National Historic Trail

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail

About El Camino Real de los Tejas

Explore a diverse array of histories contained within El Camino Real de los Tejas’ 150-year life, including the Spanish struggle to missionize American Indian nations, the growth of cattle ranching in the Mexican period, and the movement for Texan independence and statehood.

From the National Park Service.

States: Texas and Louisiana
Designation: National Historic Trail
Entrance fee: None listed

Trail data for this park is still being added.
Places for this park are still being added.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, weather and getting to El Camino Real de los Tejas.

Entrance fees

The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for this park.

Hours

Open 24 hours a day, every day.

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead it is a route that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness. The route travels across a variety of land ownerships and management, including private land. Each location varies as to the hours of operations and access. Please contact individual trail sites before your visit for more information.

Weather and when to go

Due to the length of El Camino de los Tejas National Historic Trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the forecast with the National Weather Service and search for the area you'd like to visit.

Getting there

You can visit many sites of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail over the 2,580-mile historic route that crosses 2 states, and travels into Mexico, to Mexico City.

Directions from the National Park Service

Contact the park

Address: National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, 1100 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505
Email: ntir_information@nps.gov
Official site: nps.gov/elte

From the National Park Service, checked weekly. Fees, hours and road conditions change: confirm with the park before you go.

Trip planner

A day-by-day plan for El Camino Real de los Tejas

Tell us your dates and what you are into. We group the stops by where they are, so each day is one part of the park, not a zigzag.

Plan your park trip Free. No account needed.

Things to do in El Camino Real de los Tejas

The park service's own list, with how long each takes.

Goliad, Texas Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places

Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 7 hours · Reservation required

Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near Goliad, Texas? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step back in…
Laredo, Texas Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places

Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 7 hours · Reservation required

Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near Laredo, Texas? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step back in…
Texas - Louisiana Border Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places

Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 7 hours · Reservation required

Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near the Texas and Louisiana border? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to ta…
Austin, Texas Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places

Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 7 hours · Reservation required

Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near San Antonio, Texas? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step ba…
San Antonio, Texas Area: El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT Places

Self-Guided Tours - Auto · about 7 hours

Explore sites along the trail! Looking for places to visit near San Antonio, Texas? These sites offer a variety of hikes, historic sites, museums, and other ways to take a step ba…
Hike on El Camino Real de los Tejas

Hiking · about 2 hours

Travel through a diverse array of histories contained within El Camino Real de los Tejas’ 150-year life, including the Spanish struggle to missionize American Indian nations, the…
Check Out Museums and Visitor Centers along El Camino Real de los Tejas

Museum Exhibits · about 45 min

There are a number of museums and visitor centers will differ along the El Camino Real de los Tejas. In some places, you may find more interpretive exhibits, information, and prog…
Visit Parks along El Camino Real de los Tejas

Scenic Driving · about 45 min

There are multiple national parks along the El Camino Real de los Tejas that will give you an opportunity to experience the trail landscape. Learn how these places are interwoven…
Visit Missions along El Camino Real de los Tejas

Cultural Demonstrations · about 45 min

A visit to the missions along the El Camino Real de los Tejas will enrich your Trail experience. The mission system is a window into the history of the Trail as it strengthened Sp…