If you love fall, New Mexico is one of the best places to visit. As the leaves start to change to beautiful amber, gold and red hues, crowds also start to dwindle, making it the perfect time to take a road trip to the state. While New Mexico is home to large cities, such as Santa Fe, which are beautiful in fall, the small towns showcase the charm of fall. From stunning foliage on the Grindstone Canyon Loop in Ruidoso, to the Hatch Chile Fest, there are so many ways to enjoy fall in the small towns of New Mexico. Here are some of New Mexico's small towns that thrive in fall.
Ruidoso
Starting off the list is Ruidoso, a small village in the southeastern mountains of new Mexico. The pretty village is full of aspen trees that change from green to gold in the fall. One of the most scenic ways to enjoy fall in the town is to take a hike on the Grindstone Canyon Loop. Here you will see colorful fall foliage along a 6.7 mil hike in LincolIn National Forest.
The town also hosts many events to welcome fall. To celebrate the start of fall and the community, Ruidoso hosts AspenFest, the first weekend in October. The fest starts with a parade on Saturday that goes through Midtown Ruidoso. Ruidoso also hosts an annual Halloween Trick or Treat and Pumpkin Roll. This event offers fun for the whole family with pumpkin carving, pumpkin roll, coffin race, and candy.
Mimbres
One of the best fall fests in New Mexico is the small town Harvest Fest in Mimbres. The small town is home to just over 400 people and every year the community gets together to celebrate the bountiful supply of crops. There are many fun events at the fest, including arts, crafts, locally grown food, live music and a health fair. One of the most unique events at the fest is the solar cook-off where contestants cook a dish in the sun with a special device. This strange event is the highlight of the festival. If you attend the Harvest Fest, you can't miss the pie contest. For this delicious event community members compete to see who can bake the best pie. There's no better way to enjoy the harvest of fall than by attending this fest in Mimbres.
Hatch
Hatch is another small town that celebrates New Mexico's agricultural scene in fall. The town is perfect this time of year for spicy food lovers because of the Hatch Chile Festival. This is one of the most famous festivals in New Mexico, attracting as many as 30,000 visitors each year. The festival has been a beloved tradition for more than 50 years. Dating back to the early 1970s, the Chile Festival celebrates the yearly Chile harvest from the Hatch Valley fields. Since Hatch grows a wide variety of peppers, the town is famous as the "best Chile place in the world." The Chile Festival kicks off with a parade and several events follow, including a chile and watermelong eating contest, chile roasting, food and craft vendors and live music. If you like spicy food this is a fall event not to miss.
Chama
Beyond fall festivals, New Mexico has towns that showcase beautiful fall foliage. One of the best places to see the fall colors in New Mexico is Chama. The charming village is at an elevation of 7860 feet in the Southern Rockies, 120 miles North of Santa Fe. The village is home to the Chama Valley, a stunning valley following the Rio Chama river. The area is stunning in fall. The leaves on the cottonwood trees lining the river change from yellow to orange. The Chama Valley is the perfect spot for a fall hike or picnic to enjoy the colorful foliage.
Questa
Another one of the best areas to see fall foliage in New Mexico is the town of Questa. Questa is the gateway to northern New Mexico's Rio Grande del Notre National Monument, a huge expanse of protected wilderness. The area is over 300,000 acres and has several outdoor recreation opportunities to enjoy. Hiking, rock climbing and driving tours are popular in the area. Questa is also part of the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway. The byway is a 160-mile loop that connects Taos Pueblo, the Vietnam War memorial, and stunning scenery in New Mexico. This is a popular stop for artists and photographers. In fall the byway comes alive with beautiful hues of orange, amber and red, making it the perfect spot for a photo shoot.
Jemez Springs
Another town with stunning fall scenery is Jemez Springs. Located in the Santa Fe National Forest, the town has stunning foliage. Jemez Springs has been a tourist attraction for a long time since is close to the Valles Caldera, underground geothermal hot springs. The Valles Caldera is also a beautiful place to hike. Jemez Springs formed around 1.25 million years ago from a volcanic eruption. The eruption created the 13 mile wide depression known as Valles Caldera. Beyond the springs, the area has gorgeous mountain meadows, wildlife and meanderings springs, making for some charming hiking. In the fall the area is stunning with the changing colors of the leaves.
Red River
Last but not least on the list is Red River, a small mountain town surrounded by the Carson National Forest. Located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Red River is the town to go to for outdoor adventure. There are numerous hiking and biking paths to enjoy fall foliage. Red River Nature Trail is an easy 1 mile trail along the base of the mountains by the Red River. In early September into early October the aspen trees turn gold, red and orange. Beyond the outdoor scenery, Red River has a charming downtown that looks like it is out of the Wild West. The historic district in the small town reflects the mining origins.
New Mexico has everything to welcome fall, from fall festivals to stunning fall foliage. The Hatch Chile festival is the perfect small town fall event for spicy food lovers. The gorgeous views of foliage at the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in Questa will take your breath away. Whether you want to go for a hike or scenic drive, New Mexico has something for everyone to enjoy. So pack your bags and plan your trip to make the most of fall this year!
