Sometimes you feel the need to get away from it all. But before you head out into the middle of nowhere, you want to ensure that your destination will deliver. Thankfully, there are quite a few spots considered the best remote places in New Mexico. Here are nine of them you can explore:

1. Russell’s Truck and Travel Center, Glenrio
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Stopping here is a great way to break up a long drive. While a travel center is usually just a pit stop rather than a destination in its own right, this is far more than a truck stop. Tour the on site vintage car museum, which features pristine classic cars. Then grab a bite at Russell’s Route 66 Diner. Added bonus: the museum is free.

Russell’s Truck and Travel Center is off a remote stretch of I-40, 39 miles east of Tucumcari, near the Texas border.

Website: Russell's Truck and Travel Center
2. Chaco Culture National Historic Park, Nageezi
Flickr/Pete Zarria
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Flickr/Aaron Fellmeth Photography
One of New Mexico’s biggest cultural attractions is also one of its most remote. To reach this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you have to bump along 24 miles of washboarded roads from the nearest town - Nageezi (population 286).

You’re rewarded with the chance to explore ruins that date back to between 1100-1300 A.D. At its zenith, Chaco was composed of 600 rooms, standing four stories high, and the site boasted 40 kivas.

Website: Chaco Culture National Historic Park
3. Sitting Bull Falls, near Queen
Yelp/Angie C.
Flickr/Paul David Gibson
In an out-of-the-way section of the Lincoln National Forest, a 150-foot high waterfall gushes over mossy rocks before plunging into a pool. The drive out here takes some time but it’s totally worth it to take a dip in a spring-fed pool underneath a waterfall.

Website: Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area
4. Gatherin' Place, Pie Town
Yelp/Bradford B.
Yelp/Natassia L.
Yelp/Natassia L.
Pie Town boasts 186 residents and, as the name suggests, a whole lot of pie. In fact, you have several options if you’d like to sample the dessert for which this town is known. Try the Gatherin’ Place, which is typically open every day. Begin your meal at with a bbq sandwich. The restaurant recently won an award for having the best bbq in Catron County - it's smoked with juniper cedar.

Website: Gatherin' Place Facebook page
5. Clayton Lake State Park, near Clayton
Flickr/Jim Patinka

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Clayton Lake State Park is 13 miles outside of Clayton in Northeastern New Mexico. This state park may be off the beaten path for most of us, but 100 million years ago, it was a highly trafficked area… by dinosaurs. Stroll along the boardwalk to view a collection of more than 500 dinosaur footprints.

The park offers 26 developed campsites close to a 170-acre lake. If you do stay overnight, you can stargaze to your heart’s content – the park contains an International Dark Sky observatory.

Website: Clayton Lake State Park
6. La Viña Winery, La Union
Facebook/La Viña Winery
Facebook/La Viña Winery
Yelp/Maria K.
Admittedly, La Viña Winery is out of the way rather than in the middle of nowhere. Aside from locals, few realize that you can schedule a tour of this winery by calling 575-882-7632.

Website: La Viña Winery
7. Monastery of Christ in the Desert, near Abiquiu
Flickr/Ben Gill
Flickr/Ben Gill
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People come to this Benedictine monastery in search of solitude and a chance to reflect.

The chapel’s architecture is captivating; the chief architect was George Nakashima who is hailed as one of the fathers of the American craft movement. The only thing more impressive than the chapel is its setting. Red rocks and slot canyons surround this slice of heaven on earth. Visitors of all faiths are welcome.

So how far off the beaten path is it? Let’s put it this way, the driveway consists of a 13-mile-long gravel road. It's accessible to all vehicles, providing the weather is good. (From Route 84, you take Forest service Road 151.)

Website: Monastery of Christ in the Desert
8. Chiricahua Desert Museum, Rodeo
Tripadvisor/Elizabeth G.
Facebook/ Chiricahua Desert Museum & Geronimo Event Center
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Most people have never heard of this museum, which is out in the boonies near the borders of both Arizona and Mexico. In addition to having a massive rattlesnake rattle, this museum provides information about desert flora and fauna. There is an extensive collection of live reptiles from tortoises to snakes and gila monsters, along with a small botanic garden.

Website: Chiricahua Desert Museum Facebook page
9. El Morro RV Park and Cabins/Ancient Way Café, Ramah
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Yelp/Cristian M.
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Near the tiny town of Ramah (population 370), literally in the middle of nowhere, you’ll find this new age complex. If you plan on exploring the equally isolated El Malpais National Monument, this makes for a great home base. The RV spots have full hook ups, tent camping is available, or you can rent one of the adorable little cabins.

The Ancient Way Café and Outpost is part of this complex. The restaurant is known for its breakfasts and the folks here make delicious baked goods. Slow cooked dinners are available on Friday and Saturday nights.

Website: El Morro RV Park & Ancient Way Cafe Facebook page

 

New Mexico’s small towns offer amazing restaurants, unexpected attractions, and sometimes just a little peace and quiet. Where do you go for a little R&R?

Have you made it out to any of the best remote places in New Mexico? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Best Remote Places In New Mexico

Leah | November 20, 2020

Which hidden gems in New Mexico should I visit?

Head out to these quiet, lesser-known destinations in New Mexico to discover some true hidden gems. Places like the Villanueva State Park are barely visited yet totally cool. That particular park stretches along the Pecos River with beautiful views and plenty of opportunity for a tranquil day out in nature. Plaza Blanca is another nature spot that has inspired the likes of Georgia O'Keefe. The stark white canyons rising over the desert near Abiquiú are impressive to behold in person, and yet there are seldom any crowds there.

What are the best road trips through New Mexico?

Fancy a New Mexico day trip? You could always take a themed road trip through the state to experience some fun places you may have otherwise overlooked. See the Land of Enchantment's most impressive natural wonders on this New Mexico Natural Wonders road trip. The route includes things like Shiprock, the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, and other jaw-dropping spots. That route is well over a day's drive, however, so you'd have to make a weekend out of it. If you're looking for something a bit easier to accomplish in a single day, here are 10 places you can go on one tank of gas in New Mexico.

What are the most beautiful places in New Mexico?

With so many unique things to do in New Mexico, it's hard to decide which are absolutely must-dos. These bucket-list-worthy spots could certainly be considered some of the most beautiful in the state. Places like the mesmerizing Carlsbad Caverns are incredible to see in person. Experiences like watching the hot air balloons rise over the landscape during the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque are definitely necessary at least once in every person's lifetime. It's also a good idea to explore the historic districts of New Mexico's cities, like Santa Fe and Albuquerque. They're both lovely to stroll through and fascinating to learn about.

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Featured Addresses
1583 Frontage Road 4132, Glenrio, NM 88434, USA
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA
Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico 88220, USA
US-60, Pie Town, NM 87827, USA
Clayton Lake State Park and Dinosaur Trackways, 141 Clayton Lake Rd, Clayton, NM 88415, USA
4201 NM-28, Anthony, NM 88021, USA
Forest Rd 151, Abiquiu, NM 87510, USA
NM-80 & Portal Road, Rodeo, NM 88056, USA
Zuni, Navajo, Ramah, NM 87321, USA