Nicknamed the “Trails End”,  it was the end of the Santa Fe Railroad spur line built in 1885.  A cowboy town and a transport route for one of the most famous historic cattle drives of the Old West, this trail was called the “Hoof Highway” and drove thousands of cattle here to be transported by rail from Magdalena.  Additionally, the railroad connected to the many mining communities of the area, today making up one of New Mexico’s richest areas of “ghost towns” harkening back to the lucrative mining era of the late 1800s.

Magdalena’s moderate climate with mild temperatures provides for excellent year-round exploration. Located on historic U.S. Route 60 the town is lined with numerous galleries, historic buildings, stores, hiking trails and attractions. This pristine and rugged mountain area is renowned as one of the most remote and scenic areas in the world.  Accordingly, area parks and national forests provide limitless back-road opportunities for hikers, bikers, motorcyclists, birdwatchers, hunters and outdoor adventurers. 

A modern day wonder awaits just west of Magdalena, the Very Large Array. This collection of 29 large dish satellite antennas is operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory and captures the world’s most detailed images of outer space.  From modern technology back to the days of the Old West, Magdalena is a New Mexico treasure.