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 some incredible spots that are off the beaten path but well worth a detour; these hidden gems in New Mexico are sights to behold, and we think you’ll be inclined to agree.

1. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, near Cochiti
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, 0 NM-22, Cochiti Pueblo, NM 87072, USA
Flickr/Bureau of Land Management
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.
2. The town of Chloride, Sierra County
Chloride, NM 87943, USA
Flickr/Tim Kuzdrowski
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.
3. Herzstein Memorial Museum, Clayton
Herzstein Memorial Museum, 22 S 2nd St, Clayton, NM 88415, USA
Facebook/ Herzstein Memorial Museum
This out-of-the-way museum is a hidden gem in New Mexico showcasing the history of this area. There are displays on everything from dinosaurs to the Dust Bowl. Donations are always appreciated.
4. Smokey Bear Historical Park, Capitan
Smokey Bear Historical Park, 118 Smokey Bear Blvd, Capitan, NM 88316, USA
Facebook/Smokey Bear Historical Park
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.
5. Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec
Aztec Ruins National Monument, 725 Ruins Rd, Aztec, NM 87410, USA
Flickr/ Jimmy Emerson, DVM
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 Ruins National Monument is an exception and this additional access makes it easier to imagine what life was like for the Ancestral Puebloans.

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6. La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery, Silver City
La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery, De La O Rd, Hanover, NM 88041, USA
Tripadvisor/NCWorldTraveler704
There are lots of wonderful wineries in New Mexico, but La Esperanza Vineyard and Winery is one that tends to be forgotten. That’s a pity, too, because the drive to this remote winery, nestled between Faywood and San Lorenzo, is scenic and the wines produced here are stellar.
7. Kilbourne Hole, near Las Cruces
Kilbourne Hole Drive, Kilbourne Hole Dr, Las Cruces, NM 88012, USA
Flickr/zeesstof
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.
8. Blackwater Draw Museum, Clovis
1457 S Avenue K, Portales, NM 88130, USA
Yelp/Aaron M.
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.
9. Chiricahua Desert Museum, Rodeo
New Mexico 80 & Portal Road, NM-80 & Portal Rd, New Mexico 88020, USA
Tripadvisor/management
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.
10. Grindstone Lake, Ruidoso
Grindstone Lake, 501 Resort Dr, Ruidoso, NM 88345, USA
Tripadvisor/Christine E.
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. While you're at it, you might want to explore Ruidoso, since it's one of our favorite small towns in New Mexico.

Which of these have you been to? If these spots appeal, check out more of our favorite hidden gems in New Mexico!

Do you have any favorite hidden gems in New Mexico that didn’t make the list? Tell us about them in the comments!

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More to Explore

Hidden Gems in New Mexico

Tori Jane | July 06, 2022

What kind of things can I do off the beaten path in New Mexico?  

New Mexico’s a lot of fun, but sometimes you want to skip the popular, more touristy places and find something hidden and wonderful. Luckily for us, New Mexico is still very much a place perfect for adventure, with lots of underrated things to do off the beaten path. Some of our favorite things to see off the beaten path in New Mexico are natural wonders like observing our awe-inspiring wild horses or exploring some of the most amazing hot springs in the United States, which happen to be here (lucky us). Other offbeat attractions in New Mexico include any of the quirky stops along Route 66, which runs right through the northern region of our beautiful little state.  

What are some truly unique attractions in New Mexico?
Of course, there are lots of truly unique attractions in New Mexico, too – ones you won’t find anywhere else. For example, rarely does it get more epic than, say, some of the cave systems in New Mexico like the famous Carlsbad Caverns, where you can take a tour and learn all about the fascinating geology of the region. Another New Mexican delight is its volcanoes (you read that correctly, yes). Check out Capulin Volcano in northwestern New Mexico and learn about some of the unique geology that makes this area so significant. It’s also one of the most scenic places in New Mexico, so there is that!  

What items should I add to my New Mexico bucket list?  

New Mexico is a bucket list item in and of itself, but what do you do when you get here? Why, explore its natural wonders, of course. With 35 incredible state parks in New Mexico to choose from, the natural world ought to top your bucket list, if you ask us. Another must-see natural wonder in New Mexico is the amazing Blue Hole, in Santa Rosa (especially if you’re a fan of SCUBA diving), the awe-inspiring Taos Gorge near Taos, and the incredible White Sands National Monument, and so many more. The list goes on – these are just excellent places to start!  

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