Grants is in Cibola County, and in the Northwest New Mexico region (of which it is the county seat). Grants is located west of Albuquerque between Gallup and Alubuquerque along Interstate 40 near Bluewater Lake.
New Mexico State University is the main staple of Grants. The region encompasses mesas, lakes, spectacular lava flows, Indian ruins and majestic mountains like 11,301-foot Mount Taylor. Grants is the gateway to a number of national parks, Native American pueblos, and monuments.