Do your 2023 (and beyond) resolutions include venturing into nature a little more often? If you’re located in New Mexico, you’re in luck, because the state is home to an impressive number of state and national parks that showcase the state’s natural beauty! There is absolutely no shortage of state and national parks to visit in New Mexico. Looking for a free National Park to check out? Count them all in on these days!

If you’re planning a visit to this incredible national park, there’s no better time to visit than during National Park Week. Learn all about this celebration of America’s great outdoors — including fee-free days throughout the year!

And, guess what? If you plan your vacation days just right, you'll be able to head out to New Mexico's national parks and monuments at no cost!
John Fowler/Flickr
Each year, the National Park Service hosts a select number of days in which entrance fees are waived for all visitors. This year, there are five days, which include:

  • January 16th: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • April 22nd: The beginning of National Park Week
  • August 4th: National Park Service Birthday
  • September 23rd: National Public Lands Day
  • November 11th: Veterans Day

    Here are just a few amazing parks you can check out for zero dollars:
    • 1. Bandelier National Monument
    Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico, USA
    Michael Rael/Flickr
    This national monument is located west of Santa Fe and is home to incredible cliff dwellings and petroglyphs that date back hundreds of years. You will love the hiking trails.
    2. Capulin Volcano National Monument
    Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico 88418, USA
    jaygannett/Flickr
    At first glance, you may not realize New Mexico has fairly young volcanic fields but this national monument is proof these locations can be quite peaceful and filled with life. Want to hike the volcano? Great idea. Make it easier by checking out AllTrails+, and while you're there, read up about this hiking trail in New Mexico.
    3. Carlsbad Caverns National Park
    Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, NM, USA
    Sathish J/Flickr
    Featuring some of the deepest caves in the country, this national park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You'll find an impressive number of formations here and imaginative tours.

    4. Chaco Culture National Historical Park
    Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico, USA
    John Fowler/Flickr
    Another World Heritage Site, this location is informally referred to as Chaco Canyon. You'll see buildings constructed by Ancestral Puebloans over 12 centuries ago.
    5. Valles Caldera National Preserve
    Valles Caldera, New Mexico 87025, USA
    Ron Cogswell/Flickr
    Another volcanic site in New Mexico, this one is one of the best examples of an intact volcanic caldera. This lush environment is also rich with plants and wildlife, and it has some of the darkest skies you'll find in the state.
    6. White Sands National Park
    White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
    Steven Christenson (aka Night Sky Guy)/Flickr
    New Mexico's newest national park is definitely a must-see on any of these fee-free days. This is the largest gypsum dune field in the world and makes for an unforgettable visit.

    Do you plan to visit one of New Mexico’s national parks on these free admission days? Which free National Park tempts you the most? Tell us all about your epic plans in the comments!

    If you want to turn this idea into a road trip, we conveniently have a map set up with three of the parks mentioned above. This natural wonders road trip will show you New Mexico as you’ve never seen it before.

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    Free National Park

    Tori Jane | January 16, 2022

    What are some fun things to do outside in New Mexico?  

    New Mexico is a great state for – well, just about anything, really. There is plenty to do indoors here, but our amazing outdoor recreation is almost too good to be true. The Four Corners states are honestly all pretty amazing, but New Mexico has a certain magic to it that’s second to none. If you can dream it, you can do it out here; outdoor activity potential ranges from hiking and biking on some of the world’s most scenic trails to camping, hunting, fishing, boating, and everything in between.

    • You could go cliff-diving if you wanted to.
    • You’ll also want to check out amazing natural landmarks like the Blue Hole, or journey into any one of New Mexico’s intriguing cave systems for quite the amazing outdoor experience (that feels oddly indoors).
    • Even during the coldest months, there’s plenty to do! New Mexico has some great ski resorts for those who love playing in the snow (totally guilty here). The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination, so get outside and enjoy.  

     

    What are some of the most popular hiking trails in New Mexico?  

    Per our friends at AllTrails.com, an epic resource for all things hiking and mountain biking in all 50 states (and then some), some of the most beloved trails in New Mexico include the Williams Lake Trail to Wheeler Park, a challenging hike leading up to the highest point in New Mexico, and Williams Lake Trail on its own, which, even without the summit climb, is wonderful, challenging, and incredibly scenic. The Nambe Lake Trail will lead you on an adventure through the southern Rockies and into a place that feels like something out of a fairy tale. Atalaya Mountain Trail is another amazing one, and we also really love La Luz Trail #37, which is pretty hard, but incredibly worth it. If some of these longer hikes aren’t really your thing, you should check out this list of amazing short hiking trails in New Mexico you ought to conquer ASAP.  

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