Western Bell Ranch - Fence Lake, New Mexico

The Ranch

Located on the southern border of Cibola County, Western Bell Ranch is an untamed paradise sitting at 7,070± feet in elevation, great for the big game enthusiast. Consisting of 945± deeded acres, Western Bell Ranch sits in big game unit 12, which is renowned throughout the west for its world-class trophy elk and Mule deer. Unit 12 has recently produced New Mexico’s state record bull elk, and had over 270,000± applicants for New Mexico 2023 big game draw hunts.

History

Western Bell Ranch is also a rich part of New Mexico’s history. Historians have documented it as the founding site of the town of “Fence Lake,” where early settlers fenced off the lake preventing animals from contaminating the town’s water source and thereby giving the town its name, making ownership of this ranch a unique legacy.

Recreation

The ranch consists of rolling hills, spectacular sandstone bluffs, and rock outcroppings interspersed with juniper and piñon trees. From atop the sandstone bluffs, overlooking a large valley offering a pristine view to the south, all combine to create a scene one would think to find as the description of a Western novel. With thousands of acres of BLM and State land nearby, there are endless miles of ATV riding, horseback riding, and hiking to enjoy. In addition, there is a 5.5’± boundary fence, two water stock tanks on the property, and power to the NE corner.

The Western Bell Ranch is located approximately 90 minutes from a jet-capable airport in Springer, AZ, and only 2.5 hours from the Albuquerque International Airport. With ranches of this quality and location becoming increasingly scarce, the Western Bell Ranch will be highly sought after in today’s ranch market.

Surrounding Attributes

El Morro National Monument

El Morro National Monument in New Mexico is a captivating blend of natural and human history, with a towering sandstone bluff that served as a prominent landmark for tired travelers. The presence of a reliable waterhole at its base made it a popular campsite, where both Spanish and American travelers would rest, carve their signatures, dates, and messages, and drink from the pool. Over 700 years ago, the Ancestral Puebloans residing atop the bluff created petroglyphs, taking advantage of the soft sandstone. Today, the monument safeguards more than 2,000 inscriptions and petroglyphs, along with ruins belonging to the Ancestral Puebloans.

Coyote del Malpais Golf Course

www.golfpass.com

Bandera Volcano

Coyote del Malpais is a unique and picturesque golf course in New Mexico, nestled under the majestic Mount Taylor. With 18 challenging holes stretching up to 7,000 feet, players can choose from four different tee distances. Despite its proximity to Albuquerque, Coyote del Malpais offers a peaceful and unhurried atmosphere, allowing golfers to enjoy their game without long wait times. The course provides excellent facilities, including a pro shop and dining options, ensuring a memorable experience for visitors.

Bandera Volcano showcases an erupted cinder cone and lava field, offering easy accessibility. With a width of 1,400 feet at the rim and a depth of 800 feet, the trail leads to the best viewpoint inside the crater. Additionally, the perpetual Ice Cave within Bandera’s collapsed lava tube maintains a temperature below freezing year-round, accumulating natural layers of ice for over 3,400 years. Visitors can explore the quarter-mile trail to the Ice Cave, experience the unique temperature transition, and engage in gemstone mining at the sluice, providing entertainment and education for all ages.