Belen - New Mexico - Culture

Belén, New Mexico, ten miles south of Los Lunas is a railroad town. 100 trains pass through the Belén yard. Belén is a great stop to make in your travels. With the majestic Manzano Mountains as a background to Belén, the opportunities for hiking are almost limitless. Part of the Cibola National Forest, the Manzanos provide beautiful trails and canyons for camping, exploring, horseback riding, hiking and backpacking.
Elevations in the Manzano Mountains range from 6,000 in the foothills to 10,098 on Manzano Peak. A hiker can start out in the desert of central New Mexico and end up in a climate similar to the spruce fir forests of lower Canada because of elevation changes.
The trails wandering through the Manzano Mountains are perfect for long or short hikes and show off a magnificent variety of flora and fauna.
And you will find even more flora and fauna in the greater Belén area.

The Manzano Mountain -The Manzano Mountain Wilderness encompasses 36,970 acres on the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest and is located in Belén's backyard. Accessible trails lie on both sides of the mountain and picnic areas abound. Wilderness elevations range from 6,000 feet in the foothills to 10,098 feet on Manzano Peak. The district office is in Mountainair where advice on trails and recreation is offered.

Salinas National Monument
In the stones of the Salinas Valley pueblo ruins are the faint echoes of the communities that lived there more than three centuries ago. The monument's three sites commemorate the stable agricultural society where members lived in apartment-like complexes and participated, through rule and ritual, in the cycles of nature.
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is open daily except Christmas. The park visitors' center is in Mountainair, a 45 minute drive from Belén.
On the way to the visitors' center, stop at the Abo Monument located on U.S. 60. You'll find sophisticated church architecture and a large unexcavated pueblo.
After a tour of the visitors' center then it's off to Grand Quivira ruins which features two churches, excavated Indian structures, exhibits and a 40-minute video. The third site is Quarai which has the most complete Salinas church and includes artefacts on display.

The Harvey House was built as part of the extensive restaurant system established by Fred Harvey. Now owned by the City of Belén, it houses a museum operated by the Valencia County Historical Society. The museum's focus is the arrival of the Santa Fe railroad in 1880 to the saving of the Harvey House in 1982. The building is being restored to its original charm and grandeur.
P & M Farm Museum preserves over 250 years of history. Hundreds of outdoor and indoor items are displayed with loving care.
Salinas National Monument consists of the well preserved ancient ruins of Indian pueblos. The monument's three sites commemorate the stable agricultural society lived by the residents in apartment like complexes.

Our Lady of Refuge Chapel is restored to its traditional Spanish mission architecture.
Veterans War Memorial in Jarales commemorates those who served their country.
Casa Colorada and Bernardo Waterfowl Management areas offer bird watching and excellent hunting close to Belén.
Tinnin Hunt Club has sport game hunting and clay shooting tournaments.

The City of Belén Multi-Purpose Park features soccer and baseball fields, tennis courts and there is more to be added to the facility which has a view for miles. Several other parks add touches of green as well as recreational facilities throughout the City of Belén.
Sugar Bowl Lanes on Becker Avenue provides a chance to make a strike or spare.
Many people fish on the ditch banks and Lakes offers a different type of opportunity for fishing.
A skateboard park is being designed for the city.

The University of Belen New Mexico - Valencia Campus offers a wide variety of classes that range from community education to business oriented to those leading to a degree. Its convenient location between the county's two largest municipalities means it draws a wide range of students with a variety of interests.