The Bureau of Land Management is one of several federal agencies that manage the Nation’s Historic and Scenic Trails. These trails are congressionally designated. National Historic Trails closely follow nationally significant historic land routes and protect remnants and artifacts for the public to enjoy. National Scenic Trails are longer trails whose purposes are for outdoor recreation, resource conservation, and emphasizing the scenic, historical, natural, and cultural values of the areas they pass through.

THE OLD SPANISH NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL is 2,700 miles in total length and recognizes the land route traveled by traders from 19th century Mexico (what is New Mexico today) and California. Cooperatively managed with the National Park Service, the BLM oversees nearly 85 miles in Colorado. From 1829 to 1848, this trail was the shortest known route from Los Angeles to Santa Fe. The trail offered commercial opportunity and western adventure, and was based upon a loose network of Native American footpaths crisscrossing the Colorado Plateau and Mojave Desert. As a trade corridor, the trail also attracted frontiersman and U.S. military expeditions. The BLM San Juan Public Lands Center, San Luis Valley Public Lands Center, Gunnison, Uncompahgre and Grand Junction field offices help manage sections of this trail.