One Month in New Mexico

5 of Our Favorite Outdoors Decisions

We spent a lot of time outdoors in New Mexico. Before we got to New Mexico we pictured desert and meth, so we were surprised to find out just how much more this mysterious state had to offer. We were particularly impressed by how drastically the landscape can change. Desert, forest, city, ruins, mountains, and a cave so large you can put the Empire State Building in it or something. Unfortunately, there's a lot we missed, but see some of our favorite outdoor experiences in NM below:

1. White Sands National Park

Ashley's head almost exploded here. It's a fascinating place to visit and although we went three times during the two days we were in the area, it wasn't enough. Three things:

Go during sunrise/sunset, google images for why.
LOTS of water, sunscreen, everything you can do to protect yourself from the big heater in the sky. People have died here, don't be dumb.
You can go sledding, we didn't, I'd hurt myself.. But, a lot of other healthy people look like they have fun doing it!

2. Carlsbad Caverns National Park:

The true home of the Batman, Carlsbad Cavern is a hole in the ground that just does not stop ever. It's a long trek down, but the creepy stalactites dangling from the ceiling and the deafening silence create a pretty unique experience. Three things:

The main cave, Carlsbad Cavern contains more than 30 miles of caves and is the largest, readily accessible cave chamber in North America!
The caverns were forged by sulfuric acid! Do whatever you want with that information!
You can take an elevator down that drops the height of the Empire State Building, into the darkness, beneath tons and tons of rock, claustrophobes where you at?

3. Bandelier National Monument:

Human settlements from around 11,000 years ago. That's probably before you were born. Those crazies hand carved their dwellings into the side of a huge rock wall in Frijoles Canyon. Learn more here from a not dummy - Bandelier. Three things:

Climb! You can climb the ladders as if you were an ancestral Pueblo person. Alcove House is the last climb along the trail and features four wooden ladders and stone stairs that climb 140 feet. If you're like me and don't love heights, it might not be as fun for you.
Enjoy the forest surroundings and go for a hike. It's quite lovely beyond the ruins as well.
While the dwellings are thought to be carved out by humans, it's likely that species out of this world once kept their eggs here with the hopes that one day the spawn would crawl down the face of Frijoles Canyon and begin the extermination of man.

4. Valles Caldera National Preserve:

Sweet, beautiful country. A place bountiful with meadows, hiking trails, and wildlife. Three things:

Go early in the morning or at dusk for wildlife viewing. Give yourself a chance to see some elk, which are the evolved form of deer, or other cuties like prairie dogs, coyotes, cool birds, and possibly black bear.
There's some lovely hiking to be done here. Put in the work to get to some pretty grand views of the valley for your Instagram feed.
The drive is beautiful! We spent hours driving that day pulling off at various spots, pointing and see what we could find. So if you're on the fence about whether or not it's worth the drive, you're looking at it wrong.

5. Sandia Mountains:

The backdrop to our home in Placitas, I'm grateful to the Sandia Mountains for a months worth of face melting sunsets. Besides staring at them, there's a lot to explore if you get up close and personal. Three things:

The Sandia Peak Tramway! It's the longest aerial tram in the United States and has a restaurant at the top!
Calm down dads and bros, it's not that type of man cave. The Sandia Man Cave is evidence of a cave dwelling used 9,000 to 11,000 years ago. Maybe it was used to watch football and crush beers even then.
You don't have to enjoy it standing up! Sit back, relax, and enjoy the views from the car along the Sandia scenic byway.