7 Underrated Small Towns to Explore in New Mexico

Often called the Land of Enchantment for its unique blend of cultures and mesmerizing landscapes, New Mexico is a Southwestern US state that looks and feels like a world of its own. From charming mountain villages that showcase their Native American Indigenous heritage to cool and refreshing swimming holes in the middle of the open desert, New Mexico never fails to surprise. It even has a certain special town that inspired one of the United States' most acclaimed artists to create many of her most iconic masterpieces.

Whether you want to dive into some of the country's most dynamic art scenes or you want to go scuba diving in the desert, the Land of Enchantment is a land full of possibilities. For some better ideas of what to see and do, uncover seven underrated small towns to explore in New Mexico.

Gallup

The Four Corners may be famous for being the one place in the United States where four states’ boundaries (New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Arizona) converge. Yet just about 125 miles to the southeast, there is even more to explore in and around the town of Gallup. A short drive to the east of town, Red Rock Park has two hiking trails that extend across its 640 acres, affording magnificent views of sandstone red rock formations like Pyramid Rock and Church Rock, along with a rodeo area that hosts regular events and the Red Rock Park Museum that has a wealth of Ancestral Puebloan and Navajo art and historic artifacts.

A little farther east, the rocky desert landscapes give way to ponderosa pine forests and towering summits in the Zuni Mountains, and these mountains have an extensive trail system that is perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Back in town, you can see why Gallup has a reputation as the "Gateway to Native America" at local institutions like the George Galanis Multicultural Center with its extensive array of Indigenous art on display. At shops like Kestrel Leather and Navajo Spirit, you can find locally made goods serving authentic Southwestern style. After wandering around town, spend the night at the historic El Rancho Hotel, which has been welcoming visitors since 1936.

Santa Rosa

Swimming, snorkeling, and diving… in the New Mexico desert?! Yes, you really can dive into the famed Santa Rosa Blue Hole, an aquifer-fed lake with visibility as far as 100 feet that makes it perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling adventures. But if you need more reasons to explore this curious town some 120 miles east of Albuquerque, rest assured that there is much more to do outside the Blue Hole. Staying on water, Santa Rosa Lake State Park is great for boating, water skiing, paddling, and fishing. For another chill fishing hole, try Perch Lake for baitcasting, spinning, and fly fishing.

Moving onto dry land, you can cruise down the “Mother Road” of the Historic Route 66, then admire the collection of vintage cars on display at the Route 66 Auto Museum. For the ultimate Route 66 experience, check into the vintage vibes and retro-style digs at Hotel Blue 66.

Jemez Springs

Jemez Springs may merely be about 60 miles north of Albuquerque, yet this town feels like a refreshing oasis far removed from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. As the name suggests, this town has plenty of hot springs, including the undeveloped McCauley Hot Springs and Spence Hot Springs, which are great for soaking after a vigorous hike in the forest. Or, for a more all-around relaxing experience, stay in town and soak in the mineral spring-fed pools at Jemez Hot Springs.

If you are more in the mood to soak up some history, head over to the Jemez Historic Site to view the remains of a 700-year-old Indigenous village and the San José de los Jémez church that Spanish conquistadores built in the 1620s. You can also take a short drive south to the Walatowa Visitor Center to learn more about contemporary Indigenous life in the Pueblo of Jemez, shop for authentic Indigenous-made goods, and obtain passes to hike the beautiful Red Rocks Trails. After spending the day exploring around town, settle down for a soothing stay at the three-acre Cañon del Rio ranch and inn.

Madrid

Once a hardscrabble coal mining town, Madrid now shines bright on Northern New Mexico's Turquoise Trail. From the 1890s to the 1940s, Madrid was a tightly run company town where Albuquerque and Cerrillos Coal Company workers were required to keep busy with community activities when they weren’t working the mines. But after World War II, the mines closed, and Madrid began to transition into a ghost town. At spots like the Mine Shaft Tavern and the Old Boarding House store, you can still catch glimpses of Madrid’s rougher past.

Since the 1970s, Madrid has reinvented itself into an artists’ village, and galleries like Jezebel Studio and Gallery, 10PM Studio, and Johnsons of Madrid Galleries of Fine and Fiber Art feature some incredible and intricate locally crafted artworks for sale. For a deeper look into Madrid's contemporary art scene, catch a show at the Engine House Theatre. Once you are done for the day, spend the night at the nearby Cerrillos Railhouse for peaceful, private, and comfortable casitas that provide easy access to plenty more treasures along the Turquoise Trail.

Pecos

At the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, about 26 miles southeast of Santa Fe, the village of Pecos may be the ideal place to “get away from it all.” At Pecos National Historical Park, you can hike the trails and discover everything from the ruins of the Pecos (Cicuye) Pueblo, where the Pecos Indigenous people began to settle around 1100 CE, to the site of the Battle of Glorieta Pass when the Civil War reached New Mexico in 1862. For more laid-back experiences outdoors, book a fishing lesson at the Pecos River with Santa Fe Fly Fishing School, or enjoy the simple serenity at Monastery Lake.

If you crave a great mountain escape, then Pecos might be the place you need to go and stay a little while. For a lovely and peaceful retreat, book the Hummingbird Cabin on the Pecos for a rustic yet beautiful home nestled high in the mountains. Or, for larger studios and homes with more creature comforts and a prime location along the river, try the Pecos River Cabins.

Ruidoso

Situated over 6,700 feet above sea level, Ruidoso provides a cool alpine respite from the vast desert below. Come for the thrilling slopes of Ski Apache, which has an extensive network of hike and bike trails, a zip line at the world’s highest launch point (over 11,000 feet above sea level), and ski runs that offer up to 1,900 feet of vertical drop during the winter season. Stay to discover additional gems like Bonito Lake and its prime fishing conditions, Lookout Mountain for quiet yet exhilarating hikes, and the 18 miles of scenic multi-use trails (along with a non-motorized boat-accessible lake) at Grindstone Lake.

For even more quality time outside, book a tee time at one of the fine 18-hole courses at the nearby Alto Lakes Golf & Country Club. And for the ultimate “one-stop shop” that includes its own golf course, an array of hunting and horseback riding activities, a full-service spa, and a full casino with slots and table games, treat yourself to a stay at the luxurious and (Mescalero Apache) Indigenous-run Inn of the Mountain Gods resort.

Abiquiú

The Northern New Mexico village of Abiquiú has a long and complex history that dates as far back as the Triassic era, when dinosaurs roamed the land that is now part of Ghost Ranch. Over 200 million years later (around 1400 CE), the Ancestral Puebloan people established a village on a mesa above the Rio Chama, followed by the Spanish colonists building the village of Santa Rosa de Lima in the 18th century. These days, Ghost Ranch houses the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology, which displays some of the numerous dinosaur fossils found here, along with the Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology, which reveals more of the ranch’s and the larger region’s Indigenous heritage.

Moving onto the 20th century, Abiquiú attracted more attention when a modernist artist by the name of Georgia O’Keeffe began to showcase the paintings she made while observing Abiquiú’s colorful high desert landscapes. Beyond its on-site museums, Ghost Ranch also offers tours of the place where Georgia O’Keeffe liked to paint during her stays on the ranch. In addition, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum operates an Abiquiú welcome center and provides tours of the Abiquiú studio where she lived and worked from 1949 to 1984. To see the famed “White Place,” where O’Keeffe also enjoyed painting, you can register in advance with Dar al Islam for a hike through the Plaza Blanca white rock desert. For a deeper exploration of Abiquiú and its magical beauty, book a stay at the lovely Rancho Los Milagros near the Rio Chama.

Over the years, certain New Mexico cities and towns have become famous for their artistic offerings, mountain ski resorts, and extraterrestrial allure. Yet, throughout the rest of this state, there is even more to discover. In Abiquiú, marvel at over 200 million years of history and iconic landscapes that compelled Georgia O’Keeffe to call this town home. At Ruidoso, enjoy four seasons of outdoor adventures, from wintertime skiing to summertime golfing and hiking. And at Gallup, witness the wonderful convergence of rich Indigenous history and contemporary creativity. These and other New Mexico towns may be underrated, but they truly go above and beyond to deliver incredible experiences that can’t be replicated anywhere else.