Although there are plenty of impressive manmade structures in New Mexico, it’s hard to compete with natural wonders in NM. All New Mexicans should see these astounding sights at least once in their lifetime. We’ve grouped the best of the best into a handy road trip to make this challenge easier.

Just find the section of the route closest to you and start driving! Although the full loop involves an epic 26 hours of drive time, it’s easy to break the journey up into a northern and southern loop as well.

Here is the Google Map for the trip.

Google Maps

  1. Shiprock

Flickr/Cathy First up on our list of stunning natural wonders in NM is Shiprock. This unusual rock formation gets its name because it seems to rise out of the surrounding landscape like a ship adrift on the ocean. In geological terms, it was once a volcanic plug, serving as the stopper for the vent of a volcano.
Shiprock, NM, USA

  1. Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness

Flickr/Gerald McCollam The 41,170 acres of wilderness here contain bizarre rock formations and sinister-seeming badlands. It’s completely off-grid, with no services available. Then again, Bisti’s remoteness is part of its allure. Learn more about what makes the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness one of the most stunning natural wonders of New Mexico.
Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, County Road 7297, Bloomfield, NM 87413, USA

  1. El Malpais National Monument

Flickr/Ryan Lµdwig Whether you hike the challenging Lava Falls Trail across an actual lava flow, or investigate the 17-mile long lava tube system, El Malpais is sure to leave its mark on your memory. Before entering the lava tube caves, you must stop at the visitor’s center to receive a free permit and helpful advice on how not to die! For a more low-key experience, stop for a photo at the Sandstone Bluff overlook, where you can see for miles. El Malpais, New Mexico 87020, USA

  1. White Sands National Monument

Flickr/Anne-Claude Faillétaz Have you ever wondered, “what are the natural wonders of New Mexico?” White Sands National Monument is one of the most famous of them all! Cruise along Dunes Drive to gain an overview of the gypsum sand that blankets 275 square miles of New Mexico. Highlights of this unique national monument include having a picnic in one of the funky looking shelters here (they each have a grill), moseying along the Interdune Boardwalk, embarking on a ranger-led Sunset Stroll, and perhaps some sand sledding. Take a look at the video below for a breathtaking view of White Sands National Monument:
White Sands, NM 88002, USA

  1. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski New Mexico only has one national park but it’s an awe-inspiring one. Carlsbad Caverns are believed to be one of the most extensive cave systems on the planet. If the 1800-foot-long Big Room isn’t enough to impress you, then the 300,000 odd bats billowing out of the cave at dark should do it. (You can see the bats from May through October.) Learn more about what makes Carlsbad Caverns National Park one of the best natural wonders in NM. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA

  1. Sandia Mountains

Flickr/OpenThreads New Mexico has far more mountains than most people realize and almost all of them are worth viewing. However, Sandia Crest is accessible by car (or tram if you’d rather), which makes it convenient for a road trip. Plus, once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with spectacular views of Albuquerque. Try and time it so that you arrive at sunset. In fact, it’s one of the very best places in New Mexico to see the sunset! Sandia Mountains, New Mexico 87122, USA

  1. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Flickr/Vaquero Cooper Stretch your legs on a hike through this hoodoo-filled landscape. You can see the rock formations well from the Cave Loop Trail but, if you can, add on the Slot Canyon Trail. This path climbs up to a mesa. You’ll find yourself staring at multiple mountain ranges on the horizon and hoodoos far below you. You’ll quickly discover what makes Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument such a wonder. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, 0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, USA

  1. Valles Caldera

Flickr/rbairdpccam You’ve probably heard of supervolcanoes, but this may be the first time you’ve seen one. The crater left behind after this volcano erupted 1,250,000 years ago is 13 miles across. While you’re here, keep an eye out for wildlife, especially elk. To soak in the beauty of this peaceful place, try hiking the 2.9-mile long Coyote Call Trail. Learn more about the fascinating history of Valles Caldera. Valles Caldera, New Mexico 87025, USA

  1. Rio Grande Gorge

Flickr/Bureau of Land Management Last but not least on our list of breathtaking natural wonders in New Mexico is the Rio Grande Gorge. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge undoubtedly provides the most accessible and possibly the most dramatic views of this gorge, which plunges down 800 feet. But definitely allow time to discover the rest of the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument, especially the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico 87529, USA

So what do you think of our natural wonders in NM road trip? We’re big fans of road trips and need little excuse to devise one. Check out our state parks road trip, our scary Northern New Mexico and Southern New Mexico drives, and our road trip through some of our state’s cutest small towns.

Google Maps

Flickr/Cathy

First up on our list of stunning natural wonders in NM is Shiprock. This unusual rock formation gets its name because it seems to rise out of the surrounding landscape like a ship adrift on the ocean. In geological terms, it was once a volcanic plug, serving as the stopper for the vent of a volcano.

Shiprock, NM, USA

Flickr/Gerald McCollam

The 41,170 acres of wilderness here contain bizarre rock formations and sinister-seeming badlands. It’s completely off-grid, with no services available. Then again, Bisti’s remoteness is part of its allure. Learn more about what makes the Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness one of the most stunning natural wonders of New Mexico.

Bisti / De-Na-Zin Wilderness Area, County Road 7297, Bloomfield, NM 87413, USA

Flickr/Ryan Lµdwig

Whether you hike the challenging Lava Falls Trail across an actual lava flow, or investigate the 17-mile long lava tube system, El Malpais is sure to leave its mark on your memory. Before entering the lava tube caves, you must stop at the visitor’s center to receive a free permit and helpful advice on how not to die! For a more low-key experience, stop for a photo at the Sandstone Bluff overlook, where you can see for miles.

El Malpais, New Mexico 87020, USA

Flickr/Anne-Claude Faillétaz

Have you ever wondered, “what are the natural wonders of New Mexico?” White Sands National Monument is one of the most famous of them all! Cruise along Dunes Drive to gain an overview of the gypsum sand that blankets 275 square miles of New Mexico. Highlights of this unique national monument include having a picnic in one of the funky looking shelters here (they each have a grill), moseying along the Interdune Boardwalk, embarking on a ranger-led Sunset Stroll, and perhaps some sand sledding. Take a look at the video below for a breathtaking view of White Sands National Monument:

White Sands, NM 88002, USA

Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski

New Mexico only has one national park but it’s an awe-inspiring one. Carlsbad Caverns are believed to be one of the most extensive cave systems on the planet. If the 1800-foot-long Big Room isn’t enough to impress you, then the 300,000 odd bats billowing out of the cave at dark should do it. (You can see the bats from May through October.) Learn more about what makes Carlsbad Caverns National Park one of the best natural wonders in NM.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA

Flickr/OpenThreads

New Mexico has far more mountains than most people realize and almost all of them are worth viewing. However, Sandia Crest is accessible by car (or tram if you’d rather), which makes it convenient for a road trip. Plus, once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with spectacular views of Albuquerque. Try and time it so that you arrive at sunset. In fact, it’s one of the very best places in New Mexico to see the sunset!

Sandia Mountains, New Mexico 87122, USA

Flickr/Vaquero Cooper

Stretch your legs on a hike through this hoodoo-filled landscape. You can see the rock formations well from the Cave Loop Trail but, if you can, add on the Slot Canyon Trail. This path climbs up to a mesa. You’ll find yourself staring at multiple mountain ranges on the horizon and hoodoos far below you. You’ll quickly discover what makes Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument such a wonder.

Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, 0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, USA

Flickr/rbairdpccam

You’ve probably heard of supervolcanoes, but this may be the first time you’ve seen one. The crater left behind after this volcano erupted 1,250,000 years ago is 13 miles across. While you’re here, keep an eye out for wildlife, especially elk. To soak in the beauty of this peaceful place, try hiking the 2.9-mile long Coyote Call Trail. Learn more about the fascinating history of Valles Caldera.

Valles Caldera, New Mexico 87025, USA

Flickr/Bureau of Land Management

Last but not least on our list of breathtaking natural wonders in New Mexico is the Rio Grande Gorge. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge undoubtedly provides the most accessible and possibly the most dramatic views of this gorge, which plunges down 800 feet. But definitely allow time to discover the rest of the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument, especially the Wild Rivers Recreation Area.

Rio Grande Gorge, New Mexico 87529, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

natural wonders in NM February 03, 2023 Beth C. What are some hidden gems to discover in New Mexico? New Mexico is positively brimming with natural wonders and hidden gems. Some of the best hidden gems to discover in New Mexico include the following:

The White Place, Near Abiquiú Tinkertown, Near Cedar Crest Elena Gallegos Park, Albuquerque Abó Ruins, Near Mountainair Smokey Bear Historical Park, Capitan Old-Town Historic District, Las Vegas Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area, Carlsbad Lake 13, Maxwell Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe Billy The Kid’s Grave, Fort Sumner

  Each of the above destinations is truly bucket-list-worthy. How many of these natural wonders in NM have you experienced before? What is the tallest mountain in New Mexico? One of the best parts about visiting New Mexico is getting to experience a diversity of landscapes, from mountains to deserts. If you’re curious about the tallest mountain in New Mexico, that title belongs to Wheeler Peak. This beautiful mountain in New Mexico measures 13,167 feet.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

natural wonders in NM

February 03, 2023

Beth C.

What are some hidden gems to discover in New Mexico? New Mexico is positively brimming with natural wonders and hidden gems. Some of the best hidden gems to discover in New Mexico include the following:

The White Place, Near Abiquiú Tinkertown, Near Cedar Crest Elena Gallegos Park, Albuquerque Abó Ruins, Near Mountainair Smokey Bear Historical Park, Capitan Old-Town Historic District, Las Vegas Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area, Carlsbad Lake 13, Maxwell Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe Billy The Kid’s Grave, Fort Sumner

  Each of the above destinations is truly bucket-list-worthy. How many of these natural wonders in NM have you experienced before? What is the tallest mountain in New Mexico? One of the best parts about visiting New Mexico is getting to experience a diversity of landscapes, from mountains to deserts. If you’re curious about the tallest mountain in New Mexico, that title belongs to Wheeler Peak. This beautiful mountain in New Mexico measures 13,167 feet.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

New Mexico is positively brimming with natural wonders and hidden gems. Some of the best hidden gems to discover in New Mexico include the following:

  • The White Place, Near Abiquiú
  • Tinkertown, Near Cedar Crest
  • Elena Gallegos Park, Albuquerque
  • Abó Ruins, Near Mountainair
  • Smokey Bear Historical Park, Capitan
  • Old-Town Historic District, Las Vegas
  • Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area, Carlsbad
  • Lake 13, Maxwell
  • Randall Davey Audubon Center, Santa Fe
  • Billy The Kid’s Grave, Fort Sumner

 

Each of the above destinations is truly bucket-list-worthy. How many of these natural wonders in NM have you experienced before?

What is the tallest mountain in New Mexico?

One of the best parts about visiting New Mexico is getting to experience a diversity of landscapes, from mountains to deserts. If you’re curious about the tallest mountain in New Mexico, that title belongs to Wheeler Peak. This beautiful mountain in New Mexico measures 13,167 feet.