Though northern New Mexico is characterized by the gorgeous high desert scenery you’d expect of the American Southwest, it’s also a region characterized by some genuinely gorgeous fall foliage. Head into the mountains of northern New Mexico, and you’ll find aspens and oaks bursting with autumnal colors in awe-inspiring abundance. Fall in New Mexico is nothing short of beautiful, and we’d love to be your headquarters for the ultimate fall getaway this year.
Though there’s something to love about this part of the world every season, fall is one of the best times to visit New Mexico. If we’re not yet on your shortlist of places to visit this fall, we should be. As fall descends upon this area, New Mexico fall foliage paints the landscapes in even more dramatic ways. The aspens and oaks light up with bright pops of yellow and orange, transforming the already beautiful desert landscapes into something otherworldly.
Fall in New Mexico is also synonymous with art studio tours, including the famed High Road Artisans Studio Tour. Throughout September and October, you’ll find artists opening their studio doors for annual fall studio tours, making it a great time to meet local artisans and pick up an authentic souvenir to take home with you. Not only that, but as fall in New Mexico progresses, the crowds in the cities will diminish, and the undeniable romance of the Southwest will take center stage.
Our well-appointed, relaxing New Mexico Bed and Breakfast near the village of Chimayó puts you right in the heart of northern New Mexico, about midway between the thriving destinations of Taos and Santa Fe. These romantic mountain towns are the top places to visit in New Mexico, and it’s easy to see why. Our Inn is the perfect place to launch leaf-peeping adventures, explore the vast array of things to do in New Mexico, and simply enjoy the best of fall in New Mexico. Our Chimayò Bed and Breakfast sits on six tranquil acres, conveniently located on the High Road to Taos and just minutes from the Santuario de Chimayó.
It’s a great place to base your adventures this fall, but it’s also a great place to relax in our cozy, colorful guest rooms. If you’re looking for the ultimate fall getaway this year, it’s time to book your room at our New Mexico Bed and Breakfast.
Colorful Drives to Enjoy Fall in New Mexico
Fall in New Mexico offers a truly breathtaking display of color, and the region’s diverse landscapes become even more captivating as they transform into a vibrant canvas of gold, orange, and crimson. The aspens in fall, especially in areas like the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and around Santa Fe, burst into brilliant hues that contrast beautifully with the deep blue skies and rugged terrain.
From scenic drives through New Mexico fall foliage to epic New Mexico hikes, there are plenty of great ways to enjoy fall in New Mexico. But first, we’ve included a guide to some of the best places to see New Mexico fall colors, all within easy reach of our Chimayó Bed and Breakfast by car.
- Start with what’s right outside our front door. The High Road to Taos Scenic Byway is one of the best scenic drives to take this fall in New Mexico. The route runs from Ranchos de Taos south to Santa Fe, right through Chimayo. As you wind through the mountains, bright pops of color from the aspens in fall dot the Jemez Mountains vividly on the horizon.
- Another incredible drive to take this fall in New Mexico is the Enchanted Circle loop. Drive to Taos, through Eagle Nest, Angel Fire, and Red River, then back through Taos. Along the way, you’ll enjoy scenic mountains, high alpine valleys, and national forestlands alight with the colors of New Mexico fall foliage. Don’t forget to stop and explore along the way – these are some of the best mountain towns in New Mexico!
- Taos Ski Valley, nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is another spectacular place to explore, filled with fantastic hiking trails and panoramas you’ll never forget.
- Drive U.S. Highway 64 from Tres Piedras to Tierra Amarilla, and enjoy the bright pops of New Mexico fall foliage around every twist and bend in the road.
- Skip the driving and take a scenic train ride on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. It’s one of the best Santa Fe train rides, and takes you through some breathtaking scenery.
- Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway is a stunning high-altitude loop to drive this fall in New Mexico. This is also where you’ll find the Aspen Vista Trail, which is one of the best fall hikes in New Mexico.
- If you feel like exploring the area south of Santa Fe toward Albuquerque, great routes include the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway and the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. These routes represent the highest-elevation scenic route in the Southwest, marking it as an exceptional place to experience fall in New Mexico.
- The Jemez Mountain Trail Scenic Byway features high volcanic cliffs and sweeping canyon views.
The Best New Mexico Hikes for Fall
Though these scenic drives will surely take you through some of the most breathtaking scenery, there are far more ways to enjoy fall in New Mexico than from behind the wheel. One of our favorite ways to enjoy fall foliage in New Mexico is getting out into the heart of our surrounding mountains for a bit of hiking. In the surrounding mountains of Northern New Mexico, you’ll find incredible places to explore, including the Carson National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest.
It won’t matter which New Mexico hikes you take this fall. They’ll all lead to some of the most breathtaking natural scenery in the area. We’re situated in a true outdoor lover’s paradise. We’ve listed some of our favorite New Mexico hikes to take this fall.
- One of the best New Mexico hikes to take, particularly in the fall, is the Aspen Vista Trail. As the name suggests, the trail leads you to the top of a peak, overlooking the dramatic pops of yellow from aspens in the fall.
- One of the most popular northern New Mexico hikes in the Carson National Forest is the Williams Lake Trail 62. The trail features gorgeous views of Wheeler Peak.
- The Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area is another great place to explore, with access to trails like the Horseshoe Lake/East Fork Trail 56. This hike offers sweeping valley views that are stunning in the fall.
- We also love the Gold Hill Trail in the Taos Ski Valley. It can be combined with the Long Canyon Trail for an extended trip.
- Fans of Georgia O’Keeffe won’t want to miss the Rim Vista Trail, where you’ll find some of the best views of the Abiquiu area and the landscapes that inspired this incredible artist.
- Wind your way to gorgeous mountain lakes and picturesque views on the Lake Fork Trail. It’s among the best New Mexico hikes for alpine lakes, mountain meadows, and views of color aspen groves.
Whether you venture on the trails of these fantastic New Mexico hikes or take to the road for scenic drives through these rugged landscapes, there’s no better place to enjoy fall in New Mexico than Chimayó. Book your room at our Bed and Breakfast in New Mexico today!
