As far back as 12,000 years ago, New Mexico drew early humans to its lands and bounty. Though the landscape changed radically over the years, the evidence of their presence has been well preserved in many locations throughout the state. 13000 – 10000 B.C. (or even earlier) The Sandia people left the earliest evidence of [...]

Located in the lower Rio Grande Valley in New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake State Park is the state’s largest and most popular park. The 40-mile-long reservoir offers all sort of watersports, including boating, water-skiing, fishing, scuba diving, swimming and canoeing. Lovely sand beaches and quiet coves offer solitude to enjoy the beauty of nature and [...]

The remote region of New Mexico called the Salinas Basin has been home to a number of cultures for at least 2,000 years. Large pueblos and trade settlements of Tiwa and Tompiro speaking Puebloans grew up around the Estancia Valley and the communities thrived. In the 1580s, when Spain claimed the territory, Franciscan missionaries came [...]

Near Clovis, New Mexico, is the archeological site of Blackwater Draw. Nearly 13,000 years ago, large glaciers covered the North American continent including a large portion of the Rocky Mountains. The weather conditions during this era were cool and dry in the Southwest, but perfect for huge stands of grass to thrive. Such huge stands [...]

Despite the bulk of the state being classified as arid or desert terrain, New Mexico bursts into bloom in the summer months, particularly in the mountains. Almost anywhere in the mountains you’ll see some wildflowers and, of course, all of these locations are also great places to beat the summer heat. Like any of the [...]

New Mexico, the “land of enchantment,” lives up to its reputation for beautiful locations and great things to see and do. From mountains to deserts, sand dunes to snow capped peaks, New Mexico has it all. Here are SeeTheSouthwest’s top 10 picks for places to visit and things to do in New Mexico. 1. Carlsbad [...]

Nestled between soaring red rock mesas, which are the remnants of ancient lava flows, the Village of Jemez Springs in New Mexico is a charming and relaxing getaway spot. It is so named for its famous natural, mineral, hot springs, which bubble up through fissures in the earth. The valley in which Jemez Springs sits [...]

Fort Union, guardian of the Santa Fe Trail during its heyday, was established in 1851. In actual fact, three forts were built, one after the other, on the plains of northeastern New Mexico. The first was of green logs that warped in the sun and heat and lasted only 10 years. The second, built of [...]

At the end of the Old Santa Fe Trail stands Loretto Chapel, but at least one part of its construction is shrouded in great mystery. In 1850, a Spanish Bishop was appointed to oversee the church in the New Mexico Territory. Bishop Lamy sought to spread the faith and bring education to the new territory [...]

There are six known supervolcanoes on dry land, while some six more are located under the oceans. Three of these supervolcanoes are in the United States: Yellowstone in Wyoming, Long Valley in California, and Valles Caldera in New Mexico. A supervolcano is capable of producing a volcanic eruption with ejecta greater than 1,000 cubic kilometers [...]