12 Hidden Gems You Have To See In New Mexico Before You Die
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Juliet White
Author
New Mexico is known for major attractions like White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. However, as a state, we have a lot more to offer and many of our best attractions are a little off the beaten path. Here are several hidden gems in New Mexico that we believe everyone should see before they die.
1. Red Rock Park And Museum, Church Rock
Red Rock Park, 825 Outlaw Rd, Church Rock, NM 87311, USA
If you’re searching for a unique campground or hiking spot, head to Red Rock Park near Gallup. The vibrant rock formations here are more than 200 million years old. In other words, you’re looking at something that dinosaurs could have stared at - take a moment to absorb that. It’s pretty mind blowing. Both the Church Rock and Pyramid Rock Trails are moderately challenging hikes that offer dramatic views and solitude. Each is easy to complete in an afternoon.
Enjoy a flyover of Red Rock Park in New Mexico in this video from Hi-Tech Hikers:
Enjoy a flyover of Red Rock Park in New Mexico in this video from Hi-Tech Hikers:
2. Town of Lincoln
Lincoln, NM 88338, USA
Billed as "The Most Authentic Old West Town Remaining in the United States," Lincoln truly feels frozen in time. It’s easy to imagine the Lincoln County War that raged here and you almost expect outlaws like Billy the Kid to swing open a saloon door and swagger onto the main drag.
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3. Catwalk Trail, Glenwood
Catwalk Recreation Area, Catwalk Road, Glenwood, NM 88039, USA
The Catwalk Trail runs through Whitewater Canyon, along the path of an old water pipeline. You can still see some of the bolts that used to anchor the pipe to the rock walls. This visually stunning hike features a suspension bridge and a waterfall.
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4. Tinkertown, Sandia Park
Tinkertown Museum, 121 Sandia Crest Rd, Sandia Park, NM 87047, USA
There's only one Tinkertown. This folk art museum was constructed by Ross Ward who had a great love of collecting and little interest in building codes! The result is this sprawling complex, which consists of walls studded with glass bottles and old wheels, along with groups of figurines and circus memorabilia that you really have to see to believe.
5. Sitting Bull Falls, near Queen
Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico 88220, USA
This remote recreation area in the vicinity of Carlsbad conceals a wonderful surprise: a waterfall swimming hole. Sitting Bull Falls pours 150 feet down a rock face, into a clear pool below. There are 16 miles of trails to explore throughout this day-use area.
6. Plaza Blanca, near Abiquiu
Plaza Blanca, NM 87551, USA
Also called The White Place, Plaza Blanca contains an otherworldly grouping of bleached rock formations that you can clamber over and through. This area was popularized by Georgia O'Keeffe who was inspired to paint the awe-inspiring scenery.
Let's go on an adventure to Plaza Blanca, NM in this video from Antares Wong:
Let's go on an adventure to Plaza Blanca, NM in this video from Antares Wong:
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7. Earthships, near Taos
Taos, NM 87571, USA
For a uniquely New Mexican getaway, rent one of the Earthships near Taos. Whether you're interested in sustainable living or just drawn to unusual dwellings, this is sure to be a stay you'll remember forever. You can tour the Earthship Biotecture to learn about these curvy, creative, and eco-friendly structures.
8. Navajo Lake, near Turley
Navajo Lake, New Mexico 87419, USA
Navajo Lake is located in northwestern New Mexico, far from any freeways. As a result, the wonderful boating, fishing, and camping opportunities here are often overlooked.
This 15,600-acre reservoir spills over the border into Colorado, but the bulk of it is in New Mexico.
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9. Cloud-Climbing Trestle Trail, Cloudcroft
Cloudcroft, NM 88317, USA
High in the Lincoln National Forest is one of New Mexico's most successful rail-to-trail conversions. A 1.2-mile hike through cool mountain forests culminates at a viewing point that showcases the remains of the wooden Mexican Canyon Trestle.
10. Cimarron Canyon State Park
Cimarron Canyon State Park, 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718, USA
Cimarron Canyon is a particularly beautiful and peaceful state park. It's inside the Colin Neblatt Wildlife Area, which makes it a great place for wildlife watching. Follow the Clear Creek Trail for a walk that provides views of waterfalls.
11. Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, Candy Kitchen
Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, 378 Candy Kitchen Rd, Ramah, NM 87321, USA
The wolves and wolf-dogs at this 90-acre sanctuary are all rescues. In zoo settings, wolves tend to be elusive but here you'll see plenty. Although it costs more, signing up for a wolf encounter gives you the chance to observe a wolf up close or even take a walk with one. Just don't ask to share that pumpkin!
12. The Spy House, Albuquerque
Albuquerque, NM, USA
One of the two houses that make up this bed and breakfast is dubbed The Spy House. It was here that Soviet spy David Greenglass handed information about the Manhattan Project over to his contact. Once a month, a murder mystery dinner is held here - double the intrigue.
Learn more about The Spy House in this video from History of New Mexico with Ronn Perea:
Learn more about The Spy House in this video from History of New Mexico with Ronn Perea:
Which of these hidden gems in New Mexico have you visited? Do you have a favorite hidden gem on (or off) this list that you’d like to share?
Be sure to check out our previous article about some of the small towns in New Mexico that may surprise you. These New Mexico hidden gems may be off the beaten path, but they’re hiding some big attractions.
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More to Explore
Exploring New Mexico
What are some of the best hidden gems in New Mexico?
New Mexico offers a unique landscape of natural wonders from desert environments to wide sweeping plains to underground seemingly alien worlds. Here are a few of the best hidden gems in New Mexico:
- Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad, NM: This fantastic natural wonder is the eighth-longest cave in the world. It isn't open to public exploration so it is still in a relatively pristine condition. Because of that, the images are incredible and surreal. With enchanting rock and mineral formations like cave pearls, hydromagnesite balloons, soda straws, rusticles, and aquamarine pools surrounded by mineral deposits, the Lechuguilla Cave is incredibly unique and precious.
- Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, Farmington, NM: With a name like "wilderness" one might expect a lush forest, but this wilderness is an other-worldly barren desert of interesting rock formations. These weird and wild formations are made from layers of sandstone, shale, mudstone, coal, and silt. Over millions of years, they have eroded into unique shapes that feel like an alien landscape. It is truly one of the most remarkable NM hidden gems.
- Bosque del Apache, Socorro, NM: This wonderful wildlife refuge covers 57,331 acres of wetlands and floodplains. Because of its unique biodiversity and habitat, it is the winter home to many species of waterfowl including sandhill cranes and geese. Imagine the sky filled to the brim with birds like a waterfall shooting into the sky. That's what migration season is like in this incredible wildlife refuge. Peek season is between November and January with an annual crane festival occurring in November.
There are numerous natural wonders and hidden gems in New Mexico to discover. If you are on the hunt for more fun places to explore, check out our list of 12 natural attractions in NM you really should visit. Hop in an RV from RVShare and go exploring!