Santa Rosa

Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado is said to have settled the quaint village of Puerto de Luna, 10 mi south of Santa Rosa on NM 91, back in 1541, and the area has been a crossroads of settlers, travelers, and the railroad ever since. The bypassing of Santa Rosa, when Route 66 was replaced by Interstate 40, has clearly impacted the town, although it maintains more vitality and economic activity than many of the towns along the route in this part of the state. There is a real pride among Santa Rosa's residents, and traditions of the town's deep Hispanic roots are still apparent.

Santa Rosa Lake State Park is 7 mi north of town and offers fishing, camping, and access to waterskiing and other water sports. The man-made lake was created to keep the flooding of the Pecos River under control, and it's become a resting spot for many different birds, including a number of gorgeous cormorants.