Quay: Discover Route 66, Lakes and Museums

Quay County combines the vast grasslands of the Llano Estacado with mesas, rolling plains and an unusually diverse cultural history. The Canadian River crosses the northern part of the county from west to east and has been dammed to form Ute Reservoir. This brings landscapes, water-based activities and the history of Route 66 together within a compact thematic area – an interesting mix for travelers who want to vary their activities from day to day.

Landscape Between Grassland and Water

Ute Lake is almost 13 miles long and the second-largest lake in New Mexico. Ute Lake State Park offers camping facilities, including the RV-oriented Yucca Campground. Numerous coves and inlets provide opportunities to fish for walleye, black bass, crappie, sunfish and catfish. The Walleye Lakes between Tucumcari and Santa Rosa also offer opportunities to fish for walleye, black bass, largemouth bass and catfish.

Those who want to combine wildlife observation with physical activity can visit the 770-acre Tucumcari Lake and Wildlife Area, which features a shallow lake and wetlands where numerous wild animals can be observed. The county’s natural and visitor landscape includes pronghorns, mule deer, Canada geese and sandhill cranes, among other species. The Cedar Valley Nature Trail forms a 1.5-mile loop through fairly challenging terrain and offers panoramic views of Ute Lake.

Route 66 and the Region’s History

Historic Route 66 runs through Tucumcari and San Jon and is considered an important cultural resource of Quay County. Particularly impressive is the 14.6-mile locally maintained section from Glenrio on the Texas border to two miles east of San Jon. It passes through the sites of former settlements along the now-abandoned Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad line. The early roadbed and bridges have remained largely unchanged; these include four creosote-treated timber bridges and several concrete culverts.

In Tucumcari, the New Mexico Route 66 Museum tells the story of the road in New Mexico with classic vehicles, photographs, a diner exhibit, a classic jukebox, historic gas pumps and signs. A self-guided AM-1640 talking tour adds to this perspective with information about Route 66 attractions, motels, murals and museums. More than 40 murals can be seen in Tucumcari, and a visitor map is available to help explore them.

Museums, Railroads and Early History

The Mesalands Community College’s Dinosaur Museum focuses on the Mesozoic Era and has more than 10,000 square feet of exhibition space. The fossils range from small footprint casts to a 40-foot-long Torvosaurus skeleton. The Tucumcari Historical Museum, housed in an original 1903 school building, displays, among other things, Indigenous artifacts dating from around 12,000 BC.

Railroad history is also part of the county’s story. The restored Union Station Depot in Tucumcari, built in 1926, features exhibits on railroad history and a simulator for a GP-38 diesel locomotive. Historical connections also range from Indigenous hunting and ancient trade to Spanish settlement and ranching, which has significantly shaped the culture and economy of present-day Quay County since the 1870s. Sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places include Historic Route 66, the Glenrio Historic District, the Blue Swallow Motel and the Metropolitan Park Bathhouse and Pool Historic District, among others. The Blue Swallow Motel has been listed since 1993 and continues to offer overnight accommodations.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Travel Plans

When searching for a vacation rental in Quay, it is worth deciding on your personal focus first. Route 66 and museum themes favor a culture-oriented stay, while Ute Lake, fishing opportunities, wildlife observation and the Cedar Valley Nature Trail offer different points of emphasis. For active days, the focus is on water activities, wildlife observation, hiking, disc golf and hunting opportunities; the Robert Lumpkin Memorial Course in Tucumcari is an 18-hole disc golf course with a total length of more than 7,000 feet.

Other destinations to compare: Mckinley County, Luna, Eddy, San Juan, Valencia, Otero County and Taos.

For the broader travel overview: New Mexico.