Villanueva State Park – Villanueva, NM

Setting far back from interstates is this quiet little Park on the edge of the historic town of Villanueva. The town was originally called La Cuesta for the gentle sloping hill it is built on. After petitioning for a Post Office, it was renamed Villanueva, as most signatures on the petition were from the Villanueva family.

We toured the village, and agree with everyone we have spoken with at the park – the townspeople are the most hospitable. We stopped by the general store on the north side of town, and had a wonderful chat with the owner. While we did not need any supplies at the moment, we did donate one heavy cookbook to the ‘take a book – leave a book’ shelf.

A neat little store carrying most basic supplies and super organized.

On the south side of town is a second store that has many more supplies and the ‘Frito Pie’.

Frito Pies seem to be popular.

I am not sure if this is just a New Mexico specialty, but we also discovered from the camper next to us, there are also unique tools for cooking New Mexican cuisine.

The discada (also known as plow disc or cowboy wok, in some parts) is a favorite for outdoor cooking. The couple next to us were putting together one of the brand name units (Firedisc) and said many make their own.

New Mexican style cooking.

The park has quite a few trails, too rocky for the pup with watching our step and for reptiles. One trail led to a historic Spanish ruin from the turn of the century.

Hike to the Spanish ruins.

It described the area as a windy bluff part way up the 200 ft sandstone bluff where wheat was threshed and winnowed by horses held contained by steep rock walls.

Historic wheat threshing floor overlooking the valley.

Both sides of the park are surrounded by tall cliffs, and I was frequently climbing the 100 ft quarter-mile distance to the one particular campsite that had a cell signal in the El Cerro (hill) Loop.

 

The early explorers passed thru this area and it appears there is considerable history involving land grants in the territory, and special rules that existed to  be awarded property, and other conflicts in property ownership. See ‘San Miguel del Vado Land Grant’ for an in-depth read.

Seeing the highways along NM-3, it is something that these small communities survive, given the toll the rains and high water of the river sometimes takes on the surrounding area.

Pecos River and red clay.

It is interesting to see how much rain occurs upstream by watching the daily changes in opaqueness of the River.

Although the park has been busy with family reunions and school outings, I think people come here because they want to enjoy the quiet peaceful beauty of the area. It certainly has been great during our stay.