Road trip season is year-round, right? If you’ve been itching to get out and explore even more of our fantastic state, you’re in luck! Time to pack up your car, grab some of your favorite snacks and car tunes, and get ready for another New Mexico road trip. This time, we’ve got a wild adventure planned for you that traverses nearly the entire state. Be sure to bring your camera for this one as you explore everything from the Carlsbad Caverns in the south to the mountains of Taos in the north – we’re taking you literally from bottom to top! This is one New Mexico road trip that should not be missed.

This road trip clocks in at just over 500 miles, so make sure you pack plenty of snacks!
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1. Carlsbad Caverns
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Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
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Your first stop on the trip is Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Here, you can explore the countless caves filled with stalactites, stalagmites, and all other sorts of fascinating rock features. This fantastic natural wonder is a bucket list must-see for New Mexicans and visitors alike, so if you haven't taken the plunge yet, now's your chance!
2. White Sands National Park
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White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
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Is that snow? Nope! From Carlsbad Caverns National Park, you'll head northwest to White Sands National Park. This expansive natural wonder stretches as far as the eye can see, and you won't believe the snowy white color of these fantastic dunes. Grab a sandboard and keep that camera handy - there's a reason why New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment.
3. Bosque Peak
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Bosque Peak, New Mexico 87031, USA
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Bosque Peak in Manzano Mountain Wilderness Area is your next destination. To get to the top, you will need to hike a 6.5-mile trail with plenty of elevation gain. However, don't let that deter you. The views from the top are definitely worth the effort!
4. Devisadero Peak
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Devisadero Peak, New Mexico 87571, USA
Neil Robinson/AllTrails
Devisadero Peak in Orilla Verde Recreation Area is your final stop on this lovely road trip. This 5.6-mile loop in Taos will bring you up to the mountain top where you can look back and remember all the beautiful stops you've had along the way!

This New Mexico road trip is definitely longer than the itineraries we usually put together, but one that is absolutely worth the extra drive time. Along the way, you’ll visit two national parks, multiple mountain ranges, cave, and even New Mexico’s legendary sand dunes, giving you an amazing taste of all that the Land of Enchantment has to offer. You’ll love every part of this fantastically diverse journey on this road trip in New Mexico!

For even more New Mexico road trip ideas, check out 11 of our favorites around the state. Or, If you find yourself hanging out down south, take this Southern New Mexico road trip to see everything this overlooked region has to offer!

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New Mexico Road Trip & Related Info

Jennifer | May 16, 2023

What some other must-visit places in New Mexico?

New Mexico truly is the Land of Enchantment! From picturesque dunes and vibrant desertscapes to man-made wonders, historic cultural remnants, and everything in between, there's nowhere in the world quite like New Mexico. 

For a casual escape into nature with no hiking required, a botanical garden is the best place to start! Some of the best botanical and sculpture gardens in New Mexico are:

 

What are some of the most unique museums in New Mexico?

While New Mexico is full of spectacular art and history museums, travelers can also peruse a more unique side of NM with a visit to one of the state’s weirdest museums. Whatever topic piques your curiosity, you're sure to find it! These eclectic specialty museums in New Mexico are definitely worth a visit:

  • American International Rattlesnake Museum, Albuquerque
  • Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, Albuquerque
  • Billy the Kid Museum, Fort Sumner
  • Classical Gas Museum, Embudo
  • Institute of Meteoritics Meteorite Museum at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque
  • International UFO Museum and Research Center and Gift Shop, Roswell
  • Miniatures & Curious Collections Museum, Roswell
  • Museum of International Folk Art, Santa Fe
  • New Mexico Farm & Ranch Museum, Las Cruces
  • Telephone Pioneer Museum, Albuquerque
  • Tinkertown Museum, Sandia Park
  • Toy Train Depot, Alamogordo
  • Turquoise Museum, Alburquerque

 

Looking for the perfect weekday adventure? These free museums in New Mexico are all worth a visit.

 

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