Historical Marker
Llano Estacado (3)
Early explorers compared this vast plain to the ocean, as its uninterrupted expanse stretches from the Canadian River south for 400 miles. The origin of the name Llano Estacado (Staked Plains) may refer to travelers using stakes to mark their routes across the featureless landscape. It is also possible that the Spanish, upon seeing the Caprock, called it estacado because it resembled a stockade. Elevation: 3,610 feet.
New Mexico is home to many important Native American sites and cultures, including the Taos Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo, and Navajo Nation. These tribes have lived in the region for thousands of years and have preserved their traditions and customs despite centuries of colonization and oppression.