The site is on private land. Trespassing is prohibited, the terrain and roads can be dangerous, and the area is actively patrolled. Public visitors should use the roadside historical marker and respect all posted restrictions.
A village erased
Porvenir was home to farming and ranching families near the Rio Grande. After the massacre, the surviving women and children fled and the village was destroyed. Little visible evidence remains, but the land continues to hold family memory and archaeological evidence.
Returning to remember
Descendants have made carefully organized visits to the region, including a family caravan in 2000 and later commemorative trips. These journeys have required landowner permission, local guidance, escorts, and planning for the remote desert conditions.
Why access matters
The ability to return is part of how descendants mourn, teach younger generations, and remain connected to their ancestors. Any border construction plan must protect both the archaeological landscape and continued descendant access.