New Travel Guide Welcomes Travelers to Unlock Tribal Experiences Along the Anza National Historic Trail
American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, National Park Service Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail Program, Arizona Office of Tourism and Visit California launch “The Travel Guide to Tribes Along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail”
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 14, 2025) – As part of a historic collaborative partnership five years in the making, today the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) and the National Park Service Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail Program, with support from the Arizona Office of Tourism and Visit California, launched The Travel Guide to Tribes Along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. The unprecedented guide identifies places along the Anza Trail where travelers are welcomed and can explore the history, heritage, and cultures of the tribes in Arizona and California.
An incredible story of resilience and perseverance, members of the Anza expedition represented families of Indigenous, African and European heritage as they migrated to seek opportunities in Arizona and California while bringing their language, customs and traditions. The sometimes-violent introduction of these new cultures and practices significantly impacted the Indigenous peoples along the trail. This 88-page guide includes traditional Indigenous place names along the trail, reminding visitors that these lands are Indigenous homelands and have been so since time immemorial. The guide also provides travelers with three fold-out maps with Indigenous place names along the trail.
“As AIANTA traveled the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail we asked tribes what they wanted travelers to know and they said, ‘We are still here,’” said AIANTA CEO Sherry L. Rupert (Paiute/Washoe). “This historic guide is a testament to the resilience and strength of the Indigenous peoples of California and Arizona who, despite the violence, displacement and being ignored, are still here and welcome visitors to their lands to share their food, art and culture. It’s an honor to have collaborated with the National Park Service Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail Program, the Arizona Office of Tourism and Visit California on this monumental project that will be enjoyed for generations to come,” said Rupert.
The AIANTA team conducted extensive outreach over the five-year project to produce this guide which included connecting with multi-state tribal leadership, relationship building with local, state, and federal recreational attractions near tribal lands along the trail, in addition to site visits to photograph attractions and film tribal elders, historians, and artists. This historic guide includes 11 federally-recognized tribes in Arizona as well as 49 federally-recognized tribes and 23 unrecognized tribes in California.
“The National Park Service is grateful for the partnership with AIANTA,” said Naomi Torres, Superintendent, National Park Service Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail. “The well-respected AIANTA team brought great knowledge and experience to this project and was instrumental in creating this outstanding presentation of indigenous presence along the historic route.”
The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail connects Indigenous history, art, culture, and outdoor recreation along a 1,200-mile corridor from Nogales, Arizona, to the San Francisco Bay Area. Travelers can visit tribal museums and learn about the history, struggles and continued existence of the tribes, to include:
- Himdag Ki: Tohono O’odham Nation Cultural Center and Museum
- Him Dak Eco-Museum at the Ak-Chin Community
- The San Carlos Apache Cultural Museum
- Yoemem Tekia Cultural Center and Museum at the Pascua Yaqui Tribe
- Old Pascua Museum and Yaqui Cultural Center
- San Carlos Apache Cultural Museum
- Nohwike’ Bágowa, the White Mountain Apache Cultural Center and Museum
- Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation Cultural Center and Museum
- Huhugam Ki Museum at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
- Cocopah Museum and Cultural Center
- Quechan Indian Tribe Cultural Center
- Colorado River Indian Tribes Museum
- Sycuan Cultural Center and Museum
- Barona Cultural Center & Museum
- Kumeyaay-Ipai Interpretive Center at Pauwai
- The Cabazon Band of Mission Indians Cultural Museum
- Agua Caliente Cultural Museum
- Malki Museum and Temalpakh Garden
- Pala Band of Mission Indians’ Cupa Cultural Center
- Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians’ Wasxayam Pomki Museum
- Santa Ynez Chumash Museum and Cultural Center
- Gila River Indian Community Huhugam Heritage Center
Travelers can view the Tribes Along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail digital guide at www.aianta.org/anza-trail/ and can obtain a printed copy of the guide from AIANTA for a postage and handling fee.
For more than 26 years, AIANTA has worked to address inequities in the tourism system and has served as the national voice for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian nations engaged in cultural tourism, while providing technical assistance, training and capacity building to Native Nations and communities and Native-owned enterprises engaged in tourism, hospitality, and recreation.
Native Nations and communities who are looking to start or expand their cultural tourism footprint can find resources at www.aianta.org and visitors interested in learning more about Native culture can visit www.nativeamerica.travel.
About AIANTA:
For more than 26 years, the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) has served as the only national organization dedicated to advancing cultural heritage tourism in Native Nations and communities across the United States. Established by tribes for tribes to address inequities in the tourism system, AIANTA is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit governed by an all-Native board of directors and serves as a united voice for the $15.7 billion Native hospitality sector. AIANTA’s successful legislative work led to the industry-changing Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act (NATIVE Act) funding in 2018, as Indian Country Tourism was recognized through federal appropriations via NATIVE Act implementation. AIANTA’s mission is to define, introduce, grow, and sustain American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian (AIANNH) tourism that honors traditions and values while helping AIANNH businesses become market/export ready for domestic and international markets. Visit www.aianta.org to learn more.
Media Contact:
Liz Slobodian, APR
Liz@shipwrightcommunications.com
Photo:
Photo credit: AIANTA
Caption: Cover page of the “Tribes Along the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail” guide