Picture sunrise on the high desert, quiet roads, and a day that can swing from a yoga class to a trail ride to dinner with friends. If you are scanning Santa Fe’s luxury neighborhoods, you might know Las Campanas for its golf. There is much more behind the gates. In this guide, you will learn how the community actually works, what daily life looks like for members and non‑members, how assessments and design review shape decisions, and where the trails lead when you want open sky. Let’s dive in.
Location and scale
Las Campanas sits just northwest of Santa Fe on about 4,900 acres, roughly 10 miles from the Plaza, according to the Owners Association overview. You get protected entry, private roads, and big‑sky views with quick access to town for galleries and dining. The community is organized into about 29 estates with a platted maximum of 1,717 lots, and not all lots are built out.
If you want a sense of the master plan and current facts, the Association’s overview page is a helpful starting point. You can also review estate‑level Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions to understand how each sub‑neighborhood is structured.
- Review the Association’s acreage and location on the LCMA home page at the community overview.
- See estates and CC&Rs on the LCMA CC&Rs listing.
How it is governed
Las Campanas uses a layered model. The Las Campanas Master Association (LCMA) manages private streets, security gates, core common areas, assessments, and the Design Review Committee process. A Board elected by owners oversees policy and a professional staff runs day‑to‑day operations.
The private country club is separate. The Club at Las Campanas owns and operates golf, fitness, dining, racquet sports, and the equestrian facility. Owning a home does not automatically include Club privileges. For legal context and the split between Master Common Areas and Club property, review the LCMA governing documents.
- Learn more on the LCMA Governing Documents page.
Club life, beyond golf
Members of The Club at Las Campanas enjoy two Jack Nicklaus Signature 18‑hole courses, Sunrise and Sunset, plus a robust year‑round program. There is a 19‑acre practice and performance center, clinics, and tournaments. If golf anchors your routine, you can stay close to home most days.
Daily life often centers on the Fitness & Wellness complex. You will find multiple exercise classes, personal training, a staffed spa, and racquet sports. The Club lists seven synthetic‑clay tennis courts, four deco‑turf pickleball courts, and three pools that include a large seasonal outdoor pool and an indoor saline lap pool for year‑round swimming. Clubhouse dining at the Hacienda and satellite options create an easy social rhythm.
- Explore courses and the practice center on the Club’s golf page.
- See classes, pools, and racquet sports on the Fitness & Wellness page.
Membership is by invitation and approval. Categories, initiation policies, and costs change. Contact the Club directly for current details.
Non‑member rhythms
You do not have to join the Club to enjoy Las Campanas. Many owners value the LCMA trail network, gated privacy, and easy access to Santa Fe’s restaurants, museums, and markets. A typical day might start with a walk on neighborhood paths, a drive into town for errands or a gallery visit, and a quiet evening on the patio.
The Owners Association also runs community communications and events. Owners report that trails and natural landscape preservation are among the most valued parts of life here.
Trails and equestrian life
If you ride, the Club’s Equestrian Center is a major draw. The facility highlights an approximately 80‑stall barn and a 32,000‑square‑foot indoor riding hall, plus guided trail rides. The program emphasizes access to a very large area of open land and trails around Santa Fe, and riders often connect into broader public and conserved networks from the area.
You also have public options close by. The La Tierra trail system offers about 25 miles of multi‑use trails for walking, hiking, and biking. Residents use La Tierra when they want longer or more rugged outings than the internal neighborhood trails provide.
- Learn about riding and facilities on the Club’s Equestrian page.
- Explore nearby public routes via the La Tierra trails overview.
HOA costs at a glance
Assessments are set by the LCMA and vary by estate. The published 2026 schedule shows a Master assessment of 3,852 dollars for all estates. Total annual assessments, which include estate reserve and beneficial assessments, often fall in the range of about 4,200 to 6,600 dollars. Certain Club Casitas configurations can total over 10,000 to 16,000 dollars. Assessments are billed quarterly.
Use the LCMA 2026 Assessments & Fees schedule as a baseline, then confirm any updates and your estate’s specifics with the Association. The same schedule lists design review fees, refundable bonds for construction, and the fine schedule.
- See the current published numbers on the LCMA 2026 Fees Schedule.
Building and design review
Most exterior changes, new homes, major landscape work, and pools go through the Master Design Review Committee. The review includes submittal fees and refundable compliance bonds. The 2026 schedule cites design review fees of 2,500 dollars per major review phase, plus per‑square‑foot review charges for new builds and significant remodels. Contractor and owner compliance bonds are required for larger projects.
Owners report that clarity and timing of the process are common concerns. Plan ahead, budget for fees and bonds, and build in extra time for review rounds, especially if you are targeting a seasonal construction window.
- For example fees and bond amounts, reference the LCMA 2026 Fees Schedule.
Leasing and guest rules
Short‑term rentals are restricted. No lease of less than 30 consecutive days is permitted. Leases must be provided to the Association before they begin. LCMA enforces violations with a per‑day fine schedule. If you are considering rental income as part of your plan, this is a decisive rule to understand.
- Review the policy and enforcement framework in the LCMA Association Rules.
Security and services
Security is a core value here. LCMA provides staffed entry gates, 24‑hour contacts, and programs such as Vacation Watch for part‑time owners. The Association coordinates trash collection options and manages private road maintenance. In owner surveys, EMS and road services rank among the highest‑rated offerings.
Community rhythms and culture
What do owners say about life here? In the LCMA 2025 Community Pulse Survey, about 67 percent of respondents reported they live in Las Campanas full time. Around 56 percent reported they are members of the Club. The largest age groups in the survey were 66 to 75 and over 75, and most households reported two people. That mix often shapes programming, with many wellness, low‑impact fitness, and cultural events.
Residents highly value safety, road maintenance, trails and walking access, and preservation of the natural landscape. Common friction points include design review clarity and rule enforcement, especially during building or remodeling. If you plan to build, a proactive approach with the DRC can make a real difference.
- See the owner data and priorities in the LCMA 2025 Pulse Survey.
Is Las Campanas a fit for you
You might be a strong match if you want:
- Gated privacy, private roads, and staffed security with quick access to Santa Fe.
- A choice between a quiet retreat and an active club lifestyle.
- On‑site fitness, racquet sports, and spa amenities with the option to dine close to home.
- A clear HOA structure, predictable assessments, and professionally maintained common areas.
- Trails on your doorstep, plus access to larger public networks nearby.
Consider a closer look if you plan to build or remodel soon. Budget for design review fees and refundable bonds, understand the timeline, and confirm estate‑level CC&Rs. If rental income is part of your plan, factor in the 30‑day minimum lease rule. If club life is important, contact the Club about current membership categories and policies since those can change.
Ready to explore
If you want a clear, local perspective on how different estates live day to day and how assessments, design review, and Club access align with your goals, we are here to help. Schedule a private, no‑pressure conversation and let us tailor a path for you. Connect with Stedman/Kehoe/Hirsch/Pollack to Request a private consultation.
FAQs
How is Las Campanas governed if I buy a home there
- The LCMA manages private roads, gates, assessments, and design review, while The Club at Las Campanas separately owns and operates golf, dining, fitness, racquet sports, and the equestrian facility, so homeownership does not include Club membership.
How close is Las Campanas to downtown Santa Fe
- The community sits about 10 miles from the Santa Fe Plaza, according to the LCMA community overview.
What are typical HOA assessments in 2026
- The LCMA shows a 2026 Master assessment of 3,852 dollars, with many estates totaling about 4,200 to 6,600 dollars annually and certain Club Casitas configurations exceeding 10,000 to 16,000 dollars, billed quarterly, so confirm your estate’s current total with LCMA.
Are short‑term rentals allowed in Las Campanas
- No, leases shorter than 30 consecutive days are not permitted, and leases must be provided to the Association before they begin, with enforcement and fines outlined by LCMA.
Do I need Club membership to use amenities in Las Campanas
- Ownership and Club membership are separate, so contact the Club for current membership categories and costs, while non‑members still enjoy LCMA trails, security, and proximity to Santa Fe.
What should I know about design review before I build or remodel
- Most exterior work goes through the DRC, with 2026 example fees of 2,500 dollars per major review phase, per‑square‑foot charges, and refundable compliance bonds, so budget time and funds and review the latest LCMA schedule.
What outdoor options are nearby beyond neighborhood trails
- Residents often use the Club’s Equestrian Center for riding and connect to broader trail networks, and many also head to the public La Tierra system with about 25 miles of multi‑use trails for longer hikes and rides.
