Nearby Places

Make a trip southeast to Taos County's best kept secret, Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. Relax in public or private baths, then pamper yourself with a facial treatment, bio-wrap or massage. Mountain biking and hiking trails are nearby, one of the trails leads to the ancient Posi Pueblo.

Continue west to visit Abiquiu, a tiny town on a bend of the Rio Chama, most remembered as the home of artist Georgia O'Keeffe. One of the two properties she maintained in northern New Mexico is open for tours on a limited basis. It's best to call months in advance for tour schedules at 505-685-4539. Also visit the Ghost Ranch Living Museum to see the exhibits of northern New Mexico wildlife.

Drive north to the Wild Rivers Recreation Area for a bird's eye view of the Rio Grande Gorge. There are five hikes down to the river and a wonderful rim-side nature trail. For non-hikers, there are picnic tables and several vantage points along the rim.

Continue north to the Valle Vidal, a 100,000-acre unit managed by Carson National Forest with an emphasis on wildlife. Most of the 42 miles of roads are unpaved, but open for vehicular traffic, although some areas are closed certain times of year for wildlife protection. Check with the Carson National Forest office for these times before making your drive.

Travel further north for a fun but sandy experience at The Great Sand Dunes, where prevailing winds and erosion by water and glaciers have created impressive dunes of tan volcanic sand. This national monument, located 38 miles northeast of Alamosa, CO, covers approximately 55 square miles and provide a great place to hike - or run and jump and roll and slide. Great Sand Dunes Country Club offers a fine 18-hole golf course.

Travel south and west to Los Alamos, home of Los Alamos National Laboratory, which was established in 1943 to develop the first atomic weapons. The Bradbury Science Museum uses interactive displays to describe the Laboratory's first mission to create the atomic bomb and the changing direction of the Laboratory's current work. Visit the Fuller Lodge, a national historic landmark, and the adjacent Los Alamos Historic Museum.

Journey north to the Chama Valley for extensive outdoor opportunities such as cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing and hunting. The star attraction is the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, an historic narrow gauge train that winds its way through 64 miles of mountain scenery. Stop at Los Ojos to visit Tierra Wools, a spinning and weaving cooperative that sells the wool products of the valley.