Area Attractions

Very Large ArrayThe Very Large Array, one of the world's premier astronomicalradio observatories, consists of 27 radio antennas in a Y-shapedconfiguration on the Plains of San Agustin fifty miles west ofSocorro, New Mexico. Each antenna is 25 meters (82 feet) indiameter. The data from the antennas is combined electronically togive the resolution of an antenna 36km (22 miles) across, with thesensitivity of a dish 130 meters (422 feet) in diameter.El Morro National MonumentImagine the comfort and refreshment of finding water after days of dustytravel. A reliable waterhole hidden at the base of a sandstone bluffmade El Morro (the headland) a popular campsite for hundreds of years.Here, Ancestral Puebloans, Spanish and American travelers carved over2,000 signatures, dates, messages, and petroglyphs.El Malpais National Conservation AreaThe El Malpais NationalConservation Area was established in 1987 and is managed by the Bureauof Land Management. The adjoining El Malpais National Monument was alsoestablished at the same time and is managed by the National Park Service. The 231,230 acre NCA includes two wilderness areas — West Malpais and Cebolla — covering almost 100,000 acres.La Ventana ArchA short, easy hike to New Mexico's second-largest natural arch. Ifyou are in the area, make the short stop needed to see the arch.Ice Cave & Bandero VolcanoFor a real experience incontrast, visit the Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano, "The Land of Fire andIce." Situated on the Continental Divide you walk through the twisted,old-growth Juniper, Fir and Ponderosa Pine trees, over the ancient lavatrail to the Ice Cave. Here the natural layers of ice glistenblue-green in the reflected rays of sunlight. Another trail windsaround the side of the Bandera Volcano to view one of the best examplesof a volcanic eruption in the country. Located in the heart of ElMalpais, the historic Ice Cave Trading Post displays ancient artifactsas well as contemporary Indian artwork. Wild Spirit Wolf SanctuaryWild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is a leading provider of wolf and wolf-dog Rescue, Sanctuary and Education.The Lightning FieldThe Lightning Field (1977), by the American sculptor Walter DeMaria, is a work of Land Art situated in a remote area of the highdesert of western New Mexico. It is comprised of 400 polished stainlesssteel poles installed in a grid array measuring one mile by onekilometer. The poles -- two inches in diameter and averaging 20 feet and7½ inches in height -- are spaced 220 feet apart and have solid pointedtips that define a horizontal plane.Acoma PuebloDiscover the traditional Native American culture and living history ofAcoma Pueblo in New Mexico. The Sky City Cultural Center is thegateway to our Pueblo and Museum exhibits. Take a guided tour of the ancient pueblo village atop a 367-foot sandstone bluff, shop at the Gaits’i Gift Shop for beautiful Native American jewelry and Acoma pottery, have lunch in the Y'aak’a Café, or join us for feast day celebrations and other annual public events.San Estevan del Rey Mission ChurchThroughout the 17th century, the Spanish struggled to keep New Mexicowithin their empire, and the mission system was central to theircolonial plan. The conquest of New Mexico began in 1598 when Don Juande Oñate established the first European settlement in there. Throughoutthe 1600s, Catholic priests built missions to convert the Pueblo peopleof New Mexico to Christianity and to establish bases for Spanishcolonization. In 1629, Franciscans founded the San Estevan del ReyMission Church, a National Historic Landmark, to control and acculturatethe people at the Acoma Pueblo. This ancient Acoma village sits atop amesa, over 360 feet above the ground and is one of the oldestcontinuously occupied places in the United States.Local Museums and GalleriesGrants - Cibola County Chamber of Commerce.Grants is a diverse community of 10,000 people descending from many cultures and backgrounds.Our climate is mild year round, typical of the high desert. We arelocated 1 hour west of Albuquerque on I-40.  Our area offers lowproperty taxes, inexpensive housing, the convenience of a nearby largecity, and an abundance of open space.

Quemado LakeThe800-acre Quemado Lake Recreation Area is located approximately 20 miles southof Quemado. The recreation area includes the 131 acre manmade trout lake withtwo ADA fishing piers, two boat ramps, seven developed campgrounds, oneprimitive campground, and links to more than seven miles of hiking trails. Thelake is nestled between piñon-juniper woodlands and pine forests at anelevation of 7860 feet. Quemado is stocked all with rainbow trout in fall,winter and spring months. The lake offers year round trout fishing and warmwater fishing for channel catfish and small mouth bass during the summer months. Fishing in NM

Golf New MexicoA Course Guide to Golf in the Land of Enchantment.