MAILING ADDRESS
Fort Union National Monument;
Watrous, NM 87753;
Telephone: 505-425-8025

DIRECTIONS
The Monument is in the northeastern part of the state. Watrous is one-half mile south of the intersection of I-25 and NM 161. The Monument is eight miles north of I-25 and NM 161.

WHEN TO VISIT
Open year round. Peak visitor month is July. Summers are warm, windy, frequent thundershowers. Winters are cold, windy, with infrequent heavy snowfalls.

POINTS OF INTEREST
Three U.S. Army forts were built on this site--a key supply point on the Santa Fe Trail. The largest visible network of Santa Fe Trail ruts can be seen here.

ACTIVITIES
Visitor Center; museum/exhibits; self-guiding tours/trails; picnic areas.

GENERAL INFORMATION
The Santa Fe Trail was one of the longest commercial routes in the U.S. before the railroad era. It began at Independence, Missouri, and ended in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Watch out for Rattlesnakes in the high grass. Food, supplies, and overnight accommodations are available in Las Vegas, NM (twenty-eight miles southwest).