The History of Pecos: What Makes This Valley So Special

If you’ve ever stood quietly beneath the whispering pines at Vida Bonita Pecos, or watched the golden light melt across the meadow, you know there’s something sacred about this land. It’s not just the beauty. It’s the deep, rooted history that hums underfoot and echoes in the wind. The Pecos Valley isn’t just a peaceful place to unwind—it’s a place steeped in stories that stretch back thousands of years.

When we first came to this property, I could feel it. There was a presence—something old and meaningful—and I knew we had the honor (and the responsibility) of being stewards of that spirit. As we’ve built, remodeled, and grown Vida Bonita Pecos into the wilderness escape it is today, I’ve also spent time learning and listening to what came before us.

So today, I want to share a little bit of that with you. Here’s why Pecos isn’t just a destination—it’s a legacy.

Ancient Pathways and Sacred Grounds

Long before settlers or vacationers ever arrived, the Pecos Valley was home to the Pecos Pueblo people, a thriving Native community who lived in this area for centuries. Their pueblo sat along an important trade route that connected the Rio Grande Valley to the Plains—making it a cultural and commercial hub long before the arrival of Europeans.

The Pecos people built massive adobe structures, practiced dry farming, and developed a complex society. The ruins of this community are preserved at Pecos National Historical Park, which is just a short drive from Vida Bonita Pecos. I always recommend our guests carve out a little time to visit—there’s something humbling about walking the same paths these ancient people walked and seeing the remnants of their vast kiva, where ceremonies were once held.

Spanish Missions and Western Expansion

In the 1600s, Spanish missionaries arrived and established Mission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula. It was part of Spain’s broader attempt to colonize and convert the native peoples of the region. Over time, the pueblo and mission experienced moments of peace and tension, prosperity and hardship.

As the centuries passed, Pecos became a waypoint for explorers, traders, and settlers heading west. The Santa Fe Trail—which was a major trade route between Missouri and Santa Fe—passed near here. This trail brought new cultures, commerce, and challenges to the region, reshaping its role in American history.

When I walk our property and look out toward the forested ridges, I often imagine what this area must have looked like 150 years ago—full of wagons, horses, traders, and stories being written in real time.

Civil War Echoes and Ranching Roots

Few people realize that Pecos played a role in the American Civil War. The Battle of Glorieta Pass, sometimes called the “Gettysburg of the West,” was fought nearby in 1862. While smaller in scale than Eastern battles, its outcome helped halt the Confederate advance into the Southwest.

After the war, the Pecos region settled into a quieter rhythm, with ranching becoming a way of life. Generations of families worked the land, raised livestock, and lived in close communion with the wilderness. That ranching spirit is still alive today. It’s part of what drew us here—to live more simply, to raise animals, to grow roots with our kids in the soil of something bigger than ourselves.

The Pecos of Today

Today, Pecos is a blend of past and present. While some folks still ranch or live off the land, many others—like us—came here to build something meaningful in harmony with nature.

When guests arrive at Vida Bonita Pecos, they’re often struck by how peaceful it feels here. But that peace is more than quiet; it’s the calm of a place that has witnessed centuries of human history, of struggle and celebration, of families who’ve lived and loved in the shadow of these pines.

I like to think we’re adding our own small chapter to that story—by welcoming guests from all over the country, offering them a space to rest, connect, and explore this amazing corner of New Mexico.

Plan Your Visit

If you haven’t visited yet, I invite you to come and experience it for yourself. Whether you’re soaking in the mountain air on the Crestview Cabin deck, roasting marshmallows outside the Retro Camper, or letting your kids splash near the Pecos River—you’re walking through history. And I hope it leaves a mark on you like it has on us.

From ancient pueblos to retro campers, Pecos is a land of layers—and we’re honored to share it with you.