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Home > The Trail > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Trail:
Q. What does "El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro" mean?
A. The Spanish El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro- translates to the English, "Royal Road of the Interior Lands" or "Royal Road to the Interior."
Stairs to kiva entrance, Kuaua
Pueblo ruins, New Mexico
Coronado State Monument
Q. What is the Royal Road?
A. El Camino Real-- The Royal Road-- is the earliest European-American trade route in the United States. Tracking along a series of footpaths used for centuries by indigenous peoples, historically the 1,600 mile-long "road" or Trail connected the (then) Spanish capital of Mexico City with its northernmost frontier capital at Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo north of Santa Fe.
Q. Where does the actual Trail run?
A. In the United States, the trail stretches from San Elizario, Texas, through El Paso, along State Highway 478, through Mesilla/ Las Cruces, Socorro, Belen, Isleta, Albuquerque, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Santa Fe, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, and adjoining villages, towns, pueblos, and cities along the route.
Q. Can you still see the Trail?
A. Yes. Although much of the physical Trail itself has been obliterated by modern roadways and developments; Trail segments, ruts, swales, and "braided" sections are still clearly visible on the landscape at points along the full length of the trail. Come be a "rut nut!"
Q. Can you hike the Trail?
A. Yes. One of the most pristine lengths of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro is located in the Jornada del Muerto near Upham, NM (some 30 miles northwest of Las Cruces). The Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service have unveiled new visitor wayside exhibits to guide visitors and interpret the landscape.
About CARTA:
Q. What does "CARTA" stand for?
A. CARTA stands for: El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association.
Q. What is CARTA?
A. CARTA is a non-profit, volunteer, National Historic Trail membership association.
Q. What does CARTA do?
A. CARTA members work with our partners at the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, the Partnership for the National Trails System, a variety of other agencies and organization, and residents along the length of the trail to conserve, educate, and enjoy this unique cultural and heritage corridor.
Conquistador, part of the
Juan de Oņate
expedition sculpture
at the Albuquerque Museum Q. But what does CARTA really do?
A. Among other things, our members are: Working with neighborhoods to put Camino Real signs up, hosting "Insider's Tours" along El Camino Real, collecting oral histories from families living along the Trail, conducting historical research and archaeological surveys, developing school curriculums, planning fundraising events, developing a Speaker's Bureau, organizing a biennial El Camino Real Symposium, transcribing historical diaries, using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to identify and document Trail segments, working with students as part of National History Day, planning a film project that engages young filmmakers in the Jornada del Muerto, designing loop and spur trails from Camino Real communities to the Rio Grande River, and assisting the Engineers Without Borders program at New Mexico State University in Mexico. A special 'task force' is preparing a federal grant application (due Fall 2010) to develop a Cultural and Heritage Tourism Master Plan for the Trail corridor. We are looking for volunteers to serve as liaisons to various Trail-related initiatives on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Q. Is it expensive to join CARTA?
A. Not really. Individuals pay $25/year, and students pay $15/year. If the membership dues present a financial hardship, we will be happy to barter your time and energy for dues!
Q. What do I get if I join CARTA?
A. Member benefits include the quarterly Chronicles of the Trail journal, "Insider's Tours" along El Camino Real, invitations to symposiums, activities, and special events, and membership in the Partnership for the National Trails System.
Q. Why should I join?
A. Because El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro continues to serve as a vital conduit, linking us to a shared heritage, and binding trail communities to one another. When you are on the Trail, you are quite literally connected to every point along its path. We want to make El Camino Real a destination, and to create a vibrant sense of place for residents along its length. The potential for CARTA is tremendous, but we need your help to accomplish our vision. Please join a dynamic group of active members; come learn, explore, make a difference, and have fun with us!  Membership Form
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