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El Camino Real International Heritage Center
Visiting the Monument
Colonists from Mexico and Spain entered New Mexico from 1598
until about 1885 along El Camino Real. Many of the people living
in
the Southwest today are decendents of these early settlers along the
trail, extending from Mexico City and the port city of Veracruz to
Santa Fe and beyond, a distance of over 1,500 miles. Today,
Interstate 25, from Las Cruces to Santa Fe, closely parallels
the
route of El Camino Real through New Mexico.
Location - The Monument is located 30 miles south of Socorro,
NM along I-25 overlooking the dry desert expanse of the Jornada del Muerto, the lower Rio Grande, and El Camino Real
trail. The remote desert location presents a sense of the climate and the long dusty trail endured by these early travelers, spending
six months or longer on the trail to reach Santa Fe from Zacatecas, Mexico. For directions and maps to find us, click here.
Historic
Trail - El Camino Real is our country's oldest, and longest continuously used "highway," bringing European colonists to "New
Spain" (New Mexico) beginning 22 years before the Mayflower. It has been designated a National Historic Trail.
Learn the history of this famous trail at the Monument, only a five minute drive from I-25 exit 115.
Hours and Fees - El Camino Real International Heritage Center is open six days a week, from 8:30 am to 5:00 p.m., closed on Tuesday.
Closed on New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Admission: $5 adults; children 16 and under free. Sundays free for NM residents. Wednesday's free for NM seniors (60 or older). Senior groups (10 or more) $1 per person
everyday. School groups free. Also free for members of ECRIHC Foundation, MNM Foundation, AAM, ICOM and veterans.
The
Visitor's Center - is an interpretive learning center containing
exhibits, period artifacts, displays, and traveling
exhibits about El
Camino Real trail and the colonization of New Mexico, suitable for
all ages. Step back in time
and explore the history and heritage of
the trail from Zacatecas, Mexico to the destination, the Santa Fe
plaza, as it appeared
300 years ago. State Monument rangers and
staff are available to make your visit enjoyable and to answer any
questions you
may have.
Parking and Access for the Disabled - The Center has a large parking lot, accomodating tour busses
and RVs. Parking is on the same level as the Visitor's Center entrance, with an elevator to the lower level for those with disabilities.
All exhibits and Visitor's Center facilities are wheel chair accessible.
El Camino Real International Heritage Center
(ECRIHC) is one of New Mexico's newest State Monuments, dedicated in November 2005. The
Center contains award winning exhibits, interpretive learning center, and artifacts presenting the history and
heritage of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro - the Royal Road to the Interior.
The Gift Shop - is open most days with items and crafts of
Spanish and Mexican origin, arts and crafts by local artists, books
on the
trail and New Mexico, history, and other Southwest
subjects. The Gift Shop even has refrigerator magnets!
Food Services
- The Center does not have any food services.
Many visitors find our outdoor patio, overlooking the Rio Grande
and Jornada del Muerto,
to be a relaxing location to enjoy the
scenery with a snack or lunch before hitting the road. A restaurant and service
station is located nearby, in addition to many fine restaurants in Socorro and Truth or Consequences.
Hiking Trails -Short trails explore Mexican and Indian style
gardens, planted and maintained by area school children. Longer
trails, developed
by the BLM, allow the more ambitious visitor to
enjoy the remote, pristine desert on foot or horseback. Please
inquire at
the Monument Office (505-854-3600) in the Visitor's
Center for the current availability of the longer trails, and always
notify Center personnel before departing on the BLM trails.
Next Board Meeting
Saturday, Sept. 27, 2008
10:30 a.m. at the
Socorro Public Library
meeting room
Gift Shop
schedule for
Education Program
(Foundation members only)
For Your Safety - If you venture away from the main Monument
building, never travel by yourself. For your safety, take
along a friend. Summer weather is often very hot and dry; Winter weather is usually mild, quickly turning cold at sundown.
Dress accordingly, take plenty of water, and be aware rattlesnakes may be encountered.
Camping - Overnight
camping at the Center is not allowed at this time.
Bienvenidos
New Mexico State Monuments, the Center personnel, and members of El Camino Real International Heritage Center Foundation
welcome you to this unique monument. We all strive to assist our visitors to ensure you have a meaningful and enjoyable visit.
Aerial photo of Camino Real and I-25 near Radium Springs (BLM)
Inside the Center gallery
The Gift Shop
Traditional herb gardens
Other Websites
about
El Camino Real
(External Links)
Entrance to the Monument
(Touch photos with mouse for alternate view)
Updated 24 Aug 2008
Weather along
the Trail
Area
Weather
About the Monument
Website Information:
is responsible
for the content of this website, which may not necessarily reflect the opinions of N.M. State Monuments or N.M. Department
of Cultural Affairs.
Website created and maintained by Paul Harden and other
volunteers of the Foundation Board of Directors.
SOCORRO T or C
If Links don't work ... for OLDER BROWSERS
New Area Code
Our phone number is now
575-854-3600.
Summer Hours
The Center is open 6 days a week, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
closed Tuesdays
If you missed it in person ...
June 7th through Sept. 30th
Reflections of the Rio Abajo
Photographic exhibit by Charlie Sanchez, Jr. of little known places
along the Rio Abajo.
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008
Hispanic Heritage Celebration
A celebration of Hispanic culture,
special
performances, living history, a documentary film, book signing and more.
November 8-9, 2008
Camino Real
Trails Workshop
Learn to identify and map Camino Real & other historic trails.
more >>>
Travelers down the trail
(since Aug. 1, 2007)
Didn't Find what you
were looking for?
to let us know
Happy Birthday!
El Camino Real is
410 years old in 2008
Spanish conquistadors (reenactors) along the trail
Travelling Camino Real once required official permit from Spain
Featured Gallery Photo
Click on
Switch to
turn off
website
Other trail
related items . . .
> El Camino Real
> Area ghost towns
> Lost Adams Diggings
> Mission Churches
> and more
30 sec. Video of the trail
from Museums of New Mexico
