Fort Craig and El Camino Real - New Mexico Driving Tours

Fort Craig, New Mexico, one of the largest forts in the West, played a crucial role in both Indian campaigns and the Civil War. Though there are only ruins of what used to be this area held an important military and trade position.  Established in 1854, its primary function was to control Indian raiding and to protect the central portion of the El Camino Real, a trail which stretched north from Mexico all the way to Taos, New Mexico.  Fort Craig was generous in size, as far as fort standards went. Constructed on 40 acres, the fort was 1,050 feet east to west, and 600 feet north to south, and consisted of 22 adobe and rock buildings around a large parade ground.  A wall of adobe surrounded the whole fort while the only entrance was on the west face.  In addition the fort was again surrounded by a ditch, providing additional defense, which was unique for a fort in the southwest.

The area around the fort has been inhabited for centuries. Nearby there are remnants of the Piro Indians and the El Camino Real, some of which you will visit on our New Mexico driving tours.  The Piro Indians, who were pueblo settlers, inhabited the area over 700 years ago and left evidence of their farming, gathering, hunting and raising turkeys.  In 1680 they left with the Spanish to El Paso, never again to return. Late in the 16^th century the Spanish colonists and explorers established the El Camino Real, ‘the Royal Road’.  El Camino Real was a 1500 mile route that serviced trade between Mexico City and Santa Fe for nearly 300 years.  Visit the El Camino Real Heritage Center on our tour, and find out just how vital a role this overland route was in the early years of the Americas.