Pueblo of Jemez Acquires 1,100-Acre Camp for New Retreats
The tribe plans to repurpose the former scout site for community health, mental wellness, and education.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Camping
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The Pueblo of Jemez has purchased Camp Rancho del Chaparral for $4.7 million, marking a transition in land use for the 1,100-acre site. The property, which served as a Girl Scouts location since 1969, was sold following a significant decline in camp enrollment.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the challenges organizations face in maintaining large recreational facilities amid shifting participation rates, as seen in the 58% enrollment drop between 2022 and 2025. For the Pueblo of Jemez, the acquisition serves as a move to reclaim ancestral territory for community health and wellness programming.
The transition follows a reported 58% drop in camp enrollment, with attendance falling from 235 participants in 2022 to 98 in 2025. The Pueblo of Jemez purchased the 1,100-acre site for $4.7 million to restore its presence on lands formerly part of the San Diego Land Grant.
The players
Pueblo of Jemez
A sovereign tribal nation that is reacquiring ancestral lands to provide new spaces for mental health, education, and community recreation.
Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails
A regional youth organization that manages various properties and has seen declining utilization of its traditional camping facilities.
The details
The property sale marks the end of a long-standing use of the land by the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails, which began operating the camp in 1969. The Pueblo of Jemez plans to pivot the site's function toward mental health, education, and recreation. This transition moves the land from a specialized youth membership model to a broader community-focused retreat space within the tribe's ancestral territory.
Timeline
1969: Camp Rancho del Chaparral opened for operations.
2022: Annual camp enrollment reached a high of 235 attendees.
2025: Annual camp enrollment declined to 98 attendees.
February 2026: The Girl Scouts placed the property on the market.
October 8, 2026: The sale of the camp to the Pueblo of Jemez was officially announced.
Health Landscape
The acquisition aligns with the broader Land Back movement, marking a shift toward Indigenous-led management of lands once utilized for non-tribal recreational activities. This transition illustrates the evolving trend of prioritizing community-led wellness initiatives on ancestral territories.
As the site shifts toward retreats and mental health programming, residents should watch for future community program announcements that may support local wellness goals. Those interested in the site's evolving use for retreats should monitor official communications from the Pueblo of Jemez regarding access.
The takeaway
This transition underscores how shifts in recreational demand can lead to new opportunities for community health stewardship. Readers interested in regional land use and local wellness retreats should look for upcoming announcements from the Pueblo of Jemez as they develop their new site.
What happens next
The Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails is scheduled to share detailed development plans for its remaining properties at an annual meeting on November 14, 2026.
Further reading
Find more updates on regional recreational facilities and outdoor programs in New Mexico Camping.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Rrobserver.
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