Maybe you've already hit New Mexico's most popular tourist attractions or perhaps you just want to avoid the crowds. Either way, some of the most interesting places in the Land of Enchantment are also the ones that are easiest to overlook. Here are some incredible spots that are off the beaten path but well worth a detour; these hidden gems in New Mexico are sights to behold, and we think you'll be inclined to agree.
1. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, near Cochiti
Many people zip right past Tent Rocks when traveling between Santa Fe and Albuquerque without even realizing it’s there. At this national monument, you can hike in between hoodoos, through a slot canyon, and up to a mesa that affords unsurpassable views of New Mexico. These rock formations are located off NM-22.
2. The town of Chloride, Sierra County
If you’re a fan of ghost towns or the Old West, you’ll want to check out Chloride. In its heyday, the town supported numerous businesses including two mercantiles, a hotel, and a butcher’s shop. The one bank wasn’t able to survive but it was turned into a saloon – the ninth in Chloride. Clearly, folks here knew how to have a good time. A handful of people still live in town but it’s essentially a ghost town.
3. Herzstein Memorial Museum, Clayton
This out-of-the-way museum is a hidden gem in New Mexico showcasing the history of this area. There are displays on everything from dinosaurs to the Dust Bowl. Donations are always appreciated.
4. Smokey Bear Historical Park, Capitan
The little bear that became our nation’s fire safety mascot was orphaned during the Capitan Gap Fire in New Mexico. He spent the rest of his life in the National Zoo in Washington D.C. but is buried inside the park.
5. Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec
This 900-year-old Pueblo Great House is in great condition – the only recreated part of the monument is the kiva. You’re not usually allowed to walk inside the rooms at New Mexico’s ruins but
href="https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/experiences/new-mexico/aztec-ruins-national-monument-nm/" target="_blank">Aztec Ruins National Monument is an exception and this additional access makes it easier to imagine what life was like for the Ancestral Puebloans.
6. La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery, Silver City
There are lots of wonderful wineries in New Mexico, but La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery is one that tends to be forgotten. That’s a pity, too, because the drive to this remote winery, nestled between Faywood and San Lorenzo, is scenic and the wines produced here are stellar.
7. Kilbourne Hole, near Las Cruces
If you really want to get away from it all, head out to the Kilbourne Hole, a National Natural Landmark that was formed as a result of a volcanic explosion. The crater is more than a mile wide and long. The rim is on BLM land, but members of the public don’t have access to the crater floor.
8. Blackwater Draw Museum, Clovis
This museum is devoted to artifacts from the Clovis Period, which was 13,000 years ago. This tiny yet info-packed institution contains bones and fossils.
9. Chiricahua Desert Museum, Rodeo
Learn about desert flora and fauna at this museum situated in a small town near the Arizona border. Most people don’t know about it because it redefines remote, but the collection includes live snakes, tortoises, and even gila monsters.
10. Grindstone Lake, Ruidoso
Locals are familiar with this picturesque reservoir and the surrounding hiking trails, but those visiting Ruidoso often don’t discover this spot. You’ll find the lake on Grindstone Canyon Road in Ruidoso. While you're at it, you might want to explore Ruidoso, since it's one of our favorite small towns in New Mexico.
Which of these have you been to? If these spots appeal, check out more of our favorite hidden gems in New Mexico!
Do you have any favorite hidden gems in New Mexico that didn't make the list? Tell us about them in the comments!
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