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New Mexico · 2026 edition

Best winter getaways in New Mexico

We ranked 319 towns on what actually draws visitors: vacation homes, places to stay and eat, lakes and beaches, mountains and trails, and history, plus snow. All public data, no paid placements. Then we ask the people who go there what we missed.

Snow, mountains and a warm place to stay afterwards.

#1 best winter getawaysAngel Fire 92score

The top 25

Weights: Vacation homes 20% · Places to stay & eat 25% · Mountains & trails 30% · Snow 25%. How the score works

#1

Angel Fire

· 1,111 people
92A+
  • 2 peaks
  • 78 mi of trails
  • 1 named lake
  • 2 historic places

71% of homes here are vacation homes.

Why it’s here: Vacation homes, Snow.

Been to Angel Fire?Share a tip
#2

Red River

· 450 people
87A
  • 6 historic places

51% of homes here are vacation homes.

Why it’s here: Snow, Vacation homes.

Been to Red River?Share a tip
#3

Ruidoso

· 7,699 people
87A
  • 1 peak
  • 21 mi of trails
  • 2 named lakes & ponds
  • 3 historic places

44% of homes here are vacation homes.

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

Been to Ruidoso?Share a tip
  1. 4
    Tesuque1,079 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    85A
  2. 5
    Cloudcroft630 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    83A
  3. 6
    Eagle Nest451 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛺ 1 campground
    81A-
  4. 7
    Glorieta385 people · 🥾 34 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 1 historic place
    80A-
  5. 8
    Santa Fe89,019 people · ⛰ 6 peaks · 💧 1 waterfall · 🥾 191 mi of trails
    80A-
  6. 9
    Raton6,026 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 5 mi of trails · 🏛 14 historic places
    80A-
  7. 10
    Los Alamos13,317 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 💧 1 waterfall · 🥾 82 mi of trails
    80A-
  8. 11 S
    Santa Fe Foothills779 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    79A-
  9. 12
    Church Rock1,381 people · 🥾 19 mi of trails
    78A-
  10. 13
    Edgewood6,124 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 27 mi of trails
    77B+
  11. 14 T
    Tano Road1,586 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 17 mi of trails
    77B+
  12. 15
    Taos6,458 people · 🏛 15 historic places
    77B+
  13. 16
    White Rock5,716 people · 🥾 51 mi of trails · 👀 2 viewpoints · 🏛 1 historic place
    76B+
  14. 17
    La Cienega3,543 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake
    75B+
  15. 18
    Ruidoso Downs2,655 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    75B+
  16. 19
    Chama776 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    74B+
  17. 20
    Gallup21,023 people · 🥾 42 mi of trails · 🏛 15 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    74B
  18. 21 A
    Arroyo Seco2,112 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    74B
  19. 22
    Questa2,466 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails
    72B
  20. 23
    Albuquerque562,218 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 322 mi of trails · 🛶 7 named lakes & ponds
    72B
  21. 24
    Jemez Springs284 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    72B
  22. 25
    Silver City9,536 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 27 mi of trails · 🏛 15 historic places
    72B
See all 319 →
  1. 26
    Taos Pueblo1,129 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    72B
  2. 27
    Ranchos de Taos2,536 people · 🏛 5 historic places
    71B
  3. 28
    Placitas4,223 people · ⛰ 4 peaks · 🥾 44 mi of trails
    71B
  4. 29
    Cuba462 people ·
    71B
  5. 30
    Acomita Lake590 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds
    71B
  6. 31
    Madrid292 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    70B
  7. 32 N
    Navajo Dam269 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails · ⛺ 3 campgrounds
    70B
  8. 33
    Talpa955 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    70B
  9. 34
    Eldorado at Santa Fe5,619 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 41 mi of trails
    70B-
  10. 35 L
    Las Tusas999 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails
    70B-
  11. 36 T
    Twin Forks310 people ·
    70B-
  12. 37
    Thoreau1,973 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 62 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    70B-
  13. 38
    Rowe516 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails
    69B-
  14. 39
    San Cristobal203 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    68B-
  15. 40
    Las Vegas13,000 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails · 🏛 90 historic places
    68B-
  16. 41 L
    Las Campanas2,119 people · 🥾 49 mi of trails
    68B-
  17. 42
    Chimayo2,390 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    68B-
  18. 43
    Timberon479 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    68B-
  19. 44
    Tucumcari5,160 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails · 🏛 7 historic places
    68B-
  20. 45 P
    Ponderosa Pine1,442 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛺ 1 campground
    67B-
  21. 46
    Yah-ta-hey507 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    67B-
  22. 47
    Vaughn493 people ·
    67B-
  23. 48
    High Rolls1,313 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 9 mi of trails · 👀 2 viewpoints
    67B-
  24. 49
    Clovis37,942 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 12 historic places
    67B-
  25. 50 B
    Barton1,302 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails
    67B-
  26. 51
    Logan740 people · ⛺ 2 campgrounds
    66B-
  27. 52 S
    San Rafael1,039 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 8 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    66B-
  28. 53
    Bloomfield7,395 people · 🥾 26 mi of trails
    66B-
  29. 54
    Kirtland465 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    65B-
  30. 55
    Los Ranchos de Albuquerque5,857 people · 🥾 17 mi of trails · 🏛 5 historic places
    65B-
  31. 56 V
    Villanueva283 people · ⛺ 1 campground
    65B-
  32. 57
    Farmington46,314 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 97 mi of trails · 🏖 1 beach
    65B-
  33. 58
    Aztec6,150 people · 🥾 61 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 17 historic places
    65B-
  34. 59
    Santa Rosa2,462 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds · 🏛 4 historic places
    64B-
  35. 60
    Cimarron701 people · 🏛 6 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    64B-
  36. 61
    Rio Rancho108,515 people · ⛰ 8 peaks · 🥾 328 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake
    64B-
  37. 62 I
    Indian Hills622 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    63B-
  38. 63
    Capitan1,191 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    63B-
  39. 64
    Truth or Consequences6,019 people · 🥾 46 mi of trails · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds · 🏛 3 historic places
    63B-
  40. 65
    Twin Lakes893 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 17 mi of trails
    62B-
  41. 66
    Moriarty2,102 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    62B-
  42. 67
    San Antonito688 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🏛 1 historic place
    62B-
  43. 68
    Los Lunas18,618 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 27 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake
    62B-
  44. 69
    Pecos1,204 people · 🏛 4 historic places
    62B-
  45. 70
    Española10,473 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🏛 3 historic places
    61B-
  46. 71 L
    La Tierra315 people ·
    61B-
  47. 72
    San Felipe Pueblo1,119 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    61B-
  48. 73
    Elephant Butte1,790 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    61B-
  49. 74 C
    Cedar Hill902 people ·
    60B-
  50. 75
    Cedar Grove901 people ·
    60B-
  51. 76 P
    Paa-Ko743 people · 🥾 18 mi of trails
    60B-
  52. 77
    Magdalena976 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 8 mi of trails · 🏛 15 historic places
    60B-
  53. 78 P
    Prewitt1,027 people · 🥾 19 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    60B-
  54. 79 R
    Ramah407 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 9 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    60B-
  55. 80
    Mora520 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🏛 6 historic places
    59B-
  56. 81
    Nageezi327 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails
    59B-
  57. 82
    Ponderosa289 people ·
    59B-
  58. 83
    Roswell47,638 people · 🥾 28 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 17 historic places
    59B-
  59. 84
    Torreon580 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🛶 1 named lake
    59B-
  60. 85
    Pojoaque2,327 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails
    59B-
  61. 86
    Los Cerrillos241 people · 👀 1 viewpoint
    59B-
  62. 87 L
    Little Walnut Village1,445 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    58B-
  63. 88 R
    Rosedale252 people ·
    58B-
  64. 89 C
    Cañoncito1,253 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    58B-
  65. 90 T
    Truchas528 people ·
    58B-
  66. 91
    Sunland Park17,463 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 12 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    58B-
  67. 92
    Carlsbad31,746 people · 🥾 21 mi of trails · 🛶 3 named lakes & ponds · 🏛 2 historic places
    57B-
  68. 93
    Dulce3,218 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🏛 1 historic place
    57B-
  69. 94
    El Valle de Arroyo Seco1,293 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails
    57B-
  70. 95
    Roy302 people ·
    57B-
  71. 96
    Socorro8,481 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 💧 5 waterfalls · 🥾 73 mi of trails
    57B-
  72. 97
    South Valley37,120 people · 🥾 49 mi of trails · 🏛 3 historic places
    57B-
  73. 98
    Carrizozo854 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails · 🏛 5 historic places
    57B-
  74. 99 C
    Crestview580 people ·
    56B-
  75. 100 W
    Williams Acres643 people ·
    56B-
  76. 101 C
    Cañon436 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 8 mi of trails
    56B-
  77. 102 L
    Lobo Canyon492 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    56B-
  78. 103
    Las Cruces114,197 people · 🥾 117 mi of trails · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds · 🏛 11 historic places
    56B-
  79. 104
    Mesilla1,717 people · 🥾 11 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    56B-
  80. 105
    Hobbs40,252 people · 🥾 46 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    56B-
  81. 106
    Santa Clara1,809 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    56B-
  82. 107
    Bernalillo9,086 people · 🏛 3 historic places · ⛺ 2 campgrounds
    55B-
  83. 108 L
    La Cueva778 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    55B-
  84. 109
    Springer1,017 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 4 historic places
    55B-
  85. 110 C
    Crouch Mesa4,812 people · 🥾 55 mi of trails
    55B-
  86. 111
    Mescalero832 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    55B-
  87. 112 A
    Arenas Valley1,247 people · ⛺ 1 campground
    54B-
  88. 113
    Corrales8,555 people · 🥾 52 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    54B-
  89. 114 P
    Picacho Hills2,002 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails
    54B-
  90. 115 T
    Tres Arroyos1,926 people · 🥾 24 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake
    54B-
  91. 116 I
    Iyanbito1,233 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails
    54B-
  92. 117
    Alamogordo31,307 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails · 🏛 7 historic places
    54B-
  93. 118
    Brimhall Nizhoni367 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails
    54B-
  94. 119 H
    Hanover263 people · ⛰ 2 peaks
    53B-
  95. 120 S
    Sunlit Hills899 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🏛 1 historic place
    53B-
  96. 121 L
    Lee Acres4,272 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails
    53B-
  97. 122 S
    Sullivan463 people · 🥾 12 mi of trails
    53B-
  98. 123 C
    Center Point2,286 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    53B-
  99. 124
    Gallina318 people ·
    52B-
  100. 125 B
    Bluewater275 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails
    52B-
  101. 126
    Grants8,951 people · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    52B-
  102. 127 V
    Velarde229 people ·
    52B-
  103. 128
    Shiprock7,610 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    52B-
  104. 129
    Rio Communities4,925 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 16 mi of trails
    52B-
  105. 130 S
    Sandia Heights3,160 people ·
    52B-
  106. 131
    Carnuel877 people · ⛰ 3 peaks · 🥾 10 mi of trails · 👀 1 viewpoint
    51B-
  107. 132
    Artesia12,576 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails · 🏛 14 historic places
    51B-
  108. 133
    Wagon Mound557 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    51B-
  109. 134
    Chupadero334 people ·
    51B-
  110. 135 W
    Waterflow1,140 people ·
    51B-
  111. 136
    North Valley10,455 people · 🏛 10 historic places
    51B-
  112. 137 S
    Sandia Park333 people · 🛶 1 named lake · ⛺ 1 campground
    51B-
  113. 138
    Portales11,968 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails · 🏛 4 historic places
    50B-
  114. 139
    Eunice3,015 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    50B-
  115. 140
    Cañada de los Alamos315 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    50B-
  116. 141
    Clayton2,753 people · 🏛 7 historic places
    50B-
  117. 142
    Maxwell331 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    50B-
  118. 143 L
    La Villita1,534 people ·
    49B-
  119. 144
    Rio Lucio485 people ·
    49B-
  120. 145 B
    Blanco492 people ·
    49B-
  121. 146 E
    East Pecos643 people ·
    49B-
  122. 147 S
    South River1,810 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🥾 11 mi of trails
    49B-
  123. 148
    Chaparral18,186 people · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    49B-
  124. 149 C
    Conchas Dam282 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    49B-
  125. 150 S
    Sandia Knolls1,445 people ·
    49B-
  126. 151
    Tohatchi750 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake
    49B-
  127. 152 S
    Skyline-Ganipa1,226 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    49B-
  128. 153 L
    La Madera532 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails
    49B-
  129. 154 C
    Cuyamungue Grant376 people ·
    48B-
  130. 155
    Lovington11,498 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails · 🏛 5 historic places
    48B-
  131. 156 D
    Dixon1,623 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🥾 5 mi of trails
    48B-
  132. 157
    Bosque Farms4,071 people ·
    48B-
  133. 158
    Deming15,221 people · 🏛 5 historic places
    48B-
  134. 159
    Hurley1,044 people ·
    48B-
  135. 160
    Flora Vista2,770 people · 🌉 1 covered bridge · 🛶 1 named lake
    48B-
  136. 161
    Kirtland AFB3,413 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    48B-
  137. 162 C
    Cannon AFB2,405 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails
    47B-
  138. 163
    Continental Divide231 people ·
    47B-
  139. 164
    Belen7,450 people · 🏛 4 historic places
    47B-
  140. 165 S
    Sausal602 people ·
    46B-
  141. 166 E
    El Rito1,102 people ·
    46B-
  142. 167
    Santa Clara Pueblo733 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    46B-
  143. 168
    Peñasco546 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    46B-
  144. 169
    Upper Fruitland1,457 people · 🥾 11 mi of trails
    46B-
  145. 170 J
    Jamestown439 people ·
    46B-
  146. 171
    Nambe2,035 people · 🏛 2 historic places · ⛺ 1 campground
    46B-
  147. 172
    Vadito264 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    46B-
  148. 173
    Costilla450 people ·
    45B-
  149. 174 T
    Tierra Amarilla429 people · 🏛 8 historic places
    45B-
  150. 175
    Laguna459 people · ⛰ 4 peaks · 🥾 17 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake
    45B-
  151. 176 C
    Conejo555 people ·
    45B-
  152. 177 C
    Cotton City286 people ·
    45B-
  153. 178 F
    Fort Wingate726 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    45B-
  154. 179 M
    Mimbres330 people · 🏛 8 historic places
    45B-
  155. 180 H
    Highland Meadows405 people · 🥾 29 mi of trails
    45B-
  156. 181
    Nenahnezad406 people ·
    45B-
  157. 182
    Jemez Pueblo2,199 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    44B-
  158. 183
    Lamy294 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    44B-
  159. 184
    Estancia1,432 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    44B-
  160. 185 S
    San Ildefonso Pueblo737 people · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 3 historic places
    44B-
  161. 186 E
    El Cerro2,923 people ·
    44B-
  162. 187 W
    West Hammond2,236 people ·
    44B-
  163. 188
    Columbus1,196 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    44B-
  164. 189 C
    Catalpa Canyon302 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails
    44B-
  165. 190 T
    Thunder Mountain1,366 people ·
    43B-
  166. 191 L
    Los Luceros1,136 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    43B-
  167. 192
    Peña Blanca568 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    43B-
  168. 193
    Seama538 people · ⛰ 1 peak · 🛶 1 named lake
    43B-
  169. 194
    Bayard2,057 people ·
    43B-
  170. 195 E
    Ensenada225 people · 🏛 6 historic places
    43B-
  171. 196 L
    La Mesilla2,697 people ·
    43B-
  172. 197 S
    Sedillo565 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails
    43B-
  173. 198 J
    Jacona412 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    43B-
  174. 199 M
    McIntosh1,943 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails
    43B-
  175. 200
    Agua Fria2,898 people ·
    43B-
  176. 201
    La Puebla715 people · 🥾 5 mi of trails
    43B-
  177. 202
    Meadow Lake4,259 people ·
    43B-
  178. 203 N
    Napi Headquarters717 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails
    43B-
  179. 204
    Mountainair1,178 people · 🏛 4 historic places
    43B-
  180. 205
    Paraje1,333 people · ⛰ 1 peak
    42B-
  181. 206
    Zia Pueblo770 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 1 historic place
    42B-
  182. 207
    Tatum598 people ·
    42B-
  183. 208
    Tularosa2,597 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    42B-
  184. 209
    Ohkay Owingeh1,194 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    42B-
  185. 210
    Los Chaves4,838 people · 🥾 9 mi of trails
    42B-
  186. 211
    Boles Acres1,848 people ·
    42B-
  187. 212 C
    Chili209 people ·
    41B-
  188. 213 L
    La Plata2,233 people · 🥾 15 mi of trails · 🛶 1 named lake · 🏛 1 historic place
    41B-
  189. 214 F
    Fruitland574 people ·
    41B-
  190. 215
    Williamsburg466 people ·
    41B-
  191. 216
    Hatch1,588 people ·
    41B-
  192. 217
    Willard248 people ·
    41B-
  193. 218
    Cuartelez1,512 people ·
    41B-
  194. 219 T
    Tecolotito465 people ·
    40B-
  195. 220 E
    El Cerro Mission5,323 people ·
    40B-
  196. 221
    Milan2,327 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    40B-
  197. 222
    Tome1,723 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    40B-
  198. 223
    Cochiti Lake476 people ·
    40B-
  199. 224
    Cuyamungue509 people ·
    40B-
  200. 225 P
    Paradise Hills4,591 people ·
    40B-
  201. 226 R
    Rio Rancho Estates1,571 people · 🥾 129 mi of trails
    39B-
  202. 227
    Lake Arthur478 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    39B-
  203. 228
    Galisteo231 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    39B-
  204. 229 N
    North Hobbs6,034 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    39B-
  205. 230
    Melrose447 people ·
    39B-
  206. 231
    Texico967 people ·
    39B-
  207. 232 A
    Anton Chico276 people ·
    38B-
  208. 233
    Zuni Pueblo5,864 people · 🥾 14 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    38B-
  209. 234
    Jal2,364 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    38B-
  210. 235 L
    La Mesa473 people · 🥾 8 mi of trails · 🏛 2 historic places
    38B-
  211. 236
    Santa Cruz228 people ·
    38B-
  212. 237 G
    Gamerco1,176 people ·
    38B-
  213. 238 W
    White Cliffs581 people ·
    38B-
  214. 239
    Fort Sumner938 people · 🥾 7 mi of trails · 🏛 4 historic places
    38B-
  215. 240 M
    McCartys Village723 people ·
    38B-
  216. 241 S
    Spencerville1,264 people ·
    38B-
  217. 242
    Santa Ana Pueblo1,026 people · 🥾 16 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    38B-
  218. 243
    Alcalde285 people ·
    37B-
  219. 244 T
    Tyrone814 people ·
    37B-
  220. 245
    Cochiti680 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    37B-
  221. 246 P
    Pueblitos595 people ·
    37B-
  222. 247
    Tesuque Pueblo325 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    37B-
  223. 248 E
    El Duende454 people ·
    37B-
  224. 249
    Santa Teresa6,041 people ·
    37B-
  225. 250 P
    Puerto de Luna378 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    37B-
  226. 251 T
    Tortugas381 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    37B-
  227. 252
    Isleta1,043 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    37B-
  228. 253
    Black Rock1,125 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    37B-
  229. 254
    Valencia2,406 people ·
    37B-
  230. 255 A
    Angustura1,997 people ·
    37B-
  231. 256 C
    Chamita867 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    37B-
  232. 257
    University Park2,782 people · 🛶 2 named lakes & ponds · 🏛 4 historic places
    36B-
  233. 258 V
    Valle Vista729 people ·
    36B-
  234. 259
    Jarales2,144 people ·
    36B-
  235. 260
    El Rancho1,451 people ·
    36B-
  236. 261
    La Huerta1,288 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    36B-
  237. 262
    Mesita514 people ·
    36B-
  238. 263
    Hernandez769 people ·
    35B-
  239. 264 N
    North Light Plant579 people ·
    35B-
  240. 265
    Radium Springs1,908 people · 🏛 3 historic places
    35B-
  241. 266
    Holloman AFB4,433 people · 🏛 1 historic place · ⛺ 1 campground
    35B-
  242. 267 M
    Medanales280 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    34B-
  243. 268 B
    Broadview296 people ·
    34B-
  244. 269
    Anthony8,767 people ·
    34B-
  245. 270
    Gila366 people · ⛰ 2 peaks · 🏛 1 historic place
    33B-
  246. 271 K
    Keeler Farm1,376 people · 🥾 13 mi of trails
    33B-
  247. 272
    Dexter1,128 people · 🛶 1 named lake
    33B-
  248. 273 L
    Lemitar316 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    32B-
  249. 274 T
    Totah Vista235 people ·
    32B-
  250. 275 S
    Santo Domingo Pueblo2,370 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    31B-
  251. 276
    Peralta3,404 people ·
    31B-
  252. 277
    La Luz1,797 people · 🏛 5 historic places
    31B-
  253. 278
    Hagerman849 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    31B-
  254. 279 M
    Monterey Park667 people · 🥾 10 mi of trails
    31B-
  255. 280 S
    San Miguel772 people ·
    30B-
  256. 281
    Vado2,895 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    30B-
  257. 282 S
    San Jose776 people ·
    30B-
  258. 283 S
    San Pablo696 people ·
    30B-
  259. 284 L
    Las Palomas304 people ·
    29B-
  260. 285
    Algodones1,479 people · 🥾 11 mi of trails · ⛺ 1 campground
    29B-
  261. 286 F
    Fairacres616 people ·
    29B-
  262. 287
    Jaconita268 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    29B-
  263. 288 M
    Madrone295 people ·
    28B-
  264. 289 S
    Sunshine524 people ·
    28B-
  265. 290 M
    Mount Taylor335 people ·
    28B-
  266. 291 L
    La Union1,071 people ·
    27B-
  267. 292
    Adelino686 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    27B-
  268. 293
    Rincon271 people ·
    27B-
  269. 294 M
    Midway541 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    27B-
  270. 295 C
    Chamberino580 people ·
    27B-
  271. 296
    Casa Colorada351 people ·
    27B-
  272. 297 H
    Happy Valley845 people ·
    27B-
  273. 298
    Pueblo of Sandia Village416 people ·
    26B-
  274. 299 C
    Caballo233 people ·
    26B-
  275. 300 L
    Las Maravillas1,594 people ·
    26B-
  276. 301 A
    Alamillo247 people ·
    26B-
  277. 302 V
    Ventura603 people ·
    26B-
  278. 303 P
    Pleasanton259 people ·
    26B-
  279. 304
    Salem916 people ·
    26B-
  280. 305
    Loving1,357 people ·
    25B-
  281. 306 A
    Arrey491 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    25B-
  282. 307
    White Sands1,609 people · 🥾 6 mi of trails · 🏛 1 historic place
    23B-
  283. 308 P
    Placitas516 people ·
    23B-
  284. 309 G
    Glen Acres247 people ·
    23B-
  285. 310 B
    Berino1,454 people ·
    23B-
  286. 311
    Mesquite675 people ·
    22B-
  287. 312 S
    San Ysidro2,118 people ·
    22B-
  288. 313 L
    La Hacienda640 people ·
    22B-
  289. 314 A
    Atoka1,347 people ·
    22B-
  290. 315 L
    Livingston Wheeler460 people · 🏛 1 historic place
    22B-
  291. 316 M
    Malaga309 people ·
    22B-
  292. 317 D
    Doña Ana868 people · 🏛 2 historic places
    21B-
  293. 318
    Nadine271 people ·
    20B-
  294. 319
    Butterfield Park1,119 people ·
    19B-

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).

Mountains & trails

Peaks, viewpoints and waterfalls, trail miles, and conserved land (OpenStreetMap, PAD-US).

Snow

Normal snowfall, 1991–2020 (NOAA).

ListVacation homesPlaces to stay & eatLakes & beachesMountains & trailsHistorySnow
All year20%30%15%15%20%–
Summer15%25%35%10%15%–
Winter20%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.

Tip for Angel Fire →“What visitors should do in Angel Fire”Tip for Red River →“What visitors should do in Red River”Tip for Ruidoso →“What visitors should do in Ruidoso”Tip for Tesuque →“What visitors should do in Tesuque”
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

More New Mexico rankings

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