Sandia Pueblo

Sandia Pueblo's boundaries span 22,877 acres and stretch from the foothills of the Sandía Mountains and extend west to the banks of the Río Grande, about 12 miles (19 km) north of Albuquerque. Census 2000 recorded a total of about 4,414 people living on pueblo lands.

Originally named Nafiat, the pueblo was deserted in 1680 when the residents fled to Hopi Pueblo during the Pueblo Revolt. The people of Sandia did not return until the mid-1700s, and their old village is evident in ruins near the church. Founded in the 1300s, Sandia derived its modern name from when Coronado first visited in 1539. The mountains' color turns deep red at sunset and the Spanish likened them to sandia, the Spanish word for watermelon.

Sandia Pueblo offers plenty for today's visitors, such as the new 24-hour Sandia Casino on the east side of I-25 off Tramway Boulevard, www.sandiacasino.com (800) 526-9366, and the Bien Mur Indian Market Center, (505) 821-5400, www.bienmur.com which is one of the largest Native American-owned and operated stores in the Southwest, with arts and crafts, moccasins and drums.

Visitors can fish in one of three stocked lakes totaling 18 surface acres at the tribally run Sandia Lakes, a 70-acre recreation area with developed picnic sites, a natural trail along the Río Grande bosque, playground, group shelters and a bait and tackle shop, (505) 897-3971 or (800) 357-3971. The tribe also operates a buffalo preserve across from the casino and the animals are visible while driving by on Tramway Boulevard.

Sandia Pueblo is on the northern outskirts of Albuquerque off Exit 235 from I-25 or Tramway Boulevard.

Sandia Pueblo
P.O. Box 6008
Bernalillo, NM 87004
Phone: (505) 867-3317
Fax: (505) 867-9235
www.sandiapueblo.nsn.us