Calling all New Mexico nature lovers! If you are looking for a reason to hit the road and explore the Land of Enchantment, you’ll want to take a look at these locations to add to your nature bucket list. How many of these places have you visited?
- Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness
GPA Photo Archive/Flickr First on our list is one of New Mexico’s most striking badlands, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. This remote area is located near Chaco Canyon and is filled with amazingly colorful hills, towering hoodoos, and hidden fossils.
- Bisti/De Na Zin Wilderness
Mobilus In Mobili/Flickr Another badlands area, Bisti/De Na Zin Wilderness sits a short distance from Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah and is just as beautiful. Here, you’ll find petrified wood, fossils, and exceptionally surreal rock formations.
- The Blue Hole
Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr Located in the town of Santa Rosa, this epic swimming hole is one of the best places for scuba diving in our land-locked state. The water appears a brilliant blue and extends 80 feet down.
- Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
theilr/Flickr This wildlife refuge sits just south of San Antonio in southern New Mexico. It is a quiet area perfect for bird watching, nature walks, and silent sunset views.
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
John Fowler/Flickr No nature bucket list would be complete without mentioning Carlsbad Caverns near Carlsbad in southern New Mexico. The entrance down a winding walkway is the most impressive way to experience the cavern, as well as a lamplight tour.
- Cimarron Canyon State Park
Jeff H/Google Not everyone realizes New Mexico has some wonderfully lush forests, and that is just what you’ll find at this underrated state park east of Eagle Nest. Scenic areas like the Palisades Sill (seen above) and the Cimarron River make this a must-see area in summer.
- El Malpais National Monument
Diana Robinson/Flickr This park is located near Grants and has some fascinating sights. While its name refers to the badlands, the area is also known for its lava tube caves, cinder cones, and sprawling grasslands.
- Jordan Hot Springs
Ted Brennis/AllTrails Add this long hike to your bucket list because the end sight is worth the trek. The trail to Jordan Hot Springs measures approximately 14 miles along the Middle Fork Gila River deep in the Gila Wilderness.
- Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
John Fowler/Flickr Looking forward to checking out some impressive rock formations? Be sure to pay a visit to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks near Cochiti Pueblo. You’ll find some stunning cone-shaped formations and a slot canyon.
- Nambe Falls
Angelo Mitchell/Google Located about 45 minutes north of Santa Fe, Nambe Falls is a stunning double waterfall accessible through a short hike. The water is cold but this location is still a refreshing find.
- Sandia Crest
John Fowler/Flickr The Sandia Mountains overlook Albuquerque and the crest is its highest point. You can view this lovely sight either by hiking or on the Sandia Peak Tramway.
- Trampas Lakes
James Kipp/AllTrails You will need to trek about seven miles to reach these lovely lakes but it’s a journey worth the sore calves and sweat.
- Valles Caldera National Preserve
docbadger1/Flickr This massive volcanic caldera is located within the Jemez Mountains and is home to many hot springs, volcanic domes, and grasslands within the caldera itself. It also happens to be one of the top locations to watch elk and other wildlife.
- Wheeler Peak
Ronni Jacobs/AllTrails New Mexico’s highest point reaches 13,159 feet at Wheeler Peak Summit. The hike here is just four miles one-way but is steep and windy, so be prepared for a difficult trek with outstanding views.
- White Sands National Park
J.J./Flickr And, finally, one of our state’s most famous landscapes is a must-see: White Sands National Park. Watch the sprawling white gypsum dunes sparkle during the day and sunset or see the stars glimmer in the night sky here.
New Mexico is home to an amazing number of beautiful locations, that we couldn’t possibly fit them all onto this list. What are some other locations you think belong on a future bucket list? Share your thoughts in the comments or by submitting a nomination, and don’t forget to check out our New Mexico Nature Lovers Facebook group, where you’ll find tons of other local adventurers sharing the amazing places they explore!
GPA Photo Archive/Flickr
First on our list is one of New Mexico’s most striking badlands, Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness. This remote area is located near Chaco Canyon and is filled with amazingly colorful hills, towering hoodoos, and hidden fossils.
Mobilus In Mobili/Flickr
Another badlands area, Bisti/De Na Zin Wilderness sits a short distance from Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah and is just as beautiful. Here, you’ll find petrified wood, fossils, and exceptionally surreal rock formations.
Deborah Lee Soltesz/Flickr
Located in the town of Santa Rosa, this epic swimming hole is one of the best places for scuba diving in our land-locked state. The water appears a brilliant blue and extends 80 feet down.
theilr/Flickr
This wildlife refuge sits just south of San Antonio in southern New Mexico. It is a quiet area perfect for bird watching, nature walks, and silent sunset views.
John Fowler/Flickr
No nature bucket list would be complete without mentioning Carlsbad Caverns near Carlsbad in southern New Mexico. The entrance down a winding walkway is the most impressive way to experience the cavern, as well as a lamplight tour.
Jeff H/Google
Not everyone realizes New Mexico has some wonderfully lush forests, and that is just what you’ll find at this underrated state park east of Eagle Nest. Scenic areas like the Palisades Sill (seen above) and the Cimarron River make this a must-see area in summer.
Diana Robinson/Flickr
This park is located near Grants and has some fascinating sights. While its name refers to the badlands, the area is also known for its lava tube caves, cinder cones, and sprawling grasslands.
Ted Brennis/AllTrails
Add this long hike to your bucket list because the end sight is worth the trek. The trail to Jordan Hot Springs measures approximately 14 miles along the Middle Fork Gila River deep in the Gila Wilderness.
Looking forward to checking out some impressive rock formations? Be sure to pay a visit to Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks near Cochiti Pueblo. You’ll find some stunning cone-shaped formations and a slot canyon.
Angelo Mitchell/Google
Located about 45 minutes north of Santa Fe, Nambe Falls is a stunning double waterfall accessible through a short hike. The water is cold but this location is still a refreshing find.
The Sandia Mountains overlook Albuquerque and the crest is its highest point. You can view this lovely sight either by hiking or on the Sandia Peak Tramway.
James Kipp/AllTrails
You will need to trek about seven miles to reach these lovely lakes but it’s a journey worth the sore calves and sweat.
docbadger1/Flickr
This massive volcanic caldera is located within the Jemez Mountains and is home to many hot springs, volcanic domes, and grasslands within the caldera itself. It also happens to be one of the top locations to watch elk and other wildlife.
Ronni Jacobs/AllTrails
New Mexico’s highest point reaches 13,159 feet at Wheeler Peak Summit. The hike here is just four miles one-way but is steep and windy, so be prepared for a difficult trek with outstanding views.
J.J./Flickr
And, finally, one of our state’s most famous landscapes is a must-see: White Sands National Park. Watch the sprawling white gypsum dunes sparkle during the day and sunset or see the stars glimmer in the night sky here.
Not every scenic location around the state can be accessed by the public. One location that is stunning with limited access is Lechuguilla Cave, located at Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico. Read about the cave and a recent discovery there in This Never Before Seen Aquamarine Pool Is Hiding Inside Lechuguilla Cave In New Mexico.
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Address: Bloomfield, NM 87413, USAAddress: Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, County Road 7297, Bloomfield, NM 87413, USAAddress: The Blue Hole, 1085 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM 88435, USAAddress: Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 1001 NM-1, San Antonio, NM 87832, USAAddress: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USAAddress: Cimarron Canyon State Park, 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718, USAAddress: El Malpais National Monument, Grants, NM, USAAddress: Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, 0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, USAAddress: Nambe Falls, New Mexico 87506, USAAddress: Sandia Crest, New Mexico 87008, USAAddress: Trampas Lakes, New Mexico 87521, USAAddress: Valles Caldera National Preserve, 39201 NM-4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USAAddress: Wheeler Peak, New Mexico 87525, USAAddress: White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
