The Natural Wonders of New Mexico
New Mexico is not in short supply of beautiful landscapes and natural wonders. The American Southwest is arguably one of the most stunning places in the United States and New Mexico is no exception.
Despite what you might think, the landscape of New Mexico is much more than just a vast and desolate desert (although that certainly exists too.) New Mexico has a large variety of environments that all have amazing features.
Capulin Volcano
Capulin Volcano juts out of the New Mexico landscape like a naturally forming skyscraper. The volcano sits alone in the middle of the desert and adds some striking contrast to the surrounding area. Capulin Volcano is located in the northeastern part of New Mexico and exists in an incredibly remote area of the state.
Capulin Volcano is not active and visitors can gain easy access to the wonder via a dirt road that winds around the volcano itself. This gives an up close and personal experience that will be hard to find anywhere else.
The Winged Rock
The Winged Rock is a bizarre and fascinating rock formation that can be found in the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. This massive rock formation shoots up towards the sky and dominates the flat and arid desert that surrounds it.
The peak of the formation reaches 7,000 feet in height and can be spotted from miles around. This amazing wonder is located not far from the small town of Shiprock and is often visited by those traveling between Colorado, Utah, and Arizona.
White Sands
Sand dunes are not a rare sight in New Mexico, however, the White Sands National Monument is truly a sight to behold. The White Sands unsurprisingly get their name from the massive white sand dunes that can be found in the south of the state.
These dunes are gargantuan and in some places can even be sledded down. What really makes the White Sands so great is what they are made over. Unlike beach sand, the sand at White Sands is made of gypsum and remains a cool temperature even during the scorching summer months.
Rio Grande Gorge
The Rio Grande Gorge can be found not far from the town of Taos. At first glance, the landscape appears flat and unassuming. However, if you get close enough or find an elevated position, you can see the true scale of the Rio Grande Gorge.
The gorge goes on for miles and can be observed from many different locations. The most famous observation spot is the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. It gives a great look into how far the river below really is.
Carlsbad Caverns
Dark caves are not the most typical natural wonder in New Mexico. However, the Carlsbad Caverns are some of the largest cave networks in the United States. There are supposedly 119 different systems alone.
The caverns are so expansive that you could come back multiple times and still not see all of it. That being said, some areas are easier to access than others and are either closed off to tourists or are only traversed by experts. Needless to say, the rock formations and geography of the caverns are like nothing else you will see in New Mexico.
Organ Mountains
Sitting above the Chihuahuan Desert is the Organ Mountains. This majestic mountain range is quite the departure from what you might find elsewhere in the United States. Large towering red rock cliffs loom over the desert landscape to provide an almost otherworldly experience.
The range offers popular hiking trails such as the Baylor Pass Trail and the Pine Tree Trail. The area is also home to the Dripping Springs Natural Area, which features historical ruins and a visitor center. If you want to get in touch with something that can be considered a typical New Mexico landscape, then the Organ Mountains are a great place to start.
Cochiti
Also known as the Tent Rocks, Cochiti is a series of rock formations that came into being through a build-up of pumice and ash that came from volcanic explosions. While the active volcanos are long gone, the fruits of their labor are still with us today.
These particular rock formations are called hoodoos. The area, officially known as Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, features a popular hiking trail called the Slot Canyon Trail, which takes visitors through narrow canyons and offers close-up views of the hoodoos. These unique formations are often shown on postcards and screensavers, showcasing the fascinating New Mexican landscape.
Final Thoughts on New Mexico's Natural Wonders
New Mexico is undoubtedly one of the richest states in America when it comes to natural beauty. The American Southwest is a place everyone must visit if they enjoy the great outdoors. Try starting by stopping at these stunning wonders.
