Cross Canyon Ranch

Land Description

Totaling +/-2680 acres 2200 +/- deeded AC and 480+/- AC State Lease, Cross Canyon Ranch represents one the most historic hunting and working ranches around. Located approximately 13 miles west of Cebolla New Mexico off Hwy. 84, the Cross Canyon is in very coveted BGU 51, the ranch received 11 elk authorizations in 2025. Mule Deer authorizations are unlimited. The ranch has seen numerous improvements and is undergoing many more enhancements.

Land

+/- 2,680 Total Acres +/- 2200 deeded acres and +/- 480 State of New Mexico lease acres. There are 4 wells on the property. The Rio Cebolla Creek runs through the center of the property and provides year-round water for wildlife and cattle. Water everywhere, with four wells on deeded acreage, complimented by water lines and drinkers, historically carrying +/- 75 pair cattle year-round. Live creeks and 25 +/- springs are located on this ranch. The Rio Cebolla Canyon continues on for +/- 2 miles on the ranch, teeing into the Chama River Wilderness.

The ranch is bordered by Blm, Carson National Forest and the Chama Wilderness Reserve, providing thousands of acres as your backyard.

With vistas for dozens of miles, altitude from 6800' to 7200', the ranch features large meadows some cleared and planted in native grasses, sage flats, oak, pinion, juniper and stands of ponderosa pines. Pick-up or side-by-side trails provide for excellent access throughout the ranch.

Improvements

The current owner is in the process of several projects on the ranch all geared to enhance, access, water development, additional forage, security and other improvements that will add not only to the functionally of the ranch but will add value as well. Some of the projects include additional fencing, spring development, road improvements, screening and placing gravel on roads to provide better and safer access, road closures, clearing and planting.

Residential Improvements The historic log and wood frame Rustic Ranch house of approximately +/-3,000 square feet, was built in 1920 and has been added on and remodeled over the years with major renovations under the current owner between 2022-2025. Total remodeled square footage is 2,000 SF. The home, +/- 80-years-old, overlooks the river by 25-yards. Renovations on the home include new floors, new interior, new metal roof and lots of other up-to-date amenities that fit perfectly with the rustic design of the historic home. The home features power, phone, water and internet as well as hand-hewn rafters. The home has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths and is part museum and part working ranch house and is heated by propane and wood burning stoves. Complementing the headquarters home is a tool shed and outbuildings.

The historic ranch house is hidden away and tucked a half-mile into the absolutely gorgeous Rio Cebolla River Canyon that winds through the middle of the ranch.

Over 200 acres have been cleared of bush and planted in native grasses.

Recreation

Cross Canyon Ranch offers so many recreational opportunities, on the ranch or in the surrounding areas it is imposable to list them all. This end-of-the-road, secluded ranch borders the intersection of the Carson National Forest and the Chama Wilderness Reserve. You can grab a fly rod and hike out the back gate straight into the Chama River Canyon for miles and miles, hunt big or small game, hike or ride your Atv.

With vistas for miles, elevation from 6800' to 7200', the ranch offers year-round recreational opportunities. Large meadows some cleared and planted in native grasses and shrubs, sage flats, oak, pinion, juniper and stands of ponderosa pines offer feed and protection for Merriam's turkey, elk, mule deer, lion or bear, endless recreation awaits around every corner. Trails provide for excellent access for pick-up trucks or Atv's throughout the ranch.

Located in New Mexico Game and Fish Game BG unit 51, in Rio Arriba County. One of the most coveted in NM known for high elk success rates and the number one county for producing Boone & Crockett Mule Deer in the country. The ranch tags may be owner's choice, designated for Unit-Wide to take advantage of the Wilderness, National Forest or BLM surrounding the ranch on 3 sides, or Ranch-Only to take advantage of the incredible habitat and location the ranch offers.

The Ranch is currently enrolled with the NM Department of Game & Fish Eplus Program and receives a total of 11 Elk authorizations, 5 Mature Bull, 4 Antlerless Elk, 2 Either sex Archery. Mule Deer authorizations are unlimited and available online or the local license dealers. Always check with Nmdgf for up to date procedures, application information.

Due to its size and its proximity to communities and neighbors, and the wide open nature of the property makes this area is a star gazers paradise.

World-class skiing awaits you at Purgatory, Wolf Creek, Santa Fe and, Taos to name a few.

The ranch is but a short hour and half drive from The San Juan River quality waters. The San Juan River is world renowned for providing some of the most rewarding trout fishing you will ever experience. The San Juan River quality waters, which is a 4 miles stretch of river below Navajo Lake Dam,is a consistent producer of both rainbows and browns averaging 16 to 18 inches, with many reaching much larger proportions. Recent studies have suggested that there are more than 15,000 fish per mile WOW that's a lot of fish.

The famed Navajo Reservoir also offers world class boating, water sports and fishing and is less than an hour's drive from the property.

Art museums and galleries, as well as national parks and monuments, are so numerous in the surrounding communities that it will take years to explore them all.

Agriculture

Water everywhere, with four wells on deeded acreage, complimented by water lines and drinkers, the ranch historically carries +/- 75 pair of cattle year-round. Live creeks and 25 +/- springs are located on this ranch.

Water/Mineral Rights & Natural Resources

Mineral & Water To be conveyed to buyer if presently held.

General Operations

The ranch has been a working cattle ranch for decades the current owner has a grazing lease with a local rancher, $2,000 annual grazing lease on 50 of ranch through 2025.

The Big Game hunting authorizations add an additional source of income for the ranch

Region & Climate

Characterized by abundant sunshine, low humidity, temperature swings between day and night, and a summer-focused precipitation pattern from thunderstorms. Temperatures vary greatly by elevation and time of year, with hot summers, cold winters. The region receives light precipitation, averaging about 12-16 inches annually, with a distinct peak during the summer months due to thunderstorms. Snow is common during the winter season.

History

Cross Canyon Ranch is a very unique holding with only a hand full of owners over the last +/- 100 years. These types of properties bordering on thousands of acres of hard-to-access public lands are getting more difficult to find and even harder to acquire.

Chama, NM is less than 45 minutes from the property, with its rich history and the Historic Cumbres & Toltec Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Please call or email today for more information on this unique property and answer any questions you might have and to schedule a qualified showing. Financial verification is required prior to all showings Co brokers welcome.

Location

Area communities driving distance

Chama NM +/- 1 hours. Farmington Nm+/- 3 hours. Albuquerque +/- 3 hour's. Santa Fe NM +/- 2 hours. Taos Ski Area +/- 2.5 hours. Navajo Reservoir and/or Wolf Creek Ski Area +/- 2 hours. Denver CO +/- 6 hours. Durango CO +/- 4 hours. Purgatory Ski Area +/- 3.5 hours.

Both Durango and Albuquerque have major airports to serve with both domestic and international flights.