Scenic National Byways in New Mexico
Six of New Mexico’s 27 Scenic and Historic Byways are designated national Scenic Byways and all are full of History, Scenic Beauty, Arts, Culture and Adventure:
- Billy the Kid Byway – Follow the ghosts of the most famous outlaw of the Old West through the Lincoln National Forest.
- El Camino Real – The Royal highway follows the Rio Grande through the history and culture of New Mexico.
- Historic Route 66 – Come get your kicks on America’s Mother Road.
- Jemez Mountain Trail is full of recreation and beauty of the Santa Fe National Forest and Jemez Pueblo.
- Santa Fe Trail – Relive the past on the world-renowned highway of history and commerce of the Old West.
- Turquoise Trail is a route of gold and turquoise fortune seekers passes through the Sandia Mountains and revived ghost mining towns.
Historic Route 66
Albuquerque, Central New Mexico. Length: 604 miles
“Get your kicks on Route 66!” Grasp the spirit of American mobility, independence, and freedom as you enjoy a cultural mix of Native American Heritage, old Spanish Pueblos, 19th century ranches, and remnants of authentic Route 66-era tourist attraction. Many of the early curiosities that made Route 66 intriguing to travelers have fallen victim to Interstate Highways.
However, much of the route’s character can still be seen by leaving the beaten path in and around Albuquerque. On Albuquerque’s eastern edge, travelers can pick up parts of Route 66 at Tijeras Canyon, where a serene and rural atmosphere allows you to leave the big city behind. Other parts of the road lead visitors to quaint and historic sites, allowing them to catch a glimpse into the past and get a taste for what life was like a few decades ago.
Jemez Mountain Trail
NM 4. San Ysidro, north of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico. Length: 132 miles.
Witness America on the Move; as you traverse one of America’s first great trade routes. Visit historic sites such as Fort Union, Wagon Mound, and Point of Rocks, enjoying the rough Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the gama-buffalo grasslands.This picturesque trail takes travelers from Albuquerque to Santa Fe via Bernalillo, a variety of Spanish and Indian ruins, the Cornado and Jemez State Monuments, Los Alamos, and the Bandelier National Monument. From this monument, it is just a short jaunt to either Chimayo and El Santuario de Chimayo, or to “The City Different,” Santa Fe.
Just north of Albuquerque, at the unspoiled village of San Ysidro, at the junction of NM 44 and NM 4, quietly begins one of New Mexico’s most spectacular scenic drives — the Jemez Mountain Trail. Traveling this trail is a journey through time. A leisurely day trip takes you past fantastic geologic formations, ancient Indian ruins and Indian pueblos, and reminders of the area’s logging, mining and ranching heritage. Approximately 65 miles of the byway wind through the Santa Fe National Forest and 40 miles of this are now the Jemez National Recreation Area. There are many opportunities for hiking, fishing, camping, and, in the winter, cross country skiing. The Jemez Mountains are also famous for their natural hot springs.
San Ysidro, Upper Sonoran desert terrain, is a village where you can find the work of local artisans and view the restored Spanish adobe church.
Jemez Pueblo is about five miles from San Ysidro, located at the gateway of the majestic Cañon de San Diego. There are over 3,000 tribal members, most of whom reside in a single Puebloan village known as Walatowa – the Towa word meaning This is THE place. Enjoy traditional Jemez foods, and arts and crafts available at roadside stands in the beautiful Red Rocks area. Jemez Pueblo has recreation areas where you can picnic, fish, and enjoy the great outdoors.
Just north of Albuquerque is one of New Mexico’s most spectacular scenic drives. This journey through time takes you past amazing geological formations, ancient Indian ruins, one Indian Pueblo, and the area’s logging, mining, and ranching heritage.
Billy the Kid Byway
Ruidoso, Lincoln County, South Eastern New Mexico; Highway 70 – NM 48 – Highway 380. Length: 84 miles
The Lincoln County area is rich in history. It is home to Billy the Kid, the Lincoln County War, the Mescalero Apache tribe, Kit Carson, “Black Jack” Pershing, the Buffalo Soldiers, the world’s richest Quarter Horse race, and Smokey the Bear.
The Billy the Kid Trail travels through a region marked by exceptional natural scenic beauty and diversity. From grassy plains to dense pine forests, the region is known for its stunning views and cool mountain climate. Visually, it is breathtakingly different from the arid desert that surrounds it. The area is rich in historical and cultural tradition, as well as recreational opportunities.
El Camino Real
I25 from Santa Fe in North Central New Mexico to Anthony in South Central New Mexico. Length: 299 miles
The Royal Highway follows the Rio Grande River from the United States/Mexico border to Santa Fe. It traverses a land rich in history and culture. The scenic beauty of the Camino Real is as diverse and colorful as its culture, history, and people. From the low-lying flatlands of the south to the soaring peaks of the northern mountains, the terrain climbs 10,000 feet in altitude, creating a landscape of dramatic contrasts.
Santa Fe Trail – New Mexico
I25 north of Santa Fe, North Central New Mexico. Length: 381 miles
The Santa Fe Trail was the first of America’s great Trans-Mississippi routes. The trail, including the Mountain and Cimarron routes, crossed over 1,200 miles from Franklin, Missouri, to Santa Fe, New Mexico. From 1821 to 1880, it was an important two-way avenue for commerce and cultural exchange among Spanish, Indian, and American cultures.
The area around the Santa Fe Trail boasts over 20 Historic Districts and over 30 individual sites that are recorded on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of these sites are directly related to the Santa Fe Trail.
Turquoise Trail
NM 14. In between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Length: 61.2 miles.
Rather than driving I-25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, drive back into history and get a flavor of the old West. Visit the “ghost” mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, which are now coming alive with arts, crafts, theater, music, and more! Back roads often lead to glorious scenery and great discovery. When travelers leave the freeway and venture onto the scenic and historic Turquoise Trail that links Albuquerque and Santa Fe, they will see 15,000 square miles of central New Mexico with a bird’s-eye view from atop Sandia Crest, the magnificent summit of the Sandia Mountains in Cibola National Forest. They will drive back into history in the “ghost” mining towns of Golden, Madrid, and Cerrillos, towns that are now coming alive with arts, crafts, theater, music, museums, and restaurants.
The Museum of Archaeology and Material Culture in Cedar Crest is a 12,000-year timeline telling the story of North America’s earliest inhabitants through the Battle of Wounded Knee in 1890.
The “High Point on the Turquoise Trail” is the magnificent summit of the Sandia Mountains, Sandia Crest, at 10,678 ft. The view from the summit observation deck is awesome! From here, you can venture into Sandia Crest Wilderness Area while hiking through aspen glades and across flowering meadows, coming upon one spectacular view after another.
All along the way, there is adventure and fun for everyone. To really discover the Land of Enchantment, travel the Turquoise Trail!