Great Drives - New Mexico

Enchanted Circle Drive

We begin at the Plaza in downtown Taos, heading north on State Route 64/68, driving past the town park named for frontiersman and guide Kit Carson. The park contains the graves of Carson and his family. There’s a blinking light 4 miles north of the Plaza (past the side road to Taos Pueblo), from where you may wish to drive 7 miles to the east on N.M. 64 to see the spectacular views from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. Otherwise, we continue north (straight) taking State Route 522. Continue on the road for about 40 miles until you reach the small community of Questa. 

The longer Valle Vidal Loop takes State Route 522 (straight) while the Enchanted Circle Loop takes N.M. 38. This road leads past the Carson National Forest ranger station and the Molycorp molybdenum mine and mill (on hills, north of the highway). Another 13 miles of driving and you’re arriving in Red River, a rustic ski and summer resort town. Highway 38 continues in a southeasterly direction for another 18 miles to Eagle Nest, a small recreation-based town that sits at the junction of Highway 38 and U.S. 64. The lake here is a popular fishing spot. It’s another 31 miles on the return drive to Taos via Highway 64 (turn left at the junction).

Along the Way

Millicent Rogers Museum

Five miles north of Taos, the museum features the art of northern New Mexico. Opened in 1956, the core of the museum’s collection came from the estate of Millicent Rogers, a prodigious collector who did much to foster the art and crafts of the region. She amassed many of these art works during the 1940s. Displays include Native American textiles, basketry, jewelry, and paintings. The building is built in a respectful adobe style and is open daily from 9 am to 5 p.m.. If you have time to visit only one local art museum, this is it!         

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