Film Locations
Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation
The Alamo Navajo Indian Reservation is truly a step back in time. Navajo culture abounds in this remote community which is located 29 miles north of Magdalena.
Apache Kid Wilderness
Apache Kid Wilderness includes 44,650 acres of rugged canyons and peaks with 68 miles of often primitive trails provides high (and often dry) hiking, backpacking, horseback riding pleasures, and wildlife viewing – plus hunting in season.
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
Each season, the Bosque del Apache offers unique bird and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Box Canyon Recreation Area
Box Canyon is a popular site for camping, hiking, and rock climbing, and attracts both locals and knowledgeable visitors. Box Canyon is located approximately five miles west of Socorro off US 60.
Box Car Museum
The Box Car Museum displays old photographs and objects of yesteryear’s frontier life.
City of Socorro Rodeo & Sports Complex and Parks and Recreational Facilities
City of Socorro Parks and Recreation provides leisure activities for the entire family.
Concho Hills Guest Ranch
Concho Hills is a small ranch located in the heart of New Mexico cattle country on the historic Magdalena Stock Driveway. Nestled in a valley amongst the foot hills of the San Mateo Mountains at the edge of the San Augustin plains, the ranch is surrounded by BLM land and situated between two sections of…
Datil Well Recreation Area
Datil Well Campground is a great place for the family and includes 3 miles of hiking trails with views of the San Augustin Plains. Campgrounds include grills, fire pits, and trash cans.
El Camino Real National Scenic Byway
El Camino Royal de Tierra Adentro, The Royal Road to the Interior, threaded 1,500 miles northward from Zacatecas, Mexico to the far edges of known Spanish world.
Elfego Baca Heritage Park
Flanking the Plaza in Socorro’s historic district, the beautiful Elfego Baca Heritage Park is a great spot to learn about local history as it has several monuments relaying stories of Socorro, as well as a beautiful art history wheel.
Escondida Lake and Park
This lake park offers fishing and camping, RV hookups, tent sites, bathrooms and potable water.
Etscorn Observatory
The observatory is located on the New Mexico Tech campus. On every 1st Saturday of each month you are invited to a Guided Night Sky Stargazing at the observatory.
Farmers’ Market
Buy fresh, locally-grown produce direct from the farmer.
Garcia Opera House
The Garcia Opera House is located at 110 Abeyta Avenue West in Socorro, NM. It is a National Historic Site and is owned and operated by the Garcia Opera House Foundation.
Ghost Towns of Socorro County
Ghost Towns found in Socorro County are Fort Craig, Kelly, Riley (Santa Rita), Rosedale and San Marcial. Articles Published by Paul Harden: Ghost Towns of Socorro County Part 1 Part 2 Ghost Town Guide
Gila National Forest
The Gila National Forest, with its spectacular scenery, is one of the more remote and least developed National Forest in the Southwest and covers 3.3 million acres of publicly owned forest and range land.
Gran Quivera
Part of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, Gran Quivera was an important trade Center before and after the Spanish “entrada.” Apache raids, drought, and famine caused the Pueblo Indians to abandon the site in 1672.
Hammel Museum
The Hammel Museum started as a beer garden and, in the intervening century, became successively a brewery, an ice plant, a soda bottling plant, and finally ended as an active industry still making ice.
Historic Plaza: Kittrel Park
The idea of a plaza as a geographic center of a community dates back to ancient times, making Socorro’s Historic Plaza a testimony to historic custom and culture.
Isidro Baca Park
Flanking the Plaza in Socorro’s historic district, the beautiful Isidro Baca Park honors Socorroans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Johnson’s Hill (Gordy’s Hill OHV Area)
The 6,000-acre Gordy’s Hill Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area is a scenic dirtbike and ATV destination overlooking the Rio Grande Valley and Bosque with a tremendous variety of riding opportunities.
Joseph R. Skeen Library
More than 600,000 books, periodicals, government documents, microforms, maps, videos and computer files are held in the 54,000-square foot, three-story library building on the northeast corner of the Tech campus.
Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA)
The Very Large Array (VLA) comprises 27 radio telescopes in a “Y” pattern spread across the plains of San Agustin 50 miles west of Socorro.
Kelly Mine
During its heyday in the 1800s, the Kelly mine produced nearly $60 million in gold, lead zinc and cooper.
Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex: Bernardo Waterfowl Management Area
The Ladd S. Gordon Waterfowl Complex contains four wildlife management areas in Valencia and Socorro Counties.
Lady of the Mountain
Legend says that, in the 1500s, a Spanish soldier saw the face of Mary Magdalene on the north side of the mountain. The village at the base of that mountain was named Magdalena in her honor.
Livestock Driveway and Historic Stock Pens
The Magdalena Stock Driveway stretched 125 miles to eastern Arizona and varied from five to ten miles wide.
Macey Center
The spectacular Macey Center houses art of all kinds. Home to the New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series it is host to live performances from national acts which hail from all over the country.
Magdalena Historic Walking Tour
Journey to the old west on the Magdalena Historic Walking Tour. Magdalena and the surrounding region exhibit a rich history ranging from the mysterious Ancient Ones, the Anasazi, to the more recent miners and cowboys of old Magdalena.
Magdalena Hunting
Hunters from all over the country converge on Magdalena during September, October, and November to take on the challenge of the best hunting in the United States – primarily Elk, Antelope, and Deer.
Magdalena Mountain Ropes
The Magdalena Mountains Ropes Challenge course, located 20 miles southwest of Magdalena at the Monica Cabin site, offers an exciting program for individuals and groups.
Magdalena Old Hall Hotel
Magdalena Hall Hotel historical building was built in 1917 by Harry S. Hall. This hotel is the only one of the original “cowboy hotels” remaining in the village of Magdalena.
Magdalena Ridge Observatory
The Magdalena Ridge Observatory (MRO) is located on 1,000 acres at 10,600 feet in the Magdalena Mountains of the Cibola National Forest in Socorro County, New Mexico (NM).
Mineral Museum
The Mineral Museum houses the collection of 15,000 mineral specimens and was assembled to assist with the education of the engineers and geologists.
Mission Churches of Socorro County
Beginning in the 1500’s Spanish colonists journeyed up the Rio Grande Valley and established settlements and mission churches along the way.
New Mexico Tech
New Mexico Tech is an undergraduate and graduate university specializing in science and engineering education and research.
New Mexico Tech Duck Pond
A great place to get back to nature right in the middle of town. The New Mexico Tech Duck Pond is the perfect place for you.
New Mexico Tech Golf Course
Enjoy golfing at the golf course of NM Tech, sporting an 18-hole championship layout of rolling hills, dramatic elevation changes, and dynamic views of the Rio Grande Valley.
New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series
A slate of high-quality touring performances – popular and classical music, theater, dance and family entertainment – held in the intimate Macey Center Theater on the New Mexico Tech campus.
Quebradas Back Country Byway
Enjoy biking at the scenic mountain bike trail, with many trail options. Cerrillos del Coyote Loop is a popular route taken by the Cerrillos del Coyote Mountain Bike Race.
Riley (Santa Rita)
Riley, New Mexico is located 20 miles north of Magdalena, New Mexico on Cibola NF road 354. Riley was settled in 1892 and now is a ghost town.
Rosedale
A mining town where gold and silver were discovered in 1882. Rosedale was abandoned by 1937.
San Lorenzo Canyon
Hike and explore the plant and animal life of the Chihuahuan Desert at the photogenic San Lorenzo Canyon. Located north of Socorro on I-25, exit 163 in San Acacia.
San Marcial
San Marcial is a small town about 30 miles south of Socorro. San Marcial was once home to over 2,500 people.
San Miguel Mission
The historic church celebrates its 400th Anniversary in 2015. Located a few blocks from the Plaza, the original mission was built between 1615 and 1627.
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge
Sevilleta Refuge, begun in 1973, is managed as nearly as possible to its natural state. Visitors Center and hiking trails are open to the public.
Socorro Community Theater
The Socorro Community Theatre usually produces two fall shows per year, one in the fall during Festival of the Cranes, and another in spring/summer.
Socorro County Arts Gallery
Socorro County Arts is dedicated to promoting the visual arts, performing arts, literary arts, and creative crafts in Socorro County, New Mexico.
Socorro County Chile Growers
There is nothing better than fresh New Mexico chile produced in the rich farm lands of the Rio Grande, and the Socorro area has many local family farmers who raise more than five varieties of green chile.
Socorro Fat Tire Trails
Mountain bikers will find that Socorro is a gateway to all year adventure.
Socorro Heritage Museum
The mission of the City of Socorro Heritage and Visitor Center is to create a publicly owned facility to preserve, display, and maintain valuable items of historical significance; therefore, our heritage.
Socorro Historical District Scenic Byway
The history of Socorro is told in its architecture, and the Socorro Historical District Scenic Byway is the visual embodiment of that history.
Socorro Landing: A UFO Story
Read about one of the best-documented UFO sightings in U.S. history – an event that was witnessed by City of Socorro Police Officer Lonnie Zamora, and investigated by many top scientists.
Socorro Nature Area
Nestled behind the farms of Lemitar just north of Socorro, the Socorro Nature Area is a hidden gem and pure beauty.
Trinity Site
The first atomic bomb was tested at 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time on July 16, 1945 at Trinity Site.
Water Canyon Campground
A favorite way to get back to nature! Water Canyon offers hiking, bird watching, picnicking, and camping at the foot of the Magdalena Mountains. Everything you need just 21 miles west of Socorro on US 60.
Withington Wilderness
Seldom-visited 18,869-acre Withington Wilderness area ranging between 6,800 and 10,000 foot elevations has few trails. Located in the northeastern area of the San Mateo Mountains, Withington Wilderness includes hiking, backpacking, hunting, and wildlife viewing.