on US-64/87 to Capulin Volcano, where a road spirals to the rim of a cinder cone and a trail loops around the crater. Then head west to Cimarron, an Old West town with a historic hotel and access to the Cimarron Canyon.
South of Cimarron, roads lead back to I-25 and Fort Union National Monument, the adobe ruins of the largest fort on the trail, where wagon ruts are still visible. Las Vegas, New Mexico, has a leafy plaza and hundreds of historic buildings.
I-25 then crosses Glorieta Pass. Stop at Pecos National Historical Park to walk among the ruins of a pueblo and mission church before reaching the end of the trail at the plaza in Santa Fe. Spring and fall are pleasant; summer brings afternoon thunderstorms.
Which stops are on On the Santa Fe Trail?
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Trinidad
CO - 236 km
Raton
NM - 353 km
Capulin Volcano National Monument
NatureCapulin, NMA young cinder cone with a road spiraling to the rim and a one-mile trail around the crater. On clear days you see into four states.
- 4107 km
Cimarron
NM - 581 km
Fort Union National Monument
HistoryWatrous, NMAdobe ruins of the largest 19th-century fort on the Santa Fe Trail, with wagon ruts still visible in the grass.
- 648 km
Las Vegas
NM - 750 km
Pecos National Historical Park
HistoryPecos, NMThe ruins of a large pueblo and a Spanish mission church on a ridge, along a short trail. Travelers on the Santa Fe Trail camped nearby.
- 833 km
Santa Fe
NM
How do you drive On the Santa Fe Trail in 5 days?
5 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Trinidad → Capulin Volcano National Monument · 55 mi · 0 h 59 minOn the way: Raton.Overnight nearby, for example: Capulin RV Park (3 mi).
- Day 2: Capulin Volcano National Monument → Cimarron · 67 mi · 1 h 12 minOvernight nearby, for example: Ponil Campground (1 mi); Dean Heck Camp (3 mi).
- Day 3: Cimarron → Fort Union National Monument · 50 mi · 0 h 54 min
- Day 4: Fort Union National Monument → Las Vegas · 30 mi · 0 h 32 minOvernight nearby, for example: Las Vegas New Mexico KOA Journey (6 mi); Las Vegas RV Over Nite Park (2 mi).
- Day 5: Las Vegas → Santa Fe · 52 mi · 0 h 55 minOn the way: Pecos National Historical Park.Overnight nearby, for example: Santa Fe Skies RV Park (9 mi); Los Suenos de Santa Fe (5 mi).
When is the best time for On the Santa Fe Trail?
The most pleasant months are usually April–May and October. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and November. Hot in July–August. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
More routes for the best months
Practical guides for this route
Photo by Malivez on UnsplashDriving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel
Photo by Aleksandr Dalakian on UnsplashFuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers
Photo by Tracy Zhang on UnsplashUS national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms
Themes
Plan this route for your vehicle
Scout adapts this route to your vehicle, your days and your budget.
FAQs
How long is On the Santa Fe Trail: Trinidad to Santa Fe?
5-day road trip of about 408 km (254 mi) with 8 stops, from Trinidad to Santa Fe. About 4 h 32 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for On the Santa Fe Trail: Trinidad to Santa Fe?
We suggest 5 days: about 4 h 32 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does On the Santa Fe Trail: Trinidad to Santa Fe start and end?
It starts in Trinidad and ends in Santa Fe.
Which states does On the Santa Fe Trail: Trinidad to Santa Fe pass through?
Colorado and New Mexico.
Where can you camp along On the Santa Fe Trail: Trinidad to Santa Fe?
OpenStreetMap lists 214 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 19 mi of the stops on this route. For example: Santa Fe Skies RV Park, Summit RV Park and Love's RV Hookup.
.jpg){kind=link}
