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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.

Website Information:

Website funded by: El Camino Real International Heritage Center Foundation and

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.

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A New Mexico State Monument

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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.

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 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.

The Gift Shop - manned by volunteers - is open Thursday 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 575-854-3629.

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.