Are you looking for a weekend getaway from Albuquerque, New Mexico thatโs full of adventure? Look no further! From mountain retreats to national parks and historical sites, there are plenty of exciting weekend trips just waiting to be explored. Spend some time getting out of town and into the outdoors with these 14 amazing weekend getaways from Albuquerque! From desert scenes filled with sandstone formations and multi-colored badlands to historic villages waiting for youโyou’re sure to discover something special around every corner as you kick off your next great adventure!
Chama and The Chama River Valley
The pioneer village of Chama sits at the base of the 10,000-foot Cumbres Pass and is bordered by three wilderness areas; Santa Fe, Rio Grande, and Carson National Forests. Chama’s location makes this mountain town an adventurer’s paradise!
In the summer, spend a day on the water rafting down the Rio Chama, or fishing and boating at El Vado Lake or Heron Lake State Parks. Back on land, take in views of the epic volcanic peaks that are Brazos Cliffs. Get your heart pumping as you mountain bike or hike along the breathtaking trails nearby!
For a more relaxed day in Chama, spend the afternoon at Tierra Wools, where they conduct classes on spinning, dyeing, and weaving wool at their picturesque location, surrounded by stunning mountain vistas.
No visit to Chama is complete without checking out the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. In addition to being one of the most scenic train rides in America, this National Historic Landmark is also the longest and highest narrow-gauge coal-fired steam fueled engines in the US! Climb aboard for an unforgettable 64-mile ride winding through the Rocky and San Juan Mountains, as you pass steep mountain canyons, lush meadows, and high desert views!
Note: The train only runs from late May to October!
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Beneath the surface of the Chihuahuan Desert lies the largest cave chamber in North America, Carlsbad Caverns. The 175-plus miles of caves – filled with enormous stalactites and stalagmites, and 18-foot gypsum โchandeliersโ – are so spectacular that Carlsbad Caverns has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Purchase a ticket to take a self-guided tour of the caves via the Natural Entrance Trail, which allows exploration of three miles of passageways culminating at the famous Big Room. To visit some of the more restricted areas of the cave, sign-up for a ranger-guided tour – tour favorites include Kingโs Palace, Spider Cave and Hall of the White Giant. If you happen to visit during August or September, don’t miss the Bat Flight Program!
While Carlsbad Caverns offers only primitive camping, you can find several accommodation options in the nearby town of Carlsbad, as there are no lodging facilities available within the park.
Pro Tip: For an affordable stay in Carlsbad, check out the Karbani Inn. It may not look like much, but the rooms are clean, comfortable, and cheap ($65 a night cheap!). They also make delicious homemade breakfast burritos to take with you in the morning!
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Located in western-central Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is just under five hours from Albuquerque. Guadalupe Mountains National Park shines the brightest in the fall when its scenic, McKittrick Canyon is bursting with color! The 7-mile McKittrick Canyon Trail winds along limestone canyon walls and past McKittrick Creek to the scenic ridgeline. For a shorter taste of McKittrick Canyon, walk the easy, 0.9-mile McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail.
The park’s most remarkable geological feature is Capitan Reef, the largest Permian fossil reef in the world! Find the best views of Capitan Reef along the 4.2-mile Devil’s Hall Trail. Visitors can spend the night at the adjacent, Pine Springs Campground before setting out on the challenging 8.5-mile round-trip Guadalupe Peak Trail, which leads to the highest peak in Texas at 8,749 feet. The hike is arduous, but the panoramic 360-degree views of the canyon from the peak make it worth the effort.
After a long hike, relax at the campsite and marvel at the pristine night sky teeming with thousands of stars, including the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way!
Pro Tip: If time allows, combine Guadalupe Mountains National Park with a trip to nearby Carlsbad Caverns National Park!
Taos
Taos, situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offers a diverse range of attractions to cater to all kinds of visitors. From its captivating adobe buildings and lively art culture to its impressive skiing facilities and awe-inspiring natural vistas, Taos is an unmissable destination. An essential part of any Taos itinerary is a visit to the Taos Pueblo, which boasts the oldest continuously inhabited dwellings in the US and is both a UNESCO World Heritage site and a National Historic Landmark. Visitors are warmly welcomed by the Taos Pueblo residents to explore their community.
Indulge in some retail therapy by exploring the assortment of handmade tribal pottery and jewelry available at Historic Taos Plaza or visit the Earthship community, an entirely sustainable habitat consisting of homes constructed from recycled materials, and be captivated by its otherworldly and fascinating architecture. For an immersive cultural experience, take a moment to appreciate the historic San Francisco de Asis Church and soak up the awe-inspiring scenery from Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Adventure enthusiasts can opt to trek up Wheeler Peak, the highest summit in New Mexico, or go skiing at Taos Ski Valley.
Santa Fe
The capital of New Mexico, and America’s second oldest city, Santa Fe is filled with history and culture! This charming city boasts a rich history, a vibrant art scene, and some of the best food in the region. From exploring the historic downtown to hiking in the nearby mountains, there’s no shortage of things to do in Santa Fe. One of the top attractions in Santa Fe is the historic Santa Fe Plaza. This central square has been the heart of the city since the early 1600s, and it’s surrounded by historic buildings, boutique shops, and delicious restaurants. While you’re in the area, don’t miss the Palace of the Governors, a 1600s building now home to a museum on New Mexico’s history. Also, visit the Loretto Chapel to see the remarkable “miraculous staircase” โ a unique engineering and design marvel.
After exploring the plaza, head to nearby, Canyon Road. Canyon Road is a must for art-lovers, with stunning adobe exteriors and countless galleries lining the street! Another must-see attraction for art-lovers is the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. This museum showcases the work of one of America’s most beloved artists, who was inspired by the landscapes and cultures of the Southwest. You can see some of O’Keeffe’s most famous paintings here, as well as learn about her life and artistic process. For an immersive art-experience pay a visit to Meow Wolf, a mind-bending, immersive art installation that will transport you to otherworldly dimensions.
If you’re looking for some outdoor adventure, Santa Fe has plenty of options. The nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains offer hiking trails for all skill levels, and you can also go mountain biking or horseback riding. For something a bit more relaxing, head to one of the city’s many spas or hot springs.
Of course, no trip to Santa Fe is complete without indulging in some of the amazing local cuisine. The city is known for its fusion of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican flavors, and you can find everything from traditional New Mexican dishes like green chile stew to contemporary fusion cuisine. Some must-visit restaurants include The Shed, which has been serving up classic New Mexican food since 1953, and Cafe Pasqual’s, which is known for its fresh, organic ingredients and creative dishes. La Choza is a local favorite for their hearty plates of enchiladas, tamales, and chile rellenos, and Tomasita’s is another great option serving up delicious New Mexican cuisine – and their noteworthy, swirl margarita! For dessert, head to Kakawa Chocolate House to indulge in chocolate elixirs and unique chocolates or enjoy a night on the town as you drink your way through the Santa Fe Margarita Trail!
Overall, Santa Fe, New Mexico, is a perfect weekend getaway destination for anyone looking to explore the rich history, culture, and natural beauty of the Southwest.
Petrified Forest National Park
Situated in northeastern Arizona and a mere three-hour drive from Albuquerque, Petrified Forest National Park is a fascinating combination of historical sites and beautifully unique, landscapes. The park boasts the world’s largest collection of prehistoric petrified wood, scattered amidst the vividly colored badlands tinted with hues of orange and pink. A 28-mile roadway meanders through the park, unveiling scenic viewpoints and pathways, in addition to petroglyphs, Pueblo dwellings, and a section of the historic Route 66. The Giant Logs Trail is less than a half-mile-long and offers visitors a glimpse of vibrantly tinted petrified wood, leading up to Old Faithful, a fossilized log with a 10-foot diameter. Across from the Giant Logs trail, walk the short trail to Agate House, an eight-room pueblo house made from petrified wood or view the petroglyphs at the nearby Newspaper Rock.
Petrified Forest’s expansive designated wilderness area, spanning over 50,000 acres, provides an ideal setting for finding solitude by camping in the backcountry. Besides backpacking, lodging can be found in Holbrook, a town renowned for its eccentric, roadside Americana appeal. For a unique experience, visitors can even stay in a tipi at the Wigwam Motel.
Route 66: Tucumcari and Amarillo
Get nostalgic as you step back in time on this historic Route 66 road-trip. Start your weekend in Tucumcari, a town that feels like it’s frozen in time with buzzing neon signs and Route 66 icons lining the streets. During the day, stroll around town to appreciate the numerous murals adorning the buildings and snap a photo in front of the world’s largest mural dedicated to Route 66, located at the Convention Center. Become a route 66 history buff at the New Mexico Route 66 Museum that houses the largest collection of Route 66 photos in addition to restored classic cars and vintage Route 66 signage and gas pumps. Take a moment to admire the playful design of Tee Pee Curios and next door, La Cita Restaurant. Afterwards, step inside La Cita to savor a traditional New Mexican meal. As night falls, the vibrant city of Tucumcari comes to life with the dazzling radiance of neon lights. If you plan to spend the night, reserve a room at the renowned Blue Swallow Motel, which has been accommodating Route 66 travelers since 1939!
As you continue east along Route 66 towards Amarillo, the Americana vibes continue. Head to the Sixth Street Historic District, set along historic Route 66, where you’ll discover restaurants and shops with a fun atmosphere. After exploring Sixth Street, head to Palo Duro State Park to hike through the second largest canyon in the United States, or, if you prefer a more relaxed experience, drive the scenic 16-mile loop road through Palo Duro for some stellar views! Following your outdoor excursion in Palo Duro, be sure to visit Cadillac Ranch, an outdoor art exhibit consisting of cars submerged in the desert sand and covered in graffiti. Visitors are encouraged to contribute their own artistic flair to the cars, so remember to bring along a can of spray paint!
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Located in south-central Colorado, Great Sand Dunes National Park is home to the tallest sand dunes in North America. The dune field is sandwiched between the San Juan Mountains and the Sangre de Cristos range, providing stunning mountain views throughout the park!
An arduous five-hour hike through the dune field will take you to the summit of Star Dune, North America’s tallest dune, standing at an impressive height of 750 feet. High Dune, which is the second highest sand dune measuring at 699 feet, is a preferred hiking destination and can be summited in roughly two hours. If you’re not feeling up for a hike through sand dunes, you can rent sandboards and sleds year-round from Kristi Mountain Sports in Alamosa and sled right at the entry to the dune field.
While the dunes are the main attraction in the park, there are several mountain trails outside of the dunes as well. Hike Montville Nature Trail for an easy stroll or the 3.5-mile (one-way) Mosca Pass Trail through aspen and evergreen forests. In the summer, you can seek refreshment from the heat in the seasonal, Medano Creek.
Pinon Flats is the only established campground in the park, but there are also several opportunities for backcountry camping. For an unforgettable experience, book a stay at the all-inclusive, Zapata Ranch. Zapata Ranch specializes in horseback riding, offering rides through herds of wild bison in addition to rafting, rock climbing, fly fishing, and hiking tours.
Durango, CO
The Colorado mountain-town of Durango, offers a wide array of outdoor activities and is a year-round adventurer’s playground! In the spring and summer, hike through fields of wildflowers and rock climb in San Juan National Forest, raft the Animas River, or mountain bike on the one of the endless miles of bike trails. In the winter, hit some of Colorado’s best ski slopes at Purgatory Ski Resort, or enjoy a dogsled tour through the San Juan Mountains. One of Durango’s most popular attractions is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, offering one of the most scenic train journeys in the US!
Before heading back to Albuquerque, pay a visit to nearby, Mesa Verde National Park. Declared a national park in 1906, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, Mesa Verde protects almost 5,000 Ancestral Puebloan archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings!
Bisti Badlands and Chaco Canyon
For a weekend filled with history and outdoor adventure, combine a visit to Bisti Badlands and Chaco Canyon. The Bisti Badlands, situated in the northwestern desert region of New Mexico, can make you feel like you have been transported to an entirely different planet due to its peculiar and breathtaking scenery. The landscape is a vast expanse of vibrant undulating mounds, peculiar rock formations, fungal shapes, and multicolored badlands. You may even stumble upon scattered petrified wood if you keep a keen eye out. With no designated trails, you have the liberty to explore this surreal location as much or as little as you want!
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, situated near the Bisti Badlands, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that safeguards ancestral Pueblo kivas, structures, and petroglyphs. As you embark on the 9-mile scenic loop drive, you will be taken through all the notable highlights of the park, including awe-inspiring views of Fajada Butte and various other ruins waiting to be explored. The most notable of these ruins is the Pueblo Bonito, which is the largest and a must-visit spot where you can even walk inside of the structures. Another spot worth exploring is Casa Rinconada, a vast ceremonial structure that provides a glimpse into the region’s rich history.
Note: To reach the park, you must drive down an unpaved road for several miles. We were able to get there in our sedan, just be prepared to take it slow:)
Bisti and Chaco are both fairly remote, so your best option for overnighting is camping. You can camp in the wilderness in Bisti, or for a developed campground, book a site at Chaco’s Gallo Campground.
Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway
The Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway is a 132-mile loop that takes you through a plethora of awe-inspiring natural, cultural, and historical landmarks. The route begins and ends in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where the first atomic bomb was assembled. While in Los Alamos, a visit to the Bradbury Science Museum is highly recommended as it offers interactive exhibits that provide insight into the WWII Manhattan Project.
Starting in Los Alamos, head towards Jemez Springs on State Road 4 to explore the Tsankawi Ruins, which were once home to the Ancestral Tewa Pueblo people in the 1400s. Further along State Road 4, you’ll wind through the colorful Rio Grande Valley until you reach Bandelier National Monument, where visitors can climb into the archaeological ruins of an Ancestral Pueblo village built into the cliff-side.
As you approach Jemez Springs, you’ll be greeted by the stunning Valles Caldera National Preserve, a volcanic crater within the volcanic Jemez Mountain Range that offers trails to hot springs and grazing elk. After exploring the preserve, continue to Jemez Falls, where a short hike leads you to a spectacular series of waterfalls. If you wish to stay overnight, note that there are four campgrounds nearby.
A few miles down the road is Fenton Lake State Park, offering camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Continuing on Route 4 will bring you to Spence Hot Springs, where a 0.7-mile hike allows you to soak in the natural, hot spring. If this is an important stop for you, I would recommend getting there early as the parking lot is only made for 7 cars and it fills very quickly!
A short distance from Spence Hot Springs you will spot the towering, Battleship Rock, a sheer cliff rising above the river that was created by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Further along Route 4 you will pass Soda Dam and Jemez Historic Site. The Jemez Historic Site includes the ruins of a 500 year old Giusewa village and the 17th-century Spanish colonial mission called San Josรฉ de los Jรฉmez.
If time permits, take a slight detour on NM Highway 485 to drive through the Gilman Tunnels, which are a remnant of an old railroad that was built in the 1920s. Another detour on State Route 290 will lead you to Ponderosa Valley Vineyard which is the largest Riesling vineyard in New Mexico and offers free wine tastings. Yes, free! Headed back toward Los Alamos on Route 4, you’ll reach the Walatowa Visitor Center in Jemez Pueblo, situated among beautiful red rocks!
Once arriving back in Los Alamos, toast to a well-spent weekend, with a flight served in a mini bathtub at Bathtub Row Brewing!
Ghost Ranch
A former dude ranch northwest of Santa Fe, Ghost Ranch was made famous by painter, Georgia O’Keeffe. Encompassing 21,000 acres of vivid colors, towering rock walls, and bright blue open skies, the landscape of Ghost Ranch inspired many of Georgia O’Keeffe’s famous paintings, and a visit to this ranch and retreat center is sure to inspire your inner artist as well!
Immerse yourself in nature on one of the many trails winding through the property or take a dip in Abiquiu Lake. The ranch offers horseback riding and Georgia O’Keeffe inspired painting tours in addition to two museums. Regardless of how you choose to spend your time here, the landscape is sure to have you feeling at ease! Book a room at the lodge, or to sleep under the stars stay at the ranch campground!
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park is home to the worldโs largest gypsum dune field and is one of the most stunning landscapes in the state. Glistening white gypsum sand has built up over time to create dunes up to 60 feet high. This extraordinary landscape will have you feeling like youโve stepped onto another planet as you gaze out at sparkling sand as far as the eye can see! Sledding the dunes is one of the top activities to enjoy while at White Sands. At the park’s entrance, the visitor center offers sleds for purchase or you can bring your own round plastic saucer to use on the dunes. To fully appreciate the vastness of the dunefield, take a drive on the 16-mile Dunes Drive and select the perfect dune to sled down!
There are no campgrounds in the park, but you can register for a backcountry permit to sleep on the dunes and take in the epic night sky! If you happen to be visiting during a full moon, sign up for a Full Moon Hike to see the sand under the magical glow of the moon!
If you aren’t up for backcountry camping, you can find lodging in the nearby towns of Alamogordo or Las Cruces.
Pro Tip: White Sands can be seen in a day if you wish, combine a trip to White Sands National Park with a visit to nearby, Cloudcroft!
Cloudcroft
The village of Cloudcroft sits high in the Sacramento Mountains at 9,000 feet elevation, making this quaint town a hot spot for outdoor enthusiasts! Cloudcroft is home to the southernmost ski resort in the U.S., Ski Cloudcroft, offering 25 ski trails and tubing in both the winter and summer. In addition to the popular ski resort, visitors can also enjoy excellent hiking and mountain biking. The New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association has converted abandoned railroad lines into a network of hiking trails, allowing you to hike high above the trees on an old train trestle. Mountain bikers should head to the High-Altitude Race Loop, a 8.2-mile track through Bailey Canyon.
After an active day on the trails, head into town for some well-earned, wood-fired pizza and beer at Cloudcroft Brewing Company. For a pampered experience, book a stay at the mountain-top, Cloudcroft Lodge and Spa!
