Rio Arriba County – New Mexico Ranches for Sale:
New Mexico ranches for sale in Rio Arriba County nestle into the mountains and valleys of a culturally rich area. Rio Arriba County is west of Taos County, north of Santa Fe County, and borders Colorado. Here the Santa Fe and Carson national forests blend into the spectacular mountainous terrain.
In northern New Mexico, magnificent real estate – large hunting ranches, cattle ranches, recreational properties, and open lands – soars up to the Continental Divide. The sub-arctic continental climate produces short summers and long cold winters, the makings for excellent wildlife habitat on ranches in Northern New Mexico.
Rio Arriba County, literally “Upper River,” encompasses almost 6000 square miles. The north part of the Rio Grande River is the namesake. Consequently, this is part of the North Rio Grande National Heritage Area. The fishing is spectacular. Bodies of water include the Chama River (Rio Grande), several creeks, streams, and lakes.
Major Communities
Although rural, Rio Arriba County is home to over 40,000 residents. Since 1880, Tierra Amarilla has been the county seat. With over 10,000 residents, Española is the largest city. The village of Chama with its narrow-gauge heritage railway may be most well known as visitors come to ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad.
Española was once a Spanish capital and lies on the southernmost border with Santa Fe County. The community recently celebrated his 400th anniversary of the colonization by the Spanish. It was the first permanent European colony in North America. But Rio Arriba County boasts a vast culture that weaves together practices of the “Pueblo and Plains Indians, Spanish Gentry, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim Spaniards,” according to a county history by Raymond Ortiz and Lauren Reichelt. A considerable Native American population is present today.
Attractions and Adventures
Others prefer hunting and fishing on some of the vibrant ranches in Northern New Mexico. Enthralling recreation and scenic beauty purveyed Rio Arriba County. In addition to the Carson National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest, the Valles Caldera National Preserve and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail spread inside the county.
Travelers may be interested in viewing the Puye Cliff Dwellings, Brazos Cliffs, the Echo Amphitheater, Ghost Ranch, Monastery of Christ in the Desert/Abbey Brewing Company, and visiting the Jicarilla Apache Reservation.
Schools and Education
There are six public school districts in Rio Arriba County. They include Chama Valley, Dulce, and Penasco Independent Schools; Jemez Mountain and Espanola Public Schools; and Mesa Vista Consolidated Schools. Campuses of Northern New Mexico College and New Mexico Highland University are in Espanola and El Rito.
New Mexico Ranch Real Estate Agents
Request more information about current New Mexico ranches for sale. Contact Dave Harrigan or Hunter Harrigan at Harrigan Land Company at (800) 524-1818. Specializing in large ranch and recreational properties in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Utah.
