The country's oldest designated mining district once yielded fabulous lodes of turquoise, silver, gold, lead, and zinc. Cerrillos is part of the Turquoise Trail, a national scenic byway that connects former mining communities that lie between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Evidence of operation left by Native American, Spanish, Mexican, and American miners provide insight into these cultures and the history of Cerrillos. A boomtown during the 1880s, movie studios have since discovered Cerrillos Old West authenticity. Just north of town, the J.W. Eaves Movie Ranch pays tribute to the town's cinematic history.

Cerrillos Hills Historic Park, slated to open in Spring 2003, includes three prehistoric stone rings and a petroglyph at the peak of Grand Central Mountain. These sites, and numerous others in the parklands, are registered with the Museum of New Mexico's Laboratory of Anthropology. For more information visit www.cerrilloshills.org.

Cerrillos is home to riding stables, a petting zoo, a mining museum, and several artist galleries and studios. Approximately 60 miles from Albuquerque and 20 miles from Santa Fe, Cerrillos is a perfect day-trip destination for visitors and New Mexico residents alike.

Driving Directions
From I-25, take exit 276A. Go east on Highway 14 to Cerrillos.

For more information on Cerrillos, please call
(888) 263-0003 or visit www.turquoisetrail.org.

Lodging near Cerrillos includes:
Crystal Mesa Farm B&B (Cerrillos)
Hacienda Doña Andrea (Cerrillos)
Heart Seed B&B (Cerrillos)
High Feather Ranch B&B (Between Cerrillos and Madrid)
Santa Fe Skies RV Park (Hwy 14)