Welcome To The Pecos National Historical Park: The Land Of The First American Revolution

Sep 12, 2024

Last Updated on: Aug 29, 2025

Travel Guides

I stood before the remnants of the South Pueblo walls, looking over the Mission Church on an autumn day last year. Looking at the archaeological site and standing below the blue fall sky, I was transported to the time of the American Revolution. 

Further, I could hear the noise of a bustling trade fair with people from the Pecos Pueblo community doing business. However, the historical importance of the park is much beyond its association with the American Revolution. It is also related to the Civil War in New Mexico and the Independence of Mexico

So, with centuries of human history etched in every corner, the Pecos National Historical Park is an intersection of past tales and nature. To be honest, The Pecos Pueblo and Santa Fe Trail were the biggest highlights for me when I was at the national park. 

Therefore, my ode to the park will start with brief accounts of these places. Then, I will talk about the Glorieta Pass, again a site of historical importance in the park. Finally, you will have a quick look at the park’s wildlife. 

Pecos National Historical Park: A Land Of Historic Wars And Revolutions 

Pecos National Historical Park A Land Of Historic Wars And Revolutions

The history of human lives in the Pecos National Historical Park goes back to the Preceramic Period or the 11,500 B.C.E. – 600 C.E. However, the Pecos Pueblo site in the park became a prominent place in the history of the American Revolution in the Early Colonial and Pre-Revolt era

Spanish people started interacting with the Pueblo people. Further, thanks to the Franciscan Missions, the Spanish rule wanted to have command over the economic life and beliefs of the Pueblo people. 

Thus, the first seeds of the American Revolution were sown. To combat the oppression of the Spanish people, the Pueblo Revolt took place on 10th August 1680. As a result, the Spanish Government and Franciscan Friars were expelled from the southwest under the leadership of  Po’pay from Ohkay Owengeh. The Spanish Mission Church, built in 1625, was also destroyed in the revolt of 1680. 

However, in 1692, the Spanish People further reclaimed the Pecos Pueblo and many other pueblos. Finally, the Pueblo people declined in numbers in 1700. Before, during, and after the first American Revolution, The Pecos Pueblo emerged as an important location with significant events around it! 

Further, around 200 years later (1821-1846 C.E.), another site in the park, the  Santa Fe Trail, witnessed travelers, settlers, and everyone else passing through it. The trail was opened in 1821 after Mexico gained its independence from Spain. 

The remains of Pecos Pueblo stood there! By the 1830s, the migration of the Pubelo people was complete, and everyone had shifted to the Pueblo of Jemez and continued their traditions. 

Moreover, in 1862, there was the “Battle of Glorieta Pass.” On 26th March 1862, this battle between the Union forces and Confederates occurred at a 700 feet elevation. 

The Pecos Pueblo Site Today 

The rise of the Pecos Pueblo site occurred between 1350 C.E. and 1838 C.E. The Pueblo site had two units, the north and south, and could accommodate around 2000 people. Further, it had 1000 rooms.

Therefore, Pecos Pueblo thrived as a busy trading center with trade fairs involving people from Rio Grande Pueblos, Plains Nations, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Pacific Coast. The flint arrowheads and shells found here explain the expansive stretch of the route. 

Nevertheless, with time, Pecos Pueblo became instrumental in eliminating Spanish oppression and rule. Still, a drop in the trade, Comanche attacks, and diseases deserted Pecos Pueblo. By 1838 C.E., the last resident of the Pueblo had left and joined the Pueblo of Jemez

Today, the site stands as a relic from the past. However, it is still equally important for archaeologists and historians. 

The Santa Fe Trail 

The Santa Fe Trail

Do you know what the Santa Fe Trail marker near Kozlowski’s Trading Post says? It says, 

Santa Fe Trail

1822-1879

Marked by the daughters of the American Revolution and the Territory of Nex Mexico. 

With the independence of New Mexico and the western territories becoming an annexure to New Mexico, the Santa Fe Trail became the route or passage to the westward movement. Naturalists, journalists, travelers, aspirants, traders, and others took this passage as part of the American expansion.

Colonel Henry Inman’s “Stories of the Old Santa Fe Trail,” published in 1881, describes the trail well. If you are a history buff, you must read this book well before visiting the Santa Fe Trail today! 

Kozlowski’s Stage Stop and Trading Post” is the highlight of this trail. You can spend some time here to visualize travelers from the past catching some rest after a long journey through the trail. When on the trail, you can explore the remains of the Pueblo and the Mission Church. You can even consider taking a guided tour of the Forked Lightning Ranch

Santa Fe Trail

Glorieta Pass Battlefield Trail 

Important Details About the Glorieta Pass Battle

1. Reason for Conflict: Union forces and Confederates wanted to control the Glorieta Pass Route through the Sangre de Cristo mountains and the main supply center (Fort Union) for the passage of soldiers and supplies. 

2. Contenders: The Confederates, with volunteers from Texas and under the leadership of General Shipley and the Union forces led by Colonel Canby, and soldiers from Fort Union, New Mexico, and Colorado. 

3. Battle Begins: March 26, 1862

4. Reinforcements: 27th March, 1862

5. Battle Resumes: 28th March, 1862

6. Battle Ends: 29th March, 1862

7. Casualty: Death of 375 People 

8. Consequence: The Union forces defeat the Confederates as they fail to ruin the Fort Union. Further, the Union forces maintain complete control over Southwest America. 

The Glorieta Battlefield Trail is a popular hiking destination today in Pecos National Historical Park. It is a roundtrip loop, and you will have to cover a distance of 2.25 miles to complete your expedition. Further, the unpaved or graveled hiking route makes it moderately difficult for the hikers. In addition, there is an elevation gain of 152 meters

You have to drive for around 7.5 miles from the main visitor center of the park. You will need to collect a gate code from the visitor center, which is your access code, to open the locked gate in front of the trail. 

As you walk through the forest trail, you get to know more about the Civil War in New Mexico. Many infographics are installed throughout the trail, telling you tales from the past. In addition, there are wayside signs and 14 trail markers to explain the history of the battle on this pass in detail. 

More About Hiking The Glorieta Pass Battlefield Trail 

Time: Around 1 hour

Refreshments (Hikers’ Favorites): Pecos Burger at El Maria Bonita (With a lot of meat and a smoky green chilly flavor!) and Chips and Salsa, of course!

The Trail Guide you collect from the visitor center already keeps you hooked on the site’s history. Indeed, this trail is less about hiking and more about flipping through the pages of the American Civil War in Mexico. 

Let’s Hear It From Other Visitors To The Park 

Really nice park. Easy to find and it is free!

Inside the visitor center, they had a really great exhibit that followed the pecos overtime. It was super informative and brought a lot more meaning to the actual park. After looking around the exhibit, you can take the trail up and around the park and church. It’s amazing that the walls are still there. The view around the park is also beautiful. We spent about 2 hours here.” – Isabelle M.

I really enjoyed this park. My husband didn’t care for it but I think it’s really amazing what is still here. He thinks it’s all recreation and I can’t say if it is or not but I know the current Pecos people don’t see it that way. It’s pretty awesome that it’s free to visit and the visitors center has a little museum that’s also free! The trail starts near the restrooms. We accidentally started it from the end. But who cares. We saw everything and I recommend checking it out. Native people history is really cool.” – Lydia G.

Exploring Wildlife At The Pecos National Historical Park

This historical national park is a hub of wildlife with a 6,500-acre expansion of forests, rivers, grasslands, and streams. The table below enlists the species that call the Pecos National Historical Park their home. 

MammalsElk of Northern New MexicoColorado Chipmunk DeerRock Squirrel
Birds*Steller’s JayMountain BluebirdBald Eagle
Fish and AmphibiansRio Grande ChubLongnose DaceRainbow TroutBrown TroutNew Mexico Spadefoot ToadWoodhouse ToadTiger SalamanderPlains Leopard Frog
ReptilesShort-horned LizardNew Mexico Whiptail LizardBull SnakesGarter SnakesPrairie Rattlesnakes

You will find the Prairie rattlesnakes along the trails. So, please exercise caution and inform the ranger if you come across one on your way. 

A Quick Glance At Some Important Information About Pecos National Historical Park

You must quickly look at the important information available about Pecos National Historical Park before you set in.

Location: San Miguel County, New Mexico

Established: 28th June, 1965

Area: 27 km²

Highest Landscape: Truchas Peak, 3990 Meter

Visitor Center: Pecos National Historical Park Visitor Center

How to Reach: Via State Road 63 

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: Autumn (Early September to Mid October)

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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These plants belong to the pea family, and they are known for their purple flowers. If you want to see these flowers, you must visit the park in late June and July.   The inland dune field of Kobuk Valley National Park is surrounded by boreal forest.   Humans And Wildlife In The Great Kobuk Sand Dunes  https://www.instagram.com/p/Cv0EhpdLsJ5/ It’s amazing to see the Western Arctic Caribou walking through the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes. Fall and spring are the migration seasons for these animals. The north of Brook Range is the caribou herd’s calving ground, and they migrate to and from this place.   As the caribou herds pass through the sand dunes, their footprints remain in the ground for the longest time. According to National Park Service data, around 250,000 caribou pass through this national park annually.   No wonder that the Kobuk Valley National Park is one of the “last great migrations” remaining in the world. The table below gives you a brief idea about the animals and birds in the sand dunes.  Birds Sharp-shinned Hawk Golden Eagle Bald Eagle American Wigeon Northern Pintail Rough-legged Hawk Marsh Hawk Mammals Caribou Wolverine Muskox Snowshoe Hare Moose Gray Wolf Grizzly Bear Beaver Arctic Fox American Pine Marten Amphibians Wood Frog Fish Longnose Sucker Salmon* Northern Pike Alaska Blackfish Alaska Whitefish Humpback Whitefish Alaskan Stickleback Ninespine Stickleback  Human history in the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes is at least 8000 years old. They lived by the Kobuk River and were mainly focused on fishing, hunting, and trapping for survival. It is fascinating to visit the thousand-year-old hunting camps on the edges of the sand dunes.  The golden and shifting Great Kobuk Sand Dunes are located a few miles away from the Kobuk River. Further, the sand dunes soar up to 100 miles in the air.   Kobuk Valley National Park Is Also The Land Of Iñupiaq Subsistence  https://www.instagram.com/p/BWdjyOBl_Lw/ Human life, which started in the Great Kobuk Sand Dunes 8000 years ago, is still thriving with the mantra of subsistence. The Iñupiaq people here use the available natural resources to fulfil their physical needs and safeguard their spiritual and cultural requirements.   For example, they depend on caribou and salmon to feed themselves and their dogs. At the same time, caribou skin hide is extensively used to make parka jackets to combat Arctic winter. They also make mukluks or boots using reindeer skin to walk through the snow.   Further, the local people made baskets using birch and willow. Moreover, in darkness, caribou tallow or seal oil were the only ingredients to light up their stone lamps.   Irrespective of the trade with the coastal communities, the “customary, traditional and non-commercial” use of natural resources is still important in the park.   Iñupiat Ilitqusiat And Respecting The Ecosystem   https://www.instagram.com/p/CzjboNfsc4Y/ Aboriginal people in the Kobuk Valley National Park are committed to passing on their values from generation to generation. The Iñupiat Ilitqusiat value asks them to transfer the knowledge and skill of hunting and everything about life.  In addition, this transfer of knowledge helps to make the most of various seasons and subsistence opportunities. For example, the caribou season comes to this park after the salmon season.   Earlier, Noatak Valley was the destination for these people during the caribou season, and even today, some families move to Noatak Valley. Again, summer camping around the Kobuk River is common for fishing, especially catching salmon and whitefish.   Summer is also the season for harvesting berries and wild greens for the local people.  If you want to learn about the local people and their values, you must be respectful and understand their seasonal activities as a part of their subsistence practices.   Overall, the Kobuk Valley National Park is not just a place to see sand dunes and wildlife. It is a tapestry of human lives depending on nature.   Things To Know Before You Visit The Kobuk Valley National Park   For me, the sand dunes and Iñupiaq subsistence practices are the most fascinating things in the Kobuk Valley National Park. However, keep the following information handy if you are to pay a visit anytime soon.   Mode of Transport: Authorized air taxis from Kotzebue or Bettles  Visitor Center: Northwest Arctic Heritage Center  Entrance Fee: Free  Permits Required:  Commercial Use Authorization or CUA for commercial activities, Research Permits, Filming and Photography Permits  Activities to Do: Boating, fishing, camping and backpacking, hiking, flight-seeing and exploring nearby attractions  Best Time to Visit: June to July   Area: 1,750,000 Acres  Established: 2nd December, 1980  Number of Visitors: 17,616 (2023) (National Park Service Data)  Snowfall, downpours, and extreme weather conditions can occur in any season of the year. So, follow the instructions shared at the visitor center and keep your gear ready for survival!