Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway Overview

Published on Oct 6, 2006

Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway starts in the heart of historic Santa Fe and follows New Mexico State Highway 475 through the narrow Tesuque Canyon to the Santa Fe Ski Area. Each stopping point along this route offers vastly different activities. Yet, each will enhance your experience as you drive through foothills and forests.

The Palace of the Governors, located in Santa Fe's city center, serves as the beginning point on your journey. Here, catch a glimpse of New Mexico in centuries gone by. The palace, an adobe building constructed in 1610, is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States. In 1909, New Mexico state legislature established the edifice as a state history museum, which is what it remains as today.

As you leave Santa Fe, you'll find yourself surrounded in Santa Fe National Forest. Extending for almost 1.6 million acres, it showcases multitudinous landscapes. Spring and summer spread wildflowers across the forest's fields. Autumn months bring throngs of "aspencaders" hoping to immerse themselves in the brilliant red, orange, and gold stands of aspen. In the winter, snow smothers the now-bare aspen stands of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. As beautiful as the forest is, don’t just look at it from the road; pull over, step inside, and discover it. Go fishing in one of many mountain streams, hike the Truchas Peaks area, or wildlife watch. Elk, deer, bear, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep all live in this forest.

Hyde Memorial State Park, filled with evergreen and aspen stands, occupies almost 400 acres of the Santa Fe National Forest. Here, you'll see smaller animals, such as fox, porcupine, and raccoon. While the park is a place to relax, it also serves as a base camp for further forest recreation. Embark on a backpacking trip or, in the winter, delve into a variety of snow sports.

Santa Fe Ski Area, the final destination for your trip, sits at the perimeter of the Pecos Wilderness Area in the Santa Fe National Forest. The summit reaches 12,075 feet, and provides access to the Pecos Wilderness Area via the Winsor Trail, less than a mile from the ski area's parking lot. This pine-covered powdery ski area encompasses 660 acres and features 67 trails, seven ski lifts, and 1,725 vertical skiing feet.

Take a trip on the Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway for a soothing Sunday drive or for an exciting weekend adventure. From historic Santa Fe to the Santa Fe Ski Area tucked within the solitude of the Sangre de Cristos, experience for yourself this drive loved by both locals and visitors.

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