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Welcome to the OfficialSanta Fe Trail Association |
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The Santa Fe Trail Association is composed of people of all ages and walks of life who are bound together by an interest in the fascinating saga of the Trail, and an interest in preserving its many physical traces and landmarks that still exist upon the face of the American West. While many of them live in the immediate vicinity of the Trail, the SFTA is proud to claim members from all over the United States.
In 1821, the Santa Fe Trail became America's first great international commercial highway, and for nearly sixty years thereafter was one of the nation's great routes of adventure and western expansion. Mindful of this, the Santa Fe Trail Association (SFTA), a non-profit association with a 501 (c)(3) status, was created in 1986 to help protect and preserve it. The U.S. Congress likewise recognized the significance of the Trail to American history by proclaiming it a National Historic Trail in 1987.
The Santa Fe Trail Lives On!
The Santa Fe Trail Association and our Chapters continue to make plans to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Santa Fe Trail to trade.
READ FULL STORY 2021-2025 STATEMENT
For more information about the Santa Fe Trail 200th, and events being planned, visit our website at: www.santafetrail200.org
SYMPOSIUM 2023
Save the Date: September 27-30, 2023
Independence, MO
for more information
SYMPOSIUM 2025
Save the Date: September 24–27, 2025
Council Grove, KS
for more information
SCHOLARLY RESEARCH GRANTS AVAILABLE
Information and the Application for a Scholarly Research Grant is available HERE.
SANTA FE TRAIL RECOMMENDED READING
"Tales of the Trail" PODCAST
Join Deb Goodrich and Michael Martin Murphey each week for "Tales of the Trail" podcast, hosted by Truckers Radio USA.
VISIT THE LAST CHANCE STORE
The SFTA Last Chance Store, founded as part of the Santa Fe Trail Association in 1987 and operated entirely by volunteers, offers books, maps, prints, posters, pins, music, and other items related to the Trail. You can also sign-up or renew your SFTA membership, or make a donation to the SFTA through the Last Chance Store.
SFTA Projects:
Logged entry created: 8/2/2014 by dramaman59
". . . I have thoroughly enjoyed this tour and would recommend it to anyone that is interested in geocaching and for the history that I learned about the Santa Fe Trail! Thank you to the association for the terrific tour!"
Junior Wagon Master
Students of all ages can go on this adventure! Complete activity booklets as you visit the Trail and when you finish a section, you can earn a patch (see below).
To be a Junior Wagon Master for the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, go here and Read More
When you've completed your activities, scan and e-mail them to: info@santafetrail.org
SFTA Chapters Partner with NPS and Communities to place signs that will help you find and explore the many places and stories of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. Read More
Use Technology to Discover the Santa Fe National Historic Trail. #discoverSFNHT
Visit our 52 Ways Pinterest Board
Dodge City/Ft. Dodge/Cimarron Chapter Markers
Interactive Trail Map
Explore the Santa Fe Trail online with the SFTA Interactive Trail Map!
Explore Now
SFTA ANNOUNCES AWARDS
SFT Hall of Fame Inductees
"Chapter & Membership Tools"
- Apply for a speaker bureau grant here.
- Apply for a marker grant here.
- Apply for, or renew, your membership here.
- Read the SFTA's Strategic Plan 2013-2023
- Volunteer Information and Forms.
- Nominate someone for a SFTA Award
- Nominate someone to the Santa Fe Trail Hall of Fame
- Check out the Calendar of Events
- Submit an event for SFTA Calendar
- Interpretation Project Guidelines
- Wayside Project Request Form
"Trail to Santa Fe"
Selected as the Official Song of the Santa Fe Trail Association
more information
listen to the song
A Few Hiking Trails
Looking for a place to enjoy the Santa Fe Trail? There are many places along the Trail to hike, bike, or enjoy nature.
A Few Hiking Trails Explore the Trail
"Kansas Historical Society Virtual Classroom featuring the Santa Fe Trail"
*Photos courtesy of Ruth Friesen and Joanne VanCoevern. SFTA Photo Release Form