Must-See National Parks in New Mexico
Icy lava tubes. Ancient cliff dwellings. World-famous caves. Towering gypsum sand dunes. New Mexico’s nationally protected parks are natural and cultural marvels just waiting to be explored. Wondering which of the state’s 15 sites should grace the top of your Land of Enchantment Bucket List? Read on, dear traveler, for our list of must-see New Mexico national parks.
Valles Caldera National Preserve * Photo by Kerry M. Halasz
Our Top Picks:
💙 Cultural Site: Bandelier National Monument
🌱 Natural Wonder: Carlsbad Caverns
💎 Hidden Gem: Valles Caldera National Preserve
🏛 Historical Site: Manhattan Project National Historic Park
🚼 Family Friendly: White Sands National Park
Bandelier National Monument 💙
Los Alamos, NM
Climb the cliffside steps and ascend into the architectural remains of a thousand-year-old society. The land comprising Bandelier National Monument has been occupied for more than 10,000 years, but it wasn’t until about 1050 CE that Ancestral Puebloans chiseled away at the cliff’s soft, volcanic tuff rock to create the iconic dwellings and ceremonial caverns that visitors ogle today.
When to go: Any time will do, but to avoid summer crowds and take in stunning fall color, head to Bandelier in October.
Don’t Miss: Bandelier is surrounded by natural beauty. Check out the backcountry trails to fully appreciate Frijoles Canyon and environs.
Pro tip: Arrive early! Parking is limited, and access is only available via shuttle bus during peak times/seasons. Check nps.gov for details.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park 🌱
Carlsbad, NM
Journey hundreds of feet below ground into a labyrinth of otherworldly caves, replete with some of nature’s most astounding architectural feats. And if you’re visiting between late May and October, stick around for nightfall to watch as thousands of Brazilian free-tailed bats emerge from the caverns in search of food.
When to go: Early fall is best if you want to skip the summer crowds but still catch the nightly bat ascension. The temp inside the caverns remains the same all year – about 56 degrees Fahrenheit.
Don’t Miss: The top-notch guided tours
Pro tip: Check the park’s website to confirm availability of guided tours, many of which have yet to resume following pandemic-related cancellations. Wear hiking shoes with deep treads and ankle support, and if you’re taking photos, don’t forget your tripod for those once-in-a-lifetime long-exposure snaps.
El Malpais National Monument 🌱 💎
Grants, NM
Welcome to the land of fire and ice, where one of the nation’s most complete sequences of lava flows is also home to icy lava-tube caves and a geological diversity that’ll have you oohing and aahing at every viewpoint. El Malpais is a caving wonderland, but with its rugged, undeveloped terrain, it’s not for the faint of heart. Still, majestic drives and a series or short hiking options make it a worthwhile adventure for every ilk of traveler.
When to go: May through October. Lava tubes are closed during the winter months to protect hibernating bats.
Don’t Miss: Check out cinder cones, lava tubes and flows on the El Calderon Trail.
Pro tip: Caving permits are required for entry to lava-tube caves. If you want to explore a lava tube in the off-season, head down the road to the privately-owned Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano. Fees are reasonable, and it’s a family-friendly experience.
Manhattan Project National Historic Park 🏛
Los Alamos, NM
You won’t find a gate welcoming you to this unique national park, a collaboration between the National Parks Service, the U.S. Department of Energy and a handful of community partner organizations. Los Alamos – one of the three cities nationwide to host a branch of the park – is the famed home of the top-secret Manhattan Project, whose scientists are credited with designing and testing the world’s first nuclear weapons. Visit various sites around the city, including the Bradbury Science Museum, the Oppenheimer House and the Los Alamos History Museum.
When to go: Year round
Don’t Miss: Check the Bradbury Museum website to see if your trip aligns with one of the park’s Behind the Fence tours of Manhattan Project facilities.
Pro tip: Start at the Visitor’s Center and follow the walking tour route to get the most out of your visit to downtown Los Alamos.
Valles Caldera National Preserve 🌱 💎 🚼
Jemez Springs, NM
Journey high into the Jemez Mountains to a now-dormant volcano and witness the lingering geological imprint of a mega-eruption that occurred 1.25 million years ago. Valles Caldera is a fertile 13-mile-wide grassland surrounded by volcanic cliffs and dotted with hot springs. With abundant wildlife, stunning scenery and an off-the-beaten-path feel, this newly minted National Preserve is an adventurer’s dreamland.
When to go: From hiking to cross-country skiing, each season brings a new adventure. There’s no wrong time to visit.
Don’t Miss: Bring some binoculars, and you’re likely to spot herds of grazing elk.
Pro tip: As one of the National Park Service’s newest sites, Valles Caldera remains somewhat poorly marked. Make sure you consult maps and check in with rangers before heading out.
White Sands National Park 🌱 🚼
Alamogordo, NM
Rising from the dry scrub brush of the Chihuahuan desert, the towering gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park glint in the sun, the ultimate visual siren song. White Sands, one of the nation’s most recently minted national parks, is a crossroads for hikers, geologists, animal-lovers and adventure-seeking families alike.
When to go: Conditions are ideal during spring and fall. If you choose to go during the scorching summer months, be sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Don’t Miss: Bring a sled! There’s nothing quite so smile-inducing as sliding down a sand dune.
Pro tip: Check the park service’s website in advance of any visit. White Sands occasionally closes for three-hour or longer stints during missile tests at neighboring White Sands Missile Range.
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