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CENTER EVENTS
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El Camino Real International Heritage Center
Colonists from Mexico and Spain entered New Mexico from 1598
until about 1885 along El Camino Real. Many of the people living
in
the Southwest today are decendents of these early settlers along the
trail, extending from Mexico City and the port city of Veracruz to
Santa Fe and beyond, a distance of over 1,500 miles. Today,
Interstate 25, from Las Cruces to Santa Fe, closely parallels
the
route of El Camino Real through New Mexico.
Location - The Monument is located 30 miles south of Socorro,
NM along I-25 overlooking the dry desert expanse of the Jornada del Muerto, the lower Rio Grande, and El Camino Real
trail. The remote desert location presents a sense of the climate and the long dusty trail endured by these early travelers, spending
six months or longer on the trail to reach Santa Fe from Zacatecas, Mexico. For directions and maps to find us, click here.
Historic
Trail - El Camino Real is our country's oldest, and longest continuously used "highway," bringing European colonists to "New
Spain" (New Mexico) beginning 22 years before the Mayflower. It has been designated a National Historic Trail.
Learn the history of this famous trail at the Monument, only a five minute drive from I-25 exit 115.
Hours and Fees - El Camino Real International Heritage Center is open six days a week, from 8:30 am to 5:00 p.m., closed on Tuesday.
Closed on New Years Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Admission: $5 adults; children 16 and under free. Sundays free for NM residents. Wednesday's free for NM seniors (60 or older). Senior groups (10 or more) $1 per person
everyday. School groups free. Also free for members of ECRIHC Foundation, MNM Foundation, AAM, ICOM and U. S. Military
veterans.
The Visitor's Center - is an interpretive learning center containing
exhibits, period artifacts, displays,
and traveling exhibits about El
Camino Real trail and the colonization of New Mexico, suitable for
all ages. Step
back in time and explore the history and heritage of
the trail from Zacatecas, Mexico to the destination, the Santa Fe
plaza,
as it appeared 300 years ago. State Monument rangers and
staff are available to make your visit enjoyable and to answer
any
questions you may have.
Parking and Access for the Disabled - The Center has a large parking lot, accomodating tour
busses and RVs. Parking is on the same level as the Visitor's Center entrance, with an elevator to the lower level for those
with disabilities. All exhibits and Visitor's Center facilities are wheel chair accessible.
El Camino Real International Heritage Center
(ECRIHC) is one of New Mexico's newest State Monuments, dedicated in November 2005. The
Center contains award winning exhibits, interpretive learning center, and artifacts presenting the history and
heritage of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro - the Royal Road to the Interior.
The Gift Shop - manned by volunteers - is open Wednesday
through Sunday with items and crafts of Spanish
and Mexican
origin, arts and crafts by local artists, books on the trail and New
Mexico, history, and other Southwest subjects. The Gift Shop even
has refrigerator magnets! Gift Shop phone 575-854-3679.
Food Services - The Center does not have any
food services.
Many visitors find our outdoor patio, overlooking the Rio Grande
and Jornada del Muerto, to be a relaxing location
to enjoy the
scenery with a snack or lunch before hitting the road. A restaurant and service station is located nearby,in addition to many fine restaurants in Socorro and Truth or Consequences.
Hiking Trails - Short trails explore Mexican
and Indian style
gardens, planted and maintained by area school children. Longer
trails, developed by the BLM, allow the
more ambitious visitor to
enjoy the remote, pristine desert on foot or horseback. Please
inquire at the Monument Office (505-854-3600) in
the Visitor's
Center for the current availability of the longer trails, and always
notify Center personnel before departing on
the BLM trails.
For Your Safety - If you venture away from the main Monument
building, never travel by yourself. For your safety, take
along a friend. Summer weather is often very hot and dry; Winter weather is usually mild, quickly turning cold at sundown.
Dress accordingly, take plenty of water, and be aware rattlesnakes may be encountered.
Camping - Overnight
camping at the Center is not allowed at this time.
Bienvenidos
New Mexico State Monuments, the Center personnel, and members of El Camino Real International Heritage Center Foundation
welcome you to this unique monument. We all strive to assist our visitors to ensure you have a meaningful and enjoyable visit.
Aerial photo of Camino Real and I-25 near Radium Springs (BLM)
Inside the Center gallery
The Gift Shop
Traditional herb gardens
Other Websites
about
El Camino Real
Entrance to the Monument
(Touch photos with mouse for alternate view)
Updated 14 June 2009
Weather along
the Trail
Area
Weather
About the Monument
Website Information:
is responsible
for the content of this website, which may not necessarily reflect the opinions of N.M. State Monuments or N.M. Department
of Cultural Affairs.
Website created and maintained by Paul Harden and other
volunteers of the Foundation Board of Directors.
New Area Code
Our phone number is now
575-854-3600.
Winter Hours
The Center is open 6 days a week, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
closed Tuesdays
Our next event ...
July 26, 2009 (Sunday)
Special Dance Presentation
Danza de la Pluma from Oaxaca, Mexico
Travelers down the trail
(since Aug. 1, 2007)
Didn't Find what you
were looking for?
to let us know
Happy Birthday!
El Camino Real is
411 years old in 2009
A modern-day caravan down the Camino Real near Paraje Fra Cristobal, east of the Center
Featured Gallery Photo
Click on
Switch to
turn off
website
Other trail
related items . . .
> El Camino Real
> Area ghost towns
> Lost Adams Diggings
> Mission Churches
> and more
30 sec. Video of the trail
from Museums of New Mexico
If you missed it in person ...
Photo Gallery of past events
Click for 100 Reasons to Go
Socorro TorC
Thank you to all who have participated in our special events at the Center
