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Exploring New Mexico, land of enchantment
- Thread starter jw5
- Start date
Inside Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Carved from limestone deposited in an ancient sea, the underground chambers form one of the state's most famous visitor attractions—and one of the largest cave systems in the world! The Temple of the Sun formation in the Big Room (pictured) is one of the extraordinary geological highlights of this hidden marvel.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park
If you only have time to tick off one archaeological site in New Mexico, make sure it's the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. This centuries-old settlement is one of the most important pre-Columbian cultural and historical areas in the United States, and deserving of its World Heritage status.
Fajada Butte
Set within sight of the ruins and standing 135 m (442 ft) above the canyon floor is Fajada Butte. Built into the higher regions of this natural wonder are simple cliff dwellings that have no apparent utilitarian purpose. Instead, archaeologists believe the butte was of considerable ceremonial importance for the Chacoan people.
Sledding the park
The unworldly environment features dunes up to 18 m (60 ft) high that appear like enormous snowdrifts. The undulating landscape is constantly displaced by the wind, and, besides trekking on foot, the most rewarding way of enjoying the park is by sledding the shifting slopes.
Bandelier National Monument
The Bandelier National Monument preserves the homes of the territory of the Ancestral Puebloans, an area likely occupied from 1150 to 1600. It's possible to explore these indigenous habitats, which offer a glimpse into Pueblo culture and daily life.
Petroglyph National Monument
The most stunning collection of petroglyphs, however, make up the Petroglyph National Monument. Approximately 20,000 petroglyphs are carved into basalt rock, created centuries ago by indigenous peoples and early Spanish settlers. A series of hiking trails run past these ancient canvasses.
Pecos National Historical Park
New Mexico's archaeological treasures include the Pecos National Historical Park. This is the site of what was once one of the largest Native American pueblos in the state, inhabited from the early 14th century until 1838. The impressive ruins of the mission church (pictured) serve as a focal point. The park also encompasses the Glorieta Pass Battlefield, scene of an 1862 American Civil War battle that ended Confederate ambitions to cut off the West from the Union.
