Corona New MexicoATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Corona, New Mexico.
1. No Scum Allowed Saloon
WILD WEST WATERING HOLE
No Scum Allowed Saloon is a popular establishment in Corona with a 4.4 rating from 28 reviews. This authentic western-style saloon offers visitors a taste of the Wild West atmosphere with its rustic decor and local charm. Visitors can enjoy drinks and immerse themselves in the local culture while experiencing a piece of New Mexico's frontier heritage.
2. Cibola Arts
LOCAL ART SHOWCASE
Cibola Arts is a highly-rated art venue in Corona boasting an impressive 4.9 rating from 10 reviews. The gallery showcases works from local and regional artists, highlighting the unique artistic perspectives inspired by New Mexico's landscapes and culture. Visitors can browse and purchase distinctive art pieces while supporting the local creative community.
3. Corona Museum
LOCAL HISTORY PRESERVED
Corona Museum is a history museum located on Main Street in Corona that preserves and showcases the area's rich heritage. The museum houses exhibits detailing the town's development, cultural history, and significant events that shaped the community. Visitors can contact the museum at 575-512-5132 for information about hours and special exhibitions.
4. Valley of Fires Recreation Area
ANCIENT LAVA FLOW LANDSCAPE
Valley of Fires Recreation Area is a natural wonder near Corona with a 4.5 rating from 249 reviews. The site features one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States, creating a dramatic black landscape of twisted rock formations and unique desert ecology. Visitors can explore the area via interpretive trails that provide information about the volcanic activity that shaped this distinctive terrain.
5. Carrizozo Heritage Museum & Visitor Center
REGIONAL HISTORY HUB
Carrizozo Heritage Museum & Visitor Center offers visitors a glimpse into the region's past with a solid 4.3 rating from 8 reviewers. The center houses artifacts, photographs, and exhibits that document the development of Carrizozo and surrounding communities including Corona. Visitors can gain valuable insights about local history while also gathering information about current attractions and events in the area.
6. Gran Quivira National Monument
ANCIENT PUEBLO RUINS
Gran Quivira National Monument features impressive pueblo and missionary ruins that showcase the intersection of Native American and Spanish colonial history. The site contains the remains of a once-thriving pueblo community and 17th-century Spanish mission buildings, offering a window into the complex cultural exchanges of the region. Visitors can explore the extensive ruins and learn about the Pueblo people who once called this area home before drought forced their migration.
7. Red Cloud Campground
SERENE FOREST GETAWAY
Red Cloud Campground is located in the beautiful Cibola National Forest near Corona, offering outdoor enthusiasts a peaceful retreat in nature. The campground provides amenities for campers while serving as an excellent base for exploring the surrounding forest's hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and natural beauty. Visitors can experience the tranquility of New Mexico's wilderness while enjoying activities like stargazing in the clear night skies of this remote location.
8. White Oaks Ghost Town
HISTORIC MINING COMMUNITY
White Oaks Ghost Town is a fascinating preserved mining community located north of Carrizozo on Route 54, not far from Corona. Once a booming gold mining town in the late 1800s with nearly 2,500 residents, it now stands as a living museum with several historic structures still intact. Visitors can explore this authentic piece of frontier history and glimpse into New Mexico's mining past through the abandoned buildings and local artifacts.
9. Bandelier National Monument
ANCIENT CLIFF DWELLINGS
Bandelier National Monument preserves the homes and territory of Ancestral Puebloans, featuring spectacular cliff dwellings carved into soft volcanic tuff. The monument encompasses over 33,000 acres of canyon and mesa country with evidence of human presence dating back over 11,000 years. Visitors can explore dwelling ruins, petroglyphs, and beautiful hiking trails that showcase both the archaeological significance and natural beauty of the area.
10. Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
SPECTACULAR CANYON VISTA
Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is an engineering marvel spanning a dramatic 650-foot deep canyon carved by the Rio Grande River. The bridge offers breathtaking views of the gorge and is the second-highest bridge on the U.S. Highway System, attracting visitors for both its impressive structure and the stunning natural surroundings. Pedestrians can walk across the bridge on a protected walkway, taking in panoramic views of the rugged landscape and watching for wildlife in the canyon below.
11. Ghost Ranch
O'KEEFFE'S DESERT INSPIRATION
Ghost Ranch is a 21,000-acre retreat and education center made famous as the home and artistic inspiration of painter Georgia O'Keeffe. The ranch features stunning red and yellow cliffs, flat-topped mesas, and unique desert landscapes that have captivated artists, photographers, and nature lovers for generations. Visitors can explore museums, hiking trails, and educational programs while experiencing the same magnificent vistas that influenced O'Keeffe's iconic southwestern paintings.
12. Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology
DINOSAUR DISCOVERY CENTER
The Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology at Ghost Ranch showcases the rich fossil history of the area, featuring specimens from the Triassic and Jurassic periods. Though small, the museum houses significant dinosaur fossils including Coelophysis, New Mexico's state fossil that was discovered at Ghost Ranch in one of the world's most important Triassic fossil sites. Visitors can learn about prehistoric life in the region through well-curated exhibits that explain the paleontological significance of this unique area.
13. Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology
CULTURAL HERITAGE COLLECTION
The Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology at Ghost Ranch preserves and interprets the diverse cultural heritage of northern New Mexico. Named after renowned anthropologist and archaeologist Florence Hawley Ellis, the museum features exhibits on Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures that have shaped the region. Visitors can view artifacts, textiles, and contemporary artwork, including the stunning photography of Cara Romero that celebrates indigenous perspectives.
14. Cibola National Forest
DIVERSE MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS
Cibola National Forest encompasses over 1.6 million acres of diverse landscapes surrounding Corona, offering outdoor enthusiasts a variety of recreational opportunities. The forest features distinct mountain ranges, grasslands, and woodlands with elevations ranging from 5,000 to over 11,000 feet, creating multiple ecological zones. Visitors can enjoy activities including hiking, camping, wildlife viewing, and photography across this expansive natural treasure.
15. Lincoln Historic Site
WILD WEST HERITAGE
Lincoln Historic Site preserves one of the most authentic Old West towns in America, located within driving distance of Corona. The site encompasses 17 structures and outbuildings, most dating from the 1850s, including the Old Lincoln County Courthouse where Billy the Kid made his famous escape. Visitors can walk the same street once traveled by notorious outlaws and lawmen during the Lincoln County War, experiencing a remarkably well-preserved chapter of frontier history.