Ghost Ranch

If you are visiting to see the scenery that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe then it is well worth your time and drive. However, the facilities, accommodations and food is below average. It’s important to note that the home of Georgia O’Keeffe is not open for tours due to maintenance issues. Ghost Ranch is operated by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is in need of numerous upgrades and new management.

Stunning views of Georgia O’Keeffe land! Red rocks, cliffs, impossibly balanced formations of stone… words cannot do this place justice. We took the Chimney Rock hike that takes you up to 7000+ feet with gorgeous views in all directions. For geocachers, check your app for a fun find at the top!

Scenery was wonderful. The food should have been excellent, but the prep was poor and they often ran out of food. I left because of the accommodations that were not clean from stained sheets to filthy shower and unswept floor. Finally left in middle of night due to a rat in my room.

I first moved to New Mexico entirely because I couldn’t stay away from Ghost Ranch. Then, 5 years ago, I had to move away. Now that I have returned for a visit, I have completely rediscovered all of its enchantments.
Yes, a few things have changed: First, there is now a small ($ 3) entry fee, which you pay when you visit the Visitor’s Center. It appears to be even more crowded now, even in the already busy summer season. I suspect the other seasons will be much more quiet and relaxed, which is among the reasons to visit Ghost Ranch — unless you’re partaking in one of their summer education programs.
There’s still something about this place that helped me recharge my batteries and unclutter much of my life. There is something… magical… even when just sitting under a tree and taking in the views. It’s a gorgeous and serene area, completely the opposite of city life and resort accommodations.

I’ve been going to the ranch at least once a year since I was a little kid. Coming from a big city, it was the perfect place to run free and feel safe. As a young adult, I made the best friends of my entire life in the youth programming and have never felt so secure in being myself. As an adult, the adventures continue! I meet amazing people, go on beautiful hikes, and relax in a way that just can’t be done anywhere else on earth.
Accommodations are rustic– don’t come expecting a resort! But the beds are comfortable, the showers warm, and the dirt stays outside if you kick your boots off outside at the end of the day. Food is yummy and plentiful.
The summer week long programs are wonderful too! Experienced teachers from around the world lead classes for all levels. Or you can do rest and relaxation and go on hikes or to the lake all day long!
Could not be more in love with this wonderful place I call my second home.

So worth the drive. It’s a beautiful area and very peaceful. I did the 2pm horse trail ride and it was great! Carlos did a wonderful job sharing facts about the area. I bet the sunset ride is great too. We had 7 riders in our group (sold out) so make reservations in advance.
Also I arrived early & had picnic lunch & hiked box canyon trail beforehand. It would be easy to spend a day here, but you can make a quick trip if you prefer. The visitor center is helpful & has restrooms. There’s a gas station on the way from Santa Fe (about 20 mins away) where you can pick up food.

I spent a weekend here this summer. It is such a different world from when I lived here a number of years ago. So far from the noise and honking of automobiles, the hustle and bustle of daily life, the smog of a big city trying to clean up its air, and the neon night lights that drown out the starry night sky.
Ghost Ranch is a place to take a deep breath and let the clatter & stress of everyday life drain out of your soul.
Some things have changed at Ghost Ranch since I lived there many years ago; but the key ingredients of earth’s recipe of peace can still be found under the sun of the day and the moon at night in this remarkable place. Everyone should spend some time in this little bit of northern New Mexico paradise in their lifetime. At least once.

I adore Georgia O’Keeffe and so to experience her muses in nature was dreamy. Besides the fact that I am in awe of New Mexico, we felt ecstatic to drive out there to hike. The weather in early March was perfect for hiking. We hiked to Chimney Rock and were astonished by the expansiveness and post card beauty. I couldn’t stop pointing out the mountain (pedernal) Georgia painted time and time again in the distance. We were truly enchanted. they take donations and we were happy to donate.

I arrived at the «welcome» center and found surprisingly little about the actual home of O’Keefe unless you bought a $ 20 dollar tour bus ticket. I asked if I could watch the 9 minute video and was told I would have to wait until the next tour group and would have to relinquish my seat to the paying customers. This isn’t like the National park service where there’s lots of information to see. This was a disappointment. So after spending an hour there the only up side was the scenery on the short drive in and out.

Holy crap there is a ton of nature out here ;-)
But if you are into that kind of this, this is a great place to hang out and enjoy it. The home of Georgia O’Keefe and the Ghost Ranch Conference Center, this is a wonderful place to enjoy the beauty of the southwest desert. You just need to see the colors during the day and the stars at night to fall in love with this place.
The center itself has housing as well as campsites for lodging plus a dining hall for meals. This is not an upscale fancy, schmancy place by any stretch of the imagination, but it is comfortable and downhome. There is wifi for those who need it, but it is sporadic depending on the weather. The food is decent and their attention to their environmental impact is commendable.
If you happen to be driving through the area or need a place to take vacation or art class, this is a great option.
BONUS: If you are old enough to remember the movie «City Slickers» the famous cabin is still there in front of which you too can do your best Billy Crsytal or Bruno Kirby immitation.

Jul 2012
Basics: cost for a day visit is $ 3 per person, plenty of parking, access over a one mile dirt road, that is graded and easy to traverse in dry conditions. We did it in a sedan. Lots of classes, activities and events offered. Worth taking a look at their website. On the day we visited they were offering to day visitors a movies filmed at ghost ranch tour and a Georgia okeefe tour. In addition, there is a welcome center with gift shop, coffee bar and information, two museums and lots of beautiful hikes. But it’s hot in the summer, expect temps in the high eighties from noon on.
Context: we visited around 11 am on a Saturday
Atmosphere: the surrounding grounds, cliffs and rocks set against the green valley area upon which most of the ranc sits is spectacular but the ranch itself is worn, old and some parts of are just not attractive, think old sixties motel.
Welcome center: At the entrance staff sits ready to answer questions and provide suggestions. Inside you pay your fee and can visit the gift shop which has a large selection of ghost ranch stuff including t-​shirts, sweatshirts, books, sundries, and snacks and drinks.
Museums: there is both a paleontology and an anthropology museum but expect really small, limited exhibits. The anthropologyis kind of like an art store with some archeological dig stuff in little exhibits. Having said that, if you are at all interested in textile arts, they have some simply beautiful wall hangings and rugs and a few shawls. The colors of the yarns were exquisite. They are all for sale. Across the courtyard is the paleontology exhibit which looked half finished, like it had been abandoned in 1970. We still enjoyed our visit though. We were the only ones there for most of the time and it was an interesting, if limited collection. There is a giant excavated rock thing with the paleontologist tools set up. You can see the dinosaur bones in it, but we weren’t sure it was real. There was no staff in here, so no one we could ask. There is an exhibit of a dinosaur skeleton copy of one found on ghost ranch which was cool. And there are drawers filled with bones and stuff thrown in like your home junk drawer. Several interpretive panels explain about Ruth hall, a local anthropologist on the dinosaur dig back in the 1940’s.
Because of the heat we didn’t get to do any hikes but they looked great.

I don’t know what it is about northern New Mexico, but it feels like home to me (and I’m a Midwestern girl). Ghost Ranch is yet another magical destination, an easy drive from Taos or even Santa Fe. This place is very peaceful, with prime hiking locations and educational facilities. You can stay the night to experience the wildlife and to «get away from it all.» Hubby and I spent a wonderful day here, exploring and enjoying the outdoors.
I’m not sure how I can improve on Rachel C.‘s detailed review of Ghost Ranch — she spent more time here than I and knows more about its features. I only spent a day exploring the ranch (and loved every moment). I will be back, though. If you are in the area, you should see Ghost Ranch.

did the chimney trail
WOW! it was short, but very rewarding
you can stay here too, but i didn’t