Your Questions, Answered

Travel & Getting Here

  • The Sanctuary is conveniently located between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

    • Santa Fe Regional Airport: 22 miles (approximately 30 minutes)

    • Albuquerque International Sunport: 46 miles (approximately 1 hour)

  • The Sanctuary is perfectly situated for exploring northern New Mexico.

    • Historic Madrid: 5 minutes

    • Downtown Santa Fe: 27 miles (approximately 30 minutes)

    • Downtown Albuquerque: 46 miles (approximately 1 hour)

  • Yes. While Cerrillos is easy to explore on foot, a rental car is strongly recommended for visiting Santa Fe, Madrid, hiking trails, museums, and other nearby attractions.

    If you plan to explore unpaved back roads, a high-clearance vehicle with four-wheel drive is recommended.

  • Ride-share services are limited and generally unreliable in Cerrillos. We recommend renting a car for the greatest flexibility during your stay.

  • At this time, food delivery and grocery delivery services are not available in Cerrillos.

During Your Stay

  • Yes, all utilities are included in the price for Sanctuary tenants.

  • Yes. Each home is equipped with a private extra-large capacity washer and dryer. The larger machines make it easy to wash bedding, towels, outdoor gear, or larger loads, so tenants can pack lighter and settle in comfortably for extended stays.

  • Yes. Both homes feature complimentary high-speed Starlink internet to tenants, available throughout your stay.

  • Starlink is a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX. Using thousands of low-Earth-orbit satellites, it provides fast, reliable broadband in rural communities like Cerrillos, allowing tenants to stream, work remotely, and stay connected.

  • Like many properties in the Village of Cerrillos, the Sanctuary uses a septic system rather than a municipal sewer system. To protect the system, garbage disposals are not installed.

    We encourage tenants to compost fruit and vegetable scraps when possible, while all other food waste should be placed in the provided trash receptacles.

  • Each home includes tenant parking. Limited street parking is also available for short-term visitor vehicles. We do not offer RV parking or utility hookups.

  • Cerrillos is served by El Vadito de Los Cerrillos, the village's local water cooperative. Water is sourced from a year-round spring a few miles upstream, then treated and stored in accordance with state requirements before being distributed throughout the village.

About Cerrillos

  • Cerrillos is one of New Mexico's oldest and most fascinating mining communities, best known for its rich deposits of Cerrillos turquoise, a gemstone prized for centuries by Native peoples and later sought after by miners and jewelers from around the world.

    Designated as a Traditional New Mexican Village, Cerrillos is also celebrated as a living ghost town, where more than 150 years of history remain part of everyday life. Its preserved adobe buildings, vibrant arts community, and authentic Old West character have made the village a favorite destination for visitors and a sought-after filming location for movies and television, including No Country for Old Men, Young Guns, and Dark Winds.

  • Cerrillos is often described as a living ghost town because, unlike many Old West mining communities, it has never lost its sense of place. For more than 150 years, people have continued to live, work, and create here among its historic adobe buildings and quiet streets. Today, the village remains home to artists, local businesses, and residents who preserve its rich history while shaping its future. It's a place where the spirit of the Old West is still very much alive.

  • Cerrillos is one of only a handful of communities officially designated as a Traditional New Mexican Village. This designation recognizes villages that have preserved their historic architecture, cultural traditions, and community character over generations. Staying here offers an authentic glimpse into New Mexico's living heritage rather than a recreated tourist destination.

  • The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (Highway 14) is one of New Mexico's most celebrated scenic drives, connecting Albuquerque and Santa Fe through a landscape of mountains, historic mining towns, artist communities, and expansive desert vistas. Along the way, visitors discover unique destinations like Cerrillos and Madrid, local galleries, hiking trails, and the region's rich cultural heritage. Staying at The Turquoise Trail Sanctuary places you in the heart of this unforgettable journey.

  • Cerrillos turquoise is among the oldest and most historically significant turquoise mined in North America. Indigenous peoples were mining and trading Cerrillos turquoise more than 1,000 years ago, long before European settlement.

    During New Mexico's mining boom in the late 1800s, Tiffany & Co. helped introduce Cerrillos turquoise to a national audience, recognizing the stone for its exceptional beauty and incorporating it into fine jewelry. That recognition helped establish Cerrillos as one of the country's most celebrated turquoise mining districts.

    Today, visitors can explore the area's mining history at the Casa Grande Trading Post & Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum, and purchase handcrafted Cerrillos turquoise jewelry from respected local artists, including Douglas Magnus Studios.

    Staying at The Turquoise Trail Sanctuary places guests just minutes from the historic mines and artisan studios that continue Cerrillos' centuries-old turquoise tradition.

  • Just five minutes south of Cerrillos along the Turquoise Trail, Madrid is a former coal mining town that has become one of New Mexico's most beloved arts communities. Visitors enjoy galleries, local shops, cafés, live music, and the town's distinctly eclectic character.

  • Cerrillos has long been a favorite filming location thanks to its authentic Old West character.

    Productions filmed here include:

    • No Country for Old Men

    • Young Guns

    • We're the Millers

    • Outrageous Fortune

    • John Carpenter's Vampires

    More recently, scenes from the television series Dark Winds were filmed in and around Cerrillos.

Explore the Area

Staying at The Turquoise Trail Sanctuary

  • The Turquoise Trail Sanctuary offers a rare opportunity to experience authentic New Mexico living in a thoughtfully restored historic adobe compound. With two fully furnished homes, beautifully landscaped gardens, original artwork, and peaceful outdoor spaces, the Sanctuary is designed for guests seeking longer stays, creative inspiration, remote work, or simply a slower pace of life.

  • Yes. The Sanctuary is a historic adobe compound in the heart of Cerrillos that has been carefully restored to preserve its original character while incorporating modern comforts. Historic architecture, handcrafted details, mature gardens, and contemporary amenities create a place where New Mexico's past and present exist in harmony.

  • Absolutely. Casa Amarilla and Casa Azul were intentionally furnished and equipped for guests staying several weeks or several months. Each home includes a fully equipped kitchen, dedicated XL-capacity washer and dryer, Starlink high-speed internet, comfortable indoor and outdoor living spaces, and everything needed to feel at home during an extended stay.

  • Our guests include remote professionals, artists, writers, designers, academics, retirees, and travelers looking for a peaceful home base near Santa Fe. Whether you're working on a creative project, exploring Northern New Mexico, or simply taking time to recharge, the Sanctuary provides a quiet place to settle in and stay awhile.

  • The Artists' Studio is an exciting addition currently in development at The Turquoise Trail Sanctuary. Designed as a dedicated creative space, it will provide guests with an inspiring environment for art, writing, workshops, and other creative pursuits. If you'd like to be notified when it opens, we'd love to add you to our interest list.