Unable to do any hiking right now? Don't worry because enjoying New Mexico's alluring landscapes can be just as easy as hopping in your car and driving down the road. For some spectacular mountain views, you'll want to drive up one of these grand New Mexico mountains.
The Black Range Mountains are rugged yet a lovely sight in southwestern New Mexico via State Road 152. Among the high points here is Emory Pass Vista, a nice stop about halfway up the mountains where you'll be able to see other parts of the Gila National Forest for miles.
New Mexico love hiking the trails in the Jemez Mountains but you can also drive up to Pajarito Mountain on the eastern foothills. Camp May Road from Las Alamos leads up to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area with little side roads for a quick pull off.
Another lovely mountain drive is through the Sacramento Mountains in Lincoln National Forest, home to Cloudcroft and a short drive from Alamogordo. Drive in a loop along Highway 82 and Cox Canyon Highway for a scenic and easy day trip.
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, then you will enjoy the ride and views up the San Mateo Mountains to La Mosca Lookout near Mount Taylor. From Grants, take State Road 547 to Mount Taylor Trailhead. From here, you can take a small dirt road up to the lookout.
Any drive up a New Mexico mountain isn't complete without a trip up to the Sandia Crest. Drive up State Road 536 from Sandia Park, located on the eastern side of the mountains to capture a view of the most impressive sunsets you'll ever see.
Drive through some portions of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, a loop of Highways 64, 522, and 38. Along the way, you'll see beautiful views like those above, as well as driving through some quaint mountain towns.
Those make for some beautiful views, don't you think? If we missed any mountain drives, be sure to let us know about your favorite and we may feature it in a future article!
Autumn is here! This means a whole slew of new activities just waiting to be enjoyed. In case you haven’t noticed, New Mexico really thrives in the fall, with a bevy of exciting and entertaining ways to spend the day. If you’re looking for the best things to do in the fall in New Mexico, read on!
Ride among the trees and get magnificent views of the leaves from above. To see this unique view, drive up to the Santa Fe ski basin and ride their Chief Quad chairlift. If the scenic ride through the aspens and pines isn’t enough, catch some of the other autumn activities on the mountain too.
Fall means we’re treated to spectacular foliage, pumpkin-flavored goodies, and, of course, adventures through a corn maze. There are several in New Mexico, however, McCall’s Pumpkin Patch in Moriarty stands out. This massive attraction feels like a farm and a fairground rolled into one. Plus, their corn mazes are amazingly intricate. It's one of the best things to do in October in New Mexico.
Our small towns are particularly beautiful in the autumn season, but one place you may not think about – Los Alamos – is especially inviting this time of year. Not only does this part of Northern New Mexico glow with exquisite fall color, but there is plenty of open space in which to enjoy it.
If you are a New Mexico leaf peeper, get on the road! Fall is here and the leaves are already turning. Get the best views of the vibrant foliage by road-tripping along the Enchanted Circle, one of New Mexico’s scenic byways. This 85-mile loop connects Taos, Questa, Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire.
If you're looking for what to do in New Mexico in October, it's time for the hot air balloons to return to Albuquerque. While other states may have similar events, none of those spectacles are on the scale of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It’s the largest ballooning event on the planet and also the most photographed. Each October, more than 800,000 people flock to Duke City to witness this once-in-a-lifetime sight and you should be among them! Get up early and make a day of it.
If you're searching for "things to do in October near me," how about a scenic drive? Admire the golden cottonwoods along this 6.7-mile scenic road. Corrales Road travels between the Rio Grande and the Corrales Acequia, making the scenery appealing on both sides of the car.
Pick a pumpkin at a corn maze? Sure! The whole family will enjoy the trip to the Mesilla Valley Maze. In addition to the pumpkin patch and corn maze, there are more than 30 regular attractions. This southern New Mexico attraction is open all of October. Find the Mesilla Valley Maze at 3855 West Picacho Avenue, Las Cruces.
Take off work and plan a trip to Las Cruces for the
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Annual Renaissance ArtsFaire. This weekend of merriment features entertainment, food, shopping, and contests of yore, like jousting and a kid's scavenger hunt. Adults can enjoy feasting and festing (with beer and wine) and an artist's market. For more about the event, see the Renaissance ArtsFaire's website.
Fall is the perfect season to immerse yourself in nature. Cabins are typically situated in rustic locales, and renting one allows you to unwind while soaking in the fall colors. Here are a few cozy New Mexico cabins that you’ll want to stay in this fall.
There are clusters of artists’ communities throughout New Mexico, but one of the most fun and whimsical is the tiny town of Madrid. Located off the Turquoise Trail (Highway 14), between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, Madrid is a convenient (and festive) destination for your next day trip. If you have never been, or want to visit again, fall is a perfect time.
Try the Bandelier hike to the Frijolito Pueblo archeological site. Be ready for 2.5 miles of fairly strenuous hiking. The Frijolito Loop Trail starts in Cottonwood Picnic Area, just across the creek from the Bandelier visitor center at 15 Entrance Road, in Los Alamos.
Each fall the Sandhill cranes return to New Mexico's Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, near Socorro. You don't need to be a birder to enjoy the sight of these magnificent birds blanketing the bosque, especially when they take off en masse just before dawn. The official Festival of the Cranes typically occurs in mid-November, but the spectacle of the cranes can be seen most of the fall season.
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What are your favorite things to do during the fall in New Mexico? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And for even more fun, embark on this exciting New Mexico fall foliage road trip!
It may come as a surprise but the town of Los Alamos is more than just the home of the Manhattan Project. In fact, nature is plentiful here, and there are even over 150 miles of trails in Los Alamos and its surrounding areas! As if that wasn't enough, you can spend time at an underrated nature center that's perfect for a day trip in New Mexico. Let's take a look at the Los Alamos Nature Center.
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It's a world of discovery here at the Los Alamos Nature Center. Operated by the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), this is a place for learning as much as it is for enjoying nature.
Before exploring the outdoor areas, it's best to spend time perusing the informative displays and interactive exhibits throughout the center. You can learn about the geology of the Pajarito Plateau that Los Alamos sits upon as well as native wildlife and plants.
There's even a topographical map of the area that's absolutely fascinating to see.
The center also features a planetarium with regular programs and shows held. You'll be able to get an in-depth look at our solar system as well as the skies above Northern New Mexico.
You can always go for a hike to view the flora and fauna found in Northern New Mexico. There are docents and experts available to ask any questions about what you see.
Kids will love the indoor Children's Discovery Area which has a mini Pajarito Plateau along with puppets, books, and other fun learning tools. Outside, they can run wild in the Nature Play Area and climb around on the Rotary Treehouse.
Adults and children alike can explore the native flower gardens to see what's growing. There's also the Jemez Mountain Herbarium with over 3,000 plants that grow around the area. There's so much to see at the wonderful Los Alamos Nature Center!
Would you take a day trip in New Mexico to the Los Alamos Nature Center? I think you should, and feel free to bring the whole family, too. To learn more about this incredible place, head to the Visit Los Alamos website. You can also follow the Pajarito Environmental Education Center's Facebook page for updates on the Los Alamos Nature Center.
If you plan on spending the night in Los Alamos and need accommodations, check out Casa Little Bird, a charming vacation rental in town.
