McKinley Elk Ranch
Property Description
Welcome to McKinley Elk Ranch, a truly rare opportunity to own over 11,535 contiguous deeded acres in McKinley County, New Mexico. This expansive high-desert ranch sits between 6,800 and 7,100 feet in elevation, where open mesas stretch toward the horizon, dramatic rock outcroppings rise from the land, and ancient Native American ruins crown a majestic plateau.
This landscape isn’t just beautiful—it’s powerful. The ranch lies within New Mexico Game Management Unit 7, renowned for its thriving populations of elk and mule deer. As part of the EPLUS Secondary Management Zone, McKinley Elk Ranch qualifies for unlimited private land elk tags, available over-the-counter via a unique ranch code. Mule deer licenses are also available over-the-counter with no draw required.
The ranch is dotted with 12 dirt tanks that collect significant runoff during monsoon season, while multiple wells—solar, windmill, and submersible—provide reliable year-round water for wildlife and livestock. The ranch is fully fenced and surrounded primarily by large-scale private holdings, including the Fernandez Company Ranch and Navajo Nation lands, each spanning hundreds of thousands of acres. It also borders three separate New Mexico State Trust Land tracts, adding another 1,800 acres of direct adjacency.
Whether you’re here to hunt, explore, ranch, or simply experience the silence of wide-open wilderness, McKinley Elk Ranch offers a sense of solitude that’s hard to match. Endless recreation and discovery await.
PROPERTY ATTRIBUTES
• 11,534.6 ± acres of all deeded land
• Vegetation includes saltbush, sagebrush, junipers, native grasses, and other high desert shrub varieties
• Elevation ranges from 6,800 to 7,100 ft
• 12 dirt tanks throughout the ranch — excellent for collecting and holding monsoon rainfall
• Scenic rock outcroppings provide dramatic views and natural character
• Significant Native American ruins located on an elevated mesa
• Bordered by large private holdings, including the Fernandez Company Ranch and the Navajo Nation, both comprising hundreds of thousands of acres
• Borders three separate New Mexico State Land sections, totaling over 1,800 acres
IMPROVEMENTS
• 1 windmill water well
• 3 solar-powered water wells
• 1 submersible well with storage tank
• 2 water storage tanks
• Access via paved roads, with the last 4 miles maintained gravel road
• Fully fenced perimeter
• Functional internal road system
• The existing residence on the property provides a modest yet functional base camp, offering essential shelter and warmth — ideal for seasonal use or as a hunting camp.
• The electricity is powered by a DC Solar trailer that has an 11kw Kubota diesel generator backup and easily powers the whole house.
HUNTING
• UNIT 7
• Elk and Deer Hunting
• The Ranch is located in an EPLUS Secondary Management Zone, making Private land Elk licenses available over-the-counter through a specific ranch code with an unlimited number of licenses for the Ranch.
• Unlimited, Private land, over-the-counter, Deer license.
RECREATION
• 1 hr 26 min to Chaco Culture National Historical Park — featuring the highest concentration of ancient pueblos in the American Southwest
• 1 hr 37 min to El Morro National Monument — famous for ancient petroglyphs and explorer inscriptions dating back centuries
• 2 hr 24 min to Santa Fe National Forest — 1.5 million acres, 1,000+ miles of trails, and countless opportunities for hiking, camping, and fishing
LOCALE
• 55 minutes (51 miles) to Grants, NM
• 1 hour 15 minutes (113 miles) to Farmington, NM
• 2 hours 3 minutes (128 miles) to Albuquerque, NM
• 2 hours 4 minutes (116 miles) to Rio Rancho, NM
• 53 minutes (49 miles) to Grants-Milan Municipal Airport
• 2 hours 5 minutes to Albuquerque International Sunport
McKinley Elk Ranch blends scale, seclusion, and natural beauty with strong hunting potential and a rich cultural backdrop. Whether you're a sportsman, investor, or land steward, this legacy property offers unlimited potential in the heart of New Mexico's wild high desert.
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