Ramah: Trail Views and Cultural Heritage

When choosing a place to stay in Ramah, the landscape and cultural history can be considered as distinct themes. The Ramah Mormon Pioneer Trail, the Ashcroft-Merrill Historic District, the Ramah Museum, and the Old School Gallery offer concrete points of reference. If you are looking for a hotel in Ramah, you can consider whether viewpoints, historic buildings, collections, or art are especially important to your travel plans.

Trail Views and Orientation

The Ramah Mormon Pioneer Trail offers viewpoints overlooking the Ramah Valley and is part of the National Trail System. Its trailhead is east of the entrance to Ramah Lake, on Bloomfield Road and north of State Highway 53 in Ramah. This means two aspects can be considered side by side when locating the trail: the views across the valley and its inclusion in the named trail system. The trailhead provides a specific point of reference for getting your bearings in the area. Check trail conditions before you travel.

The Ashcroft-Merrill Historic District

The Ashcroft-Merrill Historic District in Ramah includes a significant residence built by Mormons, along with outbuildings. The district was listed on the State Register on May 15, 1987, and on the National Register on July 27, 1990. The two listings are just over three years apart, providing a precise timeline for its registry history. In terms of its subject matter, the district draws attention to a specific residence and its associated outbuildings. This distinguishes it from the trail: the trail is about viewpoints across the Ramah Valley and inclusion in the National Trail System, while the district focuses on buildings and local history.

Ramah Museum and Art

The Ramah Museum is housed in an original stone house that was restored and converted into a small museum devoted to the history and cultural heritage of the valley. Its collections include prehistoric Native American pottery. This highlights two distinct aspects: the history of the restored stone house and the contents of the museum collection. The pottery adds a specific prehistoric dimension to the collection. In contrast to the Historic District, the museum focuses on the valley’s history and cultural heritage, including its collection; the district focuses on a significant residence and its outbuildings.

The Old School Gallery is a community arts center. It complements the themes of historic buildings and the museum with its own distinct focus on art. This distinction may be useful when considering Ramah: if you are more interested in art than in architectural or collection history, the Gallery offers a separate cultural point of reference.

Ramah Lake in Local History

Ramah Lake also has a historical connection to recreational use: in January 1988, the State Game Commission leased the lake from Ramah Land and Irrigation Co. for public fishing. If you plan to fish, check current access conditions in advance.

Discover more destinations: Zuni, Gallup.

For the broader travel overview: Mckinley County.