Near Henderson in Clark County, Nevada — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Old Spanish Trail

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 12, 2025

1. Old Spanish Trail Marker

Inscription.
The Old Spanish Trail, used by Mexicans and Americans traveling between Santa Fe and Los Angeles in the early 1800s, passed through land that is now part of this park. Mexican trader Antonio Armijo linked together footpaths used by indigenous people, early exploration routes and animal trails when his 60-member caravan made the first successful roundtrip in 1829-1830. Merchants used the route for transport of Mexican woolen goods to California to trade for horses and mules. After the United States took control of the Southwest in 1848, other routes were developed.

The Old Spanish Trail includes the Armojo Route 1829-1830, the Main Route 1831-1838, and the North Branch 1830-1848. The U.S. Congress established the Old Spanish National Historic Trail in 2002.

The Old Spanish Trail was known as the most arduous pack mule trail in America. The mule train shown in this 1898 photo is similar to those in the early 1800s.

Erected by Lake Mead National Recreation Area - National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.

Location. 36° 8.739′ N, 114° 52.581′ W. Marker is near

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Henderson, Nevada, in Clark County. It is on Northshore Road (Nevada Route 167) 0.8 miles east of East Lake Mead Boulevard, on the right when traveling east. Located in Lake Mead National Recreation Area - Entrance fee required. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boulder City NV 89005, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Mojave Desert

and in Greater Las Vegas.

It is also in the American Southwest

and in the Mountain West.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Old Spanish Trail – Armijo's Route (approx. 3.7 miles away); A Town at the Bottom (approx. 8.6 miles away); Lockheed Martin F-16C Block 32 (approx. 11.1 miles away); Bootleg Canyon (approx. 11.2 miles away); Arrowhead Trail (approx. 11.2 miles away); Boulder City (approx. 11.3 miles away); Origin of the Dam (approx. 11.3 miles away); Tunnel Construction (approx. 11.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henderson.

Also see . . . Lake Mead National Recreation Area. (Submitted on September 15, 2025.)

Photographed by Craig Baker, September 12, 2025

2. Old Spanish Trail Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 134 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 15, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.