One of the best parts of living in New Mexico is being surrounded by nature and expanses of untouched land. Sometimes it seems like everyone and their grandmother – literally – spends their weekends hiking up mountains. However, you don’t need to go white water rafting or cycle a century to enjoy the great outdoors. Here are 15 low-key ways to immerse yourself in nature.
- Take a ski lift ride and soak in the views.
Flickr/Cyborglibrarian Check out the ski area nearest you. Many offer ski lift rides during the summer months. Chairlift 4 at the Bavarian, in Taos Ski Valley, opens June 24th this year; the gondola at Ski Apache is already open.
- Take a scenic drive.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Try the 48-mile Lake Valley Back Country Byway. Highlights include mountain views and access to a ghost town (pictured). Alternatively, embark on the even shorter 9.9-mile long Narrow-Gauge Scenic Byway.
There are loads of established and not-so-official stunning drives in New Mexico that you can complete in a day.
- Explore a new park.
Flickr/Denny Armstrong Parks continue to increase the number of trails that are accessible to all, from a portion of the Catwalk Trail in Glenwood to the Cottonwood Springs Trail, which is part of the Elena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque.
- Visit a nature refuge.
Flickr/Joel Deluxe There’s an auto tour loop through Bosque del Apache with pull offs where you can get out and do a little bird watching. If you fancy something a bit more athletic, you can always cycle or hike along the trails. Other great refuges in New Mexico include Bitter Lake near Roswell (pictured) and Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge near Cimarron.
- Go fishing…
Flickr/Mark Wuest Whether you’re trying for brown trout on the Cimarron River, fishing for bass on Elephant Butte Lake, or catching pike on Navajo Lake, you’ll be surrounded by sublime scenery. (Just remember to obtain a fishing license first.)
- Or head to a fish hatchery.
Juliet White It’s always fun to feed the fish.
- Take a hot air balloon ride.
Flickr/mnchilemom This one’s a bit more adventurous but, oh, the views!
- Try a little stargazing.
Flickr/Mike Lewinski If you prefer to keep your feet planted on the ground, take advantage of warm summer nights to explore the heavens.
- Watch an outdoor sporting event.
Flickr/Larry Lamsa Rodeo, anyone?
- Unwind in a hot spring.
Facebook/Riverbend Hot Springs Either hike to a primitive one or soak in a developed hot spring in an outdoor setting.
(Pictured: Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequence.)
- What about geocaching?
Flickr/City of Albuquerque Open Space You get plenty of fresh air and some excitement when participating in this modern day version of treasure hunting. While some stashes are challenging to access, others are easily accessible.
- Chill out on the beach.
Flickr/Joel Deluxe No, we didn’t overlook the fact that New Mexico is a landlocked state. But there are beaches bordering our lakes and even beaches in cities like Carlsbad.
(Pictured: Lea Lake in Bottomless Lakes State Park, near Roswell.)
And let’s not forget White Sands.
Flickr/Gabriel Balderas
- Have a picnic.
Flickr/waferboard
- Watch a movie outside or listen to music.
Flickr/Artotem Many places offer music or movies in the park during the warmer months.
- Pick your own fruit or veggies.
Flickr/Suzie’s Farm
To find a farm near you, click here.
Flickr/Cyborglibrarian
Check out the ski area nearest you. Many offer ski lift rides during the summer months. Chairlift 4 at the Bavarian, in Taos Ski Valley, opens June 24th this year; the gondola at Ski Apache is already open.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Try the 48-mile Lake Valley Back Country Byway. Highlights include mountain views and access to a ghost town (pictured). Alternatively, embark on the even shorter 9.9-mile long Narrow-Gauge Scenic Byway.
There are loads of established and not-so-official stunning drives in New Mexico that you can complete in a day.
Flickr/Denny Armstrong
Parks continue to increase the number of trails that are accessible to all, from a portion of the Catwalk Trail in Glenwood to the Cottonwood Springs Trail, which is part of the Elena Gallegos Open Space in Albuquerque.
Flickr/Joel Deluxe
There’s an auto tour loop through Bosque del Apache with pull offs where you can get out and do a little bird watching. If you fancy something a bit more athletic, you can always cycle or hike along the trails. Other great refuges in New Mexico include Bitter Lake near Roswell (pictured) and Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge near Cimarron.
Flickr/Mark Wuest
Whether you’re trying for brown trout on the Cimarron River, fishing for bass on Elephant Butte Lake, or catching pike on Navajo Lake, you’ll be surrounded by sublime scenery. (Just remember to obtain a fishing license first.)
Juliet White
It’s always fun to feed the fish.
Flickr/mnchilemom
This one’s a bit more adventurous but, oh, the views!
Flickr/Mike Lewinski
If you prefer to keep your feet planted on the ground, take advantage of warm summer nights to explore the heavens.
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
Rodeo, anyone?
Facebook/Riverbend Hot Springs
Either hike to a primitive one or soak in a developed hot spring in an outdoor setting.
(Pictured: Riverbend Hot Springs in Truth or Consequence.)
Flickr/City of Albuquerque Open Space
You get plenty of fresh air and some excitement when participating in this modern day version of treasure hunting. While some stashes are challenging to access, others are easily accessible.
No, we didn’t overlook the fact that New Mexico is a landlocked state. But there are beaches bordering our lakes and even beaches in cities like Carlsbad.
(Pictured: Lea Lake in Bottomless Lakes State Park, near Roswell.)
Flickr/Gabriel Balderas
Flickr/waferboard
Flickr/Artotem
Many places offer music or movies in the park during the warmer months.
Flickr/Suzie’s Farm
How do you like to get back to nature?
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