Fort Union was established in 1851 by Lieutenant Colonel Edwin V. Sumner
as a guardian and protector of the Santa Fe Trail. During it's forty-year
history, three different forts were constructed close together. The third
and final Fort Union was the largest in the American Southwest, and functioned
as a military garrison, territorial arsenal, and military supply depot
for the southwest. Today, visitors use a self-guided tour path to visit
the second fort and the large, impressive ruins of the third Fort Union.
The largest visible network of Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen here.
Operating Hours &
Seasons
Opened year round,
seven days a week.
Winter Hours: Labor Day to Memorial Day 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Summer Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day 8:00am to 6:00pm.
Fort Union is closed on New Years, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Communities
Surrounding Fort Union National Monument
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Fort Union was established in 1851 by Lieutenant Colonel Edwin V. Sumner
as a guardian and protector of the Santa Fe Trail. During it's forty-year
history, three different forts were constructed close together. The third
and final Fort Union was the largest in the American Southwest, and functioned
as a military garrison, territorial arsenal, and military supply depot
for the southwest. Today, visitors use a self-guided tour path to visit
the second fort and the large, impressive ruins of the third Fort Union.
The largest visible network of Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen here.