The Under-The-Radar Destination In New Mexico With The Most Beautiful Fall Foliage In The State
By Melissa Mahoney|Published October 23, 2023
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
Who wants to go leaf-peeping in the Land of Enchantment? I sure do! While many places can get quite busy with those looking for the best fall hues, there’s an underrated destination that should go to the top of the list. While winter is a great time to come to Hyde Memorial State Park, it should also be known for having some of the most vibrant, the most spectacular fall foliage in New Mexico.
Tucked away in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is a gem of a state park in New Mexico. Encompassing only 350 acres, Hyde Memorial State Park is a small yet perfectly scenic outdoor playground offering recreation opportunities throughout the year.
While popular for camping, hiking, and winter sports like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sledding, it's an underrated spot when it comes to leaf-peeping.
With its location close to Santa Fe, it's quite convenient to get to Hyde Memorial State Park in the fall. And there are 4.2 miles of trails to explore it all.
This park is filled with ponderosa pines and aspen trees. As you hike along one of the trails, you'll really connect with nature among the towering trees.
Where do you enjoy viewing fall foliage in New Mexico? Have you ever gone for a hike to see the colorful leaves at Hyde Memorial State Park? To learn more about this New Mexico state park, head to the EMNRD website.