Located in the southwestern part of the United States, the mountain state of New Mexico has always been a popular destination for tourists.
Boasting its highly diverse landscapes ranging from mahogany-colored deserts and arid grasslands to snow-capped peaks, New Mexico is the fourth-largest state of the United States. In the north, it is surrounded by the lush green wilderness of forests covering approximately a third part of the state.
New Mexico is full of wonderous landscapes, huge open spaces, and mysteries that will call you and set you in motion as you will want to wear your track pants and adventure far away. This is the kind of place where you would like to spend time outdoors with the cool breeze touching your skin. There are monuments and national parks scattered throughout the landscape and you can always set to explore them.
The rough mountains of Sangre de Cristo run north-south beside the Rio Grande in the east. The state on the eastern part brags for the Great Plains, prominently Llano Estacado which runs alongside the Mescalero Ridge escarpment. Colorado Plateau comprises the northwestern part while the Chihuahuan Desert runs along the southern part.
New Mexico also has its handsome share of National Parks which has always had the tourists’ appeal. Almost all National Parks are excellently equipped with museums, signs, and self-guided trails along with an audio or video tour for the visitors.
Most of the New Mexico National Parks are created as national monuments for the preservation of the history they possess.
Here are some of the most popular that you can visit on your trip to New Mexico.
1. White Sands National Park
White Sands NP, previously known as White Sands National Monument, is located in the southern part of New Mexico, 85 miles to the north of Texas’s El Paso.
Situated in the heart of Tularosa Basin, White Sands NP is famous for its pristine white gypsum-covered desert which stretches over 275 square miles of area. It quietly boasts of being the world’s largest field of gypsum dunes.
White Sands NP is considered a natural wonder in the list of National Parks.
This place is a traveler’s paradise as you roam around the dunes or whether you start following the same trail so that you do not get lost in the sands. You can also take your pet dog for a hike down the dunes as you keep him on the leash.
The park gift shop has many things that you can buy, and one of the things that you can definitely purchase is a sand sled. You can enjoy going sledding down the dunes and then settle for a long vacation by camping in the backcountry of the park.
(Check out this link to know more about nature’s wonder)
2. Pecos National Historical Park
Located at the center of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and surrounded by lush Pinon, Juniper, and Ponderosa pine woodlands, this park is among the national historical sites. It protects the Indian Pueblos stand, a reminiscence of the people that once thrived there.
Through the years that rolled by Glorieta Pass became a common corridor through which immigrants and explorers, conquerers and traders, soldiers and ranchers and tourists passed. Pecos had been the heart of native Indian civilization, it had once resounded with the sound of swords and arms, and the fragrance of incense as trade fairs took place on these grounds.
Pecos National Historical Park shows the history of cultural exchange and varied geographical landscapes. This park is equipped with self-guided tours and is the perfect place for lone explorers!
The cave dwellings here are old and are intriguing and the remnants of these tribal communities will draw your attention towards them. You will be able to discover some of the traits of the American Indian people.
It is a tranquil and serene area with stretches of pine woodland bordering the landscape. The battlefield from the American Civil War and the Pecos Pueblo Mission Church are other places that you will like to visit.
Besides offering an iconic historical site also has a museum that has all the historical details and a bookstore with a seating arrangement available.
3. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
Situated in the midst of central New Mexico, 50 miles southeast of Albuquerque, the Salinas Pueblo Missions monument has three explorable sites that offer an opportunity to get an insight into Spanish Mission Churches and Pueblo ruins.
Originally the native of Tompiro and Tiwa Americans, this place has ruins of the villages which are the reminders of the Spanish and Pueblo Peoples’ early encounters. The monument’s visitor center has a small museum enriched with all the historical information you need.
It also has a little cozy restaurant to maximize your enjoyment. However, it remains closed from November to February. You can explore through a map, a trail guide, and the Junior Ranger Program from the Ranger’s desk.
4. Bandelier National Monument
Located in northern New Mexico to the south of Los Alamos, surrounded by Santa Fe National Forest on another side. Bandelier National Monument is one of the well-preserved National Parks possessing some of the ancient ruins of the Pueblo people.
This place was inhabited by Pueblo people some 11,000 years back when nomadic people hunted down for animals or pastures. After 1150 AD these ancient people had started building settlements.
A popular mystery runs around here that ancient people who were once established here suddenly disappeared without any trace. After 1550 AD they had left for the Rio Grande. The Descendants of these Native Americans considered the canyon a sacred place due to their strong belief that their ancestors’ spirits still roam through the canyon.
Prominent tourist attractions include beautiful narrowly inclined canyons, mesa country, abundant wildlife, 10,000 feet mountains, and an iconic view of the Rio Grande. The petroglyphs in the cliff and masonry walls pay tribute to the culture that still thrives in the surrounding communities.
While exploring here, go to the cavities of the volcanic rocks that line the walls of Frijoles Canyon. The monument hiking trails can go up to 70 miles, however, you can choose between short and long hikes.
5. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
The cliff dwellings are located in one of the remote NPS sites in the southwest part of New Mexico. It gives a complete thrill experience to the visitors as it is surrounded by the total wilderness of the Gila National Forest.
As New Mexico approached its conservation movement of the 20th century, Gila Wilderness was among the first to be declared as a protected area and the world’s first wilderness area.
The word Gila originated Yuma Indian term which means salty water running. The place is located 30 miles north of Silver City. It contains small dwellings built of stone overhanging a cliff 45 meters high.
On reaching there you can see the ancient ruins of the nomadic people who used to live in the caves of the Gila River for thousands of years. Then during the 1200s, Mogollon culture started flourishing here. You can experience a glimpse of their lives at the caves which are now interlinked and built in five cave alcoves, easily accessed by a one-mile trail along a canyon.
6. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in Southeastern New Mexico at the Chihuahuan Desert and the Guadalupe Mountains. It is 7 miles from White’s City and 23 miles from Carlsbad on US Hwy 62/180.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park has bundles of caves within its boundaries. Of all the, Carlsbad Caverns National Park has the largest cliff dwellings which have its face towards Texas and are known as El Captain. It is 400 miles long and is the ancient remains of the coral reef.
It can be an amazing experience for wildlife lovers as one of the prominent and most famous features of the cave is the large population of New Mexican Free-tailed bats.
As the sun sets these bats exit from the cave in a perfected choreographic style with a chorus heard throughout the area. You shouldn’t leave without experiencing this beautiful phenomenon.
Must-visit to get a glimpse of deep rocky canyons, cacti, otherworldly ancient sea ledges, and rich desert wildlife.
7. El Morro National Monument
Located in open countryside near the city of Ramah, the monument comprises a huge rock with an abundant pool of water.
The main attraction is the large rock and the historical Santa Fe trail which runs through it. It has once been extensively used by travelers and merchants. These past travelers passing through this monument often leave their impressions in the form of inscriptions on rock, which now give us a glimpse of those ancient travelers. You can always walk the inscription trial and find out why El Morro has been proclaimed a national monument.
A reliable waterhole is hidden at the base of the sandstone and the place has been a popular campsite for years. Water is a precious search for travelers. Over a millennium, life had flourished around this oasis.
If you are an enthusiastic lover of historical monuments, then this one is for you to insatiate your thirst for monuments.
8. Fort Union National Monument
This fort turned, basically comprised of the ruins of a fort built in 1851. It was originally established as a post and supply depot. Fort Union functioned as the main agent of political and cultural change for almost forty years and offered military protection to travelers.
This place stands exposed to winds sweeping the valley of short grass prairies and the swales of Santa Fe Trail, making it the largest military fort in the area. This fort acted as an agent of cultural and political change that had swept New Mexico and the entire Southwest.
You can explore the monument by self-guided trails and ruts at the Santa Fe Trail of the 19th-century wagon wheels. Watch a movie about the park or you can go to the visitor center and the bookstore there, to get your hands on the deep information about the NM. Showcase your badge by taking the Junior Ranger Program which you can pick up from Visitor Center.
9. Capulin Volcano National Monument
From 130 miles to the northeast of Santa Fe in the faraway corner of New Mexico, this has been declared the national monument of New Mexico to celebrate the 1000 feet dormant Capulin Volcano.
Almost 60,000 years ago after the cinders cooled down and lava flows stopped, eventually they solidified to form a 1000 feet cinder cone that rose tall from the surrounding ashes. Although this place was home to mammoths and bison thousands of years ago, now it is inhabited by wild turkeys, mule deer, and black bears.
While driving along with the scenic views at Volcano Road, you can also walk down into Caldera to get an amazing view of the Volcanic geology of northeastern New Mexico.
There are around five miles of hiking trails with Capulin Volcano National Monument. A 0.2-mile Crater Vent Trail will lead you to the bottom of the volcano crater and there is also a 1-mile Crater Rim Trail which will lead you to the edges of the crater. Another train to the base of the volcano is the Lava Flow Trail, which is a 1-mile loop, crossing in one of the lava flows of the Volcano.
10. Petroglyph National Monument
Ancient trails, volcanic eruptions, and petroglyphs are some of the main attractions of Petroglyph National Monument which is based in North-Central New Mexico, near Albuquerque.
Petroglyph National Monument being one of the most important holds one of the protected petroglyph sites in North America and has inscription designs and rock paintings engraved by ancient settlers.
If you love American history you cannot help loving this place which is situated on the West side of the Rio Grande river. The Petroglyphs viewing trails are one mile to six and a half miles long and there is a visitor center so that you can be dropped off after traveling a sufficient distance.
There are staff visitors to always give you directions. If you are a student and you have gone for a guided tour then there is always high rock art for you to discover. As far as the scenic beauty of the place is concerned it is simply mind-blowing.
Ancestral Pueblo people, and Spanish and American travelers carved over 2,000 signatures, dates, and petroglyphs in the sandstone.
These inscriptions hold profound spiritual significance among the contemporary Native Americans and descendants of the Spanish settlers.
The main attraction of Petroglyph NM is the Rinconada Canyon which can be reached by a 2.2-mile trail passing through several petroglyphs.
11. El Malpais National Monument
Known for its lava fields, is located in Northwest New Mexico, almost 85 miles from Albuquerque. There is no entry fee here and the park is open all year round.
El Malpais offers a richly diverse volcanic landscape that can be best viewed from the south from I-40 exit 89 to Nm 117. The word El Malpais translates to the badland in Spanish which is what Spaniards called this treacherous terrain. They found the field difficult to cross with horses and livestock.
A law was passed by the Federal Government in 1987 to preserve the ecological, cultural, archaeological, scenic, scientific, and wilderness resources surrounding the lava flows. The area covers a few thousand acres and there are sandstone cliffs, canyons, caves, craters, and picnic areas.
Volcanic remnants of ancient eruptions are best seen here. You can also go to the El Malpais National Conservation Area which is a separate preserve but has extensive remnants along with some sandstone cliffs, lava tube caves, and forest tracks with species-rich diversity.
12. Chaco Culture National Historic Park
This park is located in the remote northwestern part and is considered one of the important historic parks.
Open all year round this historical park is one of the best-preserved of the significant sites and offers an opportunity to see the ancient Puebloan ruins, hiking, and camping.
Back then, this location was the center of the community for Anasazi. The ruins of the Aztecs at Chaco are arranged in some sort of village fashion making a small labyrinth. The massive buildings in the ruin serve the world as evidence of the ancestral Pueblo peoples’ organizational and engineering abilities.
Chaco stands out for its remarkable architecture and its huge monumental public ceremonial buildings. It prides itself on its ancient urban ceremonial center that is very different from anything constructed before.
You can explore the park with Junior Ranger Programs, museums, guided tours, hiking, camping, and also experience the night sky view.
13. Aztec Ruins National Monument
Once believed to be ruins of Mexican origin, this site is a relic of native Southwest tribes dated from the 12th century.
The historical site has been designated the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place allows you to discover the ancestral Puebloan House and reconstructed Kiva.
Native descendants of the Pueblo people describe this site as one of the parts of the ancient migrations of their ancestors. The Kiva is a ritualistic and social gathering place used by these ancient inhabitants.
You can feel the vibes and solitude in the atmosphere of Great Kiva.
There is a West Run Trail that will lead you to the great house of the 12th century, now known as Aztec West. It had over 400 rooms and a football ground-size space.
The monument is equipped with self-guided tours including audio tours which will make it even easier to explore.
14. Santa Fe National Historic Trail
This is not your typical park rather it’s a trail covering over 1200 miles of the area along a historic route crossing five states.
During the 19th century, Santa Fe was largely used for transportation though having approximately 870 miles of arid plains, deserts, and mountains.
Santa Fe has witnessed many historically significant movements from, serving as an international trade route connecting the USA to Mexico to an important military road in 1846.
This trail has sites like Fort Osage National Historic Landmark, Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, Kiowa National Grassland, and Santa Fe Trail Museum.
For a remarkable trip at Santa Fe Trail, it is best recommended to take up a guiding tour or you can opt for the Junior Ranger program to flex your badge.
During summer months the most well-known National Parks become overcrowded as tourists, bikers, backpackers, picture-takers, and campers flock to this place in great numbers. If you love solitude and Nature this is the place that you will like situated in a corner of the country which only a few people frequent.
New Mexico has the most picturesque landscape and you will enjoy traveling to this part of the country. There are also forts and national monuments down in this part of the country and if you have planned your vacation well no wonder you will enjoy every bit of it.
Now there you go, a detailed list. For more information, check out this link provided by the state government.
Last Updated on by Namita Soren
