Top 16 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in New Mexico

This is a state so bewitching it provided the backdrop to one of the most popular TV shows in history! The ‘Land of Enchantment’ really lives up to its hype.

Here you can expect some of the most unique landscapes on the planet from mesmerizing geological wonders to dazzling seas of blanched desert sands…throw in some ancient Indian pueblos, mud-bricked churches filled with sacred art, and a good handful of microbreweries and you have a seriously cool place! Here are my favorite spots…

1. Santa Fe

I love Santa Fe! Located at an altitude of 7,000 ft in the foothills of the southern Rocky Mountains, it is the highest capital city in the US. Founded in the 1600s, Santa Fe has unspoiled beauty, a diverse culture, modern arts, and Spanish colonial charm and offers something novel at every corner.

Explore the legendary Palace of the Governors, an iconic adobe structure, and delve deep into the history of this artistic state.

Visit the Santa Fe Plaza, a cultural hub and center of the city or tour the oldest Spanish church in the country, the San Miguel Chapel, the city has a wide array of art galleries on Canyon Road and the most colorful culinary scene to suit your palate.

• Address of visitors center: 200 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87501
• Best time to visit: Late spring through fall
  

My favorite highlights…

• Exploring the iconic adobe Palace of the Governors and learning about Santa Fe’s rich history
• Browsing art galleries and local shops along vibrant Canyon Road
• Trying New Mexican cuisine like red chile enchiladas!

2. White Sands National Monument

A dazzling sea of sand engulfing 275 sq. miles of desert, the White Sands National Monument preserves the unique geology of New Mexico. Rising from the Tularosa basin, this American national park is located approx. 15 miles southwest of Alamogordo.

An expanse of dazzling white gypsum, the White Sands feature the largest white dunes in the world. A designated national park, the dunes’ stark beauty and unique features will make you step into an altogether new world.

Hike along the sandy dunes or go sledging down the dunes; the park offers a reflective view like no other during Moonrise. 

• Address: 19955 US-70, Alamogordo, NM 88310
• Best time to visit: Year-round

My favorite highlights…

• Hiking across miles of dazzling and unique white gypsum dunes.
• Sledging down the big dunes for an adrenaline rush.
• Catching the Insta-worthy magical views of the white sands glowing at sunset.

3. Bisti Badlands 

Tucked away in the arid desert of the San Juan Basin, the unique wilderness of Bisti Badlands is located just south of Farmington. Featuring the most quirky rock formations, this high desert wilderness covers 45,000 acres of badlands.

The clayish hills of the wilderness comprise thin layers of coal, silt, shale, and mudstone with varied colors eroding into weird foreign shapes once a coastal swamp of an inland sea, it is today a true desert wilderness.

Discover the mysterious hoodoos, balanced rocks, desert spires, natural arches and fossils of dinosaur species embedded in the earthy layers. 

• Address: BLM 7297 E Frontage Rd, Farmington, NM 87499
• Best time to visit: Spring and fall

My favorite highlights…

• Exploring the remote wilderness area to see quirky rock hoodoos, arches, and formations!
• Spotting fossilized remains of dinosaurs preserved within the multi-colored earth layers.
• Photographing the mystical desert landscape and unique geology.

4. Wheeler Peak Wilderness

One of the finest alpine wildernesses of New Mexico, the Wheeler Peak Wilderness comprises high, rugged terrains, forests, tundra, and glacial cirques. Part of the Carson National Forest, the wilderness hosts the highest point in New Mexico.

Lying next to the famous Taos Ski Valley, the Wheeler Peak Wilderness includes almost 20,000 acres of landform. Established in 1964, the wilderness is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

With numerous hiking trails and freshwater lakes, including Williams Lake, the area is home to various plants and wildlife.

• Address: 50 Ranger Station Rd, Eagle Nest, NM 87718
• Best time to visit: Summer and fall

My favorite highlights…

• Hiking forested trails up to alpine lakes below the summit of Wheeler Peak.
• Camping out overnight to see the stars shine brightly above the mountains.
• Spotting diverse wildlife like black bears, elk, and bighorn sheep.

5. Shiprock

Ascending from a flat, dusty desert in northwestern New Mexico, the mysterious Shiprock is a prominent landmark of the Navajo culture. Rising at 7,000 ft., this rock mountain was formed millions of years ago.

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

Legends believe that this mountain moved like a bird, carrying the ancestral Navajo people from their homeland when they were under attack. A national natural landmark since 1975, this volcanic rock is an awesome sight! 

• Address: US-491, Shiprock, NM 87420
• Best time to visit: Year-round

My favorite highlights…

• Driving through Navajo Nation for views of the prominent 1,500 ft volcanic rock peak that resembles a giant bird.
• Learning about the mythological importance of Shiprock to the Navajo and how it fits into cultural legends.
• Stopping into shops near the monument to browse locally made Navajo rugs, jewelry, and art.

6. Bandelier National Monument

A monumental landscape protecting the ancestral Pueblo homes, the Bandelier National Monument preserves the homes carved from the volcanic tuff. A designated landmark, the park is located near Los Alamos in Sandoval counties in the foothills of the Jemez Mountains.

The park, with an expansive stretch of scenic land, contains preserved 1,000-year-old cave dwellings, Petroglyphs, and masonry walls of the Pueblo people, whose descendants still live in the nearby areas.

Hike along the easy Loop trail or the Bandelier backcountry for longer hikes; this landscape is a time travel in New Mexico.

• Address: 15 Entrance Road, Los Alamos, NM 87544
• Best time to visit: Late spring, summer, early fall

My favorite highlights…

• Climbing wooden ladders into ancient ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings carved into the canyon walls.
• Seeing thousands of petroglyph drawings etched into the tuff along the Canyon Trail.
• Camping overnight amongst the ruins and immersing myself in the mystic landscapes!

7. A road trip along the Rio Grande River

Traversing through the historic Route 66 highway, the ethereal skies and boundless terrains wind up your way with the cultural high point of New Mexico.

Embark on your journey from the world heritage site of Taos in the north; you will encounter the most beautiful steel bridge in the Rio Grande Gorge.

The drive further south will take you to the red hills and multilayered cliff walls of Ghost Ranch. To learn about volcanic eruptions, hike through the volcanic coned formations of Tent Rocks National Monument.

Conclude your trip with rare dunes and the striking moonlight of the divine White Sands National Monument.

• Location: West New Mexico
• Best time to visit: Year-round

My favorite highlights…

• Going across the picturesque steel bridge over the Rio Grande Gorge.
• Stopping to see the red rock cliffs and hoodoos at Ghost Ranch outside Abiquiu.
• Finishing the trip with the pure white dunes and golden White Sands National Monument at sunset.

8. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

A fascinating landscape on the Pajarito Plateau of New Mexico, the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is the product of volcanic eruptions from the Jemez Mountain volcanic fields. Kasha-Katuwe in the native Keresan language means white cliffs.

The delicately layered sand gravel, volcanic ash, and tuff deposits are the remains of the large volcanic eruption 6 to 7 million years ago.

The cone-shaped tent rocks. Hoodoos and pedestal rocks offer an opportunity to hike, observe, and experience these remarkable eroding rocks.

• Address: 6981 Casa Colorada Rd, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072
• Best time to visit: Spring through fall
  

My favorite highlights…

• Hiking a trail through the remarkable cone-shaped tent rock formations made from volcanic ash and pumice.
• Spotting layers of various colors in the eroding cliffs which showed their complex geological history.
• Photographing unique rock shapes such as the hoodoos and honeycombing in the early morning.

9. Acoma Pueblo Village

A cleverly positioned sandstone mesa of the Acoma Pueblo is known for its unique art and rich culture. The towering sandstone nearly 357-ft. located 60 miles west of Albuquerque was known to be accessed by a hand-cut staircase.

Also known as the Sky City, the Acoma Pueblo was built between 1100 and 1250 A.D. Discover the history and culture of southwest Indians in the Haak’u Museum with renowned exhibits and stunning Pueblo pottery.

Today, nearly 50 tribal members live in the city’s earthen homes, while the rest live in the San Estévan del Rey Mission and the nearby villages of Acomita, McCartys, and Anzac. 

• Address: Casa Blanca Rd, Acoma, NM 87034
• Best time to visit: Year-round

My favorite highlights…

• Joining a guided tour to explore the historic adobe pueblo city atop a sandstone mesa.
• Visiting the Haak’u Museum to see artifacts and cultural exhibits from native tribes in the Southwest.
• Shopping for traditional Acoma pottery and crafts with gorgeous geometric designs.

10. Taos Gorge Bridge

One of the most famous bridges in America, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge stands tall on the Rio Grande Gorge, approx. 10 miles northwest of Taos. Popularly called the ‘High Bridge”, the steel deck arch bridge was completed in 1965.

Standing 600ft above the gorge, the Taos Bridge is the fifth-highest in the United States. A major tourist attraction of the region, the beautiful long-span bridge of Rio Gorge is featured in several films.

Address: 1160 Sala Vivente, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514

Best time to visit: Year-round

My favorite highlights…

• Gazing over the gorge from the bridge 650ft above the rushing Rio Grande River below.
• Photographing the picturesque bridge with roaring rapids echoing from deep in the gorge.
• Stopping by the historic Taos Pueblo nearby to wander through over 1,000 years of continuous culture.

11. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Beneath the deep rocky canyons and flowering cactus is a treasure of numerous calcite formations. The Carlsbad Caverns National Park is in the Guadalupe Mountains of southeast New Mexico.

Once a coastline of an inland sea, today, this area features the remains of diverse marine life. A Home to more than 119 rare caves, the Caverns National Park is known worldwide for the size, diversity, and beauty of the caves.

The primary attraction of the National Park is the Big Room chamber, which features the largest caves in North America.

• Address: 727 Carlsbad Cavern Hwy, Carlsbad, NM 88220
• Best time to visit: Year-round, avoid summer crowds
  

My favorite highlights…

• Descending 750ft underground for a guided tour of the world-famous, ornately decorated Big Room and other caves.
• Joining a bat flight program to see millions of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge at dusk.
• Backcountry hiking through desert and canyon landscapes on trails like Slaughter Canyon.

12. Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway

Hop into America’s longest coal-fired and steam-operated railroad, operating on 64 miles since 1880. Beginning from Antonito to Chama, the heritage steam engine travels through steep mountain canyons, high deserts, and lush meadows across the borders of Colorado and New Mexico.

Fill your day with the captivating and rare Western scenery only viewed from this lovely train ride. Ride on the Victorian elegance deluxe or budget-friendly coach car, which offers a chance to venture off-grid and experience the unspoiled beauty across the Rocky Mountains.

• Address: 5234 NM-17, Chama, NM 87520
• Best time to visit: Late spring through fall

My favorite highlights…

• Riding the steam-powered locomotive train through mountain wilderness between New Mexico and Colorado.
• Trying to spot wildlife like Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, black bears, elk, and moose.
• Trekking along trails and seeing wildflowers at stops like Cresco Siding and Sublette Station.

13. El Malpais National Monument

The El Malpais National Monument is a richly diverse national monument in Cibola County, approx. 15 miles southwest of Grant. The dramatic and barren volcanic field, covered by black lava flow, covers 464 sq. km of area.

Heaven for geology enthusiasts, the monument offers trails to watch out for the youngest lava flows. At the heart of the National Monument is Mexico’s largest arch, the La Ventana Natural Arch, which offers a panoramic vista of the sandstone.

While hiking and camping, enjoy the striking sandstone cliffs, canyons, ice caves, lava tube caves, cinder cones, and much more.

• Address: 123 E Roosevelt Ave, Grants, NM 87020
• Best time to visit: Year-round
  

My favorite highlights…

• Hiking trails through unique volcanic crater landscapes surrounded by lava flows.
• Camping overnight to gaze up at unparalleled night skies in the wilderness.
• Spotting diverse flora and fauna adapting to the rugged habitat.

14. The Taos Mountain Trail

The Taos Mountains, stretching from Costilla Creek in the north to Tres Ritos in the south, are home to numerous peaks in New Mexico. The highest peak of Mexico, Wheeler Peak, is located approximately 70 miles northeast of Santa Fe in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Hike or camp, Wheeler Peak wilderness offers a spectacular outdoor experience. Part of the Taos Mountains, the Taos Ski Valley, a winter paradise lies west of Wheeler Park. A stunning view of scenic lakes, beautiful gorges and alpine landscapes makes for an unforgettable hike.

• Address: Forest Road 283, Taos, NM 87571
• Best time to visit: Summer through early fall
  

My favorite highlights…

• Hiking scenic trails offering mountain vistas of alpine lakes and picturesque aspen groves.
• Summiting New Mexico’s highest point, Wheeler Peak at 13,159 ft. elevation.
• Mountain biking through meadows of wildflowers down in the valley.

15. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

A network of ancestral Pueblo architecture and buildings, the Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves the pre-Columbian cultural ruins.

A designated World Heritage site, the historic park is located in northwestern New Mexico between Albuquerque and Farmington.

Explore the best-known houses of Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl or venture into the canyon’s spiral petroglyphs at the Fajada Butte high atop the isolated hill.

A World Heritage site, the Chaco Canyon hosts the largest buildings made in North America which were architecturally advanced of its times.

• Address: County Road 7950, Nageezi, NM 87037
• Best time to visit: Spring and fall
  

My favorite highlights…

• Exploring well-preserved ancient structures hand-built by ancestral Puebloan people over 1,000 years ago.
• Seeing intricate rock carvings and petroglyphs at sites like Pueblo Bonito and Chetro Ketl.
• Gazing up at the night sky from Fajada Butte to understand Chacoan’s intricate astronomical knowledge.

16. Blue Hole of Santa Rosa

If you are a scuba diver aficionado look no further, Blue Hole of Santa Rosa is one of the most popular attractions in the state and the best dive site in the whole country.

This majestic spot is simply a natural bell-shaped pool where visitors can go scuba diving, swimming, snorkelling, cliff jumping and even explore hidden caves. This is one of the best things to do if you are planning a day-out activity. 

Blue Hole is part of the seven sister lakes which are attached underground by an extensive water system and are located right in the middle of the desert. If you are an experienced diver or a beginner then Blue Hole is the place to visit! Enjoy! 

• Address: 2 Miles North of Santa Rosa, NM 88435
• Best time to visit: Spring to fall

My favorite highlights…

• Snorkeling the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the gorgeous water-filled sinkhole.
• Jumping off the rocky ledges into the cold 61-degree Blue Hole! 
• Spotting rare desert fish species that call these arid cavern pools home.