In the high country of central New Mexico, there’s a little place called Pie Town. Yes, it’s a real town, and yes, it’s named after pie. Sitting at around 8,000 feet in elevation right on Highway 60, this small mountain community has become a favorite stop for pie lovers, hikers, and road-trippers looking for something a little different.
The town is tiny—just a few buildings, a couple of pie shops, and one of the smallest post offices you’ll probably ever see. But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in decades-old charm. Even the street names lean into the theme, with names like Key Lime Lane and Berry Boulevard.
A Quick Slice of History
Pie Town was settled in the 1920s and ’30s by Dust Bowl refugees looking for a fresh start. The town got its name from Norman Smith, a miner and general store owner who started baking pies for travelers heading west. But like many small towns, Pie Town saw its fair share of quiet years—until Kathy Knapp and her mom came along in the ’90s.
Shocked to find a town named Pie Town without any pie, they bought the old Thunderbird Trading Post and brought it back to life as the Pie-O-Neer. Their homemade pies quickly earned a following, and in many ways, helped put Pie Town back on the map.
Where to get your pies
There are two spots to get pie in Pie Town, and we made sure to try both.
Our first stop was The Gatherin’ Place II. We’d just come from wandering around the Very Large Array and were pretty hungry, so we decided to start with something savory. They served up a fresh, juicy burger that hit the spot. I got a good look at their pies while we waited—honestly, they looked incredible. But since we still had another pie shop to visit, I tried to show a little restraint.
Then we made our way over to the legendary Pioneer Homestead, which is about a 20 second car ride away.
It’s a cozy, welcoming café that serves up homemade pies with all kinds of fillings—from fresh berries to sweet honey pecan. It feels more like visiting someone’s kitchen than a restaurant, and the people are just as warm as the pie. You can order by the slice but you can also order full-sized pies (it’s a good idea to call in advance). We ordered pies to go but also went with a couple of pie slices.
It didn’t take very long for our slices to come out — cherry almond and a pecan pie with the latter ranking up there among the best I’ve had.
After enjoying some pie, it was time to check out the town. Truth be told, there’s not a whole lot to it—just a few roads, a couple of campgrounds, a Baptist Church and fire department, and wide open skies. But for such a small, unincorporated place, it does have its charm. The little post office especially stands out—it’s tiny, but kind of adorable.
The other thing you’ll notice—and probably love—are the street signs. A bunch of the roads are named after pies, which just adds to the town’s quirky charm. Think names like Key Lime Lane and Berry Blvd. It’s the kind of detail that makes you smile and reminds you that Pie Town doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Pie Town also sits right on the Continental Divide Trail (which I’m a little obsessed with exploring), so it’s a popular rest stop for long-distance hikers. If you’re there during peak hiking season, you’re likely to hear some great trail stories over coffee and dessert.
And if you really want to experience the town in full swing, plan your visit for September during the annual Pie Festival. Held on the second Saturday of the month, this beloved tradition features pie-baking contests, old-fashioned games, a pie-eating competition, a community parade, and enough homemade pie to feed the whole valley. Locals and visitors alike gather downtown to celebrate with music, family-friendly races, and slices of every flavor imaginable.
Pie Town may be small, but it has a lot of heart—and a lot of flavor. If you’re ever passing through central New Mexico, it’s worth the stop.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
