Communities
Sandoval County is where the desert meets the mountains. Our cities and towns both big and small have endless things to do and places to see. We are home to countless eons of civilizations with a depth and richness to our cultural fusion of history, art, and our New Mexican cuisine that can only be found in the Land of Enchantment.
Bernalillo
Bernalillo is located at the base of the Sandia Mountains in the middle Rio Grande Valley. It is on the historic Camino Real de Tierra Adento (Royal Road) and has deep cultural roots dating back to the days of the Spanish. The original Route 66 runs through the town and past the only bootlegging and moonshiner bar still in business in the county from the prohibition, Silva’s Bar.
Check out the towns’ festivals one of which that date back over 300 years, called Las Fiestas de San Lorenzo and its Matachines dancing. For a small town, it cherishes and honors its traditions and brings a big heart to its sense of community.
Jemez Springs
This small mountain village nestled between mountain ranges and high plateaus lies next to the Jemez River. Jemez Springs is popular for its natural mineral hot springs, ancient ruins, and adventures of all kinds that beckon the outdoor enthusiast. From the village, there is access to Red Rock Park, Fenton Lake and Valle Caldera.
Rio Rancho
Rio Rancho is in the largest metro area in Sandoval County. The “City of Vision” began as a bold and grand venture in the 1960’s to create and shape a city on 55,000 acres of land in the high desert.
Placitas
A charming village with a quiet peaceful ambiance, surrounded by natural southwest beauty, bordered by national forest and wilderness areas. It is nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains with magnificent views of mountain ranges, mesas, and the Rio Grande Valley. The hiking and bike trails offer easy access to 13 trails from easy to difficult.
Cuba
The Village of Cuba is located in the high desert along the Continental Divide and borders the Santa Fe National Forest. Come explore the San Pedro wilderness and the bounty of outdoor activities for hikers, backpackers, hunters, fishermen, and campers or kayak Gregorio Lake, or if you prefer more action, the Sandoval County Fair and Rodeo takes place in Cuba every August.
Algodones
Algodones “Cottonwood” was originally founded as a military post providing security for the merchant wagon trains traveling between Santa Fe and Chihuahua, Mexico. In the late 19th Century it was the site of a military supply depot, occupied by General Kearney and the Army of the West in 1846. The Camino Real “Route 66” runs through the small village today. Further north you will find the small rural community of Pena Blanca.
Town of Cochiti Lake
This is a quiet, peaceful, and decidedly rural town. Coyotes shadow the greens of Cochiti Lake Golf Course, ospreys nest along the Rio Grande and bald eagles dip and dive into the lake. The town is beautifully located on a mesa, bordered by tall rocky bluffs and steep cliffs with spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains, Jemez Mountains, and the Bajada escarpment. The Kasha Katuwe National Monument is mere five miles from town.
Village of San Ysidro
The gateway to the Jemez Mountains. The village was founded in 1699 by the King of Spain as a farming community and named for Saint Isidore the Farmer.
Corrales
The Village of Corrales is an oasis nestled in the Rio Grande Valley along the bosque of the Rio Grande with a backdrop of the Sandia Mountains to the east. The Village (if you’re a local) offers an eclectic combination of art, culture, nature, and history along a main street whose architecture holds the character from its Spanish Colonial roots. Mainstreet is alive with galleries to explore, and unique boutiques, and abounds with wineries, breweries, and restaurants filled with flavor for the discriminating palate.