Although there’s always something to do when you live in a city, rural living has its benefits as well. Communities tend to be close-knit and the pace of life is more relaxed. Plus, you’re surrounded by vast expanses of untouched New Mexico, just waiting to be explored. So if you want to escape from it all for a weekend, or permanently, head to these most peaceful towns in New Mexico.
- Radium Springs, population 1699.
Wikimedia Commons/Rosenthal, James W.,
Wikimedia Commons/AllenS If the idea of living in a small community that is also near a city appeals, Radium Springs may be the place you’re looking for. It’s located approximately 20 miles north of Las Cruces.
The peaceful Leasburg Dam State Park, which has a cactus garden and an observatory, is in Radium Springs. Fort Selden is also just south of town. This U.S. Army fort housed forces, including Buffalo Soldiers, who were charged with protecting Las Cruces.
- Pecos, population 1392.
WIkimedia Commons/Landon Sutherland
Flickr/tivolatman Pecos is roughly 24 miles from Santa Fe but, because the town is surrounded by the stunning Pecos Wilderness, it feels much more remote. If you’re into fishing, hiking, or photography, you’ll love it here.
The town is also home to the Pecos National Historical Park, which preserves the ruins of both a pueblo and a Spanish mission.
- Cuba, population 731.
Flickr/Jasperdo
Flickr/Doug Kerr The land around Cuba is beautiful, consisting of vibrant rock formations and badlands. Despite the town’s small size, there are several good restaurants, including El Bruno’s Restaurant Y Cantina, which has been serving New Mexican cuisine since 1975.
- Lordsburg, population 2797.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/Loco Steve Lordsburg has a history worth remembering. Elizabeth Garrett, the daughter of the legendary Pat Garrett, wrote our state song, “O Fair New Mexico,” in Lordsburg. During WWII, the town was also the site of an internment camp for Japanese-Americans combined with a prisoner of war camp.
Nowadays, Lordsburg is a great spot for birding and it’s next to the ghost town of Shakespeare.
- Magdalena, population 938.
Flickr/Stephen Bugno
Flickr/Chuck Coker Magdalena used to be a mining town, centered around the Kelly Mine. It’s now turning into an artsy enclave on the San Agustin Plains.
Magdalena is close to the Very Large Array, an important and impressive astronomical radio observatory.
- Cloudcroft, population 674.
Flickr/Marko Forsten
Flickr/Samat Jain If you’re craving a mountain retreat, check out Cloudcroft. The town’s amenities include a haunted hotel, and plenty of outdoor activities like golfing, skiing, hiking the rail trail, and fishing. There’s even a light opera company!
- Reserve, population 289.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Yelp/Chris E.
Despite its teeny size, Reserve has a couple of quality restaurants. The town sits on the edge of the Gila Wilderness.
An infamous gunfight occurred here in 1884, when deputy sheriff Elfego Baca arrested some Texan cowboys. Upon their release, the cowboys sought revenge on Baca, who endured a 33 hour siege, during which he killed three of his attackers.
- Clayton, population 2980.
Flickr/Lane B.
Yelp/Willanne W. Downtown Clayton contains charming and well-preserved buildings such as the Hotel Eklund, which was built in 1892. Just beyond town, lies the Kiowa National Grassland and also Clayton Lake State Park. More than 500 dinosaur footprints have been uncovered in the park. Even dinosaurs thought this place was worth visiting!
- Glenwood, population 143.
Wikimedia Commons/Peter Potrowl
Wikimedia Commons/Brian W. Schaller Glenwood, nestled in the Gila Wilderness, is known for its hot springs and dark night skies - ideal for stargazing. The Catwalk National Recreation Trail, which follows the path of an old water pipeline, is due to reopen later this year.
Have you lived in or visited any of these most peaceful towns in New Mexico? Where in the state do you go to escape from it all?
Wikimedia Commons/Rosenthal, James W.,
Wikimedia Commons/AllenS
If the idea of living in a small community that is also near a city appeals, Radium Springs may be the place you’re looking for. It’s located approximately 20 miles north of Las Cruces.
The peaceful Leasburg Dam State Park, which has a cactus garden and an observatory, is in Radium Springs. Fort Selden is also just south of town. This U.S. Army fort housed forces, including Buffalo Soldiers, who were charged with protecting Las Cruces.
WIkimedia Commons/Landon Sutherland
Flickr/tivolatman
Pecos is roughly 24 miles from Santa Fe but, because the town is surrounded by the stunning Pecos Wilderness, it feels much more remote. If you’re into fishing, hiking, or photography, you’ll love it here.
The town is also home to the Pecos National Historical Park, which preserves the ruins of both a pueblo and a Spanish mission.
Flickr/Jasperdo
Flickr/Doug Kerr
The land around Cuba is beautiful, consisting of vibrant rock formations and badlands. Despite the town’s small size, there are several good restaurants, including El Bruno’s Restaurant Y Cantina, which has been serving New Mexican cuisine since 1975.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Flickr/Loco Steve
Lordsburg has a history worth remembering. Elizabeth Garrett, the daughter of the legendary Pat Garrett, wrote our state song, “O Fair New Mexico,” in Lordsburg. During WWII, the town was also the site of an internment camp for Japanese-Americans combined with a prisoner of war camp.
Nowadays, Lordsburg is a great spot for birding and it’s next to the ghost town of Shakespeare.
Flickr/Stephen Bugno
Flickr/Chuck Coker
Magdalena used to be a mining town, centered around the Kelly Mine. It’s now turning into an artsy enclave on the San Agustin Plains.
Magdalena is close to the Very Large Array, an important and impressive astronomical radio observatory.
Flickr/Marko Forsten
Flickr/Samat Jain
If you’re craving a mountain retreat, check out Cloudcroft. The town’s amenities include a haunted hotel, and plenty of outdoor activities like golfing, skiing, hiking the rail trail, and fishing. There’s even a light opera company!
Yelp/Chris E.
Despite its teeny size, Reserve has a couple of quality restaurants. The town sits on the edge of the Gila Wilderness.
An infamous gunfight occurred here in 1884, when deputy sheriff Elfego Baca arrested some Texan cowboys. Upon their release, the cowboys sought revenge on Baca, who endured a 33 hour siege, during which he killed three of his attackers.
Flickr/Lane B.
Yelp/Willanne W.
Downtown Clayton contains charming and well-preserved buildings such as the Hotel Eklund, which was built in 1892. Just beyond town, lies the Kiowa National Grassland and also Clayton Lake State Park. More than 500 dinosaur footprints have been uncovered in the park. Even dinosaurs thought this place was worth visiting!
Wikimedia Commons/Peter Potrowl
Wikimedia Commons/Brian W. Schaller
Glenwood, nestled in the Gila Wilderness, is known for its hot springs and dark night skies - ideal for stargazing. The Catwalk National Recreation Trail, which follows the path of an old water pipeline, is due to reopen later this year.
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Address: Radium Springs, NM 88007, USAAddress: Pecos, NM 87552, USAAddress: Cuba, NM 87013, USAAddress: Lordsburg, NM 88045, USAAddress: Magdalena, NM 87825, USAAddress: Cloudcroft, NM 88317, USAAddress: Reserve, NM 87830, USAAddress: Clayton, NM 88415, USAAddress: Glenwood, Mogollon, NM 88039, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Peaceful Towns In New Mexico May 22, 2020 Leah What is the most beautiful small town in New Mexico? Out of all the small towns in New Mexico, you might be inclined to pick one particular one as the most beautiful. Cerrillos, located in Santa Fe County, would be many people’s top choice. The town is so perfectly picturesque that it was used for shooting movies in the 1950s. With western charm, a location on the Turquoise Trail, nearby state park, and more, it’s no wonder why Cerrillos is so well-liked. It’s tiny, with less than 250 residents, but thanks to that it’s quiet, peaceful, and delightfully charming to visit. Where is the best place to live in New Mexico? If you’re thinking about living in New Mexico, you’ve got plenty of options for wonderful places to live. It’s hard to say what is the best possible one to live in because what works for you might not work for someone else. When it comes to a place to raise a family, Los Alamos is a fantastic option. If you’re ready to retire, you might want to consider Las Cruces. Looking for a little corner of paradise to settle down? Places like Cloudcroft are surrounded by natural beauty. New Mexico also has urban environments for those who like city life, from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. What is the most unique town in New Mexico? The quietest spots in New Mexico are wonderful to relax and enjoy the little things, but if you’re feeling up to some new experiences, try one of the state’s many quirky towns. When you think of truly New Mexican things, chile may come to mind, and the title of the chile capital of the world has been claimed by one unique NM town: Hatch. This town is a chile lover’s dream, with the best quality chiles and amazing restaurants serving chile in just about every way possible. You can learn more about this fascinating place right here.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Peaceful Towns In New Mexico
May 22, 2020
Leah
What is the most beautiful small town in New Mexico? Out of all the small towns in New Mexico, you might be inclined to pick one particular one as the most beautiful. Cerrillos, located in Santa Fe County, would be many people’s top choice. The town is so perfectly picturesque that it was used for shooting movies in the 1950s. With western charm, a location on the Turquoise Trail, nearby state park, and more, it’s no wonder why Cerrillos is so well-liked. It’s tiny, with less than 250 residents, but thanks to that it’s quiet, peaceful, and delightfully charming to visit. Where is the best place to live in New Mexico? If you’re thinking about living in New Mexico, you’ve got plenty of options for wonderful places to live. It’s hard to say what is the best possible one to live in because what works for you might not work for someone else. When it comes to a place to raise a family, Los Alamos is a fantastic option. If you’re ready to retire, you might want to consider Las Cruces. Looking for a little corner of paradise to settle down? Places like Cloudcroft are surrounded by natural beauty. New Mexico also has urban environments for those who like city life, from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. What is the most unique town in New Mexico? The quietest spots in New Mexico are wonderful to relax and enjoy the little things, but if you’re feeling up to some new experiences, try one of the state’s many quirky towns. When you think of truly New Mexican things, chile may come to mind, and the title of the chile capital of the world has been claimed by one unique NM town: Hatch. This town is a chile lover’s dream, with the best quality chiles and amazing restaurants serving chile in just about every way possible. You can learn more about this fascinating place right here.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Out of all the small towns in New Mexico, you might be inclined to pick one particular one as the most beautiful. Cerrillos, located in Santa Fe County, would be many people’s top choice. The town is so perfectly picturesque that it was used for shooting movies in the 1950s. With western charm, a location on the Turquoise Trail, nearby state park, and more, it’s no wonder why Cerrillos is so well-liked. It’s tiny, with less than 250 residents, but thanks to that it’s quiet, peaceful, and delightfully charming to visit.
Where is the best place to live in New Mexico?
If you’re thinking about living in New Mexico, you’ve got plenty of options for wonderful places to live. It’s hard to say what is the best possible one to live in because what works for you might not work for someone else. When it comes to a place to raise a family, Los Alamos is a fantastic option. If you’re ready to retire, you might want to consider Las Cruces. Looking for a little corner of paradise to settle down? Places like Cloudcroft are surrounded by natural beauty. New Mexico also has urban environments for those who like city life, from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
What is the most unique town in New Mexico?
The quietest spots in New Mexico are wonderful to relax and enjoy the little things, but if you’re feeling up to some new experiences, try one of the state’s many quirky towns. When you think of truly New Mexican things, chile may come to mind, and the title of the chile capital of the world has been claimed by one unique NM town: Hatch. This town is a chile lover’s dream, with the best quality chiles and amazing restaurants serving chile in just about every way possible. You can learn more about this fascinating place right here.
