Trip Ideas

Planning a trip to the western slope? As you drive on Highway 50 between Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Grand Junction, Colorado, you will be traveling near the Old Spanish Trail. The modern highway was constructed over or near the national historic trail, giving you a unique opportunity to take a view back in time! Explore sites in this itinerary to step out onto the trail.

The City of Angels is rich with Old Spanish Trail History. In an era when Santa Fe's population dwarfed that of Los Angeles, Mission San Gabriel was one of the most important population centers along the Old Spanish Trail. Antonio Armijo visited the mission in 1829, during his first trip between Abiquiú and Los Angeles. His journey connected two of the most important cities on Mexico's northern frontier. Use this itinerary to explore three distinct historic sites.