Do your 2022 resolutions include venturing into nature a little more often? If you’re located in New Mexico, you’re in luck, because the state is home to an impressive number of state and national parks that showcase the state’s natural beauty! There is absolutely no shortage of state and national parks to visit in New Mexico.
And, guess what? If you plan your vacation days just right, you’ll be able to head out to New Mexico’s national parks and monuments at no cost!
John Fowler/Flickr Each year, the National Park Service hosts a select number of days in which entrance fees are waived for all visitors. This year, there will be five days, which include:
January 17th: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day April 16th: The beginning of National Park Week August 4th: National Park Service Birthday September 24th: National Public Lands Day November 11th: Veterans Day
These are the six parks you’ll be able to visit for free:
- Bandelier National Monument
Michael Rael/Flickr This national monument is located west of Santa Fe and is home to incredible cliff dwellings and petroglyphs that date back hundreds of years. You will love the hiking trails.
Details: National Park Service Bandelier National Monument, 15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
- Capulin Volcano National Monument
jaygannett/Flickr At first glance, you may not realize New Mexico has fairly young volcanic fields but this national monument is proof these locations can be quite peaceful and filled with life.
Details: National Park Service Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico 88418, USA
- Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Sathish J/Flickr Featuring some of the deepest caves in the country, this national park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find an impressive number of formations here and imaginative tours.
Details: National Park Service Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
- Chaco Culture National Historical Park
John Fowler/Flickr Another World Heritage Site, this location is informally referred to as Chaco Canyon. You’ll see buildings constructed by Ancestral Puebloans over 12 centuries ago.
Details: National Park Service Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA
- Valles Caldera National Preserve
Ron Cogswell/Flickr Another volcanic site in New Mexico, this one is one of the best examples of an intact volcanic caldera. This lush environment is also rich with plants and wildlife, and it has some of the darkest skies you’ll find in the state.
Details: National Park Service Valles Caldera, New Mexico 87025, USA
- White Sands National Park
Steven Christenson (aka Night Sky Guy)/Flickr New Mexico’s newest national park is definitely a must-see on any of these fee-free days. This is the largest gypsum dune field in the world and makes for an unforgettable visit.
Details: National Park Service White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
Do you plan to visit one of New Mexico’s national parks on these free admission days? Tell us all about your epic plans in the comments.
John Fowler/Flickr
Each year, the National Park Service hosts a select number of days in which entrance fees are waived for all visitors. This year, there will be five days, which include:
January 17th: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day April 16th: The beginning of National Park Week August 4th: National Park Service Birthday September 24th: National Public Lands Day November 11th: Veterans Day
These are the six parks you’ll be able to visit for free:
Michael Rael/Flickr
This national monument is located west of Santa Fe and is home to incredible cliff dwellings and petroglyphs that date back hundreds of years. You will love the hiking trails.
Details: National Park Service
Bandelier National Monument, 15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM 87544, USA
jaygannett/Flickr
At first glance, you may not realize New Mexico has fairly young volcanic fields but this national monument is proof these locations can be quite peaceful and filled with life.
Details: National Park Service
Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico 88418, USA
Sathish J/Flickr
Featuring some of the deepest caves in the country, this national park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You’ll find an impressive number of formations here and imaginative tours.
Details: National Park Service
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM 88220, USA
Another World Heritage Site, this location is informally referred to as Chaco Canyon. You’ll see buildings constructed by Ancestral Puebloans over 12 centuries ago.
Details: National Park Service
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA
Ron Cogswell/Flickr
Another volcanic site in New Mexico, this one is one of the best examples of an intact volcanic caldera. This lush environment is also rich with plants and wildlife, and it has some of the darkest skies you’ll find in the state.
Details: National Park Service
Valles Caldera, New Mexico 87025, USA
Steven Christenson (aka Night Sky Guy)/Flickr
New Mexico’s newest national park is definitely a must-see on any of these fee-free days. This is the largest gypsum dune field in the world and makes for an unforgettable visit.
Details: National Park Service
White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
If you want to turn this idea into a road trip, we conveniently have a map set up with three of the parks mentioned above. Read more in This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You New Mexico Like You’ve Never Seen It Before.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
National Parks to Visit in New Mexico January 16, 2022 Tori Jane What are some fun things to do outside in New Mexico? New Mexico is a great state for – well, just about anything, really. There is plenty to do indoors here, but our amazing outdoor recreation is almost too good to be true. The Four Corners states are honestly all pretty amazing, but New Mexico has a certain magic to it that’s second to none. If you can dream it, you can do it out here; outdoor activity potential ranges from hiking and biking on some of the world’s most scenic trails to camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and everything in between. You could even go cliff-diving, if you wanted to. You’ll also want to check out amazing natural landmarks like the Blue Hole, or journey into any one of New Mexico’s intriguing cave systems for quite the amazing outdoors experience (that feels oddly indoors). Even during the coldest months, there’s plenty to do! New Mexico has some great ski resorts for those who love playing in the snow (totally guilty here). The possibilities are only as limited at your imagination, so get outside and enjoy. What are some of the most popular hiking trails in New Mexico? According to AllTrails.com, an epic resource for all things hiking and mountain biking in all 50 states (and then some), some of the most beloved trails in New Mexico include the Williams Lake Trail to Wheeler Park, a challenging hike leading up to the highest point in New Mexico, and Williams Lake Trail on its own, which, even without the summit climb, is wonderful, challenging, and incredible scenic. The Nambe Lake Trail will lead you on an adventure through the southern Rockies and into a place that feels like something out of a fairy tale. Atalaya Mountain Trail is another amazing one, and we also really love La Luz Trail #37, which is pretty hard, but incredibly worth it. If some of these longer hikes aren’t really your thing, you should check out this list of amazing short hiking trails in New Mexico you ought to conquer ASAP.
The OIYS Visitor Center
National Parks to Visit in New Mexico
January 16, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some fun things to do outside in New Mexico? New Mexico is a great state for – well, just about anything, really. There is plenty to do indoors here, but our amazing outdoor recreation is almost too good to be true. The Four Corners states are honestly all pretty amazing, but New Mexico has a certain magic to it that’s second to none. If you can dream it, you can do it out here; outdoor activity potential ranges from hiking and biking on some of the world’s most scenic trails to camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and everything in between. You could even go cliff-diving, if you wanted to. You’ll also want to check out amazing natural landmarks like the Blue Hole, or journey into any one of New Mexico’s intriguing cave systems for quite the amazing outdoors experience (that feels oddly indoors). Even during the coldest months, there’s plenty to do! New Mexico has some great ski resorts for those who love playing in the snow (totally guilty here). The possibilities are only as limited at your imagination, so get outside and enjoy. What are some of the most popular hiking trails in New Mexico? According to AllTrails.com, an epic resource for all things hiking and mountain biking in all 50 states (and then some), some of the most beloved trails in New Mexico include the Williams Lake Trail to Wheeler Park, a challenging hike leading up to the highest point in New Mexico, and Williams Lake Trail on its own, which, even without the summit climb, is wonderful, challenging, and incredible scenic. The Nambe Lake Trail will lead you on an adventure through the southern Rockies and into a place that feels like something out of a fairy tale. Atalaya Mountain Trail is another amazing one, and we also really love La Luz Trail #37, which is pretty hard, but incredibly worth it. If some of these longer hikes aren’t really your thing, you should check out this list of amazing short hiking trails in New Mexico you ought to conquer ASAP.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
New Mexico is a great state for – well, just about anything, really. There is plenty to do indoors here, but our amazing outdoor recreation is almost too good to be true. The Four Corners states are honestly all pretty amazing, but New Mexico has a certain magic to it that’s second to none. If you can dream it, you can do it out here; outdoor activity potential ranges from hiking and biking on some of the world’s most scenic trails to camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and everything in between. You could even go cliff-diving, if you wanted to. You’ll also want to check out amazing natural landmarks like the Blue Hole, or journey into any one of New Mexico’s intriguing cave systems for quite the amazing outdoors experience (that feels oddly indoors). Even during the coldest months, there’s plenty to do! New Mexico has some great ski resorts for those who love playing in the snow (totally guilty here). The possibilities are only as limited at your imagination, so get outside and enjoy.
What are some of the most popular hiking trails in New Mexico?
According to AllTrails.com, an epic resource for all things hiking and mountain biking in all 50 states (and then some), some of the most beloved trails in New Mexico include the Williams Lake Trail to Wheeler Park, a challenging hike leading up to the highest point in New Mexico, and Williams Lake Trail on its own, which, even without the summit climb, is wonderful, challenging, and incredible scenic. The Nambe Lake Trail will lead you on an adventure through the southern Rockies and into a place that feels like something out of a fairy tale. Atalaya Mountain Trail is another amazing one, and we also really love La Luz Trail #37, which is pretty hard, but incredibly worth it. If some of these longer hikes aren’t really your thing, you should check out this list of amazing short hiking trails in New Mexico you ought to conquer ASAP.
