El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Assn.

What El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Assn. does

The El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2007 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, that serves as the primary citizen-coordinating body for the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail — a Congressionally designated route spanning the Rio Grande to the Red River Valley across Texas and Louisiana, originally active during the Spanish Colonial Period (1690–1821). The association operates programs in advocacy, education, resource protection, GIS mapping, trail signing, and community chapter development, coordinating with the National Park Service, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The association's core technology is a proprietary GIS mapping program — described as the only such in-house system among U.S. National Historic Trail associations — which layers georeferenced historic hand-drawn maps onto modern aerial imagery. It also publishes TEKS-aligned 4th and 7th grade Texas history lesson plans, a rentable seven-banner traveling exhibit, web-based interactive maps, and an active archive of archaeological research projects (Lobanillo Swales, Onion Creek, Rancheria Grande, Mission San Juan Capistrano, and others).

Revenue is generated primarily through a tiered membership program (Student $10, Explorer $35, Pathfinder $50, Pioneer $100, Trailblazer $250, Preservationist $500, Partner $1,000, Honorary Friend by invitation), tax-deductible donations an iGive.com shopping affiliate program, and institutional rental of the traveling exhibit. Operations are lean: an 11-member volunteer board drawn from four geographic regions, one full-time executive director (Steven Gonzales), a part-time staff member, and multiple interns. The organization is governed by an active board with public meeting minutes and financial reports through fiscal year 2026, and it runs two chartered chapters: Rancheria Grande Chapter (Milam County) and Trail de Flores Chapter (Wilson County).

Name

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Assn.

Legal name

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association

Website

https://elcaminorealdelostejas.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 2007 and based in Austin, Texas, that supports the Congressionally designated El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail through advocacy, education, proprietary GIS mapping, resource protection, and a community chapter program serving members, students, and local communities across Texas and Louisiana.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historic Trail Preservation and Heritage Education

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Historical Sites (71212), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural Heritage & Indigenous-Led Visitor Services (Tribal Tours, Heritage Sites, Co-management) (THAAAGAL)

Keywords

• Historic trail preservation
• Heritage education programs
• GIS trail mapping
• Community chapter programs
• Cultural tourism advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Austin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees at various levels from Student ($10) to Pioneer ($100) providing benefits and supporting trail preservation activities.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and businesses supporting programs and projects for the trail.
3. Friend of the Camino Program: Higher-tier support levels including Trailblazer ($250), Preservationist ($500), Partner ($1,000), and Honorary Friend (by invitation) for major supporters.
4. Traveling Exhibit Rental: Seven retractable vinyl banners (33.5" W x 86" H) available for rental to institutions for 4-6 week periods to raise awareness for the trail.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that preserves, interprets, and promotes the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail through advocacy, education, a proprietary GIS mapping program, resource protection (including direct ownership of trail segments), trail signing, a Community Chapter program, a traveling exhibit, interactive maps, and TEKS-aligned lesson plans. It functions as the primary citizen-support organization connecting local communities, historical commissions, universities, tourism bureaus, and the National Park Service for the congressionally designated trail.

Product overview

El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2007 to support the Congressionally designated El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. The organization operates as a single unified non-profit entity offering multiple interconnected programs including advocacy for trail protection, educational initiatives for students, a proprietary GIS mapping program (the only National Historic Trail association in the country with its own GIS), resource protection including land ownership, trail signing, a traveling exhibit, interactive maps, and community chapters. The association serves as the primary coordinating body between citizens, local historical groups, tourism bureaus, and the National Park Service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rancheria Grande Chapter: Community chapter focused on Milam County portion of the trail.
• Trail de Flores Chapter

Products and services

• Membership Program Annual membership program with eight tiers (Student, Explorer, Pathfinder, Pioneer, Trailblazer, Preservationist, Partner, Honorary Friend) ranging from $10 to $1,000 per year, plus invitation levels above. Provides benefits and supports trail preservation activities for individuals and history enthusiasts.
• El Camino Real de los Tejas: Its History, People, and Places (Traveling Exhibit) A traveling exhibit of seven retractable free-standing vinyl banners (33.5" W x 86" H each) designed for 7th grade reading level with pictures and maps. Available for rental to institutions (schools, museums, libraries, community centers) for 4-6 week periods. Covers three themes: cattle drives supporting the American Revolution, influence on settlement patterns, and how to experience the Camino today.
• Interactive Maps Web-based interactive maps provided in partnership with the National Park Service, allowing visitors to virtually explore the trail across the four geographic regions of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.
• 4th and 7th Grade Texas History Lesson Plans TEKS-aligned lesson plans for 4th and 7th grade Texas history classes covering National Historic Trails, the history of El Camino Real, trail resources, navigation, preservation, development, and community awareness. Six lesson plans per grade level.
• Community Chapters Program Partnership program with the National Park Service and local communities to develop chartered Community Chapters (Rancheria Grande in Milam County, Trail de Flores in Wilson County) that assist in protecting, developing, and promoting trail resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seven remnants of the Royal Road saved from destruction due to development pressures (fracking and logging)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary federal partner for the National Historic Trail. Collaborates on GIS mapping programs, signing along the trail, resource protection, visitor use planning, and management of trail resources. The trail is a Congressionally designated National Historic Trail under NPS administration.
• Texas Historical CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState partner providing official recognition, historic markers, and support for preservation efforts. Collaborates on visitor stewardship plans and identification of trail resources.
• Daughters of the American RevolutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization partner supporting preservation and education efforts along the trail.
• Texas Parks and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency managing state parks and historic sites along the trail including Mission Tejas State Park, Goliad State Park, and others that preserve trail-related sites.
• Rancheria Grande ChaptercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity chapter based in Milam County, Texas, organizing to promote and protect the trail segment including Rancheria Grande area. Led by Chapter President Paula Sisco.
• Trail de Flores ChaptercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChartered chapter focused on Wilson County portion of the trail (La Bahia Road) connecting Rancho de las Cabras to San Antonio Missions NHS. Led by Chapter President Claudia Garza.
• Brazos County Historical CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal historical commission partner in the Brazos Region of the trail.
• Milam County Historical CommissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal historical commission partner supporting trail research and preservation in Milam County.
• Natchitoches Area Convention & Visitors BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTourism partner in Louisiana supporting visitor engagement at the eastern end of the trail.
• San Antonio River AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional water authority partner in the San Antonio-Goliad region supporting trail-related preservation efforts.
• University of Texas at AustinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for student research projects and educational collaboration.
• Texas State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for student research and educational programs. Association originally based at Texas State University in San Marcos.
• University of Texas at San AntoniominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for student research projects on trail history.
• Cedar Hill Nature PreserveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature preserve partner supporting the Walk to Rancheria Grande retracement trail on private property in Milam County.
• Wilson County Adoption and Rescue ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit partner collaborating with Trail de Flores Chapter for 'Running Down a Dream' 5K race fundraiser at John William Helton Nature Park.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Non-profit membership organization that supports the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the most prominent NHT/NST in the U.S. Closely comparable in mission (preservation, community chapters, volunteer stewardship, partnership with NPS) and serves as the explicit model for ElCaT's Community Chapter program.
• Trail of Tears Association: Non-profit association supporting the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail, with a comparable structure of volunteers, chapters, partnerships with the NPS, and focus on historic preservation, education, and commemoration.
• Butterfield Overland Trail Association: Membership-based non-profit supporting a designated National Historic Trail, with similar emphasis on preservation, marking, and public education along a long-distance historic route.
• Natchez Trace Parkway Association: Non-profit supporting the Natchez Trace National Parkway, with comparable mission of preservation, education, and visitor services along a federal historic route.
• Pony Express Trail Association: Non-profit membership organization supporting the Pony Express National Historic Trail, with similar volunteer chapter model, preservation advocacy, and educational programming.
• El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail Association: Sister 'El Camino Real' National Historic Trail association, operating with similar nonprofit/membership structure, NPS partnership, and goal of preserving Spanish Colonial-era trail heritage. Direct functional and mission parallel.
• Old Spanish Trail Association: Non-profit supporting the Old Spanish National Historic Trail, with similar mission, supporter/membership model, and focus on heritage tourism, signage, and educational outreach along a designated NHT.
• Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation: Non-profit foundation supporting the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, with comparable mission, member-driven governance, and educational/interpretation programs.
• National Pony Express Association: Volunteer-driven organization supporting the Pony Express NHT, with membership dues, chapter network, and re-ride events comparable to ElCaT's El Camino Real Day.

Others

• Texas Historical Commission: State partner for historic preservation in Texas. Indirectly comparable as a heritage/preservation organization operating in the same geography, but more established and resource-rich than ElCaT.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/follow
• YouTubevimeo.com/elcaminorealdelostejas
• Facebookfacebook.com/elcaminorealdelostejas
• Instagraminstagram.com/elcaminotejas
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/el-camino-real-de-los-tejas-national-historic-trail-assn.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Assn.