Scenic Drives

When I first moved to New Mexico, way back in 2010, I wanted to get out and explore the state. I thought scenic drives would be a great way to do that, since at the time I had a toddler and an infant. I went to my local library and checked out the book Scenic Drives of New Mexico by Laurence Parent. His book provided a gateway of exploration to the Land of Enchantment. All of the scenic drives come from his book. For a full description of each scenic drive, be sure to check it out.

So check out these amazing scenic drives and explore the Land of Enchantment! Blog posts in red have links to posts about that scenic drive.

Johnson Mesa and Capulin Volcano – Raton to Capulin

The Enchanted Circle – Taos to Red River Loop

The High Road – Santa Fe to Taos

Brazos Summit – Tres Piedras to Tierra Amarilla

Cumbres Pass – Chama to Antonito, CO

Ghost Ranch – Abqiui to Tierra Amarilla

Valle Grande – White Rock to Jemez Pueblo

Sante Fe Scenic Byway – Santa Fe to Santa Fe Ski Area

Pecos River – Pecos to Cowles

Sangre de Cristo Mountains and Mora Valley – Vadito to La Cueva

Angel Fire – Mora to Angel Fire

Chaco Culture National Historic Park – US Highway 550 to Chaco Culture National Historic Park

El Malpais and El Morro National Monuments – Grants to El Morro

El Malpais National Conservation Area – Grants to Quemado

The Turquoise Trail – Tijeras to Santa Fe

Sandia Crest Scenic Byway – San Antonito to Sandia Crest

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument – Tijeras to Gran Quivira

Magdalena Mountains – Socorro to South Baldy

Plains of San Agustin and the Beefsteak Trail – Magdalena to Apache Creek

Southwestern Mountain Country – Glenwood to Quemado

Gila Wilderness and Mogollan Ghost Town – Alma to Snow Lake

The Inner Loop Scenic Byway – Silver City to Gila Cliff Dwellings

Kingston-Hillsboro Ghost Towns – San Lorenzo to Hillsboro

Heart of the Sands Drive – White Sands National Monument

Cloudcroft – Alamogordo to Cloudcroft

Sunspot Scenic Byway – Cloudcroft to Sunspot

Sacramento Mountains Crest – Cloudcroft to Ruidoso

Sierra Blanca Peak – Alto to Ski Apache

Carlsbad Cavens Highway and Scenic Loop – Whites City to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Sitting Bull Falls and The Ridge Road – Sitting Bull Falls to Guadalupe Ridge

The Black Range – Mimbres Valley to Chloride

Valle Vidal – Costilla to Cimarron

Cimarron Canyon Cimarron to Eagles Nest