Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
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Build your Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail itinerary
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Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail at a glance
- Best time
- March–May, October–November
- Trip length
- Multi-day (visit in segments)
- Don't miss
- Scenic trail segments — see Things to Do for access points
- Nearby city
- Santa Fe, NM
Explore this park
About Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
In 1857, businessman and transportation entrepreneur John Butterfield was awarded a contract to establish an overland mail route between the eastern United States and growing populations in the Far West. What became known as the Butterfield Overland Trail made an arcing sweep across the southern rim of the country. Stagecoaches left twice a week carrying passengers, freight, and mail.
Weather Information
Due to the length of the trail, be sure to consult sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the forecast with the National Weather Service and search for the area you'd like to visit: weather.gov
Operating Hours
The Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail is not a clearly marked hiking trail. Instead, it is a corridor that passes through communities, urban areas, public lands, and Wilderness. The route travels across a variety of land ownerships and management, including private land. Each location varies as to the hours of operation and access. Please contact individual trail sites before your visit for more information.
- MondayAll Day
- TuesdayAll Day
- WednesdayAll Day
- ThursdayAll Day
- FridayAll Day
- SaturdayAll Day
- SundayAll Day
Common questions
Planning Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail. Check the Permits tab on this page and Recreation.gov before you travel — campground, tour, or backcountry permits may apply even without park-wide timed entry.
See Permits tab →
