The shining land of enchantment is not only known for its cultural diversity but also for the many scapes that people travel to see on a yearly basis. If you haven’t heard of Carlsbad Caverns, then you probably lived under a rock!
There are many wondrous locations throughout the state, however, there’s only enough time to look at a few. Grab your favorite way to relax and let’s dive in, shall we?
Carlsbad Caverns
While original adventures would have been lowered down in a guano basket, the luxuries of modern technology have allowed thousands of visitors to take part in observing the beautiful display in this cave system.
There are countless stalactites and stalagmites who have seen the history of the world around them in ways that we could never imagine. From early America, to wars, to modern day shifts, each has somehow affected the caverns.
The caverns were formed by an inland sea many years ago and formed a collective of 300 limestone caverns that provided shelter and more to many people. Only recently declared a World Heritage Site, Carlsbad Caverns and the associated museums are home to nearly a million different artifacts that tell its diverse history.
White Sands
If you have never had the opportunity to play in the sand or see the White Dunes of New Mexico, then you haven’t had 100% fun! The massive field of gypsum sand is in what is called the Tularosa Basin. In this basin, there are fields full of grassland and few trees. This is what helped the area first gain popularity with ranchers who needed food for their stock.
As time moved forward, the military realized how important the sands were for the research and development of various technologies. The bombing at Pearl Harbor pushed the research further and also helped the government move to protect as much of the area as possible.
Known as one of the many wonders of the world, the White Sands National Park is a great place to stop in, play in the sand, and get some fantastic pictures!
Ghost Ranch
Made famous by artist Georgia O’Keefe, the presbyterian owned ranch is where many people go to take a break from the hastiness of life. There are several programs run by the church on the property and there are also countless trail rides that you can attend.
With the beautiful landscape, it is easy to see why this location is a natural wonder for New Mexico. Some of the most beautiful paintings in the world came from this area!
Tent Rocks
Yes, you read that correctly. Tent Rocks. At the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, there are fantastical structures that have been shaped by time and the environment.
Large pillars of rock with tented tops have been carved into existence over time. There are even some places where people dug into the sides of the pillars to form some sort of abode. The rocks were formed by volcanic action where rock flew out of the volcano and the pressure of the gasses from the volcano shoved down the rock. Nature truly is amazing!
Gila Cliff Dwellings
Another national monument, the Gila Cliff Dwellings is one of the largest cliff dwellings that we know of to date. They are full of artifacts and buildings that are many hundreds of years old.
Originally, they were occupied off and on by nomadic people’s as a form of shelter. Over time near the 1200’s, the Mogollon people settled in the caves themselves and called them home.
The history of the area is so vast that there are entire books written about what people have seen. There are also many narratives that can be explored by checking out the monument’s home site.
Conclusion
If you are looking for something to do in New Mexico, taking a trip to one of these natural wonders is sure to brighten your day. They are open regularly, however, some locations may be closed due to COVID reasons and protection of the environment.
Because of their historical and cultural relationship, many of the locations are heavily protected and extensively researched in order to best protect the flora and fauna of the area. Whenever you go to one of these locations, make sure to respect the natural wonders of New Mexico.
