New Mexico
travel guide for New Mexico
Hope you find value in our New Mexico Travel Guide! We visited two of our favorite National Parks at Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands during our drive across southern New Mexico.
Mountain Region Travel Guides
New Mexico National Parks
Explore!
Major Attractions
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
The caves in Carlsbad Caverns National Park make the site one of the most famous tourist attractions in New Mexico. More than a hundred caves are in the park, most hidden underground. The caves are home to bats and some spectacular geological formations carved from limestone deposits. Besides backpacking and hiking, visitors can also go on tours through caves.
White Sands National Monument
Located in the Chihuahua Desert, the national park contains some of the most outstanding landscapes in the region. You will find dunes as high as 60 feet in the park, surrounded by rugged mountains, creating a one-of-a-kind view. The winds constantly shift these sand dunes and may look like giant snowdrifts. Sledding is a popular activity in the park, which can be done with round saucers available at the Park Store.
Petroglyph National Monument
If you are fascinated with history, then this is not a site you would want to skip! Petroglyph National Monument has a giant mesa and five dormant volcanoes that formed thousands of years ago. The highlight here is the huge collection of petroglyphs that were carved centuries ago by the indigenous people. However, tourists must be careful as the area is riddled with wildlife, especially rattlesnakes.
Taos Pueblo
Taos Pueblo contains 1000 years old remains of an ancient civilization. These structures are five stories high and are made of timber-supported roofs and straw-reinforced mud bricks. The site is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a National Historic Landmark.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila cliff dwellings are situated north of Silver City and have 42 rooms inside six caves. This place was the home of Mogollon Native Americans more than a thousand years ago. There is also a museum at the visitor center, which provides a more in-depth insight into the Mogollon culture. Besides that, the area has numerous natural caves and hot springs.
Some other notable places and attractions:
Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railway
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
Taos Ski Valley
Pecos National Historical Park
Bandelier National Monument
Best Time to Visit New Mexico
We have linked a great website to this button showing the weather for this location by the month. Click below to be taken to Weather-and-Climate.com.