Old Cañones Creek Ranch | Fay Ranches

OLD CAÑONES CREEK RANCH

Chama, New Mexico

$6,950,000

44.75± Acres

INTRODUCTION

Enter your own private enchanted forest when you drive into the Old Cañones Creek Ranch near Chama, New Mexico. Four trout-filled ponds, two creeks, and exquisite landscaping surround the custom, adobe, Northern New Mexico-style main home and guest home.

No details were missed in the design and decor of these homes. Each is thoughtfully sited on grounds that include extensive stonework and artistic touches such as the placement of burned tree skeletons, a large free-hung dinner bell, and a cozy, custom stone-and-log gazebo perfect for morning coffee or afternoon cocktails.

Three completely renovated, historic, one-room log cabins are aesthetically located on the ranch grounds. Rounding out the improvements are the original partially renovated ranch guest lodge, a large maintenance barn, and an equipment shelter.

The 44.75± acre ranch is mostly forested with a large central meadow. The ranch supports a wide variety of wildlife and is frequently visited by elk and mule deer, making it eligible for the New Mexico Game and Fish (NMGF) Elk-Plus program, which awards hunting vouchers to ranches in Primary Game Management Units. The owners have never entered the ranch in this program and instead have a membership in a nearby 2,400± acre hunt club.

The ranch is minutes from the iconic Northern New Mexico towns of Chama and Tierra Amarilla, a little over an hour to Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and an hour and a half to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Located at an ideal elevation of 7,800± feet, the Old Cañones Creek Ranch comes furnished and equipped for an easy move-in and enjoyable experience.

1 Old Cañones Creek Ranch | Chama, New Mexico

• 44.75± acres

• 4,850± square foot custom adobe northern New Mexico style main home

• 1,100± square foot custom adobe northern New Mexico style guest house

• Four trout-rich ponds

• Two creeks

• Water rights

• Elk, mule deer, and a variety of wildlife

• Three renovated historic one-room log cabins

• Historic lodge, partially renovated

• Barn and workshop buildings

• Manicured grounds with custom stonework and embellishments

The Old Cañones Creek Ranch comprises 44.75± acres across three parcels. All acres associated with the Old Cañones Creek Ranch are deeded.

SCENIC VISTAS

The ranch is set below the imposing walls of Daggett Canyon and the Cañones Box on the banks of Gentry Creek and Cañones Creek. Vistas include views of the canyon walls, running water, ponds, and a forest of aspens, cottonwoods, and mixed conifers.

IMPROVEMENTS

The three-bedroom, three-bath primary residence at Old Cañones Creek Ranch was built in 1996 and features two-foot-thick adobe wall construction for warmer winters and cooler summers. Custom high-end Santa Fe-style finishes are prevalent throughout the home. The centerpiece is a large two-sided wood-burning fireplace between the large kitchen and the very comfortable living room. Numerous woodburning fireplaces reside in the main home and guesthouse. There are two bedrooms on the main floor, including the primary. The second floor consists of a large library, office, and guest bedroom suite. A three-stall attached garage , large foyer, and mudroom complete the main house layout. A large, comfortable, covered portal stretches the length of the home overlooking Gentry Creek and one of the ponds.

The guesthouse itself shares the same construction and attention to detail as the main residence. A large three-room guest suite sits on one end, and an executive office with a unique stone kiva fireplace on the other end. A fenced backyard and a relaxing front porch offer the perfect getaway for your guests. The ranch served as a guest ranch years ago, and the lodge from those bygone days is partially renovated. It remains a blank canvas for the new owner. Perhaps in its next life, it could be a saloon, recreation building, or dance hall. Three perfectly restored one-room log cabins have been placed about the property, with one peacefully located on the banks of Cañones Creek.

RECREATION

The Old Cañones Creek Ranch provides opportunities for outdoor pursuits within its private boundaries and the surrounding northern New Mexico landscape. Beyond hunting and fishing, Old Cañones Creek Ranch and its surroundings support a range of outdoor activities. The area is suitable for hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife observation. The Carson National Forest, near the property, offers trails for exploration, including opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.

HUNTING | WILDLIFE

The Old Cañones Creek Ranch provides access to hunting opportunities in New Mexico Game Management Unit 4A, known for its trophy elk and mule deer. The property’s varied topography, including ponderosa pine forests and open meadows, and extensive water, creates an ideal habitat for a variety of wildlife. Because of the resources that attract elk and deer, the ranch qualifies for application to the E-Plus elk tag program. There is also a possibility of joining a nearby 2,400± acre hunt club for those interested in more hunting opportunities.

FISHING

Trout fishing in the ranch ponds is productive even without stocking, due to their depth, which allows good winter survival. Healthy brown trout are the staple and can be taken routinely with a flyrod or spincaster. Cañones Creek on the ranch also offers some excellent small stream fishing. Nearby is the Chama River, which flows into the Vado and then Abiquiú reservoirs within 30 minutes of the ranch. These offer a variety of fishing opportunities.

OTHER RECREATION

Old Cañones Creek Ranch provides a private setting for a variety of outdoor activities. The landscape is conducive to hiking and horseback riding along established trails, offering opportunities for wildlife observation and nature photography. The area supports birding, with diverse habitats attracting numerous species. During winter months, the terrain may accommodate cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, depending on snow conditions. The property’s direct access to its natural features ensures privacy for these recreational pursuits.

The ranch offers several unique lodging options, including three log cabins that could possibly generate income through short-term rental.

AREA HISTORY

The region surrounding Old Cañones Creek Ranch has a history shaped by indigenous cultures, Spanish colonial expansion, and American settlement. Ancestral Puebloan peoples inhabited the area for centuries, leaving behind archaeological evidence of their presence. Spanish explorers and settlers arrived in the 17th century, establishing a colonial presence that influenced the architecture, land use, and cultural traditions of northern New Mexico. Ranching and agriculture became central to the economy, with families utilizing the fertile river valleys and grazing lands. The Carson National Forest, encompassing large tracts of the surrounding landscape, was established in the early 20th century, reflecting a federal commitment to resource management and conservation. Today, the area maintains a blend of its historical heritage and a contemporary focus on outdoor recreation and land stewardship. Jicarilla Apache lands border the ranch on two sides, protecting against development.

NEARBY ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

Chama is the origin point for the famous Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, a 3-foot narrow-gauge heritage railroad that operates over 64 miles of track between Antonito, Colorado, and Chama, New Mexico, in the United States. Not far from Old Cañones Creek Ranch is the village of Abiquiú, approximately 25 miles south, which offers cultural sites, including the Georgia O’Keeffe Home & Studio. For winter recreation, the ski resorts of Taos Ski Valley and Ski Santa Fe are within a twohour drive, offering alpine skiing and snowboarding. The region also provides access to numerous hiking trails within the Carson National Forest and the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. Heading north, the ranch is a little over an hour from the hot springs of Pagosa Springs, and Wolf Creek Ski Area is another 30 minutes beyond.

LOCATION

Old Cañones Creek Ranch is situated in northern New Mexico, a region characterized by its rugged mountains, high desert plateaus, and historic communities. The property is approximately 25 miles north of Abiquiú, a village known for its connection to artist Georgia O’Keeffe and its scenic landscapes. Pagosa Springs, Colorado, which offers multiple amenities, is about an hour’s drive north. Stevens Field FBO in Pagosa Springs is a popular airport for private aircraft. Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital and a hub for arts, culture, and dining, is approximately 75 miles south and offers commercial air service. The ranch is positioned within the Chama River Valley watershed, an area recognized for its geological formations and outdoor recreation.

www.fayranches.com | 800.238.8616 | info@fayranches.com

GETTING THERE

The ranch is located between Tierra Amarilla and Chama, New Mexico, off County Road 342, a few miles east of the highway.

AIRPORT SERVICES

• Abiquiú Private Airfield - General aviation, approximately 25 miles, 45-minute drive.

• Santa Fe Regional Airport - Commercial service, approximately 70 miles, 1 hour and 30 minutes drive.

• Albuquerque International Sunport - International commercial service, approximately 130 miles, a 2-hour 45-minute drive.

• Stevens Field FBO, Pagosa Springs, Colorado, approximately 54 miles, a 65-minute drive.

WATER RIGHTS

The ranch enjoys substantial water rights that have recently been reaffirmed by the NM State Engineer. The rights allow for the maintenance of four large ponds and some irrigation. All water rights held by the seller that are appurtenant to the property will transfer to the buyer by appropriate deed.

MINERAL RIGHTS

All mineral rights appurtenant to the property and owned by the seller will convey to the buyer at closing. Mineral rights are not guaranteed. It is suggested that the buyer conduct a mineral search with a title company.

CONSERVATION | STEWARDSHIP

Each of us at Fay Ranches loves the land and wants to see it remain a productive agricultural ground and a quality fish and wildlife habitat. Through promoting thoughtful land stewardship, Fay Ranches has guided owners toward a legacy of conserving wide-open spaces, enhancing and creating fisheries and wildlife habitats, and implementing sustainable agricultural operations. Fay Ranches is proud to say that since our company began in 1992, our clients’ conservation ethics and land-use practices have significantly enhanced our work landscape.

Old Cañones Creek Ranch offers a private New Mexico retreat with an exquisite setting and architecturally significant improvements. This special place will become a family legacy for some lucky new owner. The beauty, the quality, and the physical attributes create an unmatched asset. Additionally, the property’s location offers access to regional outdoor activities in a culturally significant region. If you are looking for a retreat offering multiple lodging options, abundant water resources, varied wildlife, and a four-season climate with cool summers, Old Cañones Creek Ranch is the perfect choice.

PRICE TERMS

TAXES

$5,000±

$6,950,000 Cash

Conventional Financing Loan Acceptable to Seller, 1031 Exchange

CONTACT NOTICE

Please contact Jim Vidamour, ALC, at (719) 890-4590 | jvidamour@ fayranches.com to schedule a showing. This is an exclusive listing. An agent from Fay Ranches, Inc. must be present at all showings, unless otherwise noted or other arrangements are made. To view other properties we have listed, please visit our web page at www. fayranches.com.

Offer is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice, and approval of purchase by owner. Information regarding land classification, carrying capacities, maps, etc., is intended only as a general guideline and has been provided by the owners and other sources deemed reliable, but the accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to research the information to their own satisfaction.

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