List of New Mexico Scenic and Historic Byways


Scenic and Historic Byways are highways in New Mexico known for their scenic beauty or historic significance. The New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department Scenic and Historic Byways Program was made effective July 31, 1998 to establish procedures for designating and managing state scenic and historic byways.

List

State designated byways

The following table is a list of scenic byways in New Mexico according to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation:
BywayLengthNotesNational DesignationState Designation
Abo Pass Trail31 milesA scenic drive through the Salt Missions area along NM 47 and US 60.July 31, 1998
Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway84 milesHistory of the Wild West.NSB June 9, 1998July 31, 1998
Corrales Road Scenic Byway6.7 milesBeautiful views and shaded cottonwoods along NM 448July 31, 1998
El Camino Real National Scenic Byway276 milesThe former El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, or King's Highway.NSB June 9, 1998, September 22, 2005 July 31, 1998
Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway84 milesA loop of scenic North Central New Mexico.July 31, 1998
Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway154 milesA historic route commemorating Chiricahua Apache warrior Geronimo.NSB September 22, 2005July 31, 1998
Guadalupe Back Country Byway30 milesProvides access to recreational opportunitiesBLM September 26, 1994July 31, 1998
Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway132 milesScenic trip past geologic formations.NSB June 9, 1998July 31, 1998
La Frontera Del Llano94.3 milesTravel through plains and grasslands areas.By 2013
Lake Valley Back Country Byway44 milesLake Valley mining town ruins from 1880 accessed via dirt roads.BLM April 14, 1993July 31, 1998
Mesalands Scenic Byway320 milesViews of mesas and steep rock walls in central New Mexico.July 31, 1998
Narrow Gauge Scenic Byway9.9 milesScenic, historic driveJuly 31, 1998
Puye Cliffs Scenic Byway14 milesSanta Clara Pueblo is located on the bywayBy 2013
Quebradas Back Country Byway24 milesScenic, rugged back country road east of Socorro.BLM June 20, 1989July 31, 1998
Route 66 National Scenic Byway604 milesUS 66 crosses the stateNSB June 15, 2000July 31, 1998
Salt Missions Trail Byway140 milesScenic, historic trailJuly 31, 1998
Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway15 milesRecreational opportunities and mountain scenery along NM 475NFSBJuly 31, 1998
Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway277 milesHistoric trail of westward expansion.NSB June 9, 1998July 31, 1998
Socorro Historical District Scenic Byway3 milesHistoric bywayBy 2013
Sunspot Scenic Byway14 milesViews of the Tularosa Basin, Sacramento Mountains, and White Sands National Park through the Lincoln National Forest, along NM 6563July 31, 1998
The High Road to Taos Byway52 milesScenic, historic and artistic bywayBy 2013
Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway662 milesRoutes of prehistoric "world-famous" archeological sites.By 2013
Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway72 milesScenic views of southwestern New Mexico.NSB September 22, 2005By 2013
Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway52 milesScenic route between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.NSB June 15, 2000July 31, 1998
Wild Rivers Back Country Scenic Byway13 milesByway through Rio Grande canyon area in the high plains of northern New Mexico.BLM June 20, 1989July 31, 1998

Other byways

BywayLengthNotesType of bywayDesignated
Chain of Craters Back Country BywayBureau of Land Management Back Country BywayMarch 10, 1993.
Navajo Nations Scenic BywaysNavajo Nation Transportation Development CommitteeBeginning in 1996