Yet another year is well upon us, and we think that’s a great reason to celebrate. One of our favorite ways to do so is with a bit of travel. Looking for suggestions? Pick and choose from any of these 12 best New Mexico day trips for a fun outing.

1. Billy the Kid Scenic Byway
Billy the Kid Scenic Byways, 26305 US-70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346, USA
Kent Kanouse/Flickr
First on our list is an 84-mile drive through a picturesque portion of southern New Mexico. You'll drive through historic towns and sites, like Ruidoso, Lincoln, and Fort Stanton. This is one scenic drive in New Mexico you'll always remember!
2. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness
Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, County Road 7297, Bloomfield, NM 87413, USA
Bureau of Land Management/Flickr
There are plenty of places that offer out of this world views but Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness tops the list. Located near Chaco Culture National Historical Park, this wilderness area is home to thousands of acres of hoodoos, buttes, washes, and more.

3. Bridal Veil Falls Trail
Bridal Veil Falls, 10-20358, Alamogordo, NM 88310, USA
Barbara Yoon/AllTrails
Hiking to waterfalls is a rare treat in New Mexico and one of our favorites is the Bridal Veil Falls trail near Alamogordo. The 7-mile trek will take you to the 45-foot waterfall, which varies between trickles and a gentle flow. Come see why this is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in New Mexico!
4. Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA
John Fowler/Flickr
If you've never had the pleasure of visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site, make time to do so this year. Dating back to 850 A.D., the historic dwellings once housed Ancient Puebloans and remain an important cultural site for local tribes. When it comes to historic places in New Mexico, this is one of the most fascinating.
5. Chloride
Chloride, NM 87943, USA
Anthony V/TripAdvisor
Hiding in the southwestern part of the Land of Enchantment, this tiny ghost town in New Mexico was once a booming mining town that was eventually abandoned in 1956. These days, a few stragglers still call the area home and you can visit the historic buildings, a museum, and the nearby creek for a nature walk.
6. Cimarron Canyon State Park
Cimarron Canyon State Park, 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718, USA
Sarah Richter/Flickr
Most people tend to prefer visiting this state park in the fall when the leaves turn a gorgeous golden hue but it's a lovely visit any time of year. Located 3.5 hours from Albuquerque, it's a fantastic retreat for hiking, birding, fishing, or even camping. Fans of New Mexico's state parks will adore this stop.
7. Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
Enchanted Circle, Enchanted Cir, New Mexico 87001, USA
Mojo Foodie/TripAdvisor
Over the course of 83 miles, you'll be treated to some of the most spectacular mountain views in New Mexico when you drive this byway. Drive through towns like Taos, Red River, and Angel Fire, as well as state parks, ski areas, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This is one of the best scenic drives in New Mexico./a>
8. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, 26 Jim Bradford Trail, Mimbres, NM 88049, USA
Doc Johnny Bravo/Flickr
Tucked away in Gila National Forest, these ancient cliffside dwellings in New Mexico are a sight to behold. Dating back to about 1275 A.D., they housed a group of Mogollon people and are remarkably well-preserved.

9. Kingston
Kingston, NM 88042, USA
Pi3.124/Wikimedia Commons
This former mining town sits approximately 50 miles east of Silver City and a visit here will reveal a hint of 19th-century boomtown life. Practically a ghost town, Kingston, New Mexico is home to a small community with historic buildings, a couple of museums, and a lovely little lodge.
10. Madrid
Madrid, NM 87010, USA
josephmccowie/Flickr
This former mining town was saved from an official ghost town status by artists who transformed it into an eccentric destination. Madrid is a colorful, art-filled community with a large number of galleries, stores, diners, and more. This is one hip New Mexico ghost town!
11. Silver City
Silver City, NM 88061, USA
C Hanchey/Flickr
If there's any place in New Mexico that most certainly deserves a second look, it's Silver City, located in the southern portion of the state. Home to beautiful architecture, galleries, and lovely parks, this town makes for a fun getaway.
12. Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, 7851 2nd St SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105, USA
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southwest Region/Flickr
Feel the need to retreat into nature this year? Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is a picturesque location for birding, gazing the night sky, or simply enjoying nature outside the city.

Which of these day trips in New Mexico are you most looking forward to traveling? Are there any other locations you want to visit in New Mexico this year?

There are so many hidden gems in New Mexico to discover!

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More to Explore

Best Day Trips In New Mexico

Tori Jane | May 19, 2022

What are some fun, unique things to do around New Mexico? 

Some unique things to do around New Mexico include:

  • Taos Gorge
  • Blue Hole
  • Bisti Badlands

 

Few states are quite as fun and unique as the Land of Enchantment, and there are all kinds of truly unique things to do around New Mexico no matter what you’re interested in doing. For example, nature lovers will love an adventure at Carlsbad Caverns, a world-famous cave system with more than 119 caves formed by sulfuric acid on limestone that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Mexico each year. If you’re a fan of the path less traveled, visit the strange and wonderful International UFO Museum and Research Center... which is exactly what it sounds like and the best place in the world for records and archives related to all things unidentified and flying. After all, would you really be in New Mexico without a little alien influence?  

Where can I go for great day trips near me in New Mexico?  

Looking for "day trips near me" in New Mexico? Check out the following destinations:

  • Billy the Kid Scenic Byway
  • Cimarron Canyon State Park
  • Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

 

Every day trip in New Mexico is one of the best day trips in New Mexico, honestly. It's almost impossible to go wrong with a wonder-filled day trip through the Land of Enchantment. Some of our favorite places to visit in New Mexico include the Albuquerque BioPark Botanic Garden, which is 32 acres of fascinating and beautiful flora and fauna – some native, some not, but all 100% beautiful. Be sure to also check out the Guadalupe Backcountry Scenic Byway, an incredibly scenic route in New Mexico that’ll make you fall in love with the beauty of the state. Make a pit stop at Sitting Bull Falls, an exquisite 200-foot waterfall in New Mexico that you’ll find yourself obsessed with.  

Where are all the best getaway spots near me in New Mexico?  

You can’t visit New Mexico without making it into a wonderful getaway. A couple of the most popular – and understandably so – destinations in New Mexico include Taos Ski Valley, which is nestled deep in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and provides endless things to do no matter what season it is. In the winter, it’s a world-famous ski resort in New Mexico, and in summer, its lush greenery is a sight to behold! Then, head out to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa, which is the oldest all-natural hot springs in New Mexico. You can even take a legit mineral mud bath!  

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