16 Most Stunning Locations To Go to In New Mexico

This can be a state so intriguing it offered the backdrop to one of many hottest TV exhibits in historical past! From mesmerizing geological wonders and blanched desert sands to historical Indian pueblos and stylish microbreweries New Mexico actually does reside as much as the hype. Listed below are my favourite spots I’d like to share…

1. Santa Fe

I like Santa Fe! Situated at an altitude of seven,000 ft within the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains, it’s the highest capital metropolis within the US. Based within the 1600s, Santa Fe has unspoiled magnificence, a various tradition, trendy arts, and Spanish colonial allure and provides one thing novel at each nook.

Discover the legendary Palace of the Governors, an iconic adobe construction, and delve deep into the historical past of this inventive state.

Go to the Santa Fe Plaza, a cultural hub and heart of the town or tour the oldest Spanish church within the nation, the San Miguel Chapel, the town has a wide selection of artwork galleries on Canyon Highway and probably the most colourful culinary scene to fit your palate.

• Guests Heart Deal with: 200 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: Late spring by way of fall
  

My favourite highlights…

• Exploring the long-lasting adobe Palace of the Governors and studying about Santa Fe’s wealthy historical past.
• Searching artwork galleries and native retailers alongside vibrant Canyon Highway.
• Attempting New Mexican delicacies, my favourite was the tasty however sizzling purple chile enchiladas!

2. White Sands Nationwide Monument

A blinding sea of sand engulfing 275 sq. miles of desert, the White Sands Nationwide Monument preserves the distinctive geology of New Mexico. Rising from the Tularosa basin, this American nationwide park is positioned approx. 15 miles southwest of Alamogordo.

An expanse of dazzling white gypsum, the White Sands characteristic the most important white dunes on the earth. A chosen nationwide park, the dunes’ stark magnificence and distinctive options will make you step into an altogether new world.

Hike alongside the sandy dunes or go sledging down the dunes; the park provides a reflective view like no different throughout Moonrise. 

• Deal with: 19955 US-70, Alamogordo, NM 88310
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: 12 months-round

My favourite highlights…

• Mountaineering throughout miles of dazzling and distinctive white gypsum dunes.
• Sledging down the massive dunes was an enormous adrenaline rush! 
• Catching the Insta-worthy magical views of the white sands glowing at sundown.

3. Bisti Badlands 

Tucked away within the arid desert of the San Juan Basin, the distinctive wilderness of Bisti Badlands is positioned simply south of Farmington. That includes probably the most quirky rock formations, this excessive desert wilderness covers 45,000 acres of badlands.

The clayish hills of the wilderness comprise skinny layers of coal, silt, shale, and mudstone with assorted colours eroding into bizarre international shapes as soon as a coastal swamp of an inland sea, it’s at the moment a real desert wilderness.

Uncover the mysterious hoodoos, balanced rocks, desert spires, pure arches and fossils of dinosaur species embedded within the earthy layers. 

• Deal with: BLM 7297 E Frontage Rd, Farmington, NM 87499
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: Spring and fall

My favourite highlights…

• Exploring the distant wilderness space to see quirky rock hoodoos, arches, and formations!
• Recognizing fossilized stays of dinosaurs preserved throughout the multi-colored earth layers.
• Photographing the paranormal desert panorama and distinctive geology.

4. Wheeler Peak Wilderness

One of many most interesting alpine wildernesses of New Mexico, the Wheeler Peak Wilderness includes excessive, rugged terrains, forests, tundra, and glacial cirques. A part of the Carson Nationwide Forest, the wilderness hosts the very best level in New Mexico.

Mendacity subsequent to the well-known Taos Ski Valley, the Wheeler Peak Wilderness consists of nearly 20,000 acres of landform. Established in 1964, the wilderness is a paradise for outside fans.

With quite a few climbing trails and freshwater lakes, together with Williams Lake, the world is residence to numerous crops and wildlife.

• Deal with: 50 Ranger Station Rd, Eagle Nest, NM 87718
• Map Location 
• Greatest time to go to: Summer time and fall

My favourite highlights…

• Mountaineering forested trails as much as alpine lakes beneath the summit of Wheeler Peak.
• Tenting out in a single day to see the celebs shine brightly above the mountains.
• Going wildlife watching and elk and bighorn sheep.

5. Shiprock

Ascending from a flat, dusty desert in northwestern New Mexico, the mysterious Shiprock is a distinguished landmark of the Navajo tradition. Rising at 7,000 ft., this rock mountain was fashioned tens of millions of years in the past.

This mystical mountain resembles a big sitting hen with folded wings in San Juan County New Mexico.

Legends consider that this mountain moved like a hen, carrying the ancestral Navajo folks from their homeland once they had been underneath assault. A nationwide pure landmark since 1975, this volcanic rock is an superior sight! 

• Deal with: US-491, Shiprock, NM 87420
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: 12 months-round

My favourite highlights…

• Driving by way of Navajo Nation the place I noticed views of the 1,500 ft volcanic rock peak that resembles an enormous hen.
• Studying concerning the mythological significance of Shiprock to the Navajo and the way it suits into cultural legends.
• Stopping on the retailers close to the monument to browse domestically made Navajo rugs, jewellery, and artwork.

6. Bandelier Nationwide Monument

A monumental panorama defending the ancestral Pueblo properties, the Bandelier Nationwide Monument preserves the properties carved from the volcanic tuff. A chosen landmark, the park is positioned close to Los Alamos in Sandoval counties within the foothills of the Jemez Mountains.

The park, with an expansive stretch of scenic land, comprises preserved 1,000-year-old cave dwellings, Petroglyphs, and masonry partitions of the Pueblo folks, whose descendants nonetheless reside within the close by areas.

Hike alongside the straightforward Loop path or the Bandelier backcountry for longer hikes; this panorama is a time journey in New Mexico.

• Deal with: 15 Entrance Highway, Los Alamos, NM 87544
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: Late spring, summer season, early fall

My favourite highlights…

• Climbing wood ladders into historical ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings carved into the canyon partitions.
• Seeing 1000’s of petroglyph drawings etched into the tuff alongside the Canyon Path.
• Tenting in a single day amongst the ruins and immersing myself within the mystic landscapes!

7. A street journey alongside the Rio Grande River

Traversing by way of the historic Route 66 freeway, the ethereal skies and boundless terrains wind up your approach with the cultural excessive level of New Mexico.

Embark in your journey from the world heritage website of Taos within the north; you’ll encounter probably the most stunning metal bridge within the Rio Grande Gorge.

The drive additional south will take you to the purple hills and multilayered cliff partitions of Ghost Ranch. To find out about volcanic eruptions, hike by way of the volcanic coned formations of Tent Rocks Nationwide Monument.

Conclude your journey with uncommon dunes and the putting moonlight of the divine White Sands Nationwide Monument.

• Location: West New Mexico
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: All 12 months spherical

My favourite highlights…

• Driving throughout the picturesque metal bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge.
• Stopping to see the purple rock cliffs and hoodoos at Ghost Ranch exterior Abiquiu.
• Ending the journey with the pure white dunes and golden White Sands Nationwide Monument at sundown, the views had been severely Instaworthy!

8. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks Nationwide Monument

An interesting panorama on the Pajarito Plateau of New Mexico, the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks Nationwide Monument is the product of volcanic eruptions from the Jemez Mountain volcanic fields. Kasha-Katuwe within the native Keresan language means white cliffs.

The delicately layered sand gravel, volcanic ash, and tuff deposits are the stays of the big volcanic eruption 6 to 7 million years in the past.

The cone-shaped tent rocks. Hoodoos and pedestal rocks provide a chance to hike, observe, and expertise these exceptional eroding rocks.

• Deal with: 6981 Casa Colorada Rd, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: Spring by way of fall
  

My favourite highlights…

• Mountaineering a path by way of the exceptional cone-shaped tent rock formations produced from volcanic ash and pumice.
• Recognizing layers of assorted colours within the eroding cliffs which confirmed their advanced geological historical past.
• Photographing distinctive rock shapes such because the hoodoos and honeycombing within the early morning.

9. Acoma Pueblo Village

A cleverly positioned sandstone mesa of the Acoma Pueblo is thought for its distinctive artwork and wealthy tradition. The towering sandstone practically 357-ft. positioned 60 miles west of Albuquerque was recognized to be accessed by a hand-cut staircase.

Also referred to as the Sky Metropolis, the Acoma Pueblo was constructed between 1100 and 1250 A.D. Uncover the historical past and tradition of southwest Indians within the Haak’u Museum with famend reveals and beautiful Pueblo pottery.

Immediately, practically 50 tribal members reside within the metropolis’s earthen properties, whereas the remaining reside within the San Estévan del Rey Mission and the close by villages of Acomita, McCartys, and Anzac. 

• Deal with: Casa Blanca Rd, Acoma, NM 87034
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: All 12 months spherical

My favourite highlights…

• Becoming a member of a guided tour to discover the historic adobe pueblo metropolis atop a sandstone mesa.
• Visiting the Haak’u Museum to see artifacts and cultural reveals from native tribes within the Southwest.
• Looking for conventional Acoma pottery and crafts with beautiful geometric designs.

10. Taos Gorge Bridge

One of the crucial well-known bridges in America, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge stands tall on the Rio Grande Gorge, approx. 10 miles northwest of Taos. Popularly referred to as the ‘Excessive Bridge”, the metal deck arch bridge was accomplished in 1965.

Standing 600ft above the gorge, the Taos Bridge is the fifth-highest in the USA. A serious vacationer attraction of the area, the gorgeous long-span bridge of Rio Gorge is featured in a number of movies.

• Deal with: 1160 Sala Vivente, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: All 12 months spherical
  

My favourite highlights…

• Gazing over the gorge from the bridge 650ft above the speeding Rio Grande River beneath.
• Photographing the picturesque bridge with roaring rapids echoing from deep within the gorge.
• Stopping by the historic Taos Pueblo close by to wander by way of over 1,000 years of steady tradition.

11. Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park

Beneath the deep rocky canyons and flowering cactus is a treasure of quite a few calcite formations. The Carlsbad Caverns Nationwide Park is within the Guadalupe Mountains of southeast New Mexico.

As soon as a shoreline of an inland sea, at the moment, this space options the stays of various marine life. A Residence to greater than 119 uncommon caves, the Caverns Nationwide Park is thought worldwide for the dimensions, variety, and great thing about the caves.

The first attraction of the Nationwide Park is the Massive Room chamber, which options the most important caves in North America.

• Deal with: 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM 88220
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: 12 months-round, nevertheless it’s a good suggestion to try to keep away from summer season crowds
  

My favourite highlights…

• Descending 750ft underground for a guided tour of the world-famous, ornately embellished Massive Room and different caves.
• Becoming a member of a bat flight program and seeing a whole lot of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge at nightfall.
• Going backcountry climbing to see Slaughter Canyon.

12. Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway

Hop into America’s longest coal-fired and steam-operated railroad, working on 64 miles since 1880. Starting from Antonito to Chama, the heritage steam engine travels by way of steep mountain canyons, excessive deserts, and plush meadows throughout the borders of Colorado and New Mexico.

Fill your day with the fascinating and uncommon Western surroundings solely considered from this pretty practice journey. Trip on the Victorian magnificence deluxe or budget-friendly coach automobile, which provides an opportunity to enterprise off-grid and expertise the unspoiled magnificence throughout the Rocky Mountains.

• Deal with: 5234 NM-17, Chama, NM 87520
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: Late spring by way of to fall

My favourite highlights…

• Driving the steam-powered locomotive practice by way of mountain wilderness between New Mexico and Colorado.
• Attempting to identify wildlife like Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, black bears, elk, and moose.
• Trekking alongside trails and seeing wildflowers at stops like Cresco Siding and Sublette Station.

13. El Malpais Nationwide Monument

The El Malpais Nationwide Monument is a richly various nationwide monument in Cibola County, approx. 15 miles southwest of Grant. The dramatic and barren volcanic discipline, lined by black lava movement, covers 464 sq. km of space.

Heaven for geology fans, the monument provides trails to be careful for the youngest lava flows. On the coronary heart of the Nationwide Monument is Mexico’s largest arch, the La Ventana Pure Arch, which provides a panoramic vista of the sandstone.

Whereas climbing and tenting, benefit from the putting sandstone cliffs, canyons, ice caves, lava tube caves, cinder cones, and far more.

• Deal with: 123 E Roosevelt Ave, Grants, NM 87020
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: 12 months-round
  

My favourite highlights…

• Mountaineering trails by way of distinctive volcanic crater landscapes, being surrounded by lava flows was an unbelievable expertise!
• Tenting in a single day to gaze up at unparalleled night time skies within the wilderness.
• Recognizing various wildlife adapting to the rugged habitat.

14. The Taos Mountain Path

The Taos Mountains, stretching from Costilla Creek within the north to Tres Ritos within the south, are residence to quite a few peaks in New Mexico.

The best peak of Mexico, Wheeler Peak, is positioned roughly 70 miles northeast of Santa Fe within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Hike or camp, Wheeler Peak wilderness provides a spectacular outside expertise. A part of the Taos Mountains, the Taos Ski Valley, a winter paradise lies west of Wheeler Park.

A shocking view of scenic lakes, stunning gorges and alpine landscapes makes for an unforgettable hike.

• Deal with: Forest Highway 283, Taos, NM 87571
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: Summer time by way of early fall
  

My favourite highlights…

• Mountaineering scenic trails providing mountain vistas of alpine lakes and picturesque aspen groves.
• Summiting New Mexico’s highest level, Wheeler Peak at 13,159 ft. elevation.
• Mountain biking by way of meadows of wildflowers down within the valley.

15. Chaco Tradition Nationwide Historic Park

A community of ancestral Pueblo structure and buildings, the Chaco Tradition Nationwide Historic Park preserves the pre-Columbian cultural ruins.

A chosen World Heritage website, the historic park is positioned in northwestern New Mexico between Albuquerque and Farmington.

Discover the best-known homes of Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl or enterprise into the canyon’s spiral petroglyphs on the Fajada Butte excessive atop the remoted hill.

A World Heritage website, the Chaco Canyon hosts the most important buildings made in North America which had been architecturally superior of its occasions.

• Deal with: County Highway 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: Spring and fall
  

My favourite highlights…

• Exploring well-preserved historical constructions hand-built by ancestral Puebloan folks over 1,000 years in the past.
• Seeing intricate rock carvings and petroglyphs at websites like Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl.
• Gazing up on the clear and starry night time sky from Fajada Butte.

16. Blue Gap of Santa Rosa

In case you are a scuba diver aficionado look no additional, Blue Gap of Santa Rosa is among the hottest sights within the state and the most effective dive website in the entire nation.

This majestic spot is solely a pure bell-shaped pool the place guests can go scuba diving, swimming, snorkelling, cliff leaping and even discover hidden caves. This is among the greatest issues to do if you’re planning a day-out exercise. 

Blue Gap is a part of the seven sister lakes, that are hooked up underground by an intensive water system and are positioned proper in the course of the desert. In case you are an skilled diver or a newbie then Blue Gap is the place to go to! Take pleasure in! 

• Deal with: 2 Miles North of Santa Rosa, NM 88435
• Map Location
• Greatest time to go to: Spring to fall

My favourite highlights…

• Snorkeling the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the beautiful water-filled sinkhole.
• Leaping off the rocky ledges into the chilly 61-degree Blue Gap! 
• Recognizing uncommon desert fish species that decision these arid cavern swimming pools residence.