Basics
- Length:
- 94.3 miles (151 km)
Description
Spend the day traveling through the grasslands and plains of New Mexico and experience the natural "Wild West" the way it was meant to be experienced. From Logan to Abbott, La Frontera del Llano Byway spans 94 miles of wilderness that includes some of the most historically significant land in New Mexico.
Harding County's heritage can be discovered along the byway as you travel through the Kiowa Grasslands. Hundreds of years ago, Native American tribes traveled through the Grasslands on foot in search of new land and resources for survival. The beautiful Mills Canyon is located on the Grasslands and is a very popular site for its historic significance. The canyon also offers camping, fishing, and hiking.
Points of Interest
Points of Interest Along The Way
Conchas Lake State Park (NM)
On the shores of Conchas Lake, this state park includes miles of shoreline, secluded coves, canyons, and sandy beaches. Ancient rock formations and fossils of prehistoric sea creatures may also be seen by the observant visitor.
Directions
From the byway at Logan, at the southern-most point of the byway, take highway 104 west for about 15 miles.
Kiowa National Grasslands (NM)
The Kiowa Grasslands is an area full of rugged, natural beauty and rich in history. The Grasslands were home to many American Indian tribes before white settlement. With the Homestead Act of 1862, settlers began to pour into the prairie. They were lured by the promise of a better life, and cheap. The promise of cheap land drew settlers out west, but the area proved too dry to raise crops. The area was deserted by settlers.
The area became one of the Federal geovernment's Land Utilization Projects in the 1930s. In 1960, the land was transferred to the Forest Service, and they were then designated as National Grasslands.
Today, visitors can look for unique species of birds and other wildlife as they hike through the grasslands.
Directions
The Kiowa Grasslands surround the northern portion of La Frontera del Llano Byway.
Ute Lake State Park (NM)
With deer and antelope roaming the plains and mesas and native birds like pheasants, ducks, and quail surrounding Ute Lake, Ute Lake State Park is a welcoming visit in the desert.
Directions
Ute Lake State Park is located at the south end of the byway near Interstate 54.
