With spring in full bloom, there’s no better place to be than Santa Fe County. As the days grow warmer and longer, outdoor adventures beckon, enticing us to return to a re-awakening nature for spectacular hiking, mountain biking, and adventurous day tripping. Drive historic Route 66 through the heart of the region, then explore old mining towns bustling with new life. Meander through historic parks with ancient stories to tell. In a historic railroad town, savor contemporary American cuisine in an Old West saloon and eating house. Head to Santa Fe County this spring for remarkable adventures you’ll remember for a lifetime.
Get Your Kicks on Route 66
Not many people know that the original 1926 alignment of Route 66, called the Santa Fe Loop, passed through Santa Fe County. The iconic highway was re-aligned after New Mexico Governor Arthur T. Hannett lost his re-election bid in 1927. To get even before leaving office, he ordered the construction of a new highway that followed a more direct southerly route from Santa Rosa to Albuquerque, completely bypassing the state capital.
Before the new, 1937 alignment bypassed Santa Fe, the original Route 66 passed by Pecos National Historical Park where you can spend some time exploring New Mexico’s rich history, from Ancestral Puebloan ruins and a Spanish mission church to remnants of the Civil War’s decisive Battle of Glorieta Pass. Wagon wheel ruts from the Santa Fe Trail are a reminder of the countless pioneers who traveled by the park in the 19th century, followed, a century later, by motorists in shiny new automobiles on Route 66.
The old route traveled through downtown Santa Fe, where the Plaza Cafe was a Route 66 mainstay, and La Fonda on the Plaza, a former Harvey House hotel for railroad passengers, was popular with highway travelers as railroad use declined. Neon-lit motels and motor courts along Cerrillos Road also accommodated auto adventurers before the original Route 66 exited Santa Fe and headed to Albuquerque.
As we gear up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66, be sure to check our website for updates about events and celebrations. Download the Visit Widget app from the mobile version of our website to get itineraries and events, and to map out your entire trip.
Discover the Old West
For more auto adventures, head out on the historic Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway, where the Old West comes to life. In the former mining boomtown of Los Cerrillos (which translates from Spanish to “The Small Hills”), people flock to the Black Bird Saloon. Housed in a 19th-century building, with original wood floors and a rustic front porch, the Black Bird is famous for outrageously good burgers, live music and friendly vibes. A few doors down, Cerrillos Station, a mercantile, sells Native jewelry, pottery, gifts and other items. Before getting back in the car, stretch your legs with a hike in Cerrillos Hills State Park and cross paths with more than a thousand years of mining history. The trails offer spectacular views of the Sandia, Ortiz, Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges.
Next stop, Madrid, a former boomtown that nearly became a ghost town. In the 1970s, artists and other creatives revived the town with art galleries, boutiques, cafes and other businesses. At the legendary Mine Shaft Tavern, built in 1947, belly up to the long bar, order a green chile cheeseburger, and chat with the regulars about the vibrant scene in this charming town.
Revered Restaurants
In the little town of Lamy, the Legal Tender Saloon & Eating House is a big hit. With the ambiance of the Old West and a menu of contemporary fare, this restaurant is steeped in charm and character. From the elegant saloon, featuring a long wooden bar and glowing chandeliers, to the chatter of happy guests in various dining rooms savoring green chile cheeseburgers or pan-seared Ruby trout, this 19th-century landmark is a 21st-century hot spot. Show up on a Saturday and join couples two-stepping and waltzing their way across the dance floor to live music.
The historic Rancho de Chimayó restaurant celebrates 60 years of serving traditional northern New Mexico food in a beautiful 19th-century ranch house in Chimayó. Honored with the prestigious America's Classic Award from the James Beard Foundation, Rancho de Chimayó is famous for warm hospitality and regional specialties such as carne adovada and chile rellenos. Stop by to congratulate the team at this treasured restaurant and stay for a meal to remember.
Opera Notes
It’s never too early to get tickets for the Santa Fe Opera’s 68th Festival Season, which promises to be epic. The summer season of this world-renowned opera house, held June 27 through August 23, will open with a new twist to the beloved La bohème. Puccini set his masterpiece in 1840s Paris. The new production shifts the tale of six bohemians in search of artistic greatness to 1920s Paris, a time of artistic revolution.
By popular demand, the Santa Fe Opera brings back French director Laurent Pelly’s stylish production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro, set just before World War II. A new production of Verdi’s classic Rigoletto is inspired by the rich beauty of Renaissance paintings. The Turn of the Screw haunted readers when Henry James published his novella in 1898 and Benjamin Britten’s opera version of the Gothic ghost story is equally captivating. A historic presentation of Die Walküre, the second installment of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, marks the first time the Santa Fe Opera has ever presented any of Richard Wagner’s four operas in his Der Ring des Nibelungen cycle.
New to the Santa Fe Opera? Read our helpful tips for the pre-performance tailgating tradition and learn about Backstage Tours, Family Nights, Apprentice Showcase Scenes and other exciting events.
On the Trails
With miles of trails in the majestic foothills of the Rockies, Santa Fe County is known for some of the most beautiful hiking and biking adventures in the Southwest. Spring is a prime season to explore them all, whether you’re a novice or expert hiker or mountain or gravel biker.
Hike It
In the nearly 10,000-acre Galisteo Basin Preserve, leave the world behind. Some 44 miles of public hiking, biking and horseback trails wind their way through sandy arroyos and grassy meadows and ascend small mesas, with the reward of glorious views at the top. Once sprawling ranch lands, this majestic preserve is a popular place for discovering the joys of connecting with nature.
Bike It
Looking for long rides with breathtaking mountain views? Or something more challenging, with long ascents, cross country loops and flow trails. With more than 400 miles of magnificent trails, Santa Fe County is a mecca for mountain bikers and gravel riders of all levels. The Dale Ball Trails are some of the best places to ride. The 25-mile network winds through the Sangre de Cristo foothills, with staggeringly beautiful panoramic views.
Get a copy of our new Gravel Adventure Field Guide, with GPS Gravel Routes and more at https://santafenmtrue.com/blog/gravel-adventure-guide or at local cycling shops.
Water World
When you come upon the beauty of the stunning double-drop waterfall, cascading from 100 feet through a sheer-walled gorge, at Nambé Falls & Lake Recreation Area, it can stop you in your tracks. But keep going because two 1/4-mile trails lead you closer to this spectacular site. One easy hike climbs to views of the waterfall from above, while another trail takes you through a river to a beach area by the lowest pool. (Take the short trail to splash through water and get wet!) Part of Nambé Pueblo, this paradise is also a great place to picnic, hike, fish and camp. Rent a kayak and paddle around the lake.
Nambé Falls & Lake Recreation Area opens for the season on March 27, 2025.
nambepueblo.org/nambe-falls-lake/
Find more information for your Outdoor Adventure in Santa Fe County on our website: santafenmtrue.com/adventures
A Campground Paradise
An oasis of natural beauty awaits when you stay at the Santa Fe KOA Holiday campground. After a day of outdoor adventures, trips, or shopping, unwind among the pines and watch the colorful hummingbirds in flight. You’ll have all the modern amenities you need, as well as a chance to relax in peaceful beauty surrounded by mountains at this family-owned and operated campground for tents and RVs.
Native Fashion Week
Swirls of color, fabric and dazzling beauty light up the runway during Native Fashion Week, an annual celebration that spotlights Native designers and models from New Mexico and across North America. Women’s Wear Daily hails this event as “the premiere showcase for designers celebrating heritage and innovation.” Native Fashion Week includes runaway shows, symposiums with prominent designers focused on dynamic Native fashion topics as well as parties and pop-up shops.
To learn more about all the events and schedules for this exciting week celebrating Fashion, please visit
SWAIA Native Fashion Week(SNFW), May 7–11, 2025
swaia.org/swaia-native-fashion-week
Native Fashion Week Santa Fe, Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 11, 2025
Photo Courtesy of Native Fashion Week Santa Fe
Crawdaddy Blues
Crawdads don’t dwell in the desert, unless, that is, you’re at the Crawdaddy Blues Fest, hosted by the historic Mine Shaft Tavern in Madrid. If you’ve never been, this is a good year to go because it’s the 20th Annual Crawdaddy Blues Fest. You can bet the celebration will be rollicking. Feast your ears on music from a variety of local and visiting bands and musicians. Satisfy your hunger with Cajun crawfish, soft shell crabs, classic gumbo and more tasty food.
Saturday, May 17 and Sunday, May 18, 2025
Spring Festivals
Head to the Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood not just to see elk, pronghorns, snowy owls and other rescued animals in their natural habitat, but to celebrate spring. A full schedule of fun festivals for the whole family includes the New Mexico Renaissance & Celtic Festival, held on two weekends, Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, 2025 and Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6, 2025. Take in a jousting tournament, knighting ceremonies, tea with the Queen, and other entertainment. The Kite Festival, held Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4, 2025 brings flyers of all ages together to fill the sky with kites of every color, size and shape. Note that the zoo is closed during the festivals.
Find more Santa Fe County events here: Santafenmtrue.com/events
Get ready for your spring adventure in Santa Fe County! We can’t wait to see you.
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