7 acres hosted by Gary G.
1 RV/tent site
All to yourself
100% of recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp felt private.
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This land was previously undeveloped when we bought it in 2011, having only been used as horse grazing land and chile production in the 1960s. It is characteristic of inherited irrigated properties in the area and is about 150 ft wide and half a mile long that extends from the traditional irrigation ditch (acequia) at the top of the property to the river drainage. In the 1940s the Chile Line Railroad ran through here on the way to Espanola.
Learn more about this land:
Nestled in the river valley halfway between Taos and Santa Fe, near the confluence of the Rio Chama and the Rio Grande, this off-grid property is just north of Ohkay Owingeh, where indigenous settlements have existed for many centuries due to rich soil and available ground and surface water. In the 1500s settlers from Mexico came to farm land for New Spain. These historical Spanish and Native influences and identities run deep in this area, as well as the more recent influences of hippie dropout culture in Taos, Ojo Caliente, and Dixon. We have lots of book recommendations if you want to learn more about the complexity of culture and identity in northern New Mexico.
Our 5 acres property is a narrow agricultural strip that extends from the irrigation acequia (ditch) at the top of the property down through a dense bosque (forest), ending in a path to the placid river bend of the Rio Grande. The campsites lie midway, among the privacy of the cottonwood bosque and adjacent pond. It is a short walk to a riverside perch with stairs to the shallow water and kayak launch. Other activities on the property include visiting the goats, chickens, and our friendly dogs, playing on the scrap-built playground, swinging on the pond swing, wading in the river, fishing, and doing some beginner kayaking the pond.
This property is at its best late Spring through mid Fall when all is green, the pond is full and river is cool. Winter camping is still doable but may include snow, frozen pond, and leafless trees, and sandhill cranes. The site has a nice firepit and we have lots of wood. Summertime means mosquitos so come prepared with some serious sprays or creams- and don't bother with citronella candles, they won't be effective here. You will have a lot of privacy in the bosque, and it is relatively quiet from urban noise. You will be in agricultural and farm country, so you will be amongst the sounds of roosters, sheep, goat, peacocks and horses doing their thing in the farm land all around you. There can be dogs barking so if any of this noise bothers you you will want to bring earplugs.We are located in the Espanola River Valley halfway between Taos and Santa Fe, near the confluence of the Rio Chama and the Rio Grande, in a quiet farming area locally called El Guique.
Our property is a narrow agricultural strip that meets the top of the paved road in El Guique but goes down through dense bosque where there is a flat and secluded camping area with firepit and picnic table. The campsite now also has a A-frame enclosed outhouse.
At your campsite you'll enjoy the quiet and private area surrounded on all sides by cottonwoods, elm, and an adjacent pond. In addition you can take a 1/4 mile short walk beyond the pond to a placid bend of the Rio Grande where you can watch the river wildlife and even fish. In spring the river is usually too strong for swimming safely, but in late summer/early fall you can usually wade in to cool off, and even launch a kayak or raft from our river spot.
This is a great campsite for families, as we have miniature goats, friendly dogs and chickens to pet. We also have a large playground, trampoline and zipline for kids near our house, as well as the pond swing near the campsite. Kids can easily practice kayaking or SUP in our small pond. We ask that you supervise your children however and don't let them run loose on the property- we aren't a KOA campground.