New Mexico
Fall Vacations & Unique Travel Spots
Carlsbad Caverns
As you pass through the Chihuahuan Desert and Guadalupe Mountains of southeastern New Mexico and west Texas—filled with
prickly pear, chollas, sotols and agaves—you might never guess there are more than 300 known caves beneath the surface.
The park contains 113 of these caves, formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone, creating some of the
largest caves in North America. While there are a variety of cave tours available—from the self-guided areas of the Big
Room to crawling through narrow passageways in the Hall of the White Giant or in Spider Cave—there are also opportunities
for hiking and backcountry camping.
Location: Carlsbad, NM
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Capulin Volcano National Monument
Mammoths, giant bison, and short-faced bears witnessed the earthquakes and firework-like explosions which hurled molten
rock thousands of feet into the air. Approximately 60,000 years ago, the rain of cooling cinders formed Capulin Volcano, a
nearly perfectly-shaped cinder cone, rising more than 1000 feet above the surrounding landscape. A 2-mile paved road to the
top of the volcano and paved trails into the crater and around its rim provide access to explore the volcano.
Location: Interstate 25 is the major north/south route through the state. The monument is located 33 miles east of
Interstate 25 at Raton, NM, via US Highway 64/87. The park entrance is on New Mexico Highway 325, 3 miles north of the
town of Capulin which is at the junction of NM Hwy 325 and US Hwy 64/87.
CLICK HERE
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Bandelier National Monument
The ancestors of modern Pueblo people built thriving communities in the area called Bandelier about 600 years ago. Several
thousand ancestral Pueblo dwellings are found among the pink mesas and sheer-walled canyons. The best-known archeological
sites, in Frijoles Canyon near the Visitor Center, were inhabited from the 1100s into the mid-1500s, and earlier groups
had used the area for thousands of years. Modern pueblo people maintain strong ties to this area that is their homeland.
The main loop trail, just off the parking area, provides access to some of the largest and most intriguing archeological
sites in Bandelier. Camping and backpacking are also popular activities.
Location: Los Alamos, NM
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El Malpais National Monument
El Malpais means the badlands but this volcanic area holds many surprises. Lava flows, cinder cones, pressure ridges and
complex lava tubes dominate the landscape. A closer look reveals high desert environments where animals and plants thrive.
Prehistoric ruins, ancient cairns, rock structures, and homesteads remind us of past times. Visitors need to be prepared
for exploring this rugged place. The jagged volcanic terrain influences a variety of activities such as hiking, spelunking
and primitive camping. Very few trails exist at El Malpais National Monument. Rather, cairned routes lead hikers to
interesting features. These piles of rocks blend in well with the lava flows and are often difficult to sight. Hikers need
to be prepared to apply route-finding skills to avoid becoming lost.
Location: Grants, NM
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Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument offers a glimpse of the homes and lives of the people of the Mogollon culture who
lived in the Gila Wilderness from the 1280s through the early 1300s. The surroundings probably look today very much like
they did when the cliff dwellings were inhabited. There are a number of activities available at Gila Cliff Dwellings.
Hiking in the Gila and Aldo Leopold Wilderness areas are popular activities in the area. There are several popular hot
springs in the area. The closest, Lightfeather, is a twenty minute walk from the Visitor Center. The most popular is
Jordan, a 6 or 8 mile hike from the Visitor Center, depending upon the trailhead used.
Location: Silver City, NM
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