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Fort Union National Monument

Fort Union was established in 1851 as the guardian of the Santa Fe Trail. During its forty-year history, three different forts were constructed close together. The third Fort Union was the largest in the American Southwest, and functioned as a military garrison, territorial arsenal, and military supply depot for the southwest. The largest visible network of Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen here.
 
Santa Fe Trail Ruts near Fort Union

Santa Fe Trail

The Santa Fe Trail was a link in Indian trade networks ancient before the Spaniards arrived. It would serve the Spaniards of New Mexico as a route of exploration, frontier defense, and trade with the Plains Indians. In the 1700's, despite Spanish rules against it, a small trade began with Frenchmen from the Mississippi Valley. Later, Americans exploring the Louisiana Purchase visited New Mexico and recognized an isolated province starved for manufactured goods and eager for mercantile exchange. With Mexican Independence from Spain in 1821, the gates of trade opened wide. 
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Write to

Superintendent
Fort Union National Monument PO Box 127
Watrous, New Mexico 87753

Phone

Visitor Information
(505) 425-8025

Fax

(505) 454-1155

Climate

Sunny year-round with semi-arid conditions. July's average high is 85 degrees, low is 51 degrees. January's average high is 47 degrees, low is 16 degrees. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Communities Surrounding Fort Union National Monument
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Watrous, NM (14 min. )
Valmora, NM (17 min. )
Las Vegas, NM (30 min. ) Pop. 14,565
Wagon Mound, NM (31 min. ) Pop. 369
Los Alamos, NM (33 min. ) Pop. 18,343
Sapello, NM (47 min. )
Mora, NM (1 hr.  1 min. ) Pop. 5,180
Rainsville, NM (1 hr.  4 min. )
Ocate, NM (1 hr.  7 min. )
 Cleveland, NM (1 hr.  7 min. )
Rociada, NM (1 hr.  9 min. )
Rincon, NM (1 hr.  9 min. ) Pop. 220
Holman, NM (1 hr.  9 min. )
La Jara, NM (1 hr.  10 min. ) Pop. 209
Miami, NM (1 hr.  12 min. )
Ojo Feliz, NM (1 hr.  16 min. )
Chacon, NM (1 hr.  21 min. )
Guadalupita, NM (1 hr.  29 min. )