The Santa Fe Trail is a scenic trail located along the Front Range of Colorado. The trail Starts in Palmer Lake Co and ends in Colorado Springs, passing through both Monument Co and the United States Air Force Academy.
The Santa Fe Trail is an easy well maintained trail popular among hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. Located on the West side of I-25, the Santa Fe Trail offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the Colorado Front Range.
The trail is approximately 16 miles long and follows the historic route of the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railroad. Along the trail, visitors will cross high elevated landscapes and overpasses where the Santa Fe Rail Road once passed though. This is how the trail got it’s name and became know as the New Santa Fe Trail.
The trail starts at the town of Palmer Lake and ends at the town of Colorado Springs near Woodman Road. The trail passes through several natural landmarks such as Monument Creek and the Air Force Academy.
The Santa Fe Trail is maintained by El Paso County Parks and is open year-round. Visitors can access the trailhead from several locations including Palmer Lake, the Air Force Academy, and Monument Co. The trail is considered easy to moderate in difficulty and is suitable for all skill levels.
Overall, the Palmer Lake Santa Fe Trail is a great destination for anyone looking for a scenic outdoor adventure in Colorado.
Santa Fe Trail Access Points
There are multiple access points along the Santa Fe Trail. Because the trail is over 16 miles long it is best to break your visit into multiple trips.
Main parking for the Santa Fe Trail can be found at –
- Woodman Road in Colorado Springs (Woodman Road Park and Ride)
- Northgate Road at the U.S. Air Force Academy (Currently Closed for Construction)
- Baptist Road and Old Denver Highway in Monument Co (Midway Point)
- Downtown Monument at Beacon Light Road, 3rd Street, and Highway 105
- Palmer Lake at the Palmer Lake Reservoir at County Line Road