Taos Valley Overlook

For generations, travelers cresting this scenic overlook south of Taos have been greeted by sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande River gorge. The family that owns this land along Route 68 has kept it in pristine condition since 1915, but for years conservationists have been looking for a way to protect it permanently from development. TPL worked with its partner, the Taos Land Trust, to help the Bureau of Land Management acquire the property for the Orilla Verde Recreation Area. The BLM will manage the land to preserve the view and wildlife habitat and to expand opportunities for low impact recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and picnicking.

Funds for the project came from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund. The project was completed in April 2003, protecting a total of 2,581 acres of this scenic vista that helps make the Taos area a unique treasure for residents and visitors alike.