Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
Designation: National Historic Trail
Location: Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California
📘 Park Overview
In 1857, businessman and transportation entrepreneur John Butterfield was awarded a contract to establish an overland mail route between the eastern United States and growing populations in the Far West. What became known as the Butterfield Overland Trail made an arcing sweep across the southern rim of the country. Stagecoaches left twice a week carrying passengers, freight, and mail.
🌤 Weather Information
Due to the length of the trail, be sure to consult local weather sources for the region you'll be visiting. Check out the forecast with the National Weather Service and search for the area you'd like to visit: weather.gov
🚗 Directions
Those portions of the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail authorized by Congress include nearly 3,300 miles of historic trail.
Images
A site along the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
Credit: NPS Photo
Visit the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail to a take a step back in time.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Butterfield Overland NHT traversed thousands of miles of desert on the delivery route.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Butterfield Overland NHT passes through modern city neighborhoods.
Credit: NPS Photo
Historic El Paso, Texas offers an opportunity to visit the trail in a busy city.
Credit: NPS Photo
A site along the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
Credit: NPS Photo
Visit the Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail to a take a step back in time.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Butterfield Overland NHT traversed thousands of miles of desert on the delivery route.
Credit: NPS Photo
The Butterfield Overland NHT passes through modern city neighborhoods.
Credit: NPS Photo
Historic El Paso, Texas offers an opportunity to visit the trail in a busy city.
Credit: NPS Photo
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, May 15
Sunny
High: 93.7°F | Low: 64.9°F
Humidity: 17%
Wind: 23.5 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 9.8
Sunrise: 06:09 AM
Sunset: 07:58 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (5%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 62.8°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, May 16
Sunny
High: 88.9°F | Low: 59.5°F
Humidity: 10%
Wind: 21.5 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 10.5
Sunrise: 06:08 AM
Sunset: 07:59 PM
Moon: New Moon (1%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 57.2°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, May 17
Sunny
High: 87°F | Low: 60.8°F
Humidity: 16%
Wind: 28 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 10.9
Sunrise: 06:08 AM
Sunset: 08:00 PM
Moon: Waxing Crescent (0%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 57.8°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (1)
Fire Weather Watch issued May 15 at 10:24AM MDT until May 18 at 12:00AM MDT by NWS El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa NM
Effective: May 15, 2026 12:24pm
Expires: May 16, 2026 2:00am
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS POSSIBLE SUNDAY...
.Much drier air is moving into the Borderland ahead of an upper
level trough. This dry air combined with temperatures into the
upper 80s to lower 90s will lead to RH's into the single digits.
Winds will be on the increase to 20 to 30 mph to create critical
fire weather conditions.
The National Weather Service in El Paso Tx/Santa Teresa has
issued a Fire Weather Watch, which is in effect from Sunday
afternoon through Sunday evening.
* AFFECTED AREA...Fire weather zones 110, 111, 112, and 113.Fire
weather zones 055 and 056.
* WIND...West-southwest at 15 to 30 mph.
* HUMIDITY...5 to 10 percent lowlands, 7 to 13 percent mountains.
* HIGHEST THREAT...is located over the lowlands along and west of
the Rio Grande Valley.
* EXPERIMENTAL RFTI...4 to 5.
* IMPACTS...any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly.
Outdoor burning is not recommended.
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
National Trails Office Regions 6, 7 & 8
Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87505
🏤 Mailing Address:
National Trails Office Regions 6, 7, & 8
Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87505
📞 Voice Phone: N/A
✉️ Email: ntir_information@nps.gov