There’s something about Ghost Ranch New Mexico that grabs hold of your imagination before you even arrive. Located in the rugged red cliffs and golden plains of Abiquiú, about an hour north of Santa Fe, this 21,000-acre property in northern New Mexico is one of the most visually striking and spiritually charged landscapes in the Southwest. The mix of fiery sandstone formations, open desert vistas, and towering cottonwoods makes Ghost Ranch one of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. It’s no wonder Georgia O’Keeffe spent decades painting and living at Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.
Fall is an especially magical time to visit Ghost Ranch near Santa Fe. The air is crisp but comfortable, and the changing foliage adds another layer of drama to the already cinematic terrain. Whether you’re hiking among ancient rock formations, taking a horseback ride across high desert mesas, or snapping photos from the same angles that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe’s Ghost Ranch landscapes, the slower pace of the season gives you time to really settle into the experience. The property is also home to fossil quarries, a paleontology museum, and cultural programs that connect visitors to the Indigenous and Hispanic heritage of northern New Mexico.
Of course, visiting Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu is just one of the many things to do in Santa Fe and the grand deserts of northern New Mexico. Pairing your day at Ghost Ranch NM with a few thoughtfully chosen experiences in Santa Fe will round out a trip that’s both artful and adventurous. Start with an afternoon visit to the Georgia O’Keeffe House in Abiquiú, then carve out time for wine tasting at a small local vineyard or a scenic drive through Los Alamos, New Mexico, where science and wilderness collide in fascinating ways.
Back in Santa Fe, adults will love diving into the city’s creative edge, from immersive art spaces and tucked-away galleries to mezcal tastings, open-air opera, and soaking pools fed by natural springs. To anchor your stay, book a few nights at El Farolito Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe, an elegant and locally owned Inn within walking distance to the Santa Fe capital complex. With its warm hospitality, handmade breakfasts, and walkable access to downtown, our Santa Fe B&B is more than a place to sleep; it’s part of the reason you’ll want to return. Book your stay today!
What to Do at Ghost Ranch New Mexico
Though there are nearly endless things to do in Santa Fe, if you’re looking for an immersive day trip that gets you out of the city and deeply immersed in the landscapes, cultures, and traditions of northern New Mexico, there is perhaps no better day trip from Santa Fe than Ghost Ranch, New Mexico. Located in the scenic mountain town of Abiquiu, Ghost Ranch NM offers visitors breathtaking scenery with artistic legacy, ancient history, and soul-stirring quiet.
About an hour and a half northwest of Santa Fe, Ghost Ranch is a must if you’re craving open space, geological drama, and a deeper look at what makes northern New Mexico one of the most visually captivating places in the country. Whether you’re a hiker, a painter, a photography enthusiast, or just someone who appreciates natural beauty and meaningful solitude, you’ll find yourself in awe standing in the center of this storied destination.
Ghost Ranch Santa Fe has been a magnet for creative minds and curious souls for decades, and it’s easy to see why. The landscape is a mosaic of red rock cliffs, wide-open plains, and winding arroyos that seem to stretch out forever. These are the same cliffs and canyons that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe, who made her home here in the mid-20th century. Her iconic paintings of flat-topped mesas and eroded buttes helped put Ghost Ranch NM on the map.
But long before this famed New Mexico artist ever set up her easel, the land on which Ghost Ranch sits was a sacred and storied place. Fossils dating back 200 million years have been uncovered here, and the area continues to hold deep significance for the Indigenous peoples of the region. Cultural and historical significance aside, there are plenty of things to do at Ghost Ranch New Mexico.
- Guided hiking tours on the Ghost Ranch trails are one of the best ways to explore the grounds. Popular trails include Chimney Rock or Kitchen Mesa, which offer sweeping views of the surrounding New Mexico scenery.
- You can also opt for a horseback ride through the canyons, admiring these impressive and inspiring landscapes.
- Get out for a relaxing sunrise paddle on Abiquiu Lake for a unique, calming experience.
- Take a Georgia O’Keeffe Landscape Tour, where you’ll literally stand in the same spots she painted.
- After dark, explore Ghost Ranch, NM, in an entirely different way with one of their ghost tours.
- The on-site museums are exceptional, too. There’s one dedicated to paleontology and another that covers archaeology and the cultural history of Abiquiú and the greater Chama River Valley.
- Attend one of the many art or wellness-focused programs held at Ghost Ranch throughout the year.
Visit the Georgia O’Keeffe House
If you’re heading out to Ghost Ranch, don’t miss the chance to tour the Georgia O’Keeffe Home and Studio in nearby Abiquiú. Just a short drive south of Ghost Ranch, this stop adds a deeper layer to your day by showing you the home where O’Keeffe lived, not just the landscape that inspired her. It’s one thing to walk the trails she painted, but standing in her kitchen, walking through her garden, and peeking into her studio gives you an entirely different view of the artist’s life and legacy in northern New Mexico.
The house itself is beautifully preserved and surprisingly minimalist, with thick adobe walls, big windows that frame the desert light, and a few carefully chosen furnishings that reflect her taste for simplicity and space. Tours of the Georgia O’Keeffe house are led by knowledgeable guides from the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe, covering both the practical and personal aspects of her life. O’Keeffe spent decades between this home and Ghost Ranch, NM, and touring both gives you a rare look into how place and personality can shape a body of work.
Advance reservations to tour the Georgia O’Keeffe house are essential. Tours are intentionally small in size, which adds to the intimate feel of the experience. After your tour, take some time to wander through Abiquiú, a charming, quiet village with just enough to explore without feeling overdone. Grab a coffee or stop by a local gallery before making your way back to Santa Fe.
The Best Place to Stay in Santa Fe
A visit to Ghost Ranch is unforgettable, but pairing it with a stay at El Farolito Bed and Breakfast in Santa Fe turns a memorable day into a full-blown getaway worth repeating. Located in a quiet, walkable neighborhood near the historic downtown Plaza, our Santa Fe Bed and Breakfast is the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the best of northern New Mexico, from the painted cliffs of Ghost Ranch NM to the winding streets of Santa Fe lined with adobe architecture, art galleries, and restaurants you’ll still be talking about weeks later.
When you stay here, you’re not just near the heart of Santa Fe, you’re part of it. Book your stay today!
