[3] Established in 1876, Ramah was one of fifty locations in the New Mexico Territory settled, under the direction of Brigham Young, by Mormon pioneers, and is one of only three that remain today.

[4] Ramah was originally settled for the purpose of missionary work to be carried out within the Zuni and Navajo communities.

Many of the original stone houses are still standing and are a testament to the hard work and skill of Ramah's early founders.

Ramah Lake was built by these same pioneers in order to farm the surrounding area, which receives moderate rainfall on a yearly basis.

In recent years, due to drought, the lake has dried up; the town irrigation committee used this low water level to make improvements including dredging a large amount of silt buildup and reinforcing the dam, allowing water to be used more efficiently.

Gallup, the McKinley county seat, is 44 miles (71 km) northwest of Ramah by road.

Lying at 6,926 feet (2,111 m) above sea level, Ramah is considered by some as a high desert, but at higher elevations it includes tall pines, sandstone cliffs, and timber-covered mountains.

Much of the lower landscape in the surrounding area is covered with lava flows from the chain of volcanos to the south.

[6] According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Ramah CDP has a total area of 12.3 square miles (32 km2), all land.