New Mexico Vacation Ideas
New Mexico landscapes are truly awe-inspiring.
For centuries photographers and artists like Ansel Adam's (Moon over Hernandez) and Georgia O'Keeffe have drawn inspiration from the land.
More than 45% of New Mexico is in public ownership. Campers, hikers, geologists, spelunkers, biologists and botanists come to New Mexico and explore everything from the mountains in the north to the desert in the south.
You can hike, mountain bike, road bike, ride ATVs and horses, go off-highway, ski, skate, hunt, snowshoe, RV, rock climb and cave.
New Mexico's 34 State Parks, consisting of lakes, canyons, forests, historical sites and even dinosaur tracks.
White Sands National Monument
Preserving a major portion of this unique dune field rises from the heart of the Tularosa Basin and is one of the world's great natural wonders.
It's glistening white sands of great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert and created the world's largest gypsum dune field.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Come here to see the world's finest example of a fossilized reef, a complex and unique collection of flora and fauna. Experience finding plants and animals whose mastery of survival will amaze you.
This hikers' paradise has more than 80 miles of trails that meander through woodland canyons, lush springs, and zigzag up steep switchbacks directly into the park's rugged wilderness.
Many trails are available for horseback riding if you bring your own stock.
Enjoy unlimited opportunities for stargazing under pristine night skies. New Mexico is a great opportunity to teach yourself and the children about the planets and the night sky.
One of my favorite things to do is look for constellations and for just a few dollars you can pick up a star finder. It's not hard to do and it is a lifetime of knowledge and fun for everyone.
The park is a wonderful place to look at fossils and learn about the Permian Age.
El Malpais National Monument
The jagged volcanic terrain is great for a variety of activities such as hiking, spelunking and primitive camping.
Very few trails exist at El Malpais National Monument. Hikers need to be prepared to apply route-finding skills to avoid becoming lost. So bring your Map and Compass.
This volcanic area holds many surprises. Lava flows, cinder cones, pressure ridges and complex lava tubes dominate the landscape. Prehistoric ruins, rock structures, and homesteads remind us of past times.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
There are more than 300 known caves beneath the surface of the Chihuahuan Desert, Guadalupe Mountains and west Texas.
This park contains 113 of these caves.
The caves where formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone, creating some of the largest caves in North America.
The main section of the cave, the Big Room is 8.2-acres. These caverns are one of the more impressive sites you can see in the United States.
Native American Culture
The mystique cultural stories and traditions that have been passed down through the generations and are fundamental to New Mexico.
Their unique languages, colorful dances, beautiful arts and crafts are a prominent part of New Mexico's rich cultural history.
Each of New Mexico's Native American communities has their own beliefs to explain their origins of the earth and sky, wind and water, sun and moon, and their ancestors.
Many Native Americans believe their people originated from the earth itself, and are as natural and integral to New Mexico as its native trees and terrain.
They are truly an essential part of New Mexico to rejoice in.
Lakes and Rivers
New Mexico has over 1200 lakes and 200 miles of rivers. Motor boating, sailing, kayaking, rafting, canoeing and just about every other water sport can be enjoyed here.
Many lakes offer primitive camping along their shorelines. Others with sheltered coves offer the ability to houseboat.
Virtually all of New Mexico's rivers rely on melting mountain snow pack to keep them going. Because of this, some of the most exciting whitewater runs can be found in the northern part of the state.
Experienced whitewater enthusiasts choose the Rio Grande west of Taos for a good ride.
Fishing
In New Mexico Black Bass, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass can be found with regularity.
Black Bass are the most aggressive game fish in New Mexico. Originally found east of the Mississippi, black bass (which include largemouth and smallmouth species) have been transplanted throughout the West.
Known for their ravenous appetites and short tempers, Black Bass feed on just about anything they can find, including small fish, crayfish, worms, lizards, insects, mice, small birds, and frogs.
Largemouth Bass spends most of its time in its home range, a small, concealed area of deep cover, quietly waiting for food to come its way. Elephant Butte, Ute, and Conchas are our best largemouth reservoirs.
Smallmouth Bass are found in cool-water reservoirs, as well as in portions of the Gila River. They prefer rocky underwater habitat. Ute, Conchas, Elephant Butte, and Abiquiu are our best smallmouth reservoirs.
Camping and Hiking
New Mexico is called the "Land of Enchantment" for a reason. Panoramic mountain vistas, pristine mountain streams are as compelling as it gets.
An abundance of public hiking trails and campgrounds in Federal land as well as on several Indian reservations (with a permit) make New Mexico a prime location for hiking, hunting and fishing.
Most backcountry hiking and camping is free, although permits are required. Generally, you can drive on roads and pitch a tent in most areas of National Forests.
New Mexico is a fantastic place to explore. It is wide open and waiting for you!