I’ve been to New Mexico twice with friends, first in April 2023 and then again last weekend. New Mexico has a vibrant blend of Native American and Hispanic cultures as well as otherworldly landscapes. Here are my favorite things to do from my two trips:
1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Why Visit:
Carlsbad Caverns is famous for its spectacular underground limestone caves and unique Chihuahuan Desert ecosystems.
Highlights:
- The Big Room → see the largest, readily accessible subterranean cave chamber by volume in North America. The cave formations were truly breathtaking!
- Bat Flights → from late spring to mid-autumn, the park’s natural entrance hosts a nightly exodus of hundreds of thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats as they fly out at dusk to hunt for food. It was surprisingly cool to see a trail of bats in the sky.
How to Go:
Timed entry tickets are required in addition to the park pass. We entered via the cavern’s Natural Entrance by hiking the 1.25 mi (2km) paved trail, but you can also take an elevator directly to the start of the Big Room Trail.I recommend doing the hike down into the cave since the switchbacks were fun, then taking the elevator back up. We returned after dinner (check the park website for the latest times) to see the bats at Bat Flight Amphitheater.
2. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
Why Visit:
Tent Rocks is renowned for its otherworldly cone-shaped “tent rocks” (hoodoos) formed by ancient volcanic eruptions.
Highlights:
- Canyon Trail → a fun 1.5-mile (2.4km) one-way hike through a narrow canyon with a steep climb at the end for incredible views of the entire area.
- Cave Loop Trail → an easy 1.2-mile (1.9km) loop with close up views of the cone-shaped rocks.
How to Go:
Entry into the monument is by reservation only — you’ll need a park reservation and a Tribal Access Pass. Check in at the Cochiti Visitor Center on arrival and you’ll be escorted into the park via a pilot vehicle convoy. Canyon Trail branches off Cave Loop Trail, so we combined both and finished in ~2 hours. I recommend arriving when the park opens since it gets hot.
3. Bandelier National Monument
Why Visit:
Bandelier National Monument protects thousands of Ancestral Pueblo cliff dwellings and cavates (small human-carved alcoves) carved directly into volcanic cliffs.
Highlights:
- Main Loop Trail → a 1.4 mile (2.3 km) loop trail through archeological sites, with ladders that allow you to climb into cavates .
- Alcove House → climb 4 pairs of wooden ladders and stone stairs to reach the alcove that was once home to approximately 25 Ancestral Pueblo people.
How to Go:
Arrive early in the morning to avoid crowds and minimize waiting times for the ladders.
4. White Sands National Park
Why Visit:
White Sands contains the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Unlike regular sand, gypsum stays cool to the touch even under the desert sun.
Highlights:
- Dune Sledding → slide down the powdery slopes on a saucer sled. Steeper slopers are more fun, but climbing back up is also more challenging!
How to Go:
We bought saucers from the park’s gift shop. I wish we had gotten sled wax as well since there was a lot of friction from the sand and we didn’t end up sliding down very fast. Even with crowds, there were plenty of dunes to choose from and we easily found spots to ourselves. Make sure to bring sun protection and plenty of water since there is zero shade!
5. Santa Fe
Why Visit:
As the oldest state capital in the U.S., Santa Fe is famous for its stunning Pueblo Revival adobe architecture and thriving arts scene.
Highlights:
- Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi → unique French-inspired Romanesque Revival design that contrasts with the surrounding adobe architecture.
- Loretto Chapel → see the mysterious, unsupported staircase that still puzzles historians and architects.
- Canyon Road → wander through hundreds of art galleries housed in historic adobe buildings.
How to Go:
Finding parking near the historic Plaza was difficult, so I recommend staying within walking distance of downtown for the best convenience.
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