Top 5 Must-See "Off the beaten Path" Attractions

Top 5 Must-See “Off the beaten Path” Attractions for Spring and Summer in Farmington

Farmington, NM — Farmington, New Mexico is a frequent destination for adventure seekers, explorers, and active families, as well as those who enjoy immersing themselves in the culture and the history of the American Southwest. Known for their scenic views, Native American history, and plethora of options for bikers, hikers, and more, the area is a great location for a summer trip.

“To get the most out of their visit this year, travelers should take a step or two off the beaten path and truly explore some of the unique treasures of the Farmington area,” said Tonya Stinson, Executive Director of Farmington Convention and Visitors Bureau. “There is much more to our area than meets the eye, even with what meets the eye being breathtaking views and a wide array of activities. I urge all visitors to take a deeper look and see some of the one-of-a-kind offerings available in Farmington New Mexico.”

For 2015, the “Top 5 Off the Beaten Path” destinations include:

1) Explore one of the world’s largest private collections of wildlife taxidermy, or visit an experimental farm and ranch at B-Square Ranch.

Come experience one of the most unique opportunities in Farmington with the B-Square Ranch’s Bolack Museum of Fish and Wildlife, Bolack Electromechanical Museum or the B-Square Ranch and Experimental Farm. The land and ranch, founded by the late Tommy Bolack, is a private wildlife refuge, a ranch and farm, the site of an archaeological dig, and enjoy the fabulous finds within both museums. The Bolack Museum of Fish and Wildlife is one of the largest private collections of animal specimens with over 2,500 animals displayed. Also available to visitors is the Bolack Electromechanical Museum, in which a wide array of scientific and technological treasures is on display, including antique electrical, radio, industrial, communication, and agricultural artifacts. For more information, visit http://www.bolackmuseum.com.

2) Spend a night in a cozy cave, built into a vertical cliff, at Kokopelli’s Cave Bed and Breakfast.

Have an unforgettable vacation experience, complete with a one-of-a-kind stay in a man-made cave house, set in the vertical cliffs of Tertiary Ojo Alamo sandstone. The views are unforgettable, as the cave overlooks the La Plata River, approximately 300 feet below, and offers breathtaking sights of New Mexico sunsets. Complete with a Native American kiva, Jacuzzi tub, and a waterfall shower, you’ll get the best of both worlds—staying in comfort, while experiencing a night in nature. For more information, visit http://kokoscave.com.

3) Walk through the pages of history, and see for yourself the rich culture of New Mexico with a self-guided Dinetah Pueblito and Rock Art Tour.

Farmington’s rich history is perfectly illustrated and open to the public with the Dinetah Pueblitos, Spanish for “little Pueblos.” With more than 200 pueblitos in the core region of Dinetah, built between 1680 and 1775, the pueblos range from one-room structures to large sites, such as sweat lodges, hogans, and more. Visitors can immerse themselves in the cultures of long ago, as they walk through these rooms and view the impressive rock art on the walls, the earliest of which was discovered having come from the Ancestral Puebloan people. The rock art, mostly Navajo, depicts animals, humans, weapons, supernatural beings, and more and provides an insightful look into the daily lives of those who inhabited the pueblitos. For more information, visit https://farmingtonnm.org/pages/dinetah.html.

4) Get in touch with nature and take in some of the most incredible rock formations and fossils, created by time and nature at the Bisti Badlands Wilderness.

The Bisti Wilderness is a magical natural landscape, in which time and nature have created strange and intriguing rock formations from sandstone, coal, slit, mudstone, and shale. From hoodoos to cap rocks and rock formations of all shapes, the sights at Bisti are the perfect place for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers or sightseers, and those with curious minds. Visitors can also explore the fossils left behind in the landforms. For more information, visit https://farmingtonnm.org/pages/bisti.html.

5) Lions Wilderness Park Disc Golf Course

With a course that’s more than a mile long, the Lions Wilderness Disc Golf Course offers fun, activity and recreation for kids of all ages. The 27-hole course takes about two hours and is a family-friendly event that’s perfect for those looking to spend time outdoors and have a little fun doing it. For more information, visit http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=1487.

For more information on Farmington, other events and attractions, or to begin planning a trip, visit https://farmingtonnm.org.

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