Our Days Available calendars are updated every morning.
This rustic casita resides deep within the heart of the Chama Wilderness (the only privately-owned property in the area). Ranch Casita, located on the site of an early 1900s homestead, is one of three vacation rentals we have in the canyon, with Three Pines Family Camp (exclusively designed for children and dogs) one mile away, and Remote Casita four miles away.
Gallina Canyon Ranch has been featured in many national and regional magazines, including New Mexico magazine, The Santa Fean, Better Homes and Gardens, Sunset, and Martha Stewart Living.
o) Hot and cold running water from a pure fresh-water spring.
o) A bathroom, shower, and toilet.
o) A picturesque kitchen and dining area.
o) A beautiful bedroom with a Queen Size bed with linens.
o) A sunny, comfortable living room.
o) A medium-sized refrigerator and freezer.
o) Low-voltage lighting.
o) A large outside deck.
o) A propane barbecue grill.
o) A private swimming pond complete with kayak (not the community pond shared by all rentals).
o) When available, we will provide eggs from our hens and produce from our garden.
o) Our spring water is excellent for drinking (no need to bring water).
o) 20 miles of peace, quiet, and privacy.
o) We have WiFi internet at the main ranch area. If you wish to check your email (with your your non-cellular mobile internet device, Wifi works at the sleeping deck, grape arbor, and community swim pond: we do not have TV or DVD. You are welcome to bring a swim suit, picnic lunch, and spend the day relaxing at the pond. We will supply iced tea and towels for your use.
o) The outdoor sleeping deck includes a Celestron AstroMaster 70 Telescope.
Casita's living room is bright and sunny, with sky lights and large windows. Partitions separate the living room area from the shower and ecologically- considerate non-smelling composting toilet.
The full kitchen includes a medium size refrigerator - freezer, three-burner propane stove, cold water, and dining and cooking utensils. The kitchen and dining area are next to each other.
The bedroom has a Queen-sized bed, several comfortable chairs, a writing desk, and plenty of space to place one's clothing.
There is a park-like space behind Casita where one may sit in the shade and enjoy the forest. A lighted path leads from this area to Casita's private Sleeping Deck. The sleeping deck is yours to use exclusively. It contains two beds, six pillows, two chairs, two small chest-of-drawers, and a table.
There is also a shady 'Ramada' with a table and chairs.
One may cool off during the hot summer days by jumping into the spring-fed community swimming pond. The pond is next to a wisteria arbor for shade, and there is a small refrigerator nearby where you may keep your drinks cold. There is also a cold-water shower at the pond. Evenings at the pond bring bats, mud swallows, and the call of frogs. You may also enjoy using our two inflatable kayaks to paddle around the pond.
There is a shady grape arbor near the main house, a short distance down the road from Casita. Here you may eat, read a book, enjoy the gardens, and access Internet via WiFi.
Casita has an outdoor propane barbecue on the deck. We provide the propane, and also assorted BBQ tools such as a barbecue fork and wire brush.
Casita is close to Rio Chama: there are plastic chairs at the river you may use, in the river if you wish. There is also a low table at the river with the chairs. One may fish for Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout in the Rio Chama.
Ranch Casita Policies:
o) We require a signed waiver from each person when you arrive. Please read the waiver before reserving the rental.
o) Fires and smoking are prohibited in the canyon due to the extreme fire risk.
o) Loving your pets means visiting here without them; we do not allow pets at Ranch Casita.
o) No hunting.
o) Check-in time is 3 to 6 PM (unless given 24 hour prior notice)
o) Check-out time is 11 AM.
o) This is a hard-working cattle ranch. You may encounter cows, calves, horses, chickens and wild turkeys, elk and deer during your stay; they will peacefully ignore you if you peacefully ignore them.
o) Allergens such as milk weed, horse hair, sage, etc., are common throughout New Mexico. If you have allergies, please bring your allergy medication when you visit.
The nearest medical services (hospital and doctors) are three hours away.
o) Prior to your arrival you will wish to shop for all of your food, drink, and snacks for your entire stay. The nearest store is 35 miles away.
o) Casita is at the end of a long, adventurous dirt road. If your vehicle has exceptionally low clearance, let us know and we will meet you at the bridge. (Example: Scion xB.)
o) Please leave all gates as you find them.
o) Radios and cellular telephones do not work in the canyon.
o) If you plan on swimming, please bring a bathing suit. We will provide beach towels.
o) The ranch is a great place for amateur astronomers and stargazers: from our main website you may download a star map for the northern hemisphere to bring with you to the ranch.
o) Please remove your shoes before entering Casita, you may wish to bring slippers.
o) Ranch Casita gets its electricity from the sun. During your stay you will find it necessary to avoid long showers, or using all of the lights at the same time.
o) For off-road hiking, long pants, hiking boots, river-crossing shoes, and insect repellent are recommended.
o) A topographic map of the canyon may be downloaded from our main website (link is below).
o) More images of the ranch are on our website.
On occasion there might be a cow staying in the corral near Casita.
A hike through the canyon will reward the visitor with spectacular views of Northern New Mexico geology, wild flowers, and wildlife. Rio Gallina is a seasonal river: there are no fish in the river.
Cerulean skies and wooly white clouds are the norm most days of the year. We are at 6,515 feet elevation, and the sunlight can be intense: sunscreen and a hat is highly recommended for hikers, as are sturdy hiking boots and river-crossing shoes. Usually the days are warm and the nights are cool.
** See the waiver, cancellation policy, and ranch policies on our main website linked below. We require a signed waiver upon arrival: please read the waiver before booking the rental. **
