Gather Around

Ghost Ranch

Ghost Ranch is in Abiquiu about an hour and a half north of Santa Fe. The 21,000 acres that comprise Ghost Ranch were part of a land grant to Pedro Martin Serrano from the King of Spain in 1766. The grant was called "Piedra Lumbre" (shining rock).  The name "Ghost Ranch," or the local name "Rancho de los Brujos" (Ranch of the Witches), was derived from the many tales of ghosts and legends of hangings in the Ranch's history.

Photo by David Young.
Courtesy of Ghost Ranch.

Ghost Ranch was the place of solace and inspiration for Georgia O’Keeffe. In 1934, 12 years after her first visit to Northern New Mexico, O'Keeffe made Ghost Ranch her summer home. She would spend her summers hiking, exploring and painting the area and in the winter go to New York.

Visit the official site at www.GhostRanch.org.

General Information

You will need comfortable clothes, sturdy walking shoes, a hat, rain gear, a flashlight, sun block, bug repellent, and a jacket or sweater for evenings. Please, no pets. Quiet Time is observed after 10:00 p.m. Radios and cassette players used only with earphones, please.

Computers and Telecommunications. Telephone service in northern New Mexico is by radio wave transmission. Access to Internet and e-mail is available in the computer lab and from some locations via wireless. Cell phone service is normally not available, but connections can occasionally be made from one or two locations depending on your service provider.

Photo by Bob Smith
Courtesy of Ghost Ranch.

Driving on the Ranch. Because of environmental concerns, driving is discouraged. If you must drive, please observe the speed limit of 15 mph on Ranch roads, including the road to/from the highway. Drive friendly.

Health. Ghost Ranch is at 6,500 feet. There is a limited clinic in Abiquiu, 14 miles away, and a hospital with ambulance service in Espanola, approximately 35 miles away.

The Labyrinth. Designed on the Chartres model, a one-half mile circular path for prayer, meditation, and reflection was a gift to the Ranch in 1998. Labyrinth brochures are available at the front desk.

Library. A fine library, containing more than 16,000 volumes, is open to guests twenty-four hours a day, year-round.

Museums. The Anthropology and Paleontology museums are located just west of the Lower Pavilion on the grounds of Ghost Ranch.

Museum Shop. Museum shop quality pottery and jewelry, along with paleo and archaeology logo items and other gift items, are available from local craftspersons.

Photo by Claudia Tammen.
Courtesy of Ghost Ranch.

Persons with Disabilities. To assist you and assess how we may provide a satisfying experience, please request a "Ghost Ranch Special Needs Application" to complete and return with your registration form.

The Trading Post. Books for adults and children, gift items, logo wear, film, personal items, i.e., toothpaste, headache and pain remedies, and sun block are available. Hours are posted.