While our cities here in the Land of Enchantment offer much excitement and extraordinary hidden gems, there is something magical about our remote areas. So, we sat down and created this rural road trip through New Mexico to some of our favorite attractions. From museums to lakes to even sculptures, there are several hidden gems in New Mexico that deserve your attention.
Google Maps Our rural road trip in New Mexico begins in the small town of Tucumcari. We will travel more than 370 miles and you’ll want to plan approximately 6.5 hours of drive time. We suggest breaking this road trip up into two or three days so you have plenty of time to enjoy and explore each and every stop.
Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari
Cheryl Day/Google Our road trip begins at one shop that deserves to be on every New Mexican’s bucket list — Tee Pee Curios. This nostalgic curio shop used to be an old gas station in the 1940s. Today, it is where you can find some of the coolest souvenirs and other oddities. It is definitely a great place to find a few treasures before we hit the road. 924 E Rte 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum and Natural Sciences Laboratory, Tucumcari
Anna Chappell/Google Our next stop is also in Tucumcari. This natural history museum will take you back in time as you will get to check out dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and some pretty cool artifacts. You may even get a chance to watch Paleontology students and a curator at work through a large viewing window in the exhibit hall. 222 E Laughlin Ave, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
Sumner Lake State Park
New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department Sumner Lake is one of the more well-known destinations on this road trip and it is also one stop where you can spend a few hours — or even a few days. This state park features a 4,500-ft. reservoir, perfect for swimming, boating, fishing, and just spending some time outdoors. Bring your boots and go for a hike or simply stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. This is one stop on the grassy plains that offers a little something for everyone. Lake Sumner, New Mexico 88119, USA
Fox Cave, Ruidoso Downs
Fox Cave/Google Fox Cave is one stop on our road trip that has quite an interesting history. Located along East Highway 70, Fox Cave was once the hideout for Billy the Kid. Today, you can enter it and shop around for unique items like Native American jewelry, décor, toys, and more. In the same area, you’ll find the Fox Cave Animal Park, a Billy the Kid museum, and even a celebrity museum. 26897 US-70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346, USA
Street Sculptures, Artesia
Artesia Chamber of Commerce/Google The end of our rural road trip in New Mexico is in the town of Artesia. While many people simply drive through this town, we want you to get out and explore. Artesia was designated as a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District and throughout town, there are nearly a dozen bronze sculptures that tell a story about the region’s origin and character. In fact, you can take a self-guided tour of the many sculptures and learn a little more about this area, stretch your legs, and explore this town, all before heading back home. Artesia, NM 88210, USA
Are there any other stops you’d add to this rural road trip in New Mexico? What are some of your favorite attractions in this area of the state? Let us and your fellow travelers know in the comments!
Google Maps
Our rural road trip in New Mexico begins in the small town of Tucumcari. We will travel more than 370 miles and you’ll want to plan approximately 6.5 hours of drive time. We suggest breaking this road trip up into two or three days so you have plenty of time to enjoy and explore each and every stop.
Cheryl Day/Google
Our road trip begins at one shop that deserves to be on every New Mexican’s bucket list — Tee Pee Curios. This nostalgic curio shop used to be an old gas station in the 1940s. Today, it is where you can find some of the coolest souvenirs and other oddities. It is definitely a great place to find a few treasures before we hit the road.
924 E Rte 66 Blvd, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
Anna Chappell/Google
Our next stop is also in Tucumcari. This natural history museum will take you back in time as you will get to check out dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and some pretty cool artifacts. You may even get a chance to watch Paleontology students and a curator at work through a large viewing window in the exhibit hall.
222 E Laughlin Ave, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA
New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department
Sumner Lake is one of the more well-known destinations on this road trip and it is also one stop where you can spend a few hours — or even a few days. This state park features a 4,500-ft. reservoir, perfect for swimming, boating, fishing, and just spending some time outdoors. Bring your boots and go for a hike or simply stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. This is one stop on the grassy plains that offers a little something for everyone.
Lake Sumner, New Mexico 88119, USA
Fox Cave/Google
Fox Cave is one stop on our road trip that has quite an interesting history. Located along East Highway 70, Fox Cave was once the hideout for Billy the Kid. Today, you can enter it and shop around for unique items like Native American jewelry, décor, toys, and more. In the same area, you’ll find the Fox Cave Animal Park, a Billy the Kid museum, and even a celebrity museum.
26897 US-70, Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346, USA
Artesia Chamber of Commerce/Google
The end of our rural road trip in New Mexico is in the town of Artesia. While many people simply drive through this town, we want you to get out and explore. Artesia was designated as a New Mexico Arts and Cultural District and throughout town, there are nearly a dozen bronze sculptures that tell a story about the region’s origin and character. In fact, you can take a self-guided tour of the many sculptures and learn a little more about this area, stretch your legs, and explore this town, all before heading back home.
Artesia, NM 88210, USA
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