With year-round access and excellent accommodations, Agua Fria Ranch in the San Juan Mountains of northern New Mexico seems custom-made for big game hunting. Great populations of elk, mule deer, bear, and turkey roam freely among its 1,570 acres, all of which find ideal habitat here. Two live water creeks are exceptional assets for any New Mexico ranch, and Rito de Tierra Amarilla and Agua Fria add up to nearly two miles of flowing water on the property. With three residences and two large outbuildings completing the picture, Agua Fria Ranch is superbly suited as a turnkey hunting and recreational property of the first order.

Conveniently located adjacent to Highway 64 that connects Tierra Amarilla and Taos, New Mexico, Agua Fria Ranch preserves a swath of the San Juans ecosystem from approximately 8,000 to 9,000 feet that includes a mix of aspen groves, gambel oak, grassy meadows, and pine and spruce forests. Exclusive big game hunting has been an emphasis on this ranch for years (it includes five elevated hunting blinds), but it has cross fencing and water sources that would also enable it to support summer cattle grazing. Elk and mule deer hunting are the main draw here, but bear, mountain lion, and turkey can also be found on the ranch. Agua Fria Ranch qualified for 12 landowner elk permits in 2025. Fly fishing is available here, too, for Rito de Tierra Amarilla and Agua Fria are small permanent streams that support wild brook trout in deeper pools.

Agua Fria Ranch is well suited for hosting larger groups of guests, with the 3372-square-foot main residence including five bedrooms and five baths. A large living room with a fireplace invites hours of hunting tales and rich conversations, or move outside and enjoy the firepit on the patio, directly adjacent to a large mountain meadow that is often frequented by herds of elk. The main residence retains the ambience of classic Western architecture, with pine tongue-and-groove ceilings and warm wood accents throughout. A hunting lodge of 1712 square feet has an additional two bedrooms and two baths, and a manager’s house has three bedrooms and two baths. With the ability to house 10 to 20 persons, the Agua Fria Ranch is a candidate for a comfortable retreat center as well as a hunting operation or a family compound. A 1520-square-foot heated shop with a workbench allows ample space for OHV and vehicle storage, and a 5050-foot metal shop with a walk-in cooler supports the maintenance of the ranch.

Recreational and cultural opportunities in the vicinity of Agua Fria Ranch include additional recreation in the Carson National Forest and fly fishing on the Chama and Brazos Rivers. Chama is only about 20 miles distant, a terminus of the narrow-gauge Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Taos is 90 minutes to the east via Highway 64 and is renowned for its rich history as well as its vibrant arts community and downhill skiing. Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital and cultural mecca, lies about 100 miles to the south.

In the estimation of Harrigan Land Company, there are few properties in northern New Mexico that equal the attractions of Agua Fria Ranch. With superb big game hunting, live streams, excellent improvements, and remarkably easy access, Agua Fria Ranch is ready to go as a hunting preserve or private retreat. We’d be delighted to show you what we believe is one of the finest turnkey mountain properties available in the Land of Enchantment.