Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe Trail Historical Tour

Departure:	Bent's Old Fort, Colorado
Destination:	Trinidad History Museum, Colorado
Time to allow:	1 day

This tour begins at Bent's Old Fort and follows the trail westward towards Trinidad. Let history and adventure unfold as you explore the Santa Fe Trail.

Day 1

• Start: Bent's Old Fort

  

  A National Historic Site, this fort is a reconstruction of Bent's Fort which was originally built in the 1830s. The fort played an important role as a trading post for trappers and the Plains Indians and also as supply depot during the Mexican-American War.

• Stop 1: Sierra Vista Overlook

  

  From previous stop:	30 minutes / 13.5 mi (21.6 km)
  Directions:	Drive southwest from La Junta on US 350 for 13 miles. Turn right at CO 71 for 0.5 miles, then turn left into the parking lot.
  Suggested time at this stop:	1 hour

  For pioneers traveling south along the Santa Fe Trail, the distant Spanish Peaks served as one of their guiding landmarks. Take a short walk up the side of a bluff for an excellent view of the Rocky Mountains and surrounding prairie. From this overlook, see for yourself what those early travelers saw.

• End: Trinidad History Museum

  

  From previous stop:	1 hour 8 minutes / 66.1 mi (105.8 km)
  Directions:	Take US-350 (South-West) for 59.3 miles. Keep straight onto US-160/US-350 for 6.8 miles. The museum is at 300 East Main Street.

  This museum complex, operated by the Colorado Historical Society, houses five attractions in one location. Visitors to the site can visit the Santa Fe Trail Museum, Baca House, Bloom Mansion, Historic Gardens, or the Bookstore.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled:	79.6 miles / 127.4 km
Total Travel Time:	1 hour 38 minutes
Total Stopping Time:	1 hour