#1
Ruidoso
· 7,699 people- 3 historic places
- 1 peak
- 21 mi of trails
- 2 named lakes & ponds
44% of homes here are vacation homes.
Why it’s here: Vacation homes, Lakes & beaches.
Been to Ruidoso?Share a tip
New Mexico · 2026 edition
Best places to vacation in New Mexico
We ranked 331 towns on what actually draws visitors: vacation homes, places to stay and eat, lakes and beaches, mountains and trails, and history. All public data, no paid placements. Then we ask the people who go there what we missed.
Every season counted: the towns with the most to do and the most people who come back.
#1 best places to vacationRuidoso
90score
The top 25
Weights: Vacation homes 20% · Places to stay & eat 30% · Lakes & beaches 15% · Mountains & trails 15% · History 20%. How the score works
#1
90A+
#2
Angel Fire
· 1,111 people- 2 historic places
- 2 peaks
- 78 mi of trails
- 1 named lake
71% of homes here are vacation homes.
Why it’s here: Vacation homes, Places to stay & eat.
Been to Angel Fire?Share a tip
#3
Santa Fe
· 89,019 people- 52 historic places
- 6 peaks
- 1 waterfall
- 191 mi of trails
- 1 named lake
9,157 hotel, restaurant and recreation jobs for a town of 89,019.
Why it’s here: History, Places to stay & eat.
Been to Santa Fe?Share a tip
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4
Truth or Consequences6,019 people · 🏛 3 historic places · 🥾 46 mi of trails · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds86A -
5
Albuquerque562,218 people · 🏛 137 historic places · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 322 mi of trails82A -
6
Red River450 people · 🏛 6 historic places82A -
7
Tesuque1,079 people · 🏛 2 historic places · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 15 mi of trails82A -
8
Santa Rosa2,462 people · 🏛 4 historic places · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds82A- -
9
Glorieta385 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 34 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake80A- -
10
La Cienega3,543 people · 🏛 3 historic places · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 15 mi of trails80A- -
11
Las Cruces114,197 people · 🏛 11 historic places · 🥾 117 mi of trails · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds80A- -
12
Clovis37,942 people · 🏛 12 historic places · 🥾 10 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake79A- -
13
Raton6,026 people · 🏛 14 historic places · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 5 mi of trails79A- -
14
Socorro8,481 people · 🏛 18 historic places · ⛰ 2 peaks · 💧 5 waterfalls79A- -
15
Aztec6,150 people · 🏛 17 historic places · 🥾 61 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake78A- -
16
Taos6,458 people · 🏛 15 historic places78A- -
17
Eagle Nest451 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 6 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground78B+ -
18
Los Lunas18,618 people · 🏛 4 historic places · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 27 mi of trails78B+ -
19
Carlsbad31,746 people · 🏛 2 historic places · 🥾 21 mi of trails · 🛶 3 named lakes & ponds78B+ -
20
Cloudcroft630 people · 🏛 2 historic places78B+ -
21
Roswell47,638 people · 🏛 17 historic places · 🥾 28 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake77B+ -
22
Los Alamos13,317 people · 🏛 6 historic places · ⛰ 2 peaks · 💧 1 waterfall77B+ -
23
Farmington46,314 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛰ 1 peak · 🏖 1 beach76B+ -
24
N
Navajo Dam269 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails · ⛺ 3 campgrounds76B+
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25
Silver City9,536 people · 🏛 15 historic places · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 27 mi of trails75B+
See all 331 →
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26
Elephant Butte1,790 people · 🏛 2 historic places · 🥾 16 mi of trails74B+ -
27
Chimayo2,390 people · 🏛 2 historic places74B -
28
Ranchos de Taos2,536 people · 🏛 5 historic places73B -
29
Mesilla1,717 people · 🏛 2 historic places · 🥾 11 mi of trails73B -
30
Gallup21,023 people · 🏛 15 historic places · 🥾 42 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground72B -
31
Tucumcari5,160 people · 🏛 7 historic places · 🥾 13 mi of trails72B -
32
Ruidoso Downs2,655 people · 🏛 1 historic place72B -
33
Acomita Lake590 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds72B -
34
Las Vegas13,000 people · 🏛 90 historic places · 🥾 7 mi of trails71B -
35
Los Ranchos de Albuquerque5,857 people · 🏛 5 historic places · 🥾 17 mi of trails71B -
36
Jemez Springs284 people · 🏛 2 historic places70B -
37
Magdalena976 people · 🏛 15 historic places · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 8 mi of trails70B- -
38
Española10,473 people · 🏛 3 historic places · 🥾 6 mi of trails70B- -
39
Alamogordo31,307 people · 🏛 7 historic places · 🥾 16 mi of trails70B- -
40
Carrizozo854 people · 🏛 5 historic places · 🥾 14 mi of trails69B- -
41
White Rock5,716 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 51 mi of trails · 👀 2 viewpoints69B- -
42
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Arroyo Seco2,112 people · 🏛 1 historic place68B-
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43
Deming15,221 people · 🏛 5 historic places68B- -
44
Timberon479 people · 🏛 2 historic places68B- -
45
Sunland Park17,463 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 12 mi of trails68B- -
46
Chama776 people · 🏛 1 historic place68B- -
47
Bernalillo9,086 people · 🏛 3 historic places · ⛺ 2 campgrounds68B- -
48
T
Tano Road1,586 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 17 mi of trails67B-
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49
Taos Pueblo1,129 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 13 mi of trails67B- -
50
Church Rock1,381 people · 🥾 19 mi of trails67B- -
51
South Valley37,120 people · 🏛 3 historic places · 🥾 49 mi of trails67B- -
52
S
Santa Fe Foothills779 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails66B-
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53
Artesia12,576 people · 🏛 14 historic places · 🥾 7 mi of trails66B- -
54
Springer1,017 people · 🏛 4 historic places · 🛶 1 named lake66B- -
55
Rio Rancho108,515 people · ⛰ 8 peaks · 🥾 328 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake66B- -
56
Madrid292 people · 🏛 1 historic place66B- -
57
Lovington11,498 people · 🏛 5 historic places · 🥾 7 mi of trails65B- -
58
Capitan1,191 people · 🏛 3 historic places65B- -
59
Logan740 people · ⛺ 2 campgrounds65B- -
60
University Park2,782 people · 🏛 4 historic places · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds65B- -
61
Cimarron701 people · 🏛 6 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground65B- -
62
Talpa955 people · 🛶 1 named lake64B- -
63
San Felipe Pueblo1,119 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 6 mi of trails64B- -
64
Kirtland465 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 6 mi of trails63B- -
65
Belen7,450 people · 🏛 4 historic places63B- -
66
Pecos1,204 people · 🏛 4 historic places63B- -
67
Lordsburg2,057 people · 🏛 4 historic places · 🥾 8 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground63B- -
68
Portales11,968 people · 🏛 4 historic places · 🥾 10 mi of trails63B- -
69
S
San Rafael1,039 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 8 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground62B-
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70
Placitas4,223 people · ⛰ 4 peaks · 🥾 44 mi of trails62B- -
71
Grants8,951 people · 🏛 2 historic places · 🥾 15 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground61B- -
72
Moriarty2,102 people · 🏛 2 historic places61B- -
73
Corrales8,555 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 52 mi of trails61B- -
74
Beclabito212 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 29 mi of trails61B- -
75
Eunice3,015 people · 🛶 1 named lake61B- -
76
P
Picacho Hills2,002 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails61B-
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77
Chaparral18,186 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 15 mi of trails61B- -
78
Flora Vista2,770 people · 🌉 1 covered bridge · 🛶 1 named lake61B- -
79
Edgewood6,124 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 27 mi of trails60B- -
80
M
Mimbres330 people · 🏛 8 historic places60B-
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81
Yah-ta-hey507 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails59B- -
82
Hobbs40,252 people · 🥾 46 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground59B- -
83
Bloomfield7,395 people · 🥾 26 mi of trails59B- -
84
Zia Pueblo770 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 9 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake59B- -
85
C
Conchas Dam282 people · 🏛 3 historic places59B-
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86
Columbus1,196 people · 🏛 1 historic place58B- -
87
S
San Ildefonso Pueblo737 people · 🏛 3 historic places · 🛶 1 named lake58B-
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88
Shiprock7,610 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 16 mi of trails58B- -
89
North Valley10,455 people · 🏛 10 historic places57B- -
90
C
Center Point2,286 people · 🏛 1 historic place57B-
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91
Tularosa2,597 people · 🏛 1 historic place57B- -
92
Vaughn493 people ·57B- -
93
C
Cedar Hill902 people ·57B-
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94
San Cristobal203 people · 🏛 1 historic place56B- -
95
Lake Arthur478 people · 🏛 1 historic place56B- -
96
Cuba462 people ·56B- -
97
Pojoaque2,327 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails56B- -
98
C
Cañoncito1,253 people · 🏛 2 historic places · 🥾 5 mi of trails56B-
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99
Thoreau1,973 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 62 mi of trails56B- -
100
Mescalero832 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 5 mi of trails55B- -
101
Clayton2,753 people · 🏛 7 historic places55B- -
102
Eldorado at Santa Fe5,619 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 41 mi of trails55B- -
103
B
Barton1,302 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails55B-
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104
L
Las Campanas2,119 people · 🥾 49 mi of trails55B-
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105
Questa2,466 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails55B- -
106
P
Ponderosa Pine1,442 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛺ 1 campground54B-
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107
Rowe516 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails54B- -
108
Santa Clara1,809 people · 🏛 1 historic place54B- -
109
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Skyline-Ganipa1,226 people · 🏛 2 historic places54B-
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110
Santa Clara Pueblo733 people · 🏛 1 historic place54B- -
111
Nambe2,035 people · 🏛 2 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground53B- -
112
T
Tortugas381 people · 🏛 1 historic place53B-
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113
L
La Mesa473 people · 🏛 2 historic places · 🥾 8 mi of trails53B-
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114
Mora520 people · 🏛 6 historic places · ⛰ 1 peak53B- -
115
R
Rosedale252 people ·53B-
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116
San Antonito688 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛰ 1 peak53B- -
117
Cedar Crest886 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 7 mi of trails53B- -
118
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Indian Hills622 people · ⛰ 1 peak53B-
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119
Jal2,364 people · 🛶 1 named lake53B- -
120
Bosque Farms4,071 people ·52B- -
121
Wagon Mound557 people · 🏛 3 historic places52B- -
122
Tome1,723 people · 🏛 2 historic places52B- -
123
Torreon580 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🛶 1 named lake52B- -
124
Maxwell331 people · 🏛 3 historic places52B- -
125
Reserve402 people ·52B- -
126
Mountainair1,178 people · 🏛 4 historic places52B- -
127
Sanostee214 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails51B- -
128
Rio Communities4,925 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 16 mi of trails51B- -
129
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Waterflow1,140 people ·51B-
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130
La Huerta1,288 people · 🏛 1 historic place51B- -
131
Roy302 people ·51B- -
132
High Rolls1,313 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 9 mi of trails · 👀 2 viewpoints51B- -
133
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Sausal602 people ·51B-
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134
Tijeras524 people · 🏛 2 historic places50B- -
135
Radium Springs1,908 people · 🏛 3 historic places50B- -
136
Vadito264 people · 🏛 1 historic place50B- -
137
Laguna459 people · 🏛 2 historic places · ⛰ 4 peaks · 🥾 17 mi of trails50B- -
138
A
Arenas Valley1,247 people · ⛺ 1 campground50B-
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139
Peñasco546 people · 🏛 1 historic place50B- -
140
Hatch1,588 people ·50B- -
141
L
Las Tusas999 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails50B-
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142
T
Twin Forks310 people ·50B-
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143
Holloman AFB4,433 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛺ 1 campground50B- -
144
V
Villanueva283 people · ⛺ 1 campground49B-
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145
Fort Sumner938 people · 🏛 4 historic places · 🥾 7 mi of trails49B- -
146
Milan2,327 people · 🏛 1 historic place49B- -
147
E
El Cerro2,923 people ·49B-
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148
S
Sandia Heights3,160 people ·49B-
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149
El Valle de Arroyo Seco1,293 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails49B- -
150
L
La Tierra315 people ·49B-
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151
N
North Hobbs6,034 people · 🛶 1 named lake49B-
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152
L
Los Luceros1,136 people · 🏛 1 historic place48B-
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153
S
Sunlit Hills899 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛰ 1 peak48B-
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154
C
Cuyamungue Grant376 people ·48B-
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155
T
Tres Arroyos1,926 people · 🥾 24 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake48B-
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156
P
Prewitt1,027 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 19 mi of trails48B-
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157
L
La Villita1,534 people ·48B-
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158
L
Lee Acres4,272 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails48B-
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159
J
Jacona412 people · 🏛 1 historic place48B-
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160
L
La Plata2,233 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake48B-
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161
R
Ramah407 people · 🏛 2 historic places · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 9 mi of trails48B-
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162
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Sullivan463 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails47B-
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163
C
Cotton City286 people ·47B-
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164
Dulce3,218 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛰ 3 peaks47B- -
165
V
Velarde229 people ·46B-
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166
Tatum598 people ·46B- -
167
Cochiti680 people · 🏛 1 historic place46B- -
168
L
Little Walnut Village1,445 people · ⛰ 1 peak46B-
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169
Estancia1,432 people · 🛶 1 named lake46B- -
170
Isleta1,043 people · 🏛 1 historic place46B- -
171
Ohkay Owingeh1,194 people · 🏛 1 historic place46B- -
172
Williamsburg466 people ·46B- -
173
Nageezi327 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails46B- -
174
Cedar Grove901 people ·45B- -
175
Zuni Pueblo5,864 people · 🏛 2 historic places · 🥾 14 mi of trails45B- -
176
L
Lobo Canyon492 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground45B-
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177
P
Paa-Ko743 people · 🥾 18 mi of trails45B-
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178
C
Crouch Mesa4,812 people · 🥾 55 mi of trails45B-
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179
H
Hanover263 people · ⛰ 2 peaks45B-
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180
Hurley1,044 people ·45B- -
181
B
Blanco492 people ·44B-
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182
Cedro372 people · 🥾 19 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground44B- -
183
Santa Ana Pueblo1,026 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 16 mi of trails44B- -
184
Tohatchi750 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake44B- -
185
Vado2,895 people · 🏛 1 historic place44B- -
186
Valencia2,406 people ·44B- -
187
La Luz1,797 people · 🏛 5 historic places44B- -
188
Ponderosa289 people ·44B- -
189
Black Rock1,125 people · 🛶 1 named lake44B- -
190
Los Cerrillos241 people · 👀 1 viewpoint44B- -
191
Dexter1,128 people · 🛶 1 named lake44B- -
192
C
Chamita867 people · 🏛 1 historic place43B-
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193
R
Rancho Grande254 people ·43B-
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194
W
Williams Acres643 people ·43B-
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195
Boles Acres1,848 people ·43B- -
196
L
Lemitar316 people · 🏛 1 historic place43B-
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197
Twin Lakes893 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 17 mi of trails43B- -
198
Anthony8,767 people ·43B- -
199
F
Fort Wingate726 people · 🏛 2 historic places43B-
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200
Los Chaves4,838 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails43B- -
201
T
Tierra Amarilla429 people · 🏛 8 historic places43B-
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202
P
Paradise Hills4,591 people ·42B-
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203
Crownpoint2,882 people · 🥾 68 mi of trails42B- -
204
S
Santo Domingo Pueblo2,370 people · 🏛 2 historic places42B-
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205
Chupadero334 people ·42B- -
206
T
Truchas528 people ·42B-
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207
Gila366 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛰ 2 peaks42B- -
208
S
Sandia Park333 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛺ 1 campground42B-
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209
C
Crestview580 people ·42B-
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210
Nenahnezad406 people ·42B- -
211
C
Cannon AFB2,405 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails42B-
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212
P
Pueblitos595 people ·42B-
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213
Upper Fruitland1,457 people · 🥾 11 mi of trails42B- -
214
Jemez Pueblo2,199 people · 🏛 1 historic place41B- -
215
Brimhall Nizhoni367 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails41B- -
216
Meadow Lake4,259 people ·41B- -
217
E
Ensenada225 people · 🏛 6 historic places41B-
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218
I
Iyanbito1,233 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails41B-
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219
Kirtland AFB3,413 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground41B- -
220
Santa Teresa6,041 people ·41B- -
221
Cochiti Lake476 people ·41B- -
222
Hagerman849 people · 🏛 1 historic place41B- -
223
F
Fruitland574 people ·41B-
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224
Lamy294 people · 🏛 1 historic place41B- -
225
Peña Blanca568 people · ⛰ 1 peak41B- -
226
E
El Cerro Mission5,323 people ·40B-
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227
Seama538 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🛶 1 named lake40B- -
228
S
South River1,810 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 11 mi of trails40B-
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229
P
Puerto de Luna378 people · 🏛 1 historic place40B-
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230
A
Arrey491 people · 🏛 1 historic place39B-
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231
C
Cordova389 people · 🏛 1 historic place39B-
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232
Bayard2,057 people ·39B- -
233
S
San Miguel772 people ·39B-
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234
L
La Mesilla2,697 people ·39B-
-
235
S
San Pablo696 people ·39B-
-
236
N
Napi Headquarters717 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails39B-
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237
F
Fairacres616 people ·38B-
-
238
M
Medanales280 people · 🏛 1 historic place38B-
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239
Rio Lucio485 people ·38B- -
240
D
Doña Ana868 people · 🏛 2 historic places38B-
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241
Carnuel877 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 10 mi of trails · 👀 1 viewpoint38B- -
242
Cuyamungue509 people ·38B- -
243
Galisteo231 people · 🏛 1 historic place38B- -
244
Jarales2,144 people ·38B- -
245
C
Cañon436 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 8 mi of trails38B-
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246
S
Sandia Knolls1,445 people ·38B-
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247
Adelino686 people · 🏛 1 historic place38B- -
248
D
Dixon1,623 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 5 mi of trails38B-
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249
Navajo2,181 people · ⛰ 1 peak38B- -
250
W
West Hammond2,236 people ·37B-
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251
Tesuque Pueblo325 people · 🏛 1 historic place37B- -
252
White Sands1,609 people · 🏛 1 historic place · 🥾 6 mi of trails37B- -
253
L
La Cueva778 people · ⛰ 1 peak37B-
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254
Alcalde285 people ·36B- -
255
Jaconita268 people · 🏛 1 historic place36B- -
256
L
Livingston Wheeler460 people · 🏛 1 historic place36B-
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257
M
Midway541 people · 🏛 1 historic place36B-
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258
Melrose447 people ·35B- -
259
K
Keeler Farm1,376 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails35B-
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260
R
Rio Rancho Estates1,571 people · 🥾 129 mi of trails35B-
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261
La Puebla715 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails35B- -
262
El Rancho1,451 people ·34B- -
263
Peralta3,404 people ·34B- -
264
C
Chili209 people ·34B-
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265
Texico967 people ·34B- -
266
H
Highland Meadows405 people · 🥾 29 mi of trails34B-
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267
Cañada de los Alamos315 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground34B- -
268
Cuartelez1,512 people ·34B- -
269
E
East Pecos643 people ·34B-
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270
Gallina318 people ·34B- -
271
L
Las Palomas304 people ·33B-
-
272
C
Conejo555 people ·33B-
-
273
B
Bluewater275 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails33B-
-
274
J
Jamestown439 people ·33B-
-
275
L
La Madera532 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails33B-
-
276
Paraje1,333 people · ⛰ 1 peak33B- -
277
C
Chamberino580 people ·33B-
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278
Loving1,357 people ·33B- -
279
E
El Rito1,102 people ·32B-
-
280
Santa Cruz228 people ·32B- -
281
S
Sunshine524 people ·32B-
-
282
B
Broadview296 people ·32B-
-
283
C
Caballo233 people ·32B-
-
284
E
El Duende454 people ·32B-
-
285
Salem916 people ·32B- -
286
A
Angustura1,997 people ·32B-
-
287
C
Catalpa Canyon302 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails32B-
-
288
S
San Ysidro2,118 people ·32B-
-
289
M
Monterey Park667 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails32B-
-
290
V
Ventura603 people ·31B-
-
291
Rincon271 people ·31B- -
292
Continental Divide231 people ·31B- -
293
Hernandez769 people ·31B- -
294
N
North Light Plant579 people ·31B-
-
295
M
McIntosh1,943 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails31B-
-
296
S
Spencerville1,264 people ·31B-
-
297
S
Sedillo565 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails31B-
-
298
T
Tyrone814 people ·31B-
-
299
B
Berino1,454 people ·31B-
-
300
P
Placitas516 people ·31B-
-
301
Agua Fria2,898 people ·31B- -
302
H
Happy Valley845 people ·30B-
-
303
M
McCartys Village723 people ·30B-
-
304
M
Madrone295 people ·30B-
-
305
T
Thunder Mountain1,366 people ·30B-
-
306
Costilla450 people ·30B- -
307
G
Glen Acres247 people ·30B-
-
308
A
Alamillo247 people ·30B-
-
309
L
La Union1,071 people ·30B-
-
310
Algodones1,479 people · 🥾 11 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground29B- -
311
L
La Hacienda640 people ·29B-
-
312
L
Las Maravillas1,594 people ·29B-
-
313
P
Pleasanton259 people ·29B-
-
314
T
Totah Vista235 people ·29B-
-
315
M
Mount Taylor335 people ·29B-
-
316
G
Gamerco1,176 people ·29B-
-
317
T
Tecolotito465 people ·29B-
-
318
W
White Cliffs581 people ·29B-
-
319
Casa Colorada351 people ·29B- -
320
V
Valle Vista729 people ·29B-
-
321
S
San Mateo602 people ·28B-
-
322
Mesquite675 people ·28B- -
323
S
San Jose776 people ·28B-
-
324
Mesita514 people ·28B- -
325
A
Anton Chico276 people ·28B-
-
326
Butterfield Park1,119 people ·28B- -
327
M
Malaga309 people ·28B-
-
328
Willard248 people ·28B- -
329
Pueblo of Sandia Village416 people ·27B- -
330
A
Atoka1,347 people ·27B-
-
331
Nadine271 people ·26B-
Every New Mexico town with 200+ residents and data on most areas. No bigger population floor: the best vacation towns are often tiny.
Method
How the score works
Each town gets 0–100 in each area by where it falls among New Mexico towns (best = 100, last = 0). The score is the weighted average, so 90 means the town beats about 90% of the state on what matters for this kind of trip. Counts of beaches, peaks and the like are scaled by the town’s size, so a huge township doesn’t win on area alone. The season changes the weights, not the data.
Vacation homes
Share of the town’s homes kept for seasonal or vacation use (Census). Where people buy a second home is where they like to be.
Places to stay & eat
Hotel, restaurant and recreation jobs located in town: how many, and what share of all local jobs (Census LEHD).
Lakes & beaches
Beaches, swimming spots, boat launches and named lakes, with a boost for towns on the coast (OpenStreetMap, FEMA).
Mountains & trails
Peaks, viewpoints and waterfalls, trail miles, and conserved land (OpenStreetMap, PAD-US).
History
Places on the National Register of Historic Places, covered bridges and lighthouses (National Park Service, OpenStreetMap).
| List | Vacation homes | Places to stay & eat | Lakes & beaches | Mountains & trails | History | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All year | 20% | 30% | 15% | 15% | 20% | – |
| Summer | 15% | 25% | 35% | 10% | 15% | – |
| Winter | 20% | 25% | – | 30% | – | 25% |
What this list can’t tell youWe count what’s there and how many people choose to come back; we can’t measure how good a visit is. There are no hotel prices, reviews or visitor counts in it, ski areas aren’t counted on their own yet, and a town with one famous lake can lose to a town with five quiet ones. That’s why every town has a place for people who’ve been to say what the numbers miss.
Your turn
Know a place we missed?
Locals and regulars know the swimming hole, the breakfast spot, the trail without the crowds. Leave a tip in the town’s Town Square for the next visitor.
Quick answers
Vacationing in New Mexico: questions people ask
What is the best place to vacation in New Mexico?
Ruidoso scores highest across the year, followed by Angel Fire and Santa Fe.
Where should I go in New Mexico in the summer?
Ruidoso leads the summer list, where lakes and beaches count for the most.
What is the best winter getaway in New Mexico?
Angel Fire, then Red River and Ruidoso: the most snow, mountains and places to stay.
Go deeper
All rankings →