Mountain ranges shape and define the landscape of New Mexico, contributing to the state’s natural beauty. Although we don’t have any fourteeners like our neighbor, Colorado, we come pretty close. Whether you’re interested in scaling the most beautiful mountains in New Mexico or just want to admire them, here are some of the best mountains that our state has to offer.

I’ve focused on peaks with high prominence, because they tend to be more dramatic. They’re listed by descending elevation (according to Peakbagger).

1. Wheeler Peak, 13,166 feet
Flickr/David Herrera
The tallest mountain in New Mexico is Wheeler Peak. Located near Taos, it belongs to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The latter is the southernmost range in the Rockies.
2. Truchas Peak, 13,107 feet
Flickr/Kerry
Truchas Peak is also in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in the Pecos Wilderness Area. Driving along the High Road to Taos affords you great views of its summit.
3. Jicarita Peak, 12,840 feet
Flickr/Over The Arroyo Gang
Another highlight of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is Jicarita Peak. A rough map, discovered on the bodies of two dead prospectors, launched rumors that there is a gold mine hidden somewhere up here.
4. Santa Fe Baldy, 12,622
Flickr/Will Keightley
This is the last of the Sangre de Cristo peaks on this list. While this range is interesting for its youth—in geological terms, 30 million years is the new 30—and because it continues to rise, there are many other dramatic ranges in New Mexico to cover.
5. Sierra Blanca Peak, 11,977 feet
Wikimedia Commons/Breeze333 cbx
SIerra Blanca, in the Sacramento Mountains near Capitan, scores the title of highest peak in the southern half of New Mexico. It also has the highest prominence in the state, so it appears particularly impressive!
6. Chicoma Mountain, 11,561 feet
Wikimedia Commons/JerryFriedman
Chicoma Mountain is part of the Jemez Mountains, and is located in the southern portion of the Rockies, near Espanola.
7. Mount Taylor, 11,306 feet
Flickr/Brendan Bombaci
This extinct volcano is near the town of Grants, in the San Mateo Mountains. It's one of four mountains that the Navajo hold sacred.

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8. Whitewater Baldy, 10,899 feet
Wikimedia Commons/Gila National Forest
Whitewater Baldy is formed from volcanic matter and, despite its name, this peak is not actually bare. It's located in Gila National Forest, near Glenwood.
9. Sandia Crest 10,682 feet
Flickr/OpenThreads
Sandia Crest towers over Albuquerque, providing panoramic vistas of the city. If skiing's your thing, you can use the Sandia Peak webcam to check on conditions before leaving the comfort of your home.
10. Capitan Peak, 10,086 feet
Wikimedia Commons/uıɐɾ ʞ ʇɐɯɐs
Unlike most of New Mexico's ranges the Capitan Mountains, near the town of the same name, run from east to west. In 1950, an injured bear cub was found in the mountains following a forest fire. You probably know him as Smokey Bear!
11. Ladron Peak, 9143 feet
Flickr/Michael Zanussi
Ladron Peak, situated in the small mountain range known as the Sierra Ladrones, dominates the landscape near Socorro.
12. Organ Needle, 8980 feet
Flickr/Samat Jain
The Organ Needle is the tallest part of the Organ Mountains, which are named for the instrument that the steep peaks resemble. In 2014, this area became a national monument, encompassing 500,000 acres of land near Las Cruces.
13. Big Hatchet Peak, 8356 feet
Wikimedia Commons/streeyyr
Head to Big Hatchet Peak if you want to get away from it all. Close to both the Texan and Mexican borders, this peak feels both remote and rugged.
14. Florida Peak, 7448 feet
Flickr/Patrick Alexander
Since the desert around nearby Deming is flat, Florida Peak appears grander than its elevation suggests.

What’s your favorite out of these beautiful mountains in New Mexico? Do you prefer the views from the bottom or from the top? Share your experiences in the comments.

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More to Explore

Beautiful Mountains In New Mexico

Leah | May 22, 2020

Which state parks should I visit in New Mexico?

There are many things to see in New Mexico, and the state's beautiful parks are perfect places to do so. The Bottomless Lakes State Park is a popular choice for a day trip. People enjoy swimming in the sinkhole-formed lakes, or even scuba diving. If you're into history more than scenery, try the Pancho Villa State Park near Columbus. Want to explore desert canyons? Visit the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, located close to Alamogordo, that has stunning views and trails that wind through towering canyons. These are just a few of the many fantastic state parks throughout the Land of Enchantment.

What's the most beautiful place in New Mexico?

Throughout the landscape of New Mexico, there are many memorable and picture-worthy places that could be considered the most beautiful of all. Mesmerizing places like the White Sands National Monument continue to amaze thousands of people who visit it. Other spots, like the view from the top of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, are easily considered spectacular to see in person. Beyond the natural scenery, the state's cities could be considered beautiful places, as well. The historic districts of Santa Fe and Albuquerque are full of culture and architectural sights. Needless to say, it can be hard to decide which is the most beautiful place in New Mexico when there are so many that deserve the title.

What is the most popular outdoor adventure in New Mexico?

Hiking through the most beautiful mountains in New Mexico might have you itching for more outdoor adventures. Luckily for you, there are plenty of options for that within the state. You can raft down the Rio Grande Gorge for exciting fun and impressive sights. Explore intricate cave systems at the popular Carlsbad Caverns and you certainly won't regret it. There are even places that'll make you feel like you're adventuring on another planet, like at the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, with its unusually shaped geological formations. Thousands of people visit these places every year, and for good reason.

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Featured Addresses
Wheeler Peak, New Mexico 87525, USA
Truchas Peak, New Mexico 87742, USA
Jicarita Peak, New Mexico 87579, USA
Santa Fe Baldy, New Mexico 87506, USA
Sierra Blanca Peak, New Mexico 88340, USA
Chicoma Mountain, New Mexico, USA
Mount Taylor, Mt Taylor, New Mexico 87020, USA
Whitewater Baldy, New Mexico 88039, USA
Sandia Crest, New Mexico 87008, USA
Capitan Peak, New Mexico 88316, USA
Ladron Peak, New Mexico, USA
Organ Needle, New Mexico 88011, USA
Big Hatchet Peak, New Mexico 88040, USA
Florida Peak, New Mexico 88030, USA