Frijole Ranch

Frijole Ranch is a complex of seven stone buildings in a desert setting. It contains a main house, bunkhouse, barn, springhouse, storage shed, schoolhouse, and double outhouse, with stone walls enclosing the entire site.

The site was founded in 1876 by the Rader Brothers near a natural spring. The property changed hands several times before the National Park Service took it over in 1966.

The name Frijole comes from beans that were once grown here. The Smith family made this place a gathering point for nearby settlements and ran a post office from 1906 onward.

The museum building opens seasonally with staff on hand, while the grounds stay open year-round for exploration. You will find picnic tables under large trees where you can rest and eat.

Natural springs around the property attracted early settlers and wildlife to this desert location. These water sources made farming possible and transformed an otherwise dry landscape into a livable place.

Location: Culberson County

Address: NE of Salt Flat in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Website: https://nps.gov/gumo/planyourvisit/frijole.htm

GPS coordinates: 31.90750,-104.80000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:42