Santa Fe Trail

The words

1. Arrieros

   Muleteers employed in trail commerce.

   Park Service: Stories - Santa Fe National (opens a new tab)

2. Becknell

   William Becknell, trader associated with the 1821 route opening.

   Park Service: Travel the Trail: Map Timeline (opens a new tab)

3. Cimarron Route

   Shorter trail branch with scarce water.

   Park Service: History & Culture - Santa Fe (opens a new tab)

4. Fayette

   Missouri town from which trading caravans departed.

   Park Service: Travel the Trail: Map Timeline (opens a new tab)

5. Fort Union

   New Mexico military post supplied through the trail network.

   Park Service: Stories - Santa Fe National (opens a new tab)

6. Hiram Young

   Formerly enslaved man who became a successful trade-wagon maker.

   Park Service: Stories - Santa Fe National (opens a new tab)

7. Independence

   Missouri trail town that grew into a leading departure point.

   Park Service: Travel the Trail: Map Timeline (opens a new tab)

8. Kozlowski

   Family name of Martin and Elena, who managed the Pecos stage stop.

   Park Service: Santa Fe Trail - Pecos National (opens a new tab)

9. Lexington

   Missouri departure town on the Santa Fe trade route.

   Park Service: Travel the Trail: Map Timeline (opens a new tab)

10. New Franklin

    Missouri departure town during the 1829–1830 transition.

    Park Service: Travel the Trail: Map Timeline (opens a new tab)

11. Pecos Pueblo

    Indigenous community near the trail’s New Mexico route.

    Park Service: Santa Fe Trail - Pecos National (opens a new tab)

12. Raton Pass

    Mountain crossing on the wetter branch of the trail.

    Park Service: History & Culture - Santa Fe (opens a new tab)

13. Santa Fe

    New Mexico trade center at the western end of the trail.

    Park Service: History & Culture - Santa Fe (opens a new tab)

14. Tariffs

    Customs charges involved in international trail commerce.

    Park Service: Stories - Santa Fe National (opens a new tab)

15. Westport

    Missouri trade town competing for Santa Fe traffic.

    Park Service: Travel the Trail: Map Timeline (opens a new tab)