Agua Fria Retreat

Agua Fria Retreat consists of 40.95+/- acres. Nestled among the tall pines of the Zuni Mountains, along the banks of the Agua Fria Creek, this property has it all: a 3,250 sq ft handcrafted and built home and many other features. It is built with seclusion, being self-contained with an on-site well and solar panels and plenty of area to explore. Off-grid but close enough to major airports and local shopping for all your needs. Land 40.95+/- Deeded Acres Agua Fria Creek flows from February to June each year. Rock Bluffs Rocky outcroppings and Man-Made Pond have many additional features. A small valley runs mostly north and south along the length of the property. Ridgetops turn into mostly flat mesa tops. The property is easily accessed via a partially paved and gravel road maintained year-round by Cibola County. The 2.2-mile road leading to the property is well-maintained by the owner. Grants, a community along Interstate 40, is a mere 30-minute drive. Grants has several restaurants, several service stations, a hospital, a Wal-Mart, and schools. The mining, art, and history museums offer yet additional places to visit and explore. Improvements Agua Fria Retreat is the perfect location for those who seek an off-grid, secluded, upscale Home. It is self-contained, away from the crowded subdivisions and neighbors, yet close enough to a community that offers all the necessary shopping and health care that you may need.  With so many historic and cultural sites within minutes or a few hours away and the 1.6 million acres of Cibola National Forest as your backyard, there will always be somewhere to see and explore. The owner is an American Artist, instructor, and videographer whose work is immediately recognizable and collected worldwide. The home and amenities were built by hand by the owner over the course of a few years. His attention to detail and artistic talents are expressed in the workmanship. The owner milled all the lumber from logs harvested on the property. The stonework, both in the main house and in the other buildings, and the landscaping come from the property. The home, apartment, and garage are built using a Metal Building by Rigid Buildings as the shell. The metal building design was chosen over traditional wood or log construction for its durability and fire mitigation. Being in the middle of the forest, a metal building will not burn and is an excellent choice for this area. Additional fire mitigation has been done around the home. The Interior design is based on a Japanese open-design floor plan and was built with comfort in mind. The open design, both inside and outside, is perfect for entertaining out-of-town guests; imagine sitting around the pond or one of the fire pits, enjoying your favorite beverage, enjoying the mountain air, watching the sunset, and then watching the stars that seem close enough to touch. Please click here to go on 360 virtual tour of the Main House, Apartment, Garage, & Green House. To get a more realistic feel, make sure to use the auto-rotate feature in the accessible menu on the bottom left corner of the screen.   This property has many possibilities, from a couple looking for a place to retire to a family with several family members, to a hunting lodge, to a bed and breakfast, to an AirBNB destination. Live in the main house and rent out the apartment. With all the property has to offer, there are as many possibilities as you can imagine. This property has so many outstanding features that it is impossible to list or explain in words. It must be seen and experienced to get the full effect of what it has to offer. To schedule your private qualified showing. Please call or email today. Financial verification is required prior to all showings. The property includes a Case 590 turbo Backhoe with Mechanical Thumb, a gasoline-engine-powered Wood Splitter, all components of Solar and water systems, a Duro Max DUEL FUEL XP 13000 HX Generator, Major Appliances, a Samsung Double-oven-Range, an LG Double Door, a Dual bottom compartment Freezer, a Whirlpool Dishwasher, a Washer and Dryer, and an Upright Freezer.  All household furnishings are negotiable with the potential buyer. Heating System: in floor / hot water, 2/ One open fireplace, one wood- burning stove with forced air Blower. 40-gallon water heater and on-demand hot water heaters in the main house and apartment. Home Style: Ridged Brand Pre Fab Metal Building. Metal Roof with Spanish Tile on Additions to the building. Interior design: Japanese open-design floor plan with Native wood and stone features harvested and collected from property, Pre Fab Rigid Metal Building 40’ x60’, Year Built: Completed in 2024, All metal building construction, Chosen method to mitigate fire danger Total Finished Sq. Ft.3850; Total Livable/Heated Sq. Ft. 3,250: Heated attic used for storage at roof/wall points 600 Sq. Ft 3 Bedrooms and three full baths Fence Type Wood & Rustic zig/zag pole fence along the entrance driveway, and room for 10 vehicles. The detached 30’x50’ Rigid Metal Building Built in 2017 (1,500 Sq Ft) footprint, with loft space in the apartment, adds an additional 675 Sq Ft of heated living space. It is used for a Garage/ shop and an apartment. The apartment takes up 975 sq ft with a Bedroom Loft. The garage has two garage-type doors that can be used to store the backhoe and/or any other vehicles. It also has a closed-off section that can be used for storage or a separate tool room. Water to the property comes from the private well on the property, which has an enclosed well house and is considered one of the best-tasting and cleanest in the area. The delivery system features a high-pressure pump that pumps the water to the main house and other buildings. The property also has a detached greenhouse 20×16 (320sf) that produces greens and vegetables year-round. There is one open-roofed cover used to store firewood, keeping it dry in any weather, and an elevated platform that can be used as a kids’ tree house or a sitting area to enjoy the view of the property Recreation This property borders the Cibola National Forest (consisting of more than 1.6 million acres) on three sides. The west side is Private property, which just so happens to be owned by the owner of the Agua Fria Retreat. A short drive puts the owner in any number of unique places that the area has to offer, from the world-famous hot springs in Pagosa Springs to world-class skiing at Wolf Creek Ski Area, Taos Ski Area, Purgatory Ski Area, Some of the Oldest Churches in North America, World class Hunting and Fishing are minutes from the front steps. The area is rich in Native America Tribes and the history that their ancestors left behind. The Zuni Reservation is just a few miles from the property. World-renowned Chaco Canyon is less than 2 hours from Grants, and the legendary Mesa Verde National Park, Four Corners National Monument, and numerous other sites are within a few hours’ drive.  La Ventana Natural Arch and El Malpais National Conservation Area are just a short drive from the front door; El Morro National Monument (designated a “dark sky” site) is about 15 miles west of the home, and Ice Caves are within 10 miles.  Famous Sky City Acoma Pueblo is 45 minutes east. The annual Quadrathlon on Mt Taylor in February brings athletes from around the country, is a must see for those adventure seekers Located in Game Management Unit 10, with the application through the NMDGF small contributing ranch pool, you may be eligible for a unit-wide Elk Tag. New owners would have to apply through the NMDGF; Hayden makes no guarantees of receiving an Elk Tag but may assist in connecting with NMDGF. Unit 10 has seen a few Bull Elk over 350” in the past, with a few 300” class bull elk taken regularly. Mule Deer have been spotted right outside the front door. The odds of drawing a Buck Mule Deer tag are not as hard as in other parts of northern NM. Several trophy-class Mule Deer have been taken in years past in unit 10 and surrounding units. Flocks of wild Merriam Turkeys frequent the property and have been viewed right outside the residence. Sitting in the heart of NMGF unit 10 in Cibola County and Close to the famed Gila units, which hold some of New Mexico’s largest Bull Elk, this property could be the ideal location for the individual looking for an Off Grid Hunting Lodge. With the main house and the guest house, several hunting partners can call this property home during their hunting adventures. The ranch is less than two hours from The San Juan River quality waters. Located in the northwest corner of New Mexico, the San Juan River is world-renowned for providing some of the most rewarding trout fishing you will ever experience. The San Juan River quality waters, a 4-mile stretch of river below Navajo Lake Dam, is a consistent producer of rainbows and browns averaging 16 to 18 inches, with many reaching much larger proportions. Recent studies have suggested that there are more than 15,000 fish per mile; WOW that’s a lot of fish!!! Hiking, Camping, Hunting, and ATV Riding are all available on the property, and with the Cibola National Forest as your backyard, you have a whole lot of trails and back roads to explore. Agriculture With a bit of work, a fence and/or corrals could be installed to hold a few heads of cattle, horses, sheep, or goats. The property may then be viewed as agricultural, which could conceivably lower the property taxes. The new owner may wish to explore this. Water/Mineral Rights & Natural Resources Mineral rights are included in the sale of the property There is one well on the property Water level 100 feet. Well depth 560 feet. Private well permit #B-1698 TRN# 371229 General Operations Used by the current owners as their primary residence The apartment can be a source of income by renting it out or used as a AirBNB vacation rental Region & Climate Cibola County, New Mexico, has a warm and dry climate. Summers are hot and sunny, with temperatures usually in the mid to high 90s. Winters are mild, with temperatures typically ranging from the mid-40s to 70 degrees. Spring and fall also tend to be mild, with a mix of warm and cold days. Precipitation in Cibola County is sparse, often only receiving around 8 inches per year. Though it can become quite dry during long periods of drought, there is usually enough rain to support the local vegetation. Cibola County, New Mexico, gets an average of 13 inches of rain per year, compared to the US average of 38 inches. Cibola County averages 23 inches of snow per year, compared to the US average of 28 inches. On average, Cibola County has 278 sunny days per year, compared to the US average of 205 sunny days. These numbers are county-wide. The Agua Fria Retreat sits at a higher elevation and may experience slightly cooler temperatures than the average. History The area is rich in history, from the Native American tribes to the early Spanish settlers who called it home. Zuni, Navajo, Hopi, Apache reservations, Acoma, and Laguna Pueblos are all in the area. Please call or email today for more information on this unique ranch to answer any questions and schedule a qualified showing. Financial verification is required prior to all showings Co brokers welcome Location Area communities driving distance Grants, New Mexico: 20 miles a 45 +/- minute drive Albuquerque New Mexico: 100 miles a 2 +/- hour’s drive Farmington New Mexico: 150 miles a 3 +/- hour’s drive Gallup New Mexico:  80 miles a 1 1/2 +/- hour’s drive Durango Colorado: 210 miles a 4 +/- hour’s drive Santa Fe: 150 miles a 3 +/- hour’s drive Navajo Reservoir/ San Juan River: 200 miles 3 ½ +/- hour’s drive Wolf Creek Ski Area: 250 miles 5  +/- hour’s drive Purgatory Ski Area: 250 miles 4 ½ +/- hour’s drive Chaco Canyon New Mexico: 130 miles a 2 ½ +/- hour’s drive Mesa Verde National Park: 230 miles a 3 ½ +/- hour’s drive