Be sure to visit www.santafetrail.org/geocaching to learn about the PASSPORT ACTIVITY to accompany this Geo Tour. Pecos National Historical Park is located on New Mexico Highway 63, north of I-25. Contained in this park are the ruins of the ancient 15th century Pueblo of Pecos, once a major pueblo village with more than 1,100 rooms, and the remains of two Spanish missions. The Pecos Pueblo was the easternmost pueblo visited by Francisco Coronado in 1541. The pueblo was inhabited when the Santa Fe Trail opened in 1821, but by 1838, the residents had moved on. The pueblo was used as a campsite by Santa Fe Trail travelers and was often mentioned in journals. There are Santa Fe Trail ruts at Pecos National Historical Park, as well as other visible forms of trail history, including the stage stop and trading post that once belonged to Martin Kozlowski. Kozlowski’s Stage Station was known for its excellent food. Part of the ranch house and stage station make up the present-day Forked Lightning Ranch headquarters. Kozlowski’s Ranch also figured in the Civil War battles at Glorieta Pass, serving as the Union headquarters before that engagement, known as the “Battle of Glorieta Pass” on March 26-28, 1862.
While visiting the park, a ¼-mile, self-guided tour, that takes approximately two hours, will allow you to view the mission ruins and the excavated pueblo. Tours of the Forked Lightning Ranch and the Santa Fe Trail ruts needs to be scheduled with NPS staff at the visitor’s center.
CONTACT INFORMATION
- Address: NM 63, off I–25 at Exit 307 Pecos, NM 87552
- Phone: 505/757–7241
- Website: www.nps.gov/peco