Site preserves the second of three forts constructed on the site beginning in 1851, as well as the ruins of the third
General Information
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day
How to Get There
From Las Vegas, NM (28 mi): Take I-25 north to exit 366 at Watrous, then follow NM-161 east for about 8 miles to Fort Union National Monument.
Overview
Fort Union National Monument preserves the ruins of the largest 19th-century military fort on the Southwest frontier, on the Santa Fe Trail, built in 1851, with the second fort and ruins of the third (1863-91), plus visible wagon ruts from the Mountain and Cimarron routes of the Trail. Adobe walls, a hospital, and the arsenal stand out on the grassland, and a 1.6-mile trail leads through the ruins.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article and official pages for Things To Do - Fort Union National Monument, Guided Tours and Talks, Fort Union Visitor Center Guide, Western National Parks Association, Secrets of Fort Union National Monument, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
Featured Trails
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Fort Union Interpretive Trail
difficulty: Easy
A self-guided loop trail that takes visitors through the full extent of the fort ruins, including barracks, hospital remains, and officers' quarters.
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Short Fort Union Loop
difficulty: Easy
A shorter section of the interpretive trail that allows visitors to see key ruins and exhibits in a quick and accessible walk.
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Santa Fe Trail Ruts Path
difficulty: Easy
A short path leading to preserved wagon ruts from the historic Santa Fe Trail, offering a direct connection to 19th-century travel.
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Prairie View Walking Path
Difficulty: Easy
A scenic walk across open grasslands surrounding the fort, ideal for enjoying views and spotting wildlife like prairie dogs.
