The title of this blog is a little deceiving because this New Mexico road trip includes a couple days in southern Colorado. Originally we wanted to only explore New Mexico, but because of Covid, some of the attractions we wanted to visit, such as the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument and Taos Pueblo, were closed. Nonetheless, this New Mexico road trip was so much fun, and I would not change a thing!
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Free New Mexico Road Trip – 5 Day Itinerary
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Where to Begin Your New Mexico Road Trip
For this 5-day New Mexico Road Trip, we began by flying into Albuquerque. Upon arrival, we had a 4-hour drive to Mesa Verde National Park. Therefore, if you are driving to New Mexico, you can begin your trip by driving to the Durango area in Colorado.
When to Visit
The best time to visit New Mexico is from September to November when the weather is cooler and the crowds are fewer. Spring months also have pleasant weather, but the winds can be fairly strong. Winter months will be a bit colder than Spring or Fall, but not too terribly cold in the middle of the day. The weather is the hottest during the summer, and crowds can be excessive making it difficult to find parking in the parks or reservations to the events you want to attend.
We opted to visit the first week in October when the hot air balloon fiesta was in session. We also lucked into some gorgeous fall foliage by coming in October.
Entrance Fees for Your New Mexico Road Trip
Several of the areas where we will be hiking on this New Mexico Road Trip are U.S. national parks or national monuments, and some of them require entrance fees which are listed below. An America the Beautiful park pass will allow you entry into all national parks and federal lands for a year. Also, if you have a 4th grader in your household, you can get a family pass to the national parks that is good for a year. Find out more about that benefit here.
- Mesa Verde National Park – $20 – $30 per vehicle, depending on the time of year
- El Morro National Monument – No entrance fee
- El Malpais National Monument – No entrance fee
- Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano – $12/person
- Petroglyph National Monument – $2/day for weekends; $1/day for weekdays
- Bandelier National Monument – $25/vehicle for a 7-day pass
These prices were updated October 2021.
How to Get Around
Below is an interactive map of the sights and attractions mentioned in this blog.
What to Pack for Your New Mexico Road Trip
- Light Jacket – Make sure to dress in layers with this men’s and women’s light jacket.
- Hiking Shoes – These men’s and women’s hiking shoes are perfect for the trails.
- Soft Sided Ice Chest – Get this to keep your drinks cool on your New Mexico road trip.
- Leggings – Fleece lined leggings will give you a little extra warmth.
- Bug Spray – Keep the bugs from pestering you!
- Refillable Water Bottle – This insulated water bottle will keep your water cool while hiking.
- Sunscreen – The New Mexico sun is super harsh so make sure to protect your skin.
5-Day Itinerary for Your New Mexico Road Trip
Day 1: Mesa Verde National Park
The night before the first full day we arrived at the Albuquerque airport late, so we stayed the night just north of the city on I-25. The next morning we woke up early and began the 4-hour drive toward Mesa Verde National Park. After you enter the park, stop at pullouts such as the Montezuma Valley Overlook and Park Point Overlook for beautiful views of the park. Depending on what time you arrive, you can eat lunch inside the park at one of the available restaurants or on your way to Durango when you leave Mesa Verde.
Inside the park, there are 3 driving loops you can explore: Long House Loop, Cliff Palace Loop, and Mesa Top Loop. All three of these loops offer pullout spots where you can observe several ancient cliff dwellings. If you want to get up close and personal to these cliff dwellings, you can book a tour which is the only way to be able to explore them.
In the Spruce Tree House area, we opted to hike the Petroglyph Point Trail which is a 2.4-mile easy hike. This hike was so much fun, and it offers a little bit of a challenge with its rock scrambling and narrow rock passes.
Stay the night in Durango, Colorado which is about 40 minutes from the Mesa Verde entrance. Spend the rest of the night walking around the historic downtown Durango. This area has several boutique shops and restaurants where you can eat dinner. You can also check out Steamworks Brewing Company or Four Leaves Winery.
Day 2: Durango – Silverton Train
Today’s activity is a train ride via the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. This scenic passenger train snakes through the lower Rocky Mountains from Durango to Silverton, Colorado along the Animas River. Reserve your tickets early because this tourist attraction books up quickly. And who can blame people for booking early with the epic views this train ride offers!
Depending on the time of year, there are several train options. You can opt for a round trip ticket or a one-way to Silverton. You can check them out at the railroad’s website. If you choose a one-way, you will need to organize a way back to Durango. If you come during the winter months, the train cannot make it all the way to Silverton.
After deboarding the train in Durango, begin driving to Grants, New Mexico to finish the second day of your New Mexico road trip. This drive will take approximately 3 hours 15 minutes.
Day 3: El Morro and El Malpais National Monuments
El Morro National Monument
We will start our day at El Morro National Monument which does not open until 9am (and closes at 5pm). You can begin with a hearty breakfast either at your hotel or at a restaurant in Grants. Upon arriving at the El Morro Visitor Center, go inside to get the free guide to the Inscription Trail which provides information on the engraved markings on the sandstone cliffs. The Inscription Trail is part of the El Morro National Monument Loop Trail (also called the Headland Trail), which is the trail we are hiking in this park. This 2-mile loop takes you up the bluff for views of the surrounding Zuni Mountains. This hike can be challenging but also entertaining as you try to find the trail atop the large rock.
Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano
The $12/person fee for this 1.8-mile hike was a bit steep, but we were lured in by the promise of ice caves. This attraction is open 9am – 5pm and operates from March until the winter months. The ice cave never reaches above 31 degrees Fahrenheit, and the layers of ice have been forming for over 3,400 years. The Bandera Volcano erupted around 10,000 years ago and is surrounded by its lava field and lava tubes. The cinder cone still exists and can be seen by hiking to its rim. On the drive from the ice caves to El Malpais, stop for some lunch in Grants.
El Malpais National Monument
When you enter the El Malpais area, stop at the Sandstone Bluff first, and walk along the sandstone cliffs. This area offers amazing views of El Malpais. Next, drive to the La Ventana Arch, which is an easy 0.4-mile walk to a massive natural arch. Our last hike of the day was the Lava Falls Trail. This 1-mile loop is unique in that you are walking on a lava field. The only way to find the trail is to locate the cairns (stacked rocks) that mark the path. After you complete this trail, drive 1 hour, 15 minutes east to Albuquerque. You will spend the remaining 3 nights in Albuquerque on this New Mexico road trip.
If you want to add a hike to your itinerary this day, you can opt to hike the 3.8-mile El Calderon Loop Trail near the Ice Cave. We did this hike, but it was not very impressive after seeing the caldera at the Bandera Volcano. If I were to repeat this day, I would skip the El Calderon hike.
Day 4: Albuquerque
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta happens around the first week in October each year and is the main reason for our New Mexico road trip. This event did not disappoint! Be prepared to wake up well before the crack of dawn if you want to attend the morning sessions, which is the only time the balloons ascend. The weekend events hold the mass ascension which includes over 500 balloons taking off over the course of a couple hours.
The first balloons begin to ascend during the Morning Glow at 6:30am. The fiesta opens to the public at 4am, and it is advised that you arrive before 5am especially if you plan to drive as the parking lots fill up. We arrived around 4:15am but sat in the car until 5am. In addition to the balloon ascension, the fiesta also offers booths with food, shopping, and arts.
The morning session ends around 11am, but we decided to leave the park around 9:30am. We went back to the hotel and took a nap for a couple hours. If you come during a time that the balloon fiesta is not happening, you can opt to explore the nearby Petroglyph National Monument and Sandia Peak Tramway instead.
Old Town Albuquerque
After you have rested up from your early day, make your way to Old Town Albuquerque for lunch and souvenir shopping. If you are looking to buy balloon fiesta paraphernalia, this area is your best option. The merchandise tent at the fiesta carried very few items, and they were overpriced. We spent several hours shopping for ponchos, pottery, and other southwestern gifts.
Day 5: Bandelier National Monument and Santa Fe
Bandelier National Monument
After you wake up and eat breakfast, you will drive to Bandelier National Monument which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes away. The only hike we did here was the Main (Pueblo) Loop Trail which is a 1.4-mile easy loop. The only difficult part of this hike is climbing ladders to access cavates, which are small human-carved alcoves. This hike is so exciting, but it gets very crowded. Be prepared to wait your turn to climb the ladders.
For a beautiful scenic drive, continue driving to the end of the national monument on Highway 4. When you have reached the Ponderosa Group Campground, you are basically at the end of the park.
Old Town Santa Fe
After Bandelier National Monument, we drove to Old Town Santa Fe for high-end shopping and fine art galleries. We were not as impressed with Old Town Santa Fe as we were Old Town Albuquerque. We are generally bargain shoppers, so the high prices in Santa Fe were a turnoff. However, it was worth the drive to see the famous Santa Fe Plaza and The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assissi.
After our short visit to Santa Fe, we drove the hour drive back to Albuquerque where we stayed the last night of our New Mexico road trip. The next morning we headed to the airport with views of hundreds of hot air balloons filling the big sky.
If want to add onto this New Mexico road trip, you could visit Taos and Pueblos and Tent Rock National Monument (if open).
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