Abiquiu



Abiquiu (AH-bi-kyoo) is a village in the north central region of New Mexico, USA. Despite its small population, it is interesting for attractive scenery and for Ghost Ranch, a conference center and living museum. In the village proper, one can visit the home of famous painter Georgia O'Keeffe.

Get in
Abiquiu is about 60 miles north of Santa Fe on US highway 84. This road from Santa Fe is generally passable as far as Abiquiu even after winter storms, as unlike some of the region's other highways, it stays in the valley. However, north of Abiquiu, it can be messy in the winter, so check on conditions if you're approaching from Colorado. The nearest major airport is in Albuquerque 60 miles south of Santa Fe. Limited bus service to Española (with connections to Santa Fe and Taos) is available from the NCRTD.

Get around
There's not much town to get around in. Most of the outlying attractions are on good road, but if you're heading into the Jemez Mountains (see under "Go next"), a high-clearance vehicle is a good idea if you're going to get off the main highway.

See

 * Much of the red-rock scenery commonly associated with O'Keeffe's work is seen well from the highway through town, US 84. One highlight of particular note is Echo Amphitheater, just off the highway north of Ghost Ranch, where a short, easy trail leads to the eponymous geological feature, a natural amphitheater that echoes any loud noises.
 * Much of the red-rock scenery commonly associated with O'Keeffe's work is seen well from the highway through town, US 84. One highlight of particular note is Echo Amphitheater, just off the highway north of Ghost Ranch, where a short, easy trail leads to the eponymous geological feature, a natural amphitheater that echoes any loud noises.
 * Much of the red-rock scenery commonly associated with O'Keeffe's work is seen well from the highway through town, US 84. One highlight of particular note is Echo Amphitheater, just off the highway north of Ghost Ranch, where a short, easy trail leads to the eponymous geological feature, a natural amphitheater that echoes any loud noises.
 * Much of the red-rock scenery commonly associated with O'Keeffe's work is seen well from the highway through town, US 84. One highlight of particular note is Echo Amphitheater, just off the highway north of Ghost Ranch, where a short, easy trail leads to the eponymous geological feature, a natural amphitheater that echoes any loud noises.

Do

 * Water sports are available at nearby Abiquiu Lake, one of a number of small artificial lakes built primarily to control flooding along the Rio Chama and Rio Grande. Picnics and rustic camping are possible. Abiquiu Lake is generally held to offer some of the best fishing in New Mexico.
 * Hiking trails into the red-rock country around Ghost Ranch is available from the ranch, with notably good hikes being the one to a view of Chimney Rock, a hike up to Kitchen Mesa with excellent views over the surrounding country, and a hike along a small creek into a box canyon; detailed info on these can be found at Ghost Ranch. To experience mountain hiking, try the route suggested under "Go Next."

Sleep

 * Camping is possible at Abiquiu Lake, and also at Echo Amphitheater campground a few miles to the north.

Go next

 * The pretty Jemez Mountains are south of town and can be seen to good advantage from either Abiquiu Lake, or better, NM SR 96 along the north side of the range. Trailheads leading into San Pedro Parks Wilderness and other points in Santa Fe National Forest are reachable by side roads from this  highway, but two warnings: First, many of the side roads are rough enough to require high-clearance vehicles, and in spring and early summer, 4-wheel drive is nearly essential owing to muddy spots.  Second, there have been problems with vandalism to vehicles parked in this region.