Posted in New Mexico
December 15, 2016
11 Places In New Mexico That Are Off The Beaten Path But Worth The Trip
Maybe you’ve already hit New Mexico’s most popular tourist attractions or perhaps you just want to avoid the crowds. Either way, some of the most interesting places in the Land of Enchantment are also the ones that are easiest to overlook. Here are 11 spots that are off the beaten path but well worth a detour.
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Many people zip right past Tent Rocks when traveling between Santa Fe and Albuquerque without even realizing it’s there. At this national monument, you can hike in between hoodoos, through a slot canyon, and up to a mesa that affords unsurpassable views of New Mexico. These rock formations are located off NM-22. For more info.
If you’re a fan of ghost towns or the Old West, you’ll want to check out Chloride. In its heyday, the town supported numerous businesses including two mercantiles, a hotel, and a butcher’s shop. The one bank wasn’t able to survive but it was turned into a saloon – the ninth in Chloride. Clearly, folks here knew how to have a good time. A handful of people still live in town but it’s essentially a ghost town. Here
is a map of Chloride.
This out of the way museum is a hidden gem showcasing the history of this area. There are displays on everything from dinosaurs to the Dust Bowl. The museum is free but donations are appreciated. You’ll find it at 22 South 2nd Street in Clayton. For more info.
The little bear that became our nation’s fire safety mascot was orphaned during the Capitan Gap Fire in New Mexico. He spent the rest of his life in the National Zoo in Washington D.C. but is buried inside the park. The park is located at 118 W Smokey Bear Boulevard in Capitan. For more info.
This 900-year-old Pueblo Great House is in great condition – the only recreated part of the monument is the kiva. You’re not usually allowed to walk inside the rooms at New Mexico’s ruins but Aztec is an exception and this additional access makes it easier to imagine what life was like for the Ancestral Puebloans. The monument is at 725 Ruins Road in Aztec. For more info.
New Mexico has many great wineries, but La Esperanza is one that tends to be forgotten. That’s a pity because the drive to this remote winery, nestled between Faywood and San Lorenzo, is scenic and the wines produced here are stellar. The address for the winery is 100 De La O, Sherman, Silver City. For more info.
If you really want to get away from it all, head out to the Kilbourne Hole, a National Natural Landmark that was formed as a result of a volcanic explosion. The crater is more than a mile wide and long. The rim is on BLM land, but members of the public don’t have access to the crater floor. For more info.
Tour this farm filled with cute, fluffy alpacas that you can pet and feed. The gift shop here is a good place to do a little shopping for items like socks, blankets, and yarn. The ranch is in a lovely setting. You’ll find it on Route 434 MM 1, Las Vegas. For more info.
This museum is devoted to artifacts from the Clovis Period, which was 13,000 years ago. This tiny yet info-packed institution contains bones and fossils. It is located at 42987 Highway 70 in Clovis. For more info.
Learn about desert flora and fauna at this museum situated in a small town near the Arizona border. Most people don’t know about it because it redefines remote, but the collection includes live snakes, tortoises, and even gila monsters. The address is 4 Rattlesnake Canyon Road in Rodeo. For more info.
Locals are familiar with this picturesque reservoir and the surrounding hiking trails, but those visiting Ruidoso often don’t discover this spot. You’ll find the lake on Grindstone Canyon Road in Ruidoso.
Which of these have you been to? If these spots appeal, check out 12 Hidden Gems You Have To See In New Mexico Before You Die.
