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New Mexico · 2026 edition

Best summer vacation spots 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, history, and the parks and sights close by. All public data, no paid placements. Then we ask the people who go there what we missed.

Lakes, beaches and long days: water counts for the most.

#1 best summer vacation spotsRuidoso 92score

The top 25

Weights: Vacation homes 10% · Places to stay & eat 20% · Lakes & beaches 30% · Mountains & trails 5% · History 10% · Nearby attractions 25%. How the score works

#1

Ruidoso

· 7,699 people
92A+
  • 2 named lakes & ponds
  • 1 peak
  • 21 mi of trails
  • 3 historic places

44% of homes here are vacation homes.

Why it’s here: Vacation homes, Lakes & beaches.

Been to Ruidoso?Share a tip
#2

Truth or Consequences

· 6,019 people
91A+
  • 2 named lakes & ponds
  • 46 mi of trails
  • 3 historic places

424 hotel, restaurant and recreation jobs.

Why it’s here: Lakes & beaches, History.

Been to Truth or Consequences?Share a tip
#3

Angel Fire

· 1,111 people
90A+
  • 1 named lake
  • 2 peaks
  • 78 mi of trails
  • 2 historic places

71% of homes here are vacation homes.

Why it’s here: Vacation homes, Places to stay & eat.

Been to Angel Fire?Share a tip
  1. 4
    Santa Rosa2,462 people · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🏛 4 historic places
    88A
  2. 5
    Santa Fe89,019 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 6 peaks · 💧 1 waterfall
    87A
  3. 6
    Albuquerque562,218 people · 🛶 7 named lakes & ponds · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 322 mi of trails
    86A
  4. 7
    Carlsbad31,746 people · 🛶 3 named lakes & ponds · 🥾 21 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    85A
  5. 8
    Glorieta385 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 34 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    84A
  6. 9
    Eagle Nest451 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛺ 1 campground
    84A
  7. 10
    La Cienega3,543 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 15 mi of trails
    84A
  8. 11
    Las Cruces114,197 people · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds · 🥾 117 mi of trails · 🏛 11 historic places
    83A
  9. 12
    Clovis37,942 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 10 mi of trails · 🏛 12 historic places
    83A
  10. 13
    Farmington46,314 people · 🏖 1 beach · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 1 peak
    83A
  11. 14 N
    Navajo Dam269 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails · ⛺ 3 campgrounds
    82A
  12. 15
    Socorro8,481 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 2 peaks · 💧 5 waterfalls
    82A
  13. 16
    Aztec6,150 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 61 mi of trails · 🏛 17 historic places
    82A-
  14. 17
    Acomita Lake590 people · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds · ⛰ 1 peak
    82A-
  15. 18
    Roswell47,638 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 28 mi of trails · 🏛 17 historic places
    82A-
  16. 19
    Los Lunas18,618 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 27 mi of trails
    81A-
  17. 20
    Los Alamos13,317 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 2 peaks · 💧 1 waterfall
    80A-
  18. 21
    University Park2,782 people · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds · 🏛 4 historic places
    76B+
  19. 22
    Springer1,017 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 4 historic places
    76B+
  20. 23
    Logan740 people · ⛺ 2 campgrounds
    74B
  21. 24
    Talpa955 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    73B
  22. 25
    Rio Rancho108,515 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 8 peaks · 🥾 328 mi of trails
    73B
See all 331 →
  1. 26
    Red River450 people · 🏛 6 historic places
    72B
  2. 27
    Eunice3,015 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    72B
  3. 28
    Tesuque1,079 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    71B
  4. 29
    Flora Vista2,770 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🌉 1 covered bridge
    71B
  5. 30
    Raton6,026 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 5 mi of trails · 🏛 14 historic places
    69B-
  6. 31
    Taos6,458 people · 🏛 15 historic places
    69B-
  7. 32
    Cloudcroft630 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    69B-
  8. 33 S
    San Ildefonso Pueblo737 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 3 historic places
    67B-
  9. 34
    Zia Pueblo770 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 9 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    67B-
  10. 35
    Jal2,364 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    66B-
  11. 36
    Ranchos de Taos2,536 people · 🏛 5 historic places
    66B-
  12. 37
    Chimayo2,390 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    66B-
  13. 38
    Mesilla1,717 people · 🥾 11 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    66B-
  14. 39
    Silver City9,536 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 27 mi of trails · 🏛 15 historic places
    65B-
  15. 40
    Ruidoso Downs2,655 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    65B-
  16. 41
    Gallup21,023 people · 🥾 42 mi of trails · 🏛 15 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    65B-
  17. 42
    Elephant Butte1,790 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    65B-
  18. 43
    Tucumcari5,160 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails · 🏛 7 historic places
    65B-
  19. 44
    Los Ranchos de Albuquerque5,857 people · 🥾 17 mi of trails · 🏛 5 historic places
    65B-
  20. 45
    Las Vegas13,000 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails · 🏛 90 historic places
    64B-
  21. 46 P
    Ponderosa Pine1,442 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 12 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    63B-
  22. 47
    Española10,473 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🏛 3 historic places
    63B-
  23. 48
    Alamogordo31,307 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails · 🏛 7 historic places
    63B-
  24. 49
    Bernalillo9,086 people · 🏛 3 historic places · ⛺ 2 campgrounds
    63B-
  25. 50
    Deming15,221 people · 🏛 5 historic places
    63B-
  26. 51
    Jemez Springs284 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    63B-
  27. 52
    Chama776 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    62B-
  28. 53 A
    Arroyo Seco2,112 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    62B-
  29. 54
    Taos Pueblo1,129 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    62B-
  30. 55
    Sunland Park17,463 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 12 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    62B-
  31. 56 T
    Tano Road1,586 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 17 mi of trails
    62B-
  32. 57
    Church Rock1,381 people · 🥾 19 mi of trails
    62B-
  33. 58 S
    Santa Fe Foothills779 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    61B-
  34. 59
    Carrizozo854 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails · 🏛 5 historic places
    61B-
  35. 60
    Dexter1,128 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    61B-
  36. 61
    Torreon580 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 2 peaks
    61B-
  37. 62 N
    North Hobbs6,034 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    61B-
  38. 63
    Estancia1,432 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    61B-
  39. 64
    Magdalena976 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 8 mi of trails · 🏛 15 historic places
    61B-
  40. 65
    Madrid292 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    60B-
  41. 66 T
    Tres Arroyos1,926 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 24 mi of trails
    60B-
  42. 67
    Artesia12,576 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails · 🏛 14 historic places
    60B-
  43. 68
    Timberon479 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    60B-
  44. 69
    White Rock5,716 people · 🥾 51 mi of trails · 👀 2 viewpoints · 🏛 1 historic place
    60B-
  45. 70
    Laguna459 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 4 peaks · 🥾 17 mi of trails
    60B-
  46. 71
    South Valley37,120 people · 🥾 49 mi of trails · 🏛 3 historic places
    60B-
  47. 72
    Capitan1,191 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    60B-
  48. 73
    Lovington11,498 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails · 🏛 5 historic places
    60B-
  49. 74
    San Felipe Pueblo1,119 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    60B-
  50. 75
    Cimarron701 people · 🏛 6 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    59B-
  51. 76
    Belen7,450 people · 🏛 4 historic places
    59B-
  52. 77
    Kirtland465 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    59B-
  53. 78
    Black Rock1,125 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    58B-
  54. 79
    Lordsburg2,057 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails · 🏛 4 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    58B-
  55. 80
    Portales11,968 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails · 🏛 4 historic places
    58B-
  56. 81
    Pecos1,204 people · 🏛 4 historic places
    58B-
  57. 82 L
    La Plata2,233 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    57B-
  58. 83 P
    Picacho Hills2,002 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails
    57B-
  59. 84
    Grants8,951 people · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    57B-
  60. 85 S
    Sandia Park333 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛺ 1 campground
    57B-
  61. 86
    Yah-ta-hey507 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    57B-
  62. 87
    Moriarty2,102 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    57B-
  63. 88
    Tohatchi750 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🥾 14 mi of trails
    57B-
  64. 89
    Corrales8,555 people · 🥾 52 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    57B-
  65. 90 S
    San Rafael1,039 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 8 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    56B-
  66. 91
    Edgewood6,124 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 27 mi of trails
    56B-
  67. 92
    Lake Arthur478 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    56B-
  68. 93
    Placitas4,223 people · ⛰ 4 peaks · 🥾 44 mi of trails
    56B-
  69. 94
    Beclabito212 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 29 mi of trails
    56B-
  70. 95
    Hobbs40,252 people · 🥾 46 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    56B-
  71. 96
    Bloomfield7,395 people · 🥾 26 mi of trails
    55B-
  72. 97
    Seama538 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛰ 1 peak
    55B-
  73. 98
    Tularosa2,597 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    55B-
  74. 99 C
    Center Point2,286 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    55B-
  75. 100
    Chaparral18,186 people · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    54B-
  76. 101
    Vaughn493 people ·
    54B-
  77. 102
    Pojoaque2,327 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails
    54B-
  78. 103
    North Valley10,455 people · 🏛 10 historic places
    54B-
  79. 104
    Clayton2,753 people · 🏛 7 historic places
    54B-
  80. 105
    Shiprock7,610 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    53B-
  81. 106
    Columbus1,196 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    53B-
  82. 107 C
    Cedar Hill902 people ·
    53B-
  83. 108 M
    Mimbres330 people · 🏛 8 historic places
    53B-
  84. 109
    Mescalero832 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    53B-
  85. 110
    Cuba462 people ·
    53B-
  86. 111 C
    Cañoncito1,253 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    53B-
  87. 112 S
    Skyline-Ganipa1,226 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    53B-
  88. 113 T
    Tortugas381 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    53B-
  89. 114 B
    Barton1,302 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails
    52B-
  90. 115 C
    Conchas Dam282 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    52B-
  91. 116
    Bosque Farms4,071 people ·
    52B-
  92. 117
    Rowe516 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails
    51B-
  93. 118
    Questa2,466 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails
    51B-
  94. 119 W
    Waterflow1,140 people ·
    51B-
  95. 120
    Eldorado at Santa Fe5,619 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 41 mi of trails
    51B-
  96. 121 L
    Las Campanas2,119 people · 🥾 49 mi of trails
    51B-
  97. 122
    Santa Clara Pueblo733 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    51B-
  98. 123
    Mountainair1,178 people · 🏛 4 historic places
    51B-
  99. 124
    Hatch1,588 people ·
    51B-
  100. 125 I
    Indian Hills622 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    51B-
  101. 126
    Nambe2,035 people · 🏛 2 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    51B-
  102. 127 R
    Rosedale252 people ·
    51B-
  103. 128
    San Cristobal203 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    50B-
  104. 129 S
    Sandia Heights3,160 people ·
    50B-
  105. 130
    Santa Clara1,809 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    50B-
  106. 131
    Tome1,723 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    50B-
  107. 132
    Tijeras524 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    50B-
  108. 133
    San Antonito688 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🏛 1 historic place
    50B-
  109. 134 C
    Cuyamungue Grant376 people ·
    50B-
  110. 135
    Sanostee214 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails
    50B-
  111. 136
    Reserve402 people ·
    50B-
  112. 137
    Roy302 people ·
    49B-
  113. 138
    Cedar Crest886 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 7 mi of trails
    49B-
  114. 139 S
    Sausal602 people ·
    49B-
  115. 140
    La Huerta1,288 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    49B-
  116. 141
    Holloman AFB4,433 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛺ 1 campground
    49B-
  117. 142
    Rio Communities4,925 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 16 mi of trails
    49B-
  118. 143
    Wagon Mound557 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    49B-
  119. 144 A
    Arenas Valley1,247 people · ⛺ 1 campground
    49B-
  120. 145 L
    La Mesa473 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    49B-
  121. 146
    Thoreau1,973 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 62 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    49B-
  122. 147
    Maxwell331 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    48B-
  123. 148
    Milan2,327 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    48B-
  124. 149 E
    El Cerro2,923 people ·
    48B-
  125. 150
    Mora520 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🏛 6 historic places
    48B-
  126. 151
    Radium Springs1,908 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    47B-
  127. 152 L
    Lee Acres4,272 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails
    47B-
  128. 153
    Fort Sumner938 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails · 🏛 4 historic places
    47B-
  129. 154
    Vadito264 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    47B-
  130. 155 L
    La Villita1,534 people ·
    47B-
  131. 156
    Peñasco546 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    47B-
  132. 157
    Valencia2,406 people ·
    47B-
  133. 158
    Tatum598 people ·
    47B-
  134. 159 S
    Sullivan463 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails
    47B-
  135. 160 L
    Los Luceros1,136 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    46B-
  136. 161 T
    Twin Forks310 people ·
    46B-
  137. 162 L
    Las Tusas999 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails
    46B-
  138. 163 J
    Jacona412 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    45B-
  139. 164 P
    Paa-Ko743 people · 🥾 18 mi of trails
    45B-
  140. 165
    Hurley1,044 people ·
    45B-
  141. 166 L
    La Tierra315 people ·
    45B-
  142. 167 V
    Villanueva283 people · ⛺ 1 campground
    45B-
  143. 168 S
    Sunlit Hills899 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🏛 1 historic place
    45B-
  144. 169
    High Rolls1,313 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 9 mi of trails · 👀 2 viewpoints
    45B-
  145. 170 H
    Hanover263 people · ⛰ 2 peaks
    45B-
  146. 171
    El Valle de Arroyo Seco1,293 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails
    45B-
  147. 172 P
    Paradise Hills4,591 people ·
    45B-
  148. 173
    Cochiti680 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    45B-
  149. 174 L
    Lobo Canyon492 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    45B-
  150. 175 P
    Prewitt1,027 people · 🥾 19 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    44B-
  151. 176 C
    Cotton City286 people ·
    44B-
  152. 177
    Los Cerrillos241 people · 👀 1 viewpoint
    44B-
  153. 178
    Anthony8,767 people ·
    44B-
  154. 179 V
    Velarde229 people ·
    44B-
  155. 180
    Isleta1,043 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    44B-
  156. 181 R
    Ramah407 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 9 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    44B-
  157. 182
    Vado2,895 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    44B-
  158. 183
    Williamsburg466 people ·
    44B-
  159. 184
    Cedro372 people · 🥾 19 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    44B-
  160. 185
    Dulce3,218 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🏛 1 historic place
    44B-
  161. 186
    Ohkay Owingeh1,194 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    44B-
  162. 187
    Cedar Grove901 people ·
    43B-
  163. 188 C
    Cannon AFB2,405 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails
    43B-
  164. 189 L
    Lemitar316 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    43B-
  165. 190 C
    Chamita867 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    43B-
  166. 191 L
    Little Walnut Village1,445 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    43B-
  167. 192 B
    Blanco492 people ·
    43B-
  168. 193
    Nageezi327 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails
    43B-
  169. 194
    Zuni Pueblo5,864 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    43B-
  170. 195 W
    Williams Acres643 people ·
    43B-
  171. 196
    Bayard2,057 people ·
    42B-
  172. 197
    Hagerman849 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    42B-
  173. 198
    Santa Teresa6,041 people ·
    42B-
  174. 199 T
    Tierra Amarilla429 people · 🏛 8 historic places
    42B-
  175. 200
    Kirtland AFB3,413 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    42B-
  176. 201 R
    Rancho Grande254 people ·
    42B-
  177. 202
    Santa Ana Pueblo1,026 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    42B-
  178. 203
    Chupadero334 people ·
    42B-
  179. 204 P
    Pueblitos595 people ·
    42B-
  180. 205 C
    Crouch Mesa4,812 people · 🥾 55 mi of trails
    42B-
  181. 206
    Ponderosa289 people ·
    42B-
  182. 207 F
    Fairacres616 people ·
    42B-
  183. 208
    Boles Acres1,848 people ·
    42B-
  184. 209 F
    Fort Wingate726 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    42B-
  185. 210
    La Luz1,797 people · 🏛 5 historic places
    42B-
  186. 211 T
    Truchas528 people ·
    42B-
  187. 212 C
    Crestview580 people ·
    41B-
  188. 213 S
    Santo Domingo Pueblo2,370 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    41B-
  189. 214 E
    Ensenada225 people · 🏛 6 historic places
    41B-
  190. 215
    Twin Lakes893 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 17 mi of trails
    41B-
  191. 216
    Los Chaves4,838 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails
    41B-
  192. 217
    Nenahnezad406 people ·
    41B-
  193. 218
    Cochiti Lake476 people ·
    41B-
  194. 219
    Jemez Pueblo2,199 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    41B-
  195. 220
    Gila366 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🏛 1 historic place
    41B-
  196. 221 S
    Sandia Knolls1,445 people ·
    41B-
  197. 222
    Upper Fruitland1,457 people · 🥾 11 mi of trails
    41B-
  198. 223
    Brimhall Nizhoni367 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails
    40B-
  199. 224
    Meadow Lake4,259 people ·
    40B-
  200. 225 E
    El Cerro Mission5,323 people ·
    40B-
  201. 226 S
    San Miguel772 people ·
    40B-
  202. 227
    Crownpoint2,882 people · 🥾 68 mi of trails
    40B-
  203. 228 F
    Fruitland574 people ·
    40B-
  204. 229
    Lamy294 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    40B-
  205. 230
    Peña Blanca568 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    40B-
  206. 231 S
    San Pablo696 people ·
    40B-
  207. 232 I
    Iyanbito1,233 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails
    40B-
  208. 233 P
    Puerto de Luna378 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    40B-
  209. 234 A
    Arrey491 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    40B-
  210. 235 C
    Cordova389 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    40B-
  211. 236
    Rio Lucio485 people ·
    40B-
  212. 237 L
    La Mesilla2,697 people ·
    39B-
  213. 238
    Cuyamungue509 people ·
    39B-
  214. 239 M
    Medanales280 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    39B-
  215. 240
    Galisteo231 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    39B-
  216. 241
    Adelino686 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    39B-
  217. 242
    Jarales2,144 people ·
    39B-
  218. 243 D
    Doña Ana868 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    39B-
  219. 244 N
    Napi Headquarters717 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails
    39B-
  220. 245 S
    South River1,810 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 11 mi of trails
    39B-
  221. 246
    Tesuque Pueblo325 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    38B-
  222. 247
    Alcalde285 people ·
    38B-
  223. 248
    Navajo2,181 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    38B-
  224. 249
    Jaconita268 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    38B-
  225. 250 L
    Livingston Wheeler460 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    38B-
  226. 251 M
    Midway541 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    38B-
  227. 252 W
    West Hammond2,236 people ·
    37B-
  228. 253
    White Sands1,609 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    37B-
  229. 254
    Carnuel877 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 10 mi of trails · 👀 1 viewpoint
    37B-
  230. 255 C
    Cañon436 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 8 mi of trails
    37B-
  231. 256 D
    Dixon1,623 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 5 mi of trails
    37B-
  232. 257
    El Rancho1,451 people ·
    37B-
  233. 258
    Loving1,357 people ·
    37B-
  234. 259
    Melrose447 people ·
    37B-
  235. 260 L
    La Cueva778 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    37B-
  236. 261
    Peralta3,404 people ·
    36B-
  237. 262 S
    San Ysidro2,118 people ·
    36B-
  238. 263
    Texico967 people ·
    36B-
  239. 264 K
    Keeler Farm1,376 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails
    36B-
  240. 265
    La Puebla715 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails
    36B-
  241. 266 R
    Rio Rancho Estates1,571 people · 🥾 129 mi of trails
    36B-
  242. 267 C
    Chili209 people ·
    35B-
  243. 268 H
    Highland Meadows405 people · 🥾 29 mi of trails
    35B-
  244. 269
    Cañada de los Alamos315 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    35B-
  245. 270
    Cuartelez1,512 people ·
    35B-
  246. 271 E
    East Pecos643 people ·
    35B-
  247. 272
    Gallina318 people ·
    35B-
  248. 273 C
    Conejo555 people ·
    35B-
  249. 274 L
    Las Palomas304 people ·
    35B-
  250. 275 J
    Jamestown439 people ·
    35B-
  251. 276 L
    La Madera532 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails
    35B-
  252. 277
    Paraje1,333 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    35B-
  253. 278 C
    Chamberino580 people ·
    35B-
  254. 279 E
    El Rito1,102 people ·
    35B-
  255. 280
    Santa Cruz228 people ·
    35B-
  256. 281 B
    Broadview296 people ·
    35B-
  257. 282 S
    Sunshine524 people ·
    35B-
  258. 283 C
    Caballo233 people ·
    35B-
  259. 284 C
    Catalpa Canyon302 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails
    34B-
  260. 285 E
    El Duende454 people ·
    34B-
  261. 286
    Salem916 people ·
    34B-
  262. 287 A
    Angustura1,997 people ·
    34B-
  263. 288 M
    Monterey Park667 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails
    34B-
  264. 289
    Rincon271 people ·
    34B-
  265. 290 V
    Ventura603 people ·
    34B-
  266. 291
    Continental Divide231 people ·
    34B-
  267. 292
    Hernandez769 people ·
    34B-
  268. 293 N
    North Light Plant579 people ·
    34B-
  269. 294 S
    Sedillo565 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails
    34B-
  270. 295 B
    Berino1,454 people ·
    34B-
  271. 296 B
    Bluewater275 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails
    34B-
  272. 297 P
    Placitas516 people ·
    34B-
  273. 298 T
    Tyrone814 people ·
    34B-
  274. 299 H
    Happy Valley845 people ·
    34B-
  275. 300 M
    Madrone295 people ·
    34B-
  276. 301 M
    McCartys Village723 people ·
    34B-
  277. 302
    Costilla450 people ·
    34B-
  278. 303 G
    Glen Acres247 people ·
    34B-
  279. 304 T
    Thunder Mountain1,366 people ·
    34B-
  280. 305 A
    Alamillo247 people ·
    34B-
  281. 306 L
    La Hacienda640 people ·
    33B-
  282. 307 L
    Las Maravillas1,594 people ·
    33B-
  283. 308 T
    Totah Vista235 people ·
    33B-
  284. 309 M
    Mount Taylor335 people ·
    33B-
  285. 310 G
    Gamerco1,176 people ·
    33B-
  286. 311 M
    McIntosh1,943 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    33B-
  287. 312 S
    Spencerville1,264 people ·
    33B-
  288. 313 T
    Tecolotito465 people ·
    33B-
  289. 314 W
    White Cliffs581 people ·
    33B-
  290. 315 V
    Valle Vista729 people ·
    33B-
  291. 316
    Agua Fria2,898 people ·
    33B-
  292. 317 S
    San Mateo602 people ·
    33B-
  293. 318 S
    San Jose776 people ·
    33B-
  294. 319 A
    Anton Chico276 people ·
    33B-
  295. 320
    Butterfield Park1,119 people ·
    33B-
  296. 321 M
    Malaga309 people ·
    33B-
  297. 322
    Willard248 people ·
    33B-
  298. 323 L
    La Union1,071 people ·
    33B-
  299. 324
    Algodones1,479 people · 🥾 11 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    32B-
  300. 325 P
    Pleasanton259 people ·
    32B-
  301. 326
    Casa Colorada351 people ·
    32B-
  302. 327
    Mesquite675 people ·
    32B-
  303. 328
    Mesita514 people ·
    32B-
  304. 329
    Pueblo of Sandia Village416 people ·
    31B-
  305. 330 A
    Atoka1,347 people ·
    31B-
  306. 331
    Nadine271 people ·
    31B-

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).

Nearby attractions

National parks, ski areas and well-known sights within 30 miles, counting more the better known and the closer they are (NPS, OpenSkiMap, Wikidata, Wikipedia readers).

ListVacation homesPlaces to stay & eatLakes & beachesMountains & trailsHistorySnowNearby attractionsSki areas
All year15%25%15%10%10%–25%–
Summer10%20%30%5%10%–25%–
Winter15%20%–15%–20%–30%
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, 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.

Tip for Ruidoso →“What visitors should do in Ruidoso”Tip for Truth or Consequences →“What visitors should do in Truth or Consequences”Tip for Angel Fire →“What visitors should do in Angel Fire”Tip for Santa Rosa →“What visitors should do in Santa Rosa”
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 Truth or Consequences.

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

More New Mexico rankings

All rankings →
Best places to liveBest places to retireVacation-home townsMost conserved landMost trailsSnowiestCoolest summers