Wild Horse Mesa, San Luis, CO 81152

The Wild Horse Mesa is a sprawling, high-altitude plateau located in Costilla County, just south of the historic town of San Luis, Colorado and ending at the New Mexico state line. Known for its rugged beauty and primarily off-grid lifestyle, it sits at an elevation of 8,500 - 9200 feet and offers panoramic views of the Sangre de Cristo and San Juan mountain ranges. Some maps refer to the Mesa's original name, The San Pedro Mesa.

 

The Wild Horse Population
The mesa's most famous residents are its wild mustangs. There are estimated to be between 150 and 200 horses roaming the area.   

Origins: Most of the horses are believed to be direct descendants of those brought by Spanish explorers in the 1500s.   
Sightings: They move freely across both public and private lands. You can often spot them grazing near Sanchez Reservoir or wandering through the sagebrush and piñon-juniper forests.

Recreation and Attractions 

While the mesa is largely a rural residential subdivision, it serves as a gateway to several outdoor activities:

The Sanchez Reservoir State Wildlife Area is located on the east side and at the base of the mesa. Note that the Reservoir has been drained while engineers contemplated how to keep the dam from seeping; and as such, the water line is far below capacity.  

Stargazing:

Proximity to Landmarks: It is about 50 minutes from Great Sand Dunes National Park and roughly an hour north of Taos, New Mexico.

 Practical Information for Visitors 
Roads: All Mesa roads are dirt or gravel. While main routes like Wild Horse Drive and Mesa East are generally well-maintained, a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle is recommended for exploring side roads.

Also note that Google maps has renamed some of the roads. If coming to view a particular property, please bring the directions with you.