14 Best Day Trips from Santa Fe (New Mexico)

New Mexico has a diversity of cultures, with a clear Native American, Hispanic, and Latino influence that has shaped everything from the architecture to the region’s customs.

Santa Fe is surrounded by jaw-dropping landscapes, stunning adobe architecture, and relics from pre-colonial communities.

It’s the perfect place to explore New Mexico from, as you can get to such a variety of sites and landscapes all within a short drive from the city.

Whether you’re looking for cultural experiences, hiking in the mountains, or a Route 66 road trip, you’ll find it all near the capital of New Mexico.

So let’s have a look at the best Santa Fe day trips.

 

1.  Bandelier National Monument

Historians and nature lovers alike will find Bandelier National Monument an enthralling day trip.

The landscape includes rugged reddish color stone and rocky hills dotted with pine trees. There are plenty of hiking opportunities too.

Tsankawi Ruins Trail is a short 1.6 mile loop of moderate difficulty where you will see cave dwellings and petroglyphs.

For short easy hikes try the Pueblo Loop Trail (Main Loop Trail) or the Alcove House Trail.

The main thing that attracts visitors to this spot are the ancient cave-dwellings and ruins left behind by the Ancestral Puebloans who called this area home.

Bandelier is an interesting day trip from Santa Fe with a good selection of hiking trails.

 

2.  La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs

Technically La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs site is in Santa Fe, but you’ll feel worlds away when you get lost exploring one of the largest collections of rock art in the US.

Walk for a short while through the dry New Mexican landscape and you’ll arrive at the La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs Site and thousands of petroglyphs.

This educational day trip from Santa Fe combines nature and history in equal parts.

Take in the pre-colonial petroglyphs carved into tall boulders.

You’ll notice that birds and flute players are some of the most prominent images sketched into the rock, though their meaning remains a mystery.

3.  Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

At Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks you can explore the stunning rock formations hidden away in the Jemez Mountains. These are the ancestral homelands of the Cochiti.

The Slot Canyon and Cave Loop trail leads through fascinating terrain with cone-shaped rock formations (hoodoos) and excellent views at the top. It’s a bit of work to get to the top, but so worth it; the views are great, and I enjoyed doing this hike in 2016, and I would like to visit again now that the site is open again, as of November 21, 2024.

The area is known for its sparse landscape, imposing rocks and cliffs, and beautiful views.

 

4.  Albuquerque

In only an hour you can drive from Santa Fe to Albuquerque to spend a day exploring New Mexico’s largest city.

Albuquerque is famous for its annual hot air balloon festival in October. But you’ll find lots of things to do in Albuquerque during any season of the year.

Spend some time in the museums of Albuquerque including the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science which has cool dinosaur skeletons.

If you’re traveling with the kids then be sure to let them have some hands-on fun at the Explora Science Center and Children’s Museum.

Learn about the Pueblo culture while exploring the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center on a guided tour. There’s also a restaurant and gift shop.

And you can finish up your day watching the sunset from Sandia Peak Tramway.

5.  Taos

From afar this little town in New Mexico doesn’t look like much but spend a little time and you’ll discover exactly why Taos is such a popular day trip from Santa Fe.

A must-see is the Taos Pueblo, which has numerous 14th century buildings. The village is still inhabited by the Taos Indians, whose ancestors lived here over 1,000 years ago.

Fans of architecture will want to visit the San Francisco De Asis Mission Church on the main plaza of Ranchos de Taos about 4 miles south of Taos.

And outdoor adventure seekers can enjoy zip lines, rock climbing, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and even hot air balloon rides.

In wintertime Taos Ski Valley is one of the top places to hit the slopes in New Mexico.

Taos is always a fun day trip from Santa Fe.

 

6.  Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs

Nothing is quite as enticing as a long soak in a natural hot spring surrounded by New Mexico’s barren and expansive landscape.

The tradition goes way back to when indigenous communities bathed here as they believed the mineral rich water had healing properties.

Plus, if you head to the outdoor hot springs at the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort and Spa you can experience a luxurious clay bath along with your soak.

A restorative and rejuvenating afternoon is just over an hour away from Santa Fe.

7.  Ghost Ranch

Only an hour’s drive from Santa Fe there is a fascinating Education and Retreat Center, the Ghost Ranch.

There are both indoor and outdoor activities at Ghost Ranch so it’s a good day trip choice in various types of weather.

It’s 21,000 acres is set among burnt orange and red mountain landscapes and typical New Mexico flora.

For an educational experience you can visit the Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology, the Florence Hawley Museum of Anthropology, and the Ghost Ranch Library.

From the museum buildings you can head out into the hills on a horseback trail ride, a fun activity for ages 8 and up.

The hiking trails at Ghost Ranch range from easy to difficult so there’s something for every skill level.

Chimney Rocks Trail is a good choice with magnificent views (2.5 miles round trip) and the trailhead is right behind the museums.

If you’re an art enthusiast, you’ll be pleased to know you can also take a tour into the little town of Abiquiu and visit Georgia O’Keeffe’s home.

 

8.  Georgia O’Keeffe’s Home & Studio in Abiquiu

Georgia O’Keeffe’s home is surrounded by classic New Mexican landscape and boasts a unique view from each window.

The inside of the home is elegant and classic, the perfect environment to slow down and reflect.

Tranquil and inspiring, her house and studio were a source of inspiration. It’s just outside the town of Abiquiu.

9.  Madrid

Looking for a unique experience in New Mexico? Then head for a day in trendy Madrid.

The city was a coal mining town but now is transformed and rebuilt into a hip and urban city.

Explore the quaint galleries and adorable boutique shops in town or come for the Crawdaddy Blues Festival in May and enjoy the city’s live music and fun events.

10.  Rio Grande Gorge Bridge

Are you a sucker for good views? Then get yourself down to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and check out the cool vistas.

Standing almost 600 feet above the gorge, the bridge gives its visitors the impression it’s floating up in the air.

As if that wasn’t enough to make you want to get your camera out right away, the bridge also has views of New Mexico’s tallest mountain, the Wheeler Peak.

Visit at sunset for those amazing New Mexico skies.

 

11.  Jemez Springs

Jemez Springs is a great day trip choice for two reasons – you get to visit a traditional New Mexican town and soak in hot springs in one place.

The town has lots of retreats and a spiritual scene that draws from Native American beliefs and customs.

This charming village is just under two hours’ drive from Santa Fe.

Pack your bathing suit and enjoy a soak in the soothing hot springs for a day of rejuvenation and relaxing.

12.  Chimayo

Chimayo is small, but it sits across two counties in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Don’t miss the 19th century adobe chapel, El Santuario de Chimayo, built in 1816.

The town is just off the High Road to Taos, and it’s particularly interesting to visit in Holy Week when thousands of pilgrims line the road from Santa Fe.

13.  Sandia Peak Tramway

Spend a day in the Cibola National Forest. You can hike the trails, enjoy the best view of the Sandia Mountains, and ride the highest aerial tramway in the country.

From the summit of the Sandia Peak 360 panoramic views of the mountains greet you.

You can buy one-way or round-trip tram tickets.

Hike up to Sandia Peak and take the tram back down the mountain or take the tram up and hike down.

If you plan on doing a lot of hiking from Sandia Peak then buy the round trip tram ticket and save your energy for those trails.

Outdoor enthusiasts note that Sandia is not open for skiing in 2022/2023 but the tram is still operating and you can still do winter hikes – remember to bring crampons or microspikes for icy conditions.

14.  Drive Route 66 New Mexico

Take yourself on an iconic American road trip on the historic Route 66 in New Mexico.

Although the original Route 66 across central New Mexico is now traveled via Interstate 40 by most drivers, you can still drive a lot of the old road too.

Enjoy some of the unique highlights of New Mexico with these Route 66 stops:

• Santa Rosa – Route 66 Auto Museum
• Tucumcari – Route 66 Monument
• Glen Rio Ghost Town
• Gallup Cultural Center
• Acoma Pueblo – Sky City Cultural Center & Haak’u Museum
• Pecos National Historical Park

 

Final Thoughts

Whether you are looking for a relaxing day soaking in hot springs or a day of strenuous hiking you will find something close by Santa Fe. With a selection of cultural experiences, historic sites, and iconic roadways you have plenty of choices in this list of best day trips from Santa Fe. The hardest part is deciding which one you want to do!

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