The Atarque Ranch, owned by the same family since 1978, spans a vast 109,308± acres in west-central New Mexico and includes 97,825± deeded acres and 11,483± acres of state-leased land.
Located in GMU 12, an area revered for its trophy-class bull elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope, the property is well-known for its exceptional wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities.
The terrain is rich and varied, from expansive grassland flats and juniper-dotted arroyos to dramatic volcanic canyons and massive rock formations visible for miles.
Throughout the landscape, remnants of Native American petroglyphs and early settler sites serve as enduring reminders of the land’s deep cultural history.
The ranch includes 26 wells, a spring, and 105 stock ponds, all contributing to a legally adjudicated water right totaling nearly 60 acre-feet.
Operational structures include a ranch home, a manager’s house, a mobile home, and essential outbuildings and livestock handling facilities that support ongoing cattle and hunting leases.
Historic Sale After Nearly Half a Century
After over 45 years of private stewardship by the Yates family, Atarque Ranch is available for purchase for the very first time.
Owned since 1978 by heirs to the substantial Yates Petroleum Corp. fortune, the ranch’s sale is driven by the recent passing of family patriarch John Yates Sr.
This landmark offering presents a rare opportunity to become the next caretaker of this storied property.
Exceptional Wildlife Sanctuary
The ranch is celebrated as an elite wildlife habitat, home to thriving populations of bull elk, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.
Carefully managed and deliberately under-hunted, it participates in New Mexico’s exclusive EPlus hunting system, providing limited and sought-after hunting tags annually.
The carefully protected ecosystem ensures the ranch remains an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and hunters alike.
Significant and Rare Water Resources
Water rights at Atarque Ranch are substantial and uniquely valuable for the arid Southwest.
The property holds 26 wells, a natural spring, and 105 surface ponds, officially decreed to yield roughly 60 acre-feet of water in the Zuni River Basin Adjudication.
These abundant water resources support a vibrant ecosystem, livestock operations, and year-round wildlife populations.
Cultural Richness and Ancient Treasures
Atarque Ranch houses abundant historical treasures, from ancient Native American petroglyphs etched into stone to remnants of early homesteaders who settled the land.
These artifacts, including pottery shards and arrowheads, offer a tangible connection to the region’s vibrant past.
Exploring the property offers glimpses into centuries of human history, enriching the experience of ranch ownership.
Scenic Diversity
From dramatic plateaus and volcanic-layered canyons to expansive grasslands dotted with junipers and cedars, Atarque Ranch boasts a diverse landscape unlike any other.
Elevations range dramatically, from 6,400 feet to over 7,340 feet, creating varied ecosystems across the property.
Iconic rock formations and rugged arroyos add visual splendor to the ranch’s vast, untouched wilderness.
Ultimate Privacy
Located approximately 160 miles from Albuquerque, the ranch offers extreme privacy with minimal public access, providing a remote haven away from city lights and noise.
Its pristine skies, untouched by pollution, offer some of the most exceptional stargazing opportunities in the nation.
This quiet solitude is unmatched, perfect for those seeking peace, serenity, and connection to nature.
Practical Headquarters and Infrastructure
Though expansive, the ranch’s built environment remains practical and understated.
Besides the primary four-bedroom residence, facilities include a three-bedroom manager’s house, multiple barns, livestock-handling facilities, and equipment storage.
Each building serves essential operational functions, supporting the ranch’s continued use for livestock and outdoor recreation.
The Yates Family Legacy
The Yates family’s stewardship, spanning nearly five decades, reflects a deep commitment to preserving Atarque Ranch’s natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage.
Rooted in a pioneering spirit dating back to the family’s landmark oil discovery in 1924, their careful management has ensured the property’s pristine state.
As ownership transitions, the family seeks a new custodian dedicated to continuing their legacy of thoughtful conservation.
Explore More Photos Below
The iron gate frames the entrance to sweeping rangeland, offering a timeless welcome into the heart of the Southwest.
A wide-open view beyond the gate stretches endlessly, where natural beauty and raw terrain shape the ranch’s identity.
The radiant glow washes over the entryway, highlighting silhouettes of fencing and long views across brush-covered grasslands.
A bold red roof tops the main residence, blending traditional ranch design with wide-open views across the high New Mexico plains.
This crisp metal roof tops this sturdy ranch structure, where stucco walls and native landscaping blend seamlessly into the rugged desert surroundings.
The weathered wood exterior brings rustic charm to this cozy structure, ideal for guests, ranch hands, or additional living space.
An old log barn rests near the main path, showcasing timeworn textures and sturdy construction steeped in Western heritage.
A spacious metal building anchors the working side of the ranch, built for storage, machinery, and year-round livestock protection.
The clean stucco finish and angular design give this structure a modern twist within a setting rich with wild natural beauty.
An abandoned stone house stands as a monument to the ranch’s long and layered history, framed by rugged grasses and scattered blooms.
A collection of broken walls and empty windows rises from the prairie, where ancient stories linger in the golden landscape.
The jagged doorway remains upright among tumbled stones, offering a glimpse of the distant horizon framed by ancient craftsmanship.
An open field of glowing grasses leads to sandstone cliffs and scattered ruins that speak to centuries of quiet resilience.
The panoramic view reveals a sprawling patchwork of historic ruins and wild terrain stretching across the breathtaking ranch expanse.
An incredible rock formation rises from red earth, surrounded by brushy vegetation and expansive views stretching deep into the New Mexico horizon.
The elevated mesa commands a strong presence across the landscape, its layered sandstone cliffs carved by centuries of natural erosion.
A dramatic butte towers above golden grasslands, its rounded spires echoing ancient cathedrals sculpted from the desert’s enduring stone.
The rugged mesa glows with desert tones, while stone ruins in the foreground tell stories of earlier lives settled beneath its cliffs.
An endless fenceline leads through soft yellow grasses toward a striking bluff that defines the ranch’s remote and scenic character.
The green valley below teems with life as elk graze peacefully beneath towering sandstone cliffs and dense forested ridgelines.
A winding canyon carves through the landscape, bordered by steep cliffs and open meadows that highlight the ranch’s untouched natural terrain.
The flat-topped bluff emerges from a sea of trees, its pale rock face standing out like a beacon in the surrounding wilderness.
A dramatic ridgeline stretches across the horizon, its rock faces casting long shadows over the forests and plains of the vast estate.
The sprawling basin bursts with sage and low pines, offering stunning views of distant mesas and gently undulating desert hills.
Wandering Wildlife
A massive bull elk strides through open terrain, showcasing the incredible game opportunities available across the ranch’s expansive grasslands.
The dense juniper forest frames this powerful elk, standing still as it surveys its surroundings in a perfectly preserved natural habitat.
An impressive buck appears near the water tank, caught by a trail camera that highlights the property’s vibrant nocturnal wildlife activity.
A pair of elk stops at a water trough, emphasizing how the ranch supports wildlife with well-placed water sources in open clearings.
The thick brush provides a stunning backdrop for this alert elk, blending into the scenery while remaining fully aware of its surroundings.
A group of mule deer gathers peacefully at a watering spot, revealing the diverse game population that thrives throughout the property.
An antlered giant commands attention as it scans the horizon, perfectly framed by trees that define the ranch’s scenic hunting terrain.
Water Resources
A shallow watering hole mirrors the clear sky, nestled in the red earth and surrounded by rugged desert brush and scattered sage.
The soft ground shows signs of active wildlife as this muddy pond supports animals drawn to its banks in the heart of the ranch.
An open stock tank reflects trees along the fenceline, capturing a peaceful stretch of ranchland shaped by years of stewardship.
A classic windmill stands tall against basalt cliffs, delivering rustic charm while helping supply consistent water across the working landscape.
The large steel water tank overflows steadily, while cattle gather nearby to drink and rest in the shade of a broad New Mexico sky.
An arcing pipe pours fresh water into the tank below, a simple yet vital detail in the ranch’s independent and functional infrastructure.
Petroglyph Locations
A crumbling stack of dark lava rocks hints at old ranch boundaries that blend seamlessly into the wild beauty of the surrounding mesa.
The rock face displays intricate dotted lines, carved carefully by ancestral hands, preserving stories still etched in the basalt surface.
An array of spirals and symbols decorates the sandstone, revealing a rich layer of cultural history protected on this sacred landscape.
A broad slab bears humanoid shapes and mysterious patterns, offering a striking glimpse into the artistry of long-ago civilizations.
The towering hoodoo stands like a sentinel among trees, shaped by centuries of wind and rain into a natural monument of stone.
An overgrown homestead ruin fades into the earth, its scattered rock walls marking a forgotten chapter in the region’s pioneering past.
The distant bluff rises boldly beyond rolling hills, framing a dramatic backdrop that defines the ranch’s powerful sense of place and scale.
Diverse Ecosystems
A breathtaking expanse of native grassland unfolds toward distant mesas, blending open sky with rolling hills and scattered juniper trees.
The winding dirt track leads across a wide plateau, drawing the eye to rugged cliffs and vast, untouched prairie.
An aged wooden fence runs along the edge of the land, marking boundaries while small ranch structures appear in the distance.
A golden tapestry of wild grass glows across the plains, framed by clustered trees and backed by dramatic ridgelines.
The sturdy livestock pens and surrounding structures support active cattle operations central to the ranch’s working landscape.
An old stone foundation with a wooden frame stands as a reminder of the area’s rich history and deep frontier roots.
A rugged canyon cuts through rocky terrain, where brush and boulders fill the slopes beneath flat-topped cliffs and tree-lined ridges.
An impressive cliffside rises beside textured meadows filled with desert shrubs, showcasing nature’s artistry in a preserved wilderness.
The hillside rises gently with scattered juniper and low brush, as a herd of pronghorn grazes freely across the open land.
An expansive view unfolds from the bluff’s edge, where mesas, plains, and rolling shadows stretch endlessly across the New Mexico landscape.
A glowing sky spreads above dense sagebrush and clustered trees, casting warmth over the untamed vegetation of this wild desert terrain.
The canyon wall towers above the ravine, revealing layers of volcanic rock and hardy vegetation clinging to the steep, weathered surface.
For inquiries regarding copyright, credit, or removal, please contact us using our contact form.
If you enjoyed this sneak peek into luxury homes, “SHARE” and help us spread the inspiration.
