What year did the Santa Fe Trail open?
1822. William Becknell is credited with opening the Santa Fe Trail. In 1822, Becknell led five men from Franklin, Missouri, to Santa Fe. After this journey, Franklin became the starting point of the Santa Fe Trail. In 1828, a flood destroyed the town of Franklin, and Independence, Missouri, became the starting point of the Santa Fe Trail. From 1822 to 1879, the Santa Fe Trail provided a route from Missouri to Santa Fe. It was a commercial trail created for traders. It opened the Southwest to American trade and provided fortunes for American traders. In 1879, the Santa Fe Trail closed. Top of Page 3. How long is the Santa Fe Trail (in miles or kilometers)? About 780 miles or 1,260 kilometers. The Santa Fe Trail runs across the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains. When the Santa Fe Trail first opened it took several months to travel. Today, it takes about one and a half days by automobile or two hours by airplane. Top of Page 4. True or False: The Santa Fe Trail has a Mountain Route and