If you’re drawn to wide-open skies, quiet mornings, and a calendar that revolves around tee times and trail rides, Las Campanas might be exactly what you’re looking for. You want privacy, design-forward homes, and a community that makes daily life feel effortless. In this guide, you’ll learn how Las Campanas works, what living there feels like, and what to know before you buy. Let’s dive in.
Why Las Campanas stands out
Las Campanas is Santa Fe’s largest private, master-planned community built around championship golf and a full equestrian program. The setting delivers estate-scale lots, custom architecture, and a gated, amenity-rich lifestyle. For many buyers, it balances a quiet, semi-rural feel with convenient access to Santa Fe’s cultural core.
The community is organized with a master association and multiple villages. Each village can have its own sub-HOA, design guidelines, and in some cases a separate gated entry. Ownership is separate from club membership, so you can own a home without joining the Club, but many residents choose to join for golf, fitness, dining, and social life.
Location and setting
Las Campanas sits roughly 10 to 15 miles from the Santa Fe Plaza, with typical drive times of 15 to 30 minutes depending on route and traffic. The elevation is near 7,000 feet, which brings four seasons, big views, and crisp, high-desert air. That elevation also shapes building choices, landscaping, and how you plan for winter maintenance.
Day to day, many residents head into Santa Fe for restaurants, galleries, and events, then return home to quiet evenings and clear night skies. It is a lifestyle built on access and retreat in equal measure.
Golf and club life
Courses and practice
Las Campanas is known for private championship golf across two 18-hole courses. The Club manages tee times, lessons, clinics, practice facilities, and member tournaments. Serious players and social golfers alike find the programming to be a core part of community life.
Clubhouse and programs
Beyond golf, the Club typically offers dining, fitness, pools, spa-style amenities, and event spaces. Calendar highlights often include social events, wellness programming, and member gatherings that make it easy to meet neighbors and build a routine.
Membership basics
Club membership is optional and structured in tiers. Full golf access usually requires a specific membership category with an initiation fee and ongoing dues. Social or other limited-access tiers may be available. Fees and rules change, so confirm current details directly with the Club’s membership office.
Equestrian and outdoors
Equestrian Center
The Equestrian Center supports boarding, stables, arenas, and lessons. Many riders choose Las Campanas for the ability to keep a horse on property or use full-service facilities nearby. Some estate parcels allow on-lot corrals, but always verify the CC&Rs for your specific village.
Trails and open space
Las Campanas was designed with significant open space and trail networks for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Mountain views, especially of the Sangre de Cristo range, are a defining part of the experience. The trail system helps you enjoy the outdoors without leaving the community.
Seasons and climate
You can expect sun-filled days much of the year, along with winter cold and periodic snow. Plan for seasonal rhythms, from golf peak seasons to quieter winter weeks. Community road care and snow removal vary by village and should be factored into your selection.
Home types and styles
Inventory at a glance
You’ll find custom estates, single-level haciendas, village homes, and buildable lots. Lots range from smaller village parcels to estate lots commonly around 1 acre and up, with some ranchettes at several acres. Pricing spans the luxury spectrum, from high six or low seven figures into multi-million-dollar custom properties. Always confirm current inventory and comps within the same village.
Architecture and design
Santa Fe and Pueblo Revival styles are common, along with Territorial and contemporary designs that fit the landscape. Think earth-tone stucco, vigas, courtyards, and protected views. Newer builds often incorporate energy efficiency, solar, and water-wise landscaping, though adoption varies by owner.
Who buys here
Typical buyers include out-of-market high-net-worth second-home purchasers seeking privacy and amenities, in-town upgraders moving into custom estates, retirees who want low-maintenance luxury living, and equestrian or outdoor lifestyle buyers. Investor interest exists, but community rules and market dynamics generally favor owner-occupants. Short-term rental rules can be restricted, so verify the CC&Rs before considering rental strategies.
Ownership costs and services
HOA layers
Most homes pay a master association fee that covers roads, security, open space, and common-area care. Many villages also collect sub-HOA dues for neighborhood gates, snow removal, and local amenities. Budgets and assessments vary, so review the fee schedule, reserve studies, and recent assessment history for any property you consider.
Club dues
If you join the Club, expect separate initiation fees and ongoing dues based on your membership category. Policies can change and some categories may have waitlists. Request the current schedule and transfer rules from the Club.
Taxes and assessments
New Mexico property taxes are relatively low compared with many states, but your actual bill depends on assessed value and local levies. Confirm the current rate and any bonds or special assessments with the Santa Fe County Assessor.
Utilities and internet
Many properties are served by a community or public water system established during development, though water availability and allocations should always be verified. Sewer can be municipal or septic depending on the lot. Electricity is common, propane is typical for heating, and natural gas is generally limited in Santa Fe. Broadband options vary by location, so check providers if you plan to work remotely.
Insurance and wildfire
Las Campanas sits in a high-desert, wildland-urban interface. Evaluate wildfire exposure, insurance premiums, and defensible-space needs for any lot. Community or local programs can guide mitigation, but you should also consult insurance brokers experienced with New Mexico risk profiles.
Building and remodel planning
Design review and approvals
Las Campanas maintains strict architectural controls to preserve neighborhood character and sightlines. New construction and significant remodels typically require approval through a design review process, plus local permitting. Timelines can be longer than in non-HOA areas, so plan accordingly.
Site and construction factors
Topography, soils, and utilities can influence both cost and design. Siting to protect views, manage grading, and respect neighbors is a common priority. Engage your architect and builder early to align on guidelines, massing, and material palettes.
How it compares locally
Eldorado at Santa Fe
Eldorado offers established neighborhoods and community amenities with a wider range of price points. It is generally less private and more mixed in product type compared with Las Campanas.
Tesuque area
Tesuque and the Tesuque Pueblo area can deliver larger, rural acreages and a more independent feel. Proximity to downtown varies by exact location and community amenities are less centralized.
Santa Fe Foothills
Foothills neighborhoods often offer dramatic views and modern custom homes. Community infrastructure is typically smaller, with fewer centralized club amenities compared with Las Campanas.
Historic downtown and Canyon Road
These areas provide a walkable, urban experience centered on art and dining. The lifestyle emphasis is very different from golf and equestrian estate living.
Due diligence checklist
Before you write an offer, gather and review:
- CC&Rs, bylaws, design guidelines, budgets, reserve studies, and recent HOA meeting minutes.
- Club membership categories, initiation fees, dues, transfer rules, and any waitlists.
- Water service details, any allocations, landscaping restrictions, and utility easements.
- Wildfire risk maps, defensible-space standards, and insurance quotes for the specific property.
- Building constraints including setbacks, height limits, allowable horse keeping, and viewshed easements.
- Road ownership, snow removal plans, and emergency access routes.
- Recent comps within the same village for accurate pricing.
- Property tax history and any special assessments from Santa Fe County.
- Title reports and any community-specific encumbrances.
Buying from out of market
If you are remote, request in-depth virtual tours, high-resolution plans, and topographic or survey data early. Clarify the membership path you want, then align closing timing with any Club onboarding requirements. Build in time for design review or remodel planning if you intend to upgrade soon after closing.
For local upgraders, compare total monthly costs across a short list of villages, including master and sub-HOA dues, utilities, insurance, and any club dues. Then weigh lot privacy, views, and proximity to gates and trails to pick the best long-term fit.
Is Las Campanas a fit for you
If you want estate-scale living with private golf, equestrian resources, and access to Santa Fe’s culture, Las Campanas delivers a compelling balance. You trade daily urban walkability for privacy, views, and professionally managed community infrastructure. With the right due diligence, it can be a long-term home base or a second-home retreat that feels effortless.
Ready to explore the villages, compare lots, or map a membership path that fits your lifestyle? Connect with Ayden Gramm Real Estate for tailored guidance, virtual previews, and a clear plan from search to closing.
FAQs
Do homeowners have to join the Club at Las Campanas
- No. Homeownership is separate from Club membership, though many residents choose to join for golf, fitness, dining, and social programs.
What kinds of homes and lots are in Las Campanas
- You’ll find custom estates, single-level homes, village homes, and buildable lots, with lot sizes ranging from roughly 1 acre and up depending on the village.
How do HOA dues work in Las Campanas
- Most properties pay a master HOA fee plus a village or sub-HOA fee. Dues vary by neighborhood and services, so review budgets, reserves, and assessment history.
Are horses allowed on residential lots
- Often yes on estate parcels, but rules differ by village. Confirm horse keeping standards, stabling requirements, and any limits in the CC&Rs.
What utilities and services should I verify before buying
- Confirm water source and allocations, septic or sewer, electricity and propane, available internet providers, and any landscaping or water-use restrictions.
How does wildfire risk affect insurance in Las Campanas
- The wildland-urban setting can mean higher premiums or specific mitigation requirements. Obtain quotes for the exact property and review defensible-space standards.
