Plains of San Agustin, Vast grassland plains in Catron County, United States.
The Plains of San Agustin are a flat grassland basin in southwestern New Mexico, surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. The floor of the basin sits at roughly 6,900 feet (2,100 m) in elevation and is covered mainly by grasses and low shrubs with few trees.
During the last ice age, a large lake filled this basin before slowly disappearing as the climate changed over thousands of years. The sediments left behind formed the flat floor that gives the plains their character today.
Native American peoples hunted and herded across these plains for centuries, shaping how the land was used. The region still reflects these deep roots through local names and customs.
The area is remote and only reachable by car, with no public transportation serving this part of New Mexico. Winters can be very cold, and the dry conditions throughout the year mean visitors should bring water and dress in layers.
The basin is home to the Very Large Array, a radio telescope made up of 27 large dish antennas that use the flat, open terrain and lack of radio interference for their observations. The facility has appeared in several films and is open to visitors.
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