Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp

Land Description

Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp has it all acreage, cabin, utilities, and great hunting. At the end of a county road with year-round springs, a seasonal creek, and mature ponderosa forest, this secluded +/ property features a turnkey 1-bed, 1-bath cabin with garage, well, power, and septic. A private big game haven that punches well above its class-this one won't last long.

Land

The Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp encompasses +/- 120 acres of richly varied mountain terrain in northeastern New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo foothills at an elevation of approximately 8000 feet. This secluded property sits at the end of a county-maintained road, blending quiet privacy with year-round accessibility.

The land features a mix of broad mesa benches, gently rolling hills, and steeper wooded draws. A seasonal creek traverses the southwest corner, fed by multiple seeps and springs that provide reliable water sources on the property-sources that hold wildlife on the property year-round.

Vegetation is dominated by mature ponderosa pine, with a healthy understory of Gambel oak, mountain mahogany, and mixed conifers including spruce and Douglas fir. In protected north slopes and drainages, you'll even find widely scattered aspen. The diversity of plant life supports a rich wildlife habitat-well-suited to elk, mule deer, black bear, turkey, and other native species. The property lies in NM Game Management Unit 48, a unit with over-the-counter tags for most species and a strong track record of qualifying for private land elk authorizations under the Eplus private land hunting program.

Soils are primarily loamy and well-drained, derived from basaltic volcanic material typical of the Ocate volcanic field. Red sandstone outcroppings are visible in several areas, and surface textures range from grassy flats to forest duff and shallow rocky slopes.

The elevation and dense canopy provide cool summer temperatures, excellent cover, and a true high-country feel. With its mix of terrain, reliable water, lush meadows, and mature timber, Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp is a classic northern New Mexico recreational tract-primed for hunting, wildlife stewardship, or weekend retreat use.

Improvements

Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp features a functional and comfortable 1-bedroom, 1-bath hunting cabin with approximately 850 square feet of enclosed, finished living space. The interior includes a full kitchen, living area, bathroom, and sleeping quarters-ideal for hunters, weekenders, or seasonal use. Heating is provided by a wood-burning stove and space heaters, making it a cozy and efficient retreat year-round.

The structure is topped with a durable metal roof and includes a covered front porch, offering a sheltered spot to relax and enjoy the quiet setting. In addition to the enclosed interior, the cabin offers roughly 500 square feet of roof-covered open space-used for a carport, firewood storage, and additional gear staging. Total roof-covered footprint is approximately 1,350 square feet.

A network of well-established cat roads traverses the property, providing access to elevated benches, springs, meadows, and hunting locations by ATV or 4Wd. These roads are thoughtfully cut, clearly visible in aerial imagery, and make game retrieval, property maintenance, and exploration efficient and enjoyable.

Turnkey and ready to use, the improvements on Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp offer a rare balance of utility, comfort, and seclusion.

Buyer to verify all information and measurements

Recreation

Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp offers exceptional four-season recreation in the heart of northern New Mexico's high country. Located in Game Management Unit 48, the property provides direct access to some of the best big game hunting in the region. Elk, mule deer, black bear and Merriam's turkey all frequent the area, and the property has historically qualified for one private land elk authorization through the Eplus program. Over-the-counter landowner tags are available for several species, and the natural combination of timber, meadows, springs, and varied terrain make this property a strong producer for hunters year after year.

Fishing opportunities are also within easy reach, with nearby destinations such as the Cimarron River, Rio Mora, Morphy Lake, and Coyote Creek offering excellent trout waters. Anglers can pursue rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout in both stream and stillwater settings, with options for both fly fishing and conventional tackle. Eagle Nest Lake, north of Angel Fire, offers fishing for a variety of species including trout, northern pike, and perch.

On the property itself, a network of established cat roads and game trails provide opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, ATV and UTV exploration, and wildlife viewing. The peaceful setting, mature forest, and frequent game sightings make everyday exploration part of the experience. In winter, the property often receives enough snowfall for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and backcountry enjoyment right out the front door.

For those seeking downhill skiing and year-round mountain resort access, Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp is ideally positioned. Angel Fire Resort is just 25 miles away, offering skiing, snowboarding, tubing, mountain biking, zip lining, and an 18-hole mountain golf course in summer. Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort is approximately 30 miles away and offers family-friendly terrain, chairlift rides, and fishing access. Taos Ski Valley-New Mexico's premier alpine destination-is about 80 miles from the property and provides world-class skiing in winter along with hiking, mountain biking, and scenic gondola rides in the warmer months.

Whether you're hunting elk in the fall, chasing trout in the spring, or skiing powder in midwinter, Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp serves as a quiet, private basecamp with year-round access to some of the best outdoor recreation New Mexico has to offer.

Historic tag allocation does not guarantee continued tags - buyer should verify with Nmdgf.

General Operations

The current owner has a small surface lease with a local rancher to allow for an agricultural tax exemption. This lease is negotiable, and can be transferred to the new owner if desired.

Region & Climate

Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp sits at approximately 8000 feet elevation in the Sangre de Cristo foothills of Colfax County, New Mexico. The area experiences a four-season mountain climate with average summer highs in the upper 70s to low 80s and overnight lows in the 40s. Winters are cold, with daytime highs in the 30s to 40s and regular snowfall. Annual precipitation averages 20 to 24 inches, with the majority falling during the summer monsoon season from July through early September. Snowfall ranges from 40 to 60 inches per year, supporting winter recreation without typically limiting access. The region is rural and lightly developed, with essential services available in nearby Mora, and Angel Fire. Larger towns such as Las Vegas and Taos provide additional amenities within 60 to 90 minutes.

History

The Ocate Mesa region lies at the intersection of centuries of cultural and ecological history. Prior to Spanish and Anglo settlement, these mountains and mesas were part of the traditional homelands and seasonal hunting grounds of several indigenous groups, including the Jicarilla Apache and nomadic bands of Ute and Comanche. Their presence is reflected in the region's trail systems, archaeological sites, and oral histories.

Nearby villages such as Ocate, Mora, and Wagon Mound were settled in the early-to-mid 1800S, originally as land grant communities tied to ranching, farming, and trade along the Santa Fe Trail. Ocate itself served as a key waypoint for travelers moving between Fort Union and the Rio Grande Valley, while Mora became known for its grain production and timber exports during the territorial period. Wagon Mound, marked by its distinctive volcanic formation just east of the town, was one of the final prominent landmarks on the Santa Fe Trail before reaching the plains.

This property sits just west of that historic corridor, and the surrounding land retains a quiet, undeveloped character rooted in a long-standing tradition of subsistence use, seasonal hunting, and rural isolation.

Location

Ocate Mesa Hunting Camp is located in rural Colfax County, New Mexico, accessed via a well-maintained county road that terminates at the property. The nearest small towns are Wagon Mound 25 miles east and Mora 30 miles south, where you'll find essential services-fuel, general stores, post office, K-12 schools, and a rural clinic. For broader amenities, including grocery selections, hardware supplies, medical specialists, and restaurants, Las Vegas, NM is about 50 miles southwest, and Taos is roughly 50 miles west.

The closest aviation access points include Angel Fire Airport - a public county airport approximately 60 miles west, with an 8,900-Foot paved runway capable of handling mid-size corporate or charter aircraft.

Commercial air service is available from Taos Regional Airport TSM and Santa Fe Regional Airport SAF 50 miles and 110 miles away, respectively, while larger national flights operate out of Albuquerque International Sunport ABQ 170 miles.