Tierra Amarilla, Spanish for "yellow earth," is in northern New Mexico, less than 20 miles from the Colorado border. This historic town grew up along Las Nutritas Creek as Spanish settlers established farms and ranches. During the mid-19th century, it served as a supply station on the Spanish Trail. Today, around 400 people live in Tierra Amarilla. Despite its size, you can find rich cultural, ecological and artistic attractions in the town and surrounding area.
Mustang Memories
- Monero Mustangs, an organization that breeds and preserves Spanish mustangs, occupies the Yellow Hills Ranch in Tierra Amarilla. Weather permitting, you can tour the 5,000-acre ranch to see how wild horses live naturally. Two-hour and half-day personal tours are available by appointment, and you also can stay at a primitive campsite on the grounds. Photographers and other artists conduct workshops at Yellow Hills Ranch.
Java and Drums
- Three Ravens Coffee House occupies a renovated building in Tierra Amarilla. Drum-maker Paul Namkung owns the 125-year-old structure, which also has served as a bar, boarding house, Catholic school and post office. The coffee shop hosts live music, and the building also houses World Drums, where Namkung crafts his unique instruments. You might even catch a drumming circle while you’re at the coffee house.
Foray into Fibers
- At Tierra Wools, less than three miles north of Tierra Amarilla in Los Ojos, artisans hand-dye and create yarn using wool from local sheep. Their tapestry designs reflect traditional patterns from the Rio Grande Valley. You can purchase woven clothing, blankets and rugs, along with other handcrafted goods, including jewelry, pottery, yarn and crocheted, knitted and felted accessories, in the gift shop. Tierra Wools also hosts a variety of classes and workshops. Open hours vary by season, but if you want to extend your visit, you can stay at a guest house on the premises.
Leisure at the Lake
- If you want to enjoy the area’s natural beauty, visit Heron Lake State Park, a 12.5-mile drive east of Tierra Amarilla. You can canoe, kayak, sail or drive a motorboat on the lake. Other activities include fishing, picnicking and swimming. The park has 7 miles of trails designated for hiking, mountain biking and, during the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Camping facilities range from primitive beach sites to a campground with 250 developed spaces, including electric and water hookups.
Ranch Retreat
- If you’re an art aficionado or you just want a place to relax, check out Ghost Ranch, about 45 miles south of Tierra Amarilla. Painter Georgia O’Keeffe spent summers on the ranch, where she created many of her iconic desert paintings, and in 1940 purchased a small parcel of land from the owners. Today, the Presbyterian Church operates the 21,000-acre facility as an education and retreat center. The ranch is open to the public, and you can hike, go horseback riding, create art or take one of the many workshops offered throughout the year. You also can visit anthropology and paleontology museums on the grounds.
