Unable to do any hiking right now? Don’t worry because enjoying New Mexico’s alluring landscapes can be just as easy as hopping in your car and driving down the road. For some spectacular mountain views, you’ll want to drive up one of these grand New Mexico mountains.
- The Black Range
Tom Blackwell/Flickr The Black Range Mountains are rugged yet a lovely sight in southwestern New Mexico via State Road 152. Among the high points here is Emory Pass Vista, a nice stop about halfway up the mountains where you’ll be able to see other parts of the Gila National Forest for miles.
- Pajarito Mountain
Larry Lamsa/Flickr New Mexico love hiking the trails in the Jemez Mountains but you can also drive up to Pajarito Mountain on the eastern foothills. Camp May Road from Las Alamos leads up to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area with little side roads for a quick pull off.
- Sacramento Mountains
Volkan Yuksel/Google Another lovely mountain drive is through the Sacramento Mountains in Lincoln National Forest, home to Cloudcroft and a short drive from Alamogordo. Drive in a loop along Highway 82 and Cox Canyon Highway for a scenic and easy day trip.
- San Mateo Mountains
Ian Hutchinson/Google If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, then you will enjoy the ride and views up the San Mateo Mountains to La Mosca Lookout near Mount Taylor. From Grants, take State Road 547 to Mount Taylor Trailhead. From here, you can take a small dirt road up to the lookout.
- Sandia Mountains
katie wheeler/Flickr Any drive up a New Mexico mountain isn’t complete without a trip up to the Sandia Crest. Drive up State Road 536 from Sandia Park, located on the eastern side of the mountains to capture a view of the most impressive sunsets you’ll ever see.
- Sangre de Cristo Mountains
James Jordan/Flickr Drive through some portions of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, a loop of Highways 64, 522, and 38. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful views like those above, as well as driving through some quaint mountain towns.
Those make for some beautiful views, don’t you think? If we missed any mountain drives, be sure to let us know about your favorite and we may feature it in a future article!
Tom Blackwell/Flickr
The Black Range Mountains are rugged yet a lovely sight in southwestern New Mexico via State Road 152. Among the high points here is Emory Pass Vista, a nice stop about halfway up the mountains where you’ll be able to see other parts of the Gila National Forest for miles.
Larry Lamsa/Flickr
New Mexico love hiking the trails in the Jemez Mountains but you can also drive up to Pajarito Mountain on the eastern foothills. Camp May Road from Las Alamos leads up to the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area with little side roads for a quick pull off.
Volkan Yuksel/Google
Another lovely mountain drive is through the Sacramento Mountains in Lincoln National Forest, home to Cloudcroft and a short drive from Alamogordo. Drive in a loop along Highway 82 and Cox Canyon Highway for a scenic and easy day trip.
Ian Hutchinson/Google
If you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, then you will enjoy the ride and views up the San Mateo Mountains to La Mosca Lookout near Mount Taylor. From Grants, take State Road 547 to Mount Taylor Trailhead. From here, you can take a small dirt road up to the lookout.
katie wheeler/Flickr
Any drive up a New Mexico mountain isn’t complete without a trip up to the Sandia Crest. Drive up State Road 536 from Sandia Park, located on the eastern side of the mountains to capture a view of the most impressive sunsets you’ll ever see.
James Jordan/Flickr
Drive through some portions of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, a loop of Highways 64, 522, and 38. Along the way, you’ll see beautiful views like those above, as well as driving through some quaint mountain towns.
Looking for more scenic roads to take around the state? If traveling on the backroads is more your style, you’ll want to see some of our favorite suggestions in The 7 Best Backroads In New Mexico For A Long Scenic Drive.
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Address: Emory Pass, New Mexico 88042, USAAddress: La Mosca Lookout, New Mexico 87020, USAAddress: Pajarito Mountain, New Mexico 87025, USAAddress: Salinas Peak, New Mexico, USAAddress: Sandia Crest, New Mexico 87008, USAAddress: Sangre De Cristo Mountain Dr, Arroyo Hondo, NM 87529, USA
