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North AmericaUnited StatesNew Mexico

Rio Rancho

New Mexico, United States · North America

About Rio Rancho

Rio Rancho is worth a stop: 10 minutes from Paradise Hills, 54km from Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks.

Rio Rancho is a town located in New Mexico, United States. With a population of 87,521, it is an important destination in North America.

On a road trip, Rio Rancho sits in United States, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Denver time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Rio Rancho to your route.

About Rio Rancho

Middle Rio Grande Valley is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) located in Central New Mexico with a viticulture heritage dating back to 1629. The region extends from just south of Santa Fe to the bosque of the Rio Grande, centering around the Albuquerque metropolitan area. It was established as the nation's 98th and

Read more the state's third wine appellation on February 2, 1988 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by the Middle Rio Grande Chapter of the New Mexico Wine and Vine Society of Albuquerque, on behalf of local vintners, proposing a viticultural area named "Middle Rio Grande Valley." The viticultural area encompasses 278,400 acres (112,700 ha) of land in a narrow valley no wider than 19 miles (31 km) along the Rio Grande valley from Santa Fe southward for approximately 106 miles (171 km) to San Antonio south of Albuquerque. The land ranges from 4,000 to 6,500 feet (1,200–2,000 m) in elevation. The climate is semi-arid, with warm days and cool nights. Sub-freezing temperatures occur in the winter. The area consists of an irrigated valley of approximately 435 square miles (278,000 acres). At the outset, there were 6 bonded wineries in the viticultural area with others planned for the near future. A variety of Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grapes are grown. New Mexico State University has conducted viticultural research in test vineyards in the Middle Rio Grande Valley at the Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center. The plant hardiness zones are 7a and 7b.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Rio Rancho

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Rio Rancho?

Rio Rancho offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Rio Rancho?

Plan your road trip to Rio Rancho with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Rio Rancho as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Rio Rancho located?

Rio Rancho is located in New Mexico, United States, North America. The coordinates are 35.2334 latitude, -106.6645 longitude.

What is the population of Rio Rancho?

Rio Rancho has a population of approximately 87,521 people, making it a town in United States.

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Quick Information

Population
87,521
Continent
North America
Country
United States
Region
New Mexico
Timezone
America/Denver
Coordinates
35.2334, -106.6645

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in United States

Police
911
Ambulance
911
Fire
911
Driving side
right

AAA roadside assistance: 1-800-222-4357. Right turn on red is legal in most states unless signed otherwise.

Full driving guide for United States

Tags

North AmericaUnited StatesNew MexicoTown

Worth the detour from Rio Rancho

4 notable places within an hour's drive.

museum

Unser Racing Museum

Museum honoring the Unser family racing dynasty with Indy 500-winning cars and memorabilia in Albuquerque.

14 km · about 25 min drive

scenic viewpoint

Sandia Peak Tramway

The longest aerial tramway in the Americas, climbing 2.7 miles from the desert floor to a 10,378-foot ridge above Albuquerque in about 15 minutes. Sunset rides look out over 11,000 square miles.

17 km · about 20 min drive

cafe

66 Diner

A retro 1950s-style diner on Central Avenue (Route 66) in Albuquerque, serving classic American comfort food and green chile cheeseburgers to Route 66 travelers.

18 km · about 20 min drive

natural wonder

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks

A remarkable collection of cone-shaped volcanic rock formations created by volcanic eruptions six to seven million years ago.

54 km · about 60 min drive

Driving roads near Rio Rancho

  • 17 kmSandia Peak TramwayThe longest aerial tramway in the Americas, climbing 2.7 miles from the desert floor to a 10,378-foot ridge above Albuquerque in about 15 minutes. Sunset rides look out over 11,000 square miles.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Rio Rancho.

Paradise Hills

🇺🇸 United States

5 km awayPop. 4,256

Corrales

🇺🇸 United States

5 km awayPop. 8,502

North Valley

🇺🇸 United States

8 km awayPop. 11,333

Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

🇺🇸 United States

8 km awayPop. 6,063

Lee Acres

🇺🇸 United States

10 km awayPop. 5,858

Bernalillo

🇺🇸 United States

13 km awayPop. 8,843

Enchanted Hills

🇺🇸 United States

13 km awayPop. 87,521

Albuquerque

🇺🇸 United States

17 km awayPop. 564,559

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence