7 Most Scenic Small Towns In New Mexico For Nature Lovers
New Mexico is easily one of the best states in the country for outdoor enthusiasts. With its relatively sparse population and almost endless amounts of pristine parks and wildlands, it is the perfect place to find some solitude in the great outdoors. Today, let's talk about some of the best towns to visit if you want to explore the Land of Enchantment's best natural wonders. From snowcapped peaks to arid desertscapes, see how these communities can make your next trip here a truly memorable one. Here are the seven most scenic small towns in New Mexico for nature lovers.
Taos
Taos has long been a destination for travelers drawn to high desert landscapes and rugged mountain scenery, having a permanent population of Taos Pueblo natives for over 600 years! The town is at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, providing direct access to some of northern New Mexico’s most rugged yet rewarding outdoor spaces.
The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, just west of town, is a local favorite for its hiking trails along volcanic plateaus and deep river gorges, while the Carson National Forest opens up miles of alpine trails, camping areas, and backcountry routes for those in search of a multi-day outing. Wheeler Peak, the state’s tallest mountain at 13,161 feet, further attracts seasoned hikers and climbers aiming for panoramic views of the summit.
Beyond hiking, whitewater rafting the Rio Grande in spring, fly fishing the creeks near Red River in summer, and skiing at Taos Ski Valley during winter all add up to make Taos a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Even the historic Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits against the striking backdrop of open sky and mountain terrain, giving you incredible scenery wherever you go here.
Silver City
Silver City sits on the edge of the Gila National Forest in the southwestern corner of the state, offering you easy access to one of the Southwest’s largest and most diverse protected landscapes. Silver City’s elevation, around 6,000 feet, makes for cooler summers compared to much of southern New Mexico, allowing comfortable year-round outdoor activity in a corner of the country that usually sees sweltering temperatures in the summer.
The nearby Gila Wilderness, the first designated wilderness area in the United States, covers well over half a million acres of woodlands, mountains, canyons, and even some hot springs. Hikers and backpackers will be able to explore hundreds of miles of trails here, including portions of the famed Continental Divide Trail, which cuts through the region.
The area is also home to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, where those who want to learn a bit more about the area's human history can hike short trails to preserved 13th-century Mogollon dwellings built into the cliffs.
As you might imagine, wildlife sightings are also common in and around Silver City, including elk, mule deer, and wild turkeys, and birders frequent the region for its population of Mexican spotted owls and hummingbirds.
Cloudcroft
Cloudcroft, located in the Sacramento Mountains at a lofty elevation of nearly 9,000 feet, offers a cooler, forested alternative to New Mexico’s more typical arid deserts.
The Lincoln National Forest is in close proximity to Cloudcroft and is a hotspot for hiking, mountain biking, and general sightseeing across a varied landscape of snow-capped peaks, pine woodlands, and aspen groves. Popular trails like the Osha Trail and Trestle Recreation Area deliver sweeping views of the Tularosa Basin and eye-catching White Sands in the distance. The town’s proximity to White Sands National Park adds another layer of interest for outdoor adventures, offering opportunities for dune hiking and photography just 45 minutes away.
Hit the links in this wonderful alpine setting at the Lodge Golf Course. Sports fans don't have to wait for the summer to have fun, however. Winter brings snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and downhill runs at Ski Cloudcroft, one of the southernmost ski areas in the country.
Jemez Springs
Resting along the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway, Jemez Springs stands out with its towering cliffs, ponderosa pine forests, and mineral-rich hot springs, which are open for you to relax in. The village is situated within the Santa Fe National Forest, where trails that range from easy canyon walks to steep mesa climbs can be embarked upon.
Other nearby highlights include the Jemez Falls Trail, leading to one of New Mexico’s tallest waterfalls, and Battleship Rock, where day hikers can explore volcanic formations along the East Fork of the Jemez River.
In case you're wondering, the area’s geology is shaped by the Valles Caldera, a massive volcanic crater located just north of town, offering miles of open meadows, elk habitat, and hiking routes through an ancient supervolcano landscape itself. And like many high-altitude towns on this list, when snow hits the ground, cross-country skiers and snowshoers replace hikers on the caldera-spanning trails.
Hot springs, both commercial and ones found in the wild, are scattered throughout the region, making it easy to pair long hikes with a soothing soak. The namesake Jemez Hot Springs can be found in the narrow downtown area, where several lodges and other useful amenities also sit nearby.
Abiquiu
Abiquiú is defined by its desolate, wide-open landscapes, the same scenery that drew painter Georgia O’Keeffe to the region in the 1940s. The surrounding terrain is a true study in geological contrast that will catch the eye of any artist: multicolored cliffs, arroyos, high desert plateaus, and the cottonwood-lined Rio Chama.
The nearby Ghost Ranch, once O’Keeffe’s home and studio, now serves as a public gateway to hiking routes that pass through badlands, red rock mesas, and fossil beds. Moreover, Abiquiú Lake, just west of town, gives paddlers and anglers alike a place to explore its calm waters that perfectly pair up with views of Cerro Pedernal, a flat-topped peak often featured in O’Keeffe’s work. The lake, which is actually a reservoir, is lined with beaches, where swimmers can lie out their towels under the New Mexican sun this summer, and a pleasant little campground on its southern end.
The region’s lack of dense development also means clear, dark skies for stargazing, and a landscape where solitude is easy to find.
Carrizozo
Carrizozo sits at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, where lava fields and scrublands stretch for miles without interruption. The nearby Valley of Fires Recreation Area is the region's biggest attraction and is one of the youngest lava flows in the continental U.S., offering a short, accessible series of trails across the deeply black basalt landscape. There is also a small visitor center and a campground on site.
Besides the lava fields, the plains open up to the Sierra Blanca range to the southeast, visible from nearly every point in town. This area draws photographers, hikers, and birders looking for big sky vistas, volcanic geology to explore up close, and quiet backroads to putter around in.
Carrizozo’s location along U.S. Route 54 also places it within driving distance of the Sacramento Mountains and the Lincoln National Forest, and the town itself has its charms, too. Go see the Carrizozo Heritage Museum to learn more about this part of New Mexico or grab a bite at the highly rated Four Winds Restaurant, a no-frills diner with excellent Mexican food.
Ruidoso
Ruidoso stands apart from typical desert towns thanks to its location in the Sierra Blanca range, where elevations climb past 7,000 feet and verdant pine forests replace sagebrush. It is, however, another community that sits near and dear to the Lincoln National Forest, with seemingly endless amounts of trails that cut through thick stands of fir and ponderosa, while Grindstone Lake, on the other hand, provides a spot for boating and fishing within minutes of the village center.
Outdoor recreation here shifts with its four distinct seasons. Summer brings hikers to the Crest Trail and horseback riders to Fort Stanton-Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, while winter turns attention to Ski Apache, which operates on the slopes of Sierra Blanca Peak. While in the nearby wildlands, you are likely to see wild horses, black bears, and elk, especially in the less developed canyons and meadows surrounding town.
Experience the Wilds of New Mexico
Want somewhere other than Colorado to go skiing this winter? Need an uncrowded park to hike this summer? Any of the above-mentioned towns are perfect for nature lovers in New Mexico looking for some outdoor adventure, whatever season it may be. From charming streets dating back hundreds of years to idyllic state and national parks, these are just a few of the best small communities for you to discover in the Land of Enchantment.
