The Scenic Road Trip That Will Make You Fall In Love With The Beauty Of New Mexico All Over Again
If you are looking for a scenic road trip through your favorite state, look no further. This road trip will take you through some of the most scenic locations in northern New Mexico as you explore Sugarite Canyon State Park, Red River, Taos, Carson National Forest, and Gallinas Peak on this 300-mile road trip west. It’s time to gas up the car, grab your favorite snacks and drinks for the road, and get a move on!
Sugarrite Canyon State Park can be found in northern New Mexico near the Colorado border and is where this scenic road trip will begin. The landscape has been shaped by volcanos and lava flows, and today, features beautiful ponderosa pine and gambel oak forests that you'll hike through on this first stop of your trip. Be sure to also stop by Lake Maloya for the best views.
Red River, New Mexico, is your next stop. In the winter, this resort town is the perfect place for skiing or snowboarding at the resort, and in the summer, you can explore the mountain using the chairlifts to get around! There are also many other activities available here in the summer, including an aerial ropes course and zip line! If you've never been to a ski resort in the summer, this may be your favorite spot.
Taos, New Mexico is your third stop on this scenic road trip. Taos is well known for its ski resort located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. These mountains are so beautiful, no matter what time of year you come, you will have a lovely time. In the summer, hiking, fishing, and hot air ballooning are popular, and we recommend seeking out one of Taos' hot springs whatever the season.
Time for some hiking! Carson National Forest has more than 70 beautiful hiking trails, many of which bring you to gorgeous mountain lakes. Our favorite hikes are the Trampas Lakes Trail and Williams Lake Trail, but you really can't go wrong exploring Carson National Forest.
The last stop on your road trip will be Gallinas Peak, a small peak located near Corona, New Mexico. Although this may not be New Mexico's biggest peak, it is quite isolated, and a climb to the top will give you incredible views of the surrounding New Mexico landscape.
Have you been to any of these stops before? Which is your favorite and what stops would you add?
Address: Sugarite Canyon State Park, 160 NM-526, Raton, NM 87740, USA
Address: Red River, NM, USA
Address: Taos, NM 87571, USA
Address: Carson National Forest, New Mexico 87530, USA
Address: Gallina Peak, New Mexico 87027, USA