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Activities in Northern New Mexico
Northern New Mexico is home to some of the most beautiful and enchanting places in the United States. With thriving arts, culture, history and outdoor activities abound, this area is home to towns that are as unique as the landscape including:
With beautiful national forest, sandstone cliffs and high-desert mountains, Northern NM is a perfect destination for your next trip in the summer or winter. You will find quaint downtown's with fabulous Southwestern/Spanish flare that offer fantastic cuisine, arts and culture and great shopping with everything from trinkets to one of a kind art. Come visit one, or all, of these great towns and see what all the fuss is about. See some of our available packages below, or speak with a Durango Travel Expert for help in planning and booking your vacation today.
Northern New Mexico Culture, History, and Recreation:
From the artistic and modern cultural scene in Taos, the historic railroad feel of Chama to the mountain scenery of Angel Fire, each region or N. New Mexico has a rich culture and history that is as unique as the towns themselves. Start planning your trip to Northern New Mexico today and see why Nuevo Mexico is deemed the Land of Enchantment!
Taos:
There is evidence of travelers through the Taos, NM area for that last 6000 years with the Taos Pueblo people settling more than a thousand years ago, the Spanish people more than 400 years ago and, the Anglo people more than a couple hundred years ago. Inhabitants began making their year-round homes in the area around 200AD and between 1300 - 1450AD Taos Pueblo structures were constructed. Starting near 1540, Spanish explorers began to colonize the area and by the end of the century, missionaries were sent to the Pueblos to begin converting the Native American people. By 1680, the Puebloan peoples united to drive out the Spanish until roughly 1696 when Don Diego de Vargas of Spain resettled the area. By the late 19th and early 20th century, artists began to find the area and become enchanted with it - starting the artist and creative luminary immigration that continues to this day with names such as Ansel Adams, Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Thomas Wolfe calling it home. In 1955, Taos Ski Valley was first opened starting a legacy of world-class skiing until, finally in March of 2008, the mountain opened up its slopes to snowboarders. Today, Taos is a fun and lively town with artistic modern culture and an outdoor playground with a little something for every family. Come make Taos a part of your families history this year with a great discounted vacation.
Taos Quick Facts:
Elevation | 6,967 feet above sea level |
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Climate | High desert, arid climate with average rainfall of about 12 inches and snowfall in town of about 35 inches at at Taos Ski Valley: 312 inches |
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Population | Approximately 6,213 in Town
Approximately 29,979 in the County |
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National Forest | Carson National Forest |
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Mountain Range | Taos Mountains (including the highest range in New Mexico - Wheeler Peak at 13,161 feet) |
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Chama:
Also rich in Cultural and Native American history, Chama officially hit the map in February of 1880, when the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad began construction of the San Juan extension route running from Alamosa to Silverton, Colorado by way of Cumbres Pass, Chama and Durango. The brief period of construction from 1880-1881 held much promise and Chama almost immediately became a boom-town. The long histories of logging, mining and sheep and cattle ranching industries have changed along with the economic and environmental landscape. As the era of the Iron Horse came to an end, the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad lived on which now takes families through the incredible natural beauty of the Rio Chama Valley. Today, the valley is supported largely by tourism, coming from around the globe to enjoy the surrounding beauty and the rich cultural blending of Spanish, English and Native cultures - also home to the nearby Jicarilla Apache Nation. Bring your family to enjoy the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad and start building your families memories to last a lifetime.
Chama Quick Facts:
Elevation | 7,875 feet above sea level |
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Climate | High desert, arid climate with average rainfall of about |
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Population | Approximately 1,347 people in Town
Approximately 40,827 in the County |
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National Forest | Carson National Forest and San Juan Mountains |
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Mountain Range | The Southern San Juan Mountains and the Western Brazos Mountains |
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Angel Fire:
The newest of the N. New Mexico's resort towns, Angel Fire was simply a concept until the 60's. The planned resort community became official when in 1966, construction began in earnest and after about 18 months the early ski trails were cut, a nine hole golf course was complete and Monte Verde Lake was ready for visitors. Set just 23 miles east in the beautiful Moreno Valley, a high alpine valley with an 8,382' base elevation, Angel Fire Resort provides winter visitors with fantastic downhill and cross-country skiing, snow boarding, sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and more. In summer, the resort offers fishing and small boat rentals at Monte Verde Lake, hiking, biking, golf, tennis, horse-back riding and a retreat to beautiful mountain views. Bring your family out to discover this little known gem set in the high-country of New Mexico.
Angel Fire Quick Facts:
Elevation | 8,382 feet above sea level |
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Climate | Mountain climate - average snowfall of approx. 140" in the valley and 210†at the ski area/year |
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Population | Approximately 1,118 in Angel Fire
Approximately 13,216 in Colfax County |
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National Forest | Carson National Forest |
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Mountain Range | The Sangre de Cristo Mountains |
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