Encino New MexicoATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Encino, New Mexico.
1. Blue Hole
NATURAL ARTESIAN SPRING
The Blue Hole is an 80-foot deep natural artesian spring that maintains a constant 62-degree temperature year-round. This circular pool with crystal-clear blue water has become one of New Mexico's most popular diving destinations. Visitors can swim, snorkel, or enjoy scuba diving in this remarkable geological feature.
2. Route 66 Auto Museum
VINTAGE CAR COLLECTION
Route 66 Auto Museum showcases a stunning collection of classic cars, memorabilia, and automotive artifacts along the historic Mother Road. The museum features over 30 meticulously restored vintage automobiles ranging from early 1900s models to muscle cars of the 1960s. Visitors can experience the golden age of American car culture through this lovingly curated collection.
3. Park Lake Recreation Area
OUTDOOR RECREATION SPOT
Park Lake Recreation Area offers visitors a peaceful lakeside setting for fishing, picnicking, and relaxation just minutes from downtown Santa Rosa. The spring-fed lake is stocked with rainbow trout and provides a refreshing swimming spot during warm summer months. Shaded areas with tables and barbecue grills make this a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
4. Santa Rosa Lake State Park
WATER RECREATION PARADISE
Santa Rosa Lake State Park encompasses a 3,500-acre reservoir created by the damming of the Pecos River. The state park offers camping, fishing, boating, and water sports with facilities including boat ramps, picnic areas, and campgrounds. Visitors can enjoy catching walleye, bass, and catfish in what's often called the 'Fishing Capital of New Mexico.'
5. Puerto de Luna Historic District
HISTORIC SETTLEMENT AREA
Puerto de Luna Historic District preserves a Spanish colonial settlement dating back to the early 1800s along the Pecos River. The area features historic adobe structures, the San José Church, and scenic river canyon views that showcase traditional New Mexican architecture and culture. Visitors can experience the unique PDL Chile, a local strain cultivated for over 100 years in this historic community.
6. Silver Moon Cafe
CLASSIC ROUTE 66 DINER
Silver Moon Cafe stands as one of the last authentic Route 66 diners, serving hungry travelers since the heyday of the Mother Road. The restaurant offers classic American diner fare with New Mexican specialties including dishes featuring the regional Hatch green chile. Its nostalgic interior decorated with Route 66 memorabilia provides visitors with a genuine taste of roadside Americana.
7. Casa Blanca Hotel
HISTORIC ROUTE 66 LODGING
Casa Blanca Hotel has welcomed Route 66 travelers since the 1930s with its distinctive white adobe architecture and southwestern charm. This historic hotel combines vintage character with modern amenities, offering a glimpse into the golden age of American road travel. Its location in downtown Santa Rosa makes it an ideal base for exploring the region's natural and cultural attractions.
8. Fort Union National Monument
HISTORIC MILITARY OUTPOST
Fort Union National Monument preserves the ruins of a 19th-century military fort that played a crucial role in the western frontier and Santa Fe Trail. Established in 1851, the fort served as the guardian of the Santa Fe Trail and a supply depot during the Civil War and Indian Wars. Visitors can explore the adobe ruins, wagon ruts from the Santa Fe Trail, and learn about frontier life through interpretive exhibits.
9. Capulin Volcano National Monument
EXTINCT CINDER CONE
Capulin Volcano National Monument features a well-preserved extinct cinder cone volcano rising 1,000 feet above the surrounding plains. Visitors can drive to the rim and hike the crater trail, offering panoramic views of four states—New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas. The monument also includes nature trails showcasing the unique flora and fauna that have reclaimed this once-fiery landscape.
10. Conchas Lake State Park
DESERT OASIS GETAWAY
Conchas Lake State Park centers around a 25-mile long reservoir created by damming the Canadian and Conchas Rivers. The park offers excellent boating, fishing, and water recreation opportunities in a dramatic landscape of red sandstone cliffs and juniper-dotted hills. Multiple campgrounds, marinas, and beaches provide visitors with varied options for enjoying this unexpected desert oasis.
11. Ute Lake State Park
NORTHEAST FISHING HAVEN
Ute Lake State Park encompasses a 13-mile long reservoir with over 38 miles of shoreline perfect for water recreation. The park is renowned for excellent fishing, particularly for walleye, bass, catfish, and crappie in the cool waters of the Canadian River. Modern facilities include boat ramps, campgrounds, picnic areas, and a marina serving visitors seeking outdoor adventure.
12. Mesa de Cuba Badlands
OTHERWORLDLY ROCK FORMATIONS
Mesa de Cuba Badlands presents visitors with a surreal landscape of eroded sandstone formations, hoodoos, and colorful sedimentary layers. These remote badlands offer excellent hiking and photography opportunities in a relatively undiscovered area of New Mexico. The striking geology showcases millions of years of earth's history through exposed strata and bizarre rock formations.
13. Lybrook Badlands
DRAMATIC DESERT LANDSCAPE
Lybrook Badlands features an impressive landscape of colorful eroded clay hills, washes, and stark desert terrain. This remote area offers solitude and spectacular scenery for hikers, photographers, and those seeking wilderness experiences away from crowds. Visitors witness a constantly changing palette of colors as the sunlight shifts across the weathered topography throughout the day.
14. Casino Apache
GAMING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Casino Apache offers visitors a complete gaming and entertainment experience operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe. The facility features slots, table games, and bingo alongside dining options ranging from casual to upscale restaurants. Entertainment programming includes concerts, cultural events, and seasonal celebrations that showcase both contemporary performances and Native American heritage.
15. Scenic Highway 126
MOUNTAIN FOREST DRIVE
Scenic Highway 126 winds through the stunning landscapes of the Santa Fe National Forest, offering breathtaking views of mountains, meadows, and dense pine forests. The route passes by serene mountain lakes and streams that provide opportunities for fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Travelers on this picturesque byway can experience dramatic elevation changes and diverse ecosystems in one of New Mexico's most beautiful driving experiences.