Karen & Sean’s guidebook
Good eats
Mikuna Grill
48 N Angel Fire RdWe've only eaten here once, but everything was delicious!
Fine dining in casual atmosphere with a great view. Check out the buffet on Mondays.
30 locals recommend
Elements at the Country Club
100 Country Club DrFine dining in casual atmosphere with a great view. Check out the buffet on Mondays.
Angel Fired Pizza
New Mexico 434Great crust!
Sightseeing
This is the first major Vietnam memorial in the United States started by a father from Albuquerque who lost a son in Vietnam, but is a tribute to the 17 Marines who died in that battle, as well as, all members of America’s Armed Forces. The memorial is an amazing place complete with a Chapel, Visitors Center, a Huey and beautiful grounds with views forever.
27 locals recommend
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
34 Country Club RdThis is the first major Vietnam memorial in the United States started by a father from Albuquerque who lost a son in Vietnam, but is a tribute to the 17 Marines who died in that battle, as well as, all members of America’s Armed Forces. The memorial is an amazing place complete with a Chapel, Visitors Center, a Huey and beautiful grounds with views forever.
National Scouting Museum
Son is an Eagle Scout!
Activities
Kids six and under ski free in January!!-at least they did this year😜. Lots of skiing and snowboarding for all ages with a wide-variety of terrain on 560+ acres. There is also a tubing hill and opportunities for snowshoeing and cross country skiing at the country club area. In the summer the mountain becomes a premier downhill mountain bike park. A great zip line awaits at the summit as well as two disc golf courses (recreational and pro), and back at a lower altitude one of the best and most beautiful 18-hole golf courses around. Check out all the summer activities at the club-tennis and pickle ball, and all the lake fun at Monte Verde-stand up paddle boards, kayaks, fishing or just relaxing on shore.
57 locals recommend
Angel Fire Resort
10 Miller LnKids six and under ski free in January!!-at least they did this year😜. Lots of skiing and snowboarding for all ages with a wide-variety of terrain on 560+ acres. There is also a tubing hill and opportunities for snowshoeing and cross country skiing at the country club area. In the summer the mountain becomes a premier downhill mountain bike park. A great zip line awaits at the summit as well as two disc golf courses (recreational and pro), and back at a lower altitude one of the best and most beautiful 18-hole golf courses around. Check out all the summer activities at the club-tennis and pickle ball, and all the lake fun at Monte Verde-stand up paddle boards, kayaks, fishing or just relaxing on shore.
Good view of Rio Grande; good hiking
RÍO GRANDE GORGE
WHERE: Wild Rivers Recreation Area, near Questa
DISTANCE: 7-mile loop
DIFFICULTY: Easy (with one strenuous stretch)
SEASON: Year-round
Driving north on NM 68 toward Taos, there’s a wow moment when the road curves at the crest of a hill, and the 50-mile-long Río Grande Gorge unfolds in the near distance. For hikers, the best point of entry is near Questa, at the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. There, follow the Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway to Big Arsenic Springs Campground and the trailhead. As you descend well-maintained switchbacks, you’ll travel from the sagebrush-dotted mesa past ancient juniper and ponderosa pine. Here, the Río Grande is not the slow-moving broad expanse seen in southern New Mexico. The designated wild and scenic river cascades over basalt boulders as it courses south. Near Taos, the rapids are famous among kayakers and rafters, but this section is more commonly frequented by mule deer, Río Grande cutthroat trout, red-tailed hawks, and migratory birds. At the bottom, you can appreciate the work of the Río Grande Rift, which created the canyon. Following the riverside trail downstream for nearly four miles, you’ll arrive at La Junta Campground, where a narrow footpath leads to the confluence of the Río Grande and Red River. An otherwise gentle trail, the trek out of the gorge at La Junta rises 800 feet in eight-tenths of a mile, making it a true climb—but there are plenty of places to stop and take in the incredible views on your way up. When you reach La Junta Overlook Campground, go left along the bluff, past several campgrounds, to finish the loop.
GETTING THERE: From Questa, head north on NM 522 to the marked turnoff for the Río Grande del Norte National Monument/Wild Rivers Recreation Area. Turn left (west) on NM 378, following the road into the recreation area to the Big Arsenic Springs Campground entrance. Follow the signs to the day-use-area parking and the trailhead at the back of the campground on the canyon rim. Info: Bureau of Land Management, Taos.
19 locals recommend
Wild Rivers Visitors Center
1120 NM-378Good view of Rio Grande; good hiking
RÍO GRANDE GORGE
WHERE: Wild Rivers Recreation Area, near Questa
DISTANCE: 7-mile loop
DIFFICULTY: Easy (with one strenuous stretch)
SEASON: Year-round
Driving north on NM 68 toward Taos, there’s a wow moment when the road curves at the crest of a hill, and the 50-mile-long Río Grande Gorge unfolds in the near distance. For hikers, the best point of entry is near Questa, at the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. There, follow the Wild Rivers Backcountry Byway to Big Arsenic Springs Campground and the trailhead. As you descend well-maintained switchbacks, you’ll travel from the sagebrush-dotted mesa past ancient juniper and ponderosa pine. Here, the Río Grande is not the slow-moving broad expanse seen in southern New Mexico. The designated wild and scenic river cascades over basalt boulders as it courses south. Near Taos, the rapids are famous among kayakers and rafters, but this section is more commonly frequented by mule deer, Río Grande cutthroat trout, red-tailed hawks, and migratory birds. At the bottom, you can appreciate the work of the Río Grande Rift, which created the canyon. Following the riverside trail downstream for nearly four miles, you’ll arrive at La Junta Campground, where a narrow footpath leads to the confluence of the Río Grande and Red River. An otherwise gentle trail, the trek out of the gorge at La Junta rises 800 feet in eight-tenths of a mile, making it a true climb—but there are plenty of places to stop and take in the incredible views on your way up. When you reach La Junta Overlook Campground, go left along the bluff, past several campgrounds, to finish the loop.
GETTING THERE: From Questa, head north on NM 522 to the marked turnoff for the Río Grande del Norte National Monument/Wild Rivers Recreation Area. Turn left (west) on NM 378, following the road into the recreation area to the Big Arsenic Springs Campground entrance. Follow the signs to the day-use-area parking and the trailhead at the back of the campground on the canyon rim. Info: Bureau of Land Management, Taos.
The park is part of the 33,116 acres Colin Neblett Wildlife Area, the largest wildlife area in the state. The Cimarron River is stocked with trout, mainly rainbow. Once you pass the Park Headquarters on the left, there are 1.8 miles of water designated as “special trout waters” with stringent bait and limit restrictions. All waters require a New Mexico state fishing license.
10 locals recommend
Cimarron Canyon State Park 7876’
28869 US-64The park is part of the 33,116 acres Colin Neblett Wildlife Area, the largest wildlife area in the state. The Cimarron River is stocked with trout, mainly rainbow. Once you pass the Park Headquarters on the left, there are 1.8 miles of water designated as “special trout waters” with stringent bait and limit restrictions. All waters require a New Mexico state fishing license.
Bobcat Pass Wilderness Adventures
1670 NM-38Haven’t done this yet-but hope to soon!
Day trips we haven’t taken yet
Sugarite Canyon State Park
160 NM-526Historic
The old west comes alive in the museums, art galleries, and architecture of the town. Stop in at the historic and haunted St. James Hotel for lunch.
St. James Hotel
617 S Collison Ave