Have you ever dreamed of riding your horse through the unspoiled countryside for days and days? Visit the N Bar Ranch in the mountains of New Mexico for a week and step back in time. It is home to a variety of wildlife. Their ranch is known as one of the best elk habitats in the country. There is also plenty of antelope, deer, hawks, eagles, wolves, and other wildlife in the area. Located in the Gila, the ranch boasts a variety of terrain and ecosystems. This makes each day a new experience. When you ride out the West gate, you'd think you were in Montana or Colorado, with the high mountains covered in Spruce, Fir, and Aspen. The East gate goes out into rolling grasslands with rock-rimmed canyons and creeks lined with cottonwoods, similar to Wyoming or the Dakotas.
N Bar Ranch is located in the Gila National Forest near Snow Lake in the mountains of Western New Mexico. The ranch is situated in a small secluded valley surrounded by tall Ponderosa Pines at 8,000 feet altitude. It takes about 38 miles to drive up the mountain from town. The road is mostly paved, but there are plenty of potholes. The first 10 miles have several switchbacks, but nothing too challenging. The big semis hauling cattle come in yearly, so you can do the same. There are 13 miles of gravel with a washboard, but you don't need a 4x4 or high clearance. You will need at least 1.5 hours to drive from Reserve to the ranch.
N Bar Ranch has the following facilities:
- Ranch Cabin
- Guest Cabin
- Restrooms
- Corrals
You will need to bring your own:
- Paper towels, Toilet Paper, Napkins
- Spices
- Dishwashing soap and sponges
- Your usual camping kitchen stuff like tin foil, baggies, etc.
- Lawn chairs
- Charcoal and lighter
- Lantern (for use at the shelter picnic tables)
- Sleeping bags. Their beds only have a clean bottom sheet, pillow, and case.
- Shower towel
- Sunscreen, lip smear
- Medium coat, even in the summer. Once the sun goes down so does the temperature.
- All your medications. There is no drugstore nearby.
Note: Cookhouses are equipped with every kind of pot, pan, and utensil you could ever need, but they don't have microwaves.
They do not have the following:
- Electricity
- Internet connection
- Cellphone Signal
N Bar Ranch has seven cabins, shower houses, cookhouses, and corrals for up to 12 equines. The cabins consist of two-bed cabins with solar lighting and gas heat. Their kitchen is fully stocked with everything you need for cooking and eating, including a four-burner gas stove and oven. It doesn't have a microwave, though. It has a small overhead freezer and a mid-sized refrigerator. Their bathroom includes a shower/tub combo.
They have cool summer days and chilly nights due to their high altitude. During July and August, the average daytime temperature is 75-80 degrees, and the average nighttime temperature is 45-50 degrees. Nothing to worry about, like snakes, mosquitoes, or scorpions.
Cost Details:
They require a 50% deposit at the time of booking to secure your week. You must pay the balance 30 days before arrival. They do not accept credit cards or debit cards. Only cash or bank checks are accepted.
- Rent the Ranch is $3,000
- Guest Cabin is $1,200
Note: The charge for a six-night week (from Saturday through Sunday) is $1200.00 for four people and four equines. Health papers and Coggins must be provided for each equine. You will need to provide your vet with the following physical address:
N Bar Ranch
34 N Bar Ranch Rd.
Reserve, N.M. 87830
You may also want to discover and explore other horse trails. The following are some of the horse trails and campsites you may want to visit:
GILA NATIONAL FOREST - Frisco Box Trail
GILA NATIONAL FOREST - Middle Fork Gila River Trail
Apache Sitgreaves National Forest - Maverick Hill Trail (#568)
N Bar Ranch does require reservations for overnight accommodations. Please visit their page here on Top Horse Trails - N Bar Ranch for more information: