New Mexico Tourism | Western

Dude Ranches: Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort & Spa, Burnt Well Guest Ranch, Double E Ranch, Felix Canyon Ranch, Geronimo Trail Guest Ranch, JX Ranch, Lodge at Chama, Vermejo Park Ranch

JX Ranch

Northeast region of New Mexico The JX Ranch is a 7,000-acres working cattle ranch and guest ranch, not a "dude ranch", located in northeastern New Mexico with an altitude of 4,000 to 5,000 feet. The JX Ranch Headquarters sits in the shadow of the Caprock, a 400 feet steep escarpment that runs through the ranch. JX Ranch is owned and operated by Tom and Mimi Sidwell. On this scenic ranch around 400 head of cattle (yearling steers) are pastured from April till October. We also have a small herd of Corriente cows, and sell Corriente roping cattle as well as natural lean beef. During the summer months we take up to four guests at a time, who want to experience the day-to-day life on a cattle ranch, drive cattle to new pastures and anything else we do here.

We ride 3-5 hours riding in the mornings to check the cattle. When it's time to move the cattle, you help gather and drive the cattle to a new pasture. Our grazing management puts emphasis on giving the plants long rest periods before being briefly grazed again. Therefore, we move cattle frequently.

In the spring, April and May, we may be branding our calves and often help neighboring ranchers gather and brand their calves. In the fall, September and October, we gather and ship cattle and also spend a lot of time helping neighboring ranchers do the same. These are busy times, with oftentimes long hours in the saddle.

In the afternoons are a dozen ranch chores to do - anything from fixing or building fences, brush control, to putting out salt and mineral for the cattle and wildlife, or anything else that may come along. You are more than welcome to join us and lend a helping hand. You may elect to take a drive in the afternoon to nearby Ute and Conchas Lakes, with boating, fishing and swimming. There are several sites to visit in an afternoon in the area. There may be a local rodeo or ranch rodeos going on too.

The cozy bunkhouse is the old homestead, dating back to the early 1900. It sits nestled among the cedar and juniper below the Caprock, and is part of the JX Ranch Headquarters. It can accommodate up to 4 guests; it has 2 room with 2 beds in each, and each room has its own kitchen and bathroom. The 2 rooms have a connecting door which allows for a group of 3 or 4 guests to be together. We take a maximum of 4 guests.

Because the JX Ranch is a cattle ranch and not a dude ranch, we do require that you have some riding experience. We do not ride nose to tail, but spread out when the terrain allows and you need to be able to handle your horse. The terrain can be rough and steep in places. Our horses are gentle working ranch horses, but they are not dude horses. We recommend that you are reasonably physically fit and getting some riding in before coming would make you more comfortable in the saddle.

X Cattle Co. LLC
Tom & Mimi Sidwell
6237 Hwy 209
Tucumcari, New Mexico 88401
Phone: (575) 487-2419
www.jxranch.com/