There’s nothing quite like the classic summer road trip to create lasting family memories. With car games, sing-alongs, fun snacks along the way, and opportunities to see unique sights throughout the drive, families can bond and enjoy quality time together. This summer, consider a road trip to Sandoval County, New Mexico, where you can not only have the excitement of the journey but also enjoy an affordable destination with a wide variety of attractions.
In Sandoval County, you can enjoy several incredible and distinctive destinations—all within easy driving distance.
Best of all, there’s something for every member of the family—no matter how diverse your interests.
For nature lovers, spend the day at Fenton Lake State Park. It is a relaxing mountain escape that is close to home. The drive to Fenton Lake State Park is a beautiful drive along the Jemez Mountain Trail. The trail is a designated National Scenic Byway that meanders through valleys along the Jemez River, with spectacular scenery of red cliffs to the east. The quaint Village of Jemez Springs rises through the mountains you pass by the Jemez Historical Site and Battleship Rock. As you make the turn to Fenton Lake, stop by Hidden Valley Sporting Goods for your fishing license, gear, and favorite snacks. From here, it is a short drive up through the Jemez Mountains to drop down into the beautiful valley of this amazing year-round retreat. Fenton Lake is surrounded by magnificent Ponderosa Pine forests and offers the perfect backdrop for family photos. The Rio Cebolla flows into Fenton Lake, making this an excellent fly-fishing location for Rainbow and German Brown Trout. Fenton Lake has lakefront camping that is reminiscent of days past. There’s more than fishing, so pick your adventure: hiking along the trails, mountain biking through the forests, canoeing, paddle boarding, and horseback rides into the wilderness. There’s fun for everyone.
For Native American Art lovers, take a day trip to visit our local Pueblos. Sandoval County has ten Pueblos and two Nations within its borders: Cochiti Pueblo, Jemez Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Laguna Pueblo, Navajo Nation – (Chapters -Ojo Encino – Torreon – Star Lake), San Felipe Pueblo, San Idelfonso Pueblo, Sandia Pueblo, Santa Ana Pueblo, Santa Clara Pueblo, Santo Domingo Pueblo, and Zia Pueblo.
Steeped in history, each pueblo and nation have its own unique and distinctive artistic styles. There is a profound connection to the arts, which are deeply embedded in traditions and customs and are an integral part of pueblo life, spirituality, and philosophy. You will find polychrome pottery, beadwork, textiles, basketry, mosaic inlay jewelry, weaving, drums, silversmithing, and Kachina dolls. Many pueblos have Annual Arts & Crafts Markets, like Santo Domingo Pueblo, held every August, and open to the public. When visiting New Mexico’s historic pueblos, it’s important to know each pueblo has its own government with its own rules. Pueblo communities are happy to welcome visitors to experience their culture and traditions. Please call two days before you plan a visit to confirm the community is open to visitors. Please be aware of restrictions on photography and other images and respect the tradition and privacy of the residents. For more information on visiting a pueblo, visit: https://indianpueblo.org/visiting-a-pueblo/
For outdoor enthusiasts, a visit to Valles Caldera National Preserve offers stunning natural beauty and an immersion into nature. Nestled in the Jemez Mountains, it is a world-class caldera that rises 11,000 feet on 88,900 acres. This is a mountainous forested landscape surrounding the 13-mile-wide caldera, with nine distinct ecosystems: wetlands, wet meadows, lower montane grasslands, upper montane grasslands, Ponderosa Pine Forests, mixed Conifer Forests, montane scrub – Spruce Fir forests, and Alpine forests. While there, check out the old-growth stands of 400-year-old Ponderosa Pines. There are more than 200 bird species that have been spotted in the preserve. The National Audubon Society has labeled the preserve an” Important Bird Area.” Valles Caldera is also home to the second-largest elk population, mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, and mule deer. The East Fork of the Jemez River and San Antonio Creek wind down through the mountains along the valley, where you will see the rare Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout. There are many adventures to experience with over 110+ miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The preserve offers ranger programs from star gazing, moonlit hikes, Art in the Park, Fall Fiesta, Earth Day, and so much more.
For those staying longer, visit all the unique communities throughout Sandoval County for an immersion into New Mexico art, culture, cuisine, and recreation.
Plan your Sandoval County road trip here.