Fort Union National Monument

Pictures courtesy of the -Fort Union National Monument. Fort Union National Monument preserves the remnants of a once-vital military outpost along the Santa Fe Trail. Established in 1851, the fort served as a key supply hub and defense point during the westward expansion of the United States. Today, visitors can explore the adobe ruins, learn about frontier life, and walk the same trails traveled by soldiers and traders over a century ago. The site provides a fascinating look into the struggles and triumphs of life on the 19th-century frontier.

Website:	Fort Union National Monument
Map:	Park Map
Visitor Centers:	Fort Union Visitor Center This center presents the history of Fort Union’s role as a military and trade hub along the Santa Fe Trail. Exhibits, maps, and a short film offer visitors a glimpse into frontier life before heading out to the fort’s adobe ruins.
How to get There:	From the North: Take I-25 South to Exit 366 for NM-161. Follow NM-161 East for about 8 miles until you reach the monument entrance. The route passes through open prairie landscapes, offering a glimpse of the rugged terrain that travelers on the Santa Fe Trail once crossed. From the South: Travel on I-25 North and take Exit 366 for NM-161. Turn right and continue on NM-161 for 8 miles to Fort Union. The fort ruins, visible from a distance, stand as a reminder of the military presence that once protected pioneers and traders along the historic trail.

Fort Union National Monument, located on the Santa Fe Trail in northeastern New Mexico, preserves the remnants of one of the most significant military outposts of the American West. Established in 1851, Fort Union served as a key supply center, defensive stronghold, and trade hub, playing a crucial role in westward expansion. During the Civil War, it became a strategic base for Union forces in the Southwest, helping to thwart Confederate advances into the region. Today, the monument features extensive adobe ruins, offering visitors a chance to explore the history of frontier military life and commerce. The stark beauty of the surrounding high plains landscape further enhances the site’s historical significance.

The most striking feature of the monument is the sprawling adobe ruins, which include remnants of officers’ quarters, barracks, and defensive walls. The Fort Union Visitor Center provides exhibits detailing the fort’s history, the role of the Santa Fe Trail, and the daily lives of soldiers stationed at the outpost. Visitors can take the self-guided interpretive trail, which winds through the ruins and features informative signs explaining the significance of various structures. Additionally, ranger-led programs and living history demonstrations offer a deeper understanding of 19th-century military life on the frontier.

Fort Union National Monument serves as a powerful reminder of the military, economic, and cultural forces that shaped the American West. As a vital stop on the Santa Fe Trail, it played a significant role in facilitating trade, protecting settlers, and ensuring Union control of the region during the Civil War. Today, visitors can walk among the fort’s ruins, stand where soldiers once guarded the frontier, and reflect on the fort’s enduring legacy. The site provides a unique opportunity to connect with the past while enjoying the vast landscapes of New Mexico’s high plains.

Points of Interest:

Bryce Amphitheater: The heart of Bryce Canyon National Park, the Bryce Amphitheater is a breathtaking expanse filled with towering hoodoos, offering stunning views at every turn. Visitors can marvel at the intricate formations from viewpoints such as Sunrise Point and Sunset Point, which provide ideal vantage points for capturing the vibrant colors during sunrise and sunset.

Navajo Loop Trail: One of the park’s most popular hiking trails, the Navajo Loop Trail takes adventurers on a journey through the heart of the hoodoo-filled landscape. Descending into the canyon, hikers are surrounded by towering rock formations, including the famous Wall Street section, before emerging into the open expanse of the amphitheater.

Inspiration Point: True to its name, Inspiration Point offers awe-inspiring vistas of the Bryce Amphitheater and beyond, showcasing the park’s geological wonders in all their glory. Visitors can reach this iconic viewpoint via a short, paved trail, making it accessible to all levels of hikers and providing a perfect spot for photography and contemplation.

Bryce Point: Another must-visit viewpoint, Bryce Point offers panoramic views of the entire amphitheater, providing a different perspective of the hoodoos and rock formations. From here, visitors can witness the play of light and shadow on the landscape, creating a dynamic and ever-changing tableau throughout the day.

Queens Garden Trail: Known for its unique rock formations resembling fantastical figures, Queens Garden Trail offers a leisurely hike through a fairy-tale landscape. As hikers wind their way among the hoodoos, they’ll encounter formations such as Thor’s Hammer and the Queen Victoria rock formation, adding to the enchantment of the experience.