Aldo Leopold House

Overview

On February 2, 1912, Aldo Leopold (1887–1948) wrote to his fiancée, Estella Bergère, in Santa Fe that the Forest Service had appropriated $650 to build a new supervisor’s quarters he had designed at Tres Piedras, New Mexico, northwest of Taos. At the time, Leopold was about to become the new Forest Supervisor of the Carson National Forest in Tres Piedras. Later that year, he built the house, which the newly married couple decided to call “Mi Casita”. Leopold was transferred to Tres Piedras from the Apache National Forest in Arizona in 1911. It was here that he started to formulate his land ethic that would find its way into his classic, Sand County Almanac. He started to see land holistically and to recognize that this perspective was essential to its wise management. Today we call this ecosystem management. Aldo Leopold is considered by many to be the father of wildlife ecology.

The Aldo Leopold House offers exceptional three-season access and opportunities in this historic home only ½ hr. west of Taos, New Mexico. The home is a Craftsman Style Bungalow and was restored by Historicorps and the Carson NF in 2005.

This full-amenity house accommodates up to 8 people: two queen beds and 6 twins. Guests are responsible for their own safety and certain necessities (see below).

The house is located in a rural area of Northern New Mexico. There is very limited cell phone service and the nearest gas station is located in Antonito, Colorado. (30 miles north).

What should we bring?

Potable water

Bedding--sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, etc.

Bath towels

Kitchen towels

Toilet paper

Paper towels

Soap

Trash bags

Personal items

Take all trash with you at the end of your stay. There is no trash service at the House.

Check-in: 3:00 PM and Check-out: 11:00 AM

Recreation

The cabin is adjacent to one of the Tres Piedras (three rocks, aka the TP Rocks), which are composed of “excellent granite” and offer great non-technical hiking and scrambling opportunities as well as difficult technical climbing routes. One can access the Carson NF directly behind the house. The Aldo Leopold Trail can be accessed proximate the Tres Piedras RD just to the north off Hwy 64. Surrounded by pine trees, a stay at the Aldo Leopold House will take you back to a simpler time.

Facilities

The Leopold house is approximately 1300 Sq. Ft. There is a dining room with a large table and chairs. The home has four bedrooms with beds for up to 8 people. The house has a fully equipped kitchen, and a large covered front porch, and a back porch with a picnic table. There is a gas range, oven, microwave, fully equipped kitchen, indoor plumbing, flush toilet, and claw foot bathtub/shower. There is only one bathroom in the home and is on the first floor. The fireplace is not for use. Parking is available on site and can accommodate approximately 8 vehicles. No RVs or tent camping is allowed. Guests will need to provide sleeping bags/linens, towels, toilet paper, paper towels, coffee, hand soap, and dish soap, etc. This is a non-smoking facility.

Grills, campfires, and any outdoor cooking are NOT allowed on the back and front porches, nor within the area surrounding the house. Fire danger is always a concern in the Southwest.

Natural Features

The cabin was built in the shadow of one the “TP Rocks” and the front porch faces eastward across the great sage plain and the Rio Grande Gorge toward Wheeler Peak (New Mexico’s highest) and the Sangre de Christo Range.

Nearby Attractions

The Leopold House is located on the Tres Piedras Ranger District office compound. From the house visitors have access to a variety of activities on the forest. Hopewell Lake campground and day use area is approximately 30 miles from the house (north on Hwy 64) and offers opportunities for fishing, hiking on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, or exploring many roads in the San Juan Mountains. The Cruces Basin wilderness is approximately 25 miles west of the house and has amazing opportunities for solitude. The town of Taos is 30 miles to the east. Taos Pueblo National Heritage site is located a few miles north of the Town of Taos. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs is located 60 miles south of the house. Between the house and the Town of Taos lies the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. There are opportunities to ride the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, riders can board the train in Chama NM or Antonito CO.

What people do here

• biking
• camping
• climbing
• hiking
• visitor center
• wildlife viewing