I'm curious to hear of interesting (preferably non-arts and crafts type) things to do in New Mexico. Iam particularly interested in good hikes, rafting, national parks, etc..

Spent a week this summer in NM. GREAT!! Went white H2O rafting on the Rio Grande with a company called Far Flung Adventures out of Taos. Great overnite trip. Also rec. Bandeleir Natl Monument and Los Alamos west of Sante Fe. Really enjoyed old town Albuquerque Have a wonderful trip.

Don't forget Carlsbad Caverns in southern New Mexico--really, southern N.M. is not as pretty as the mountainous area around Sante Fe and Taos but the caverns are truly unbelievable!! I've been there twice and want to go a third time to see the bats fly out. Again, there is nothing around the area but I felt the caverns were pretty neat!

NM is a great place. I visit most every summer. Here are some interesting places (Hint: Copy this reply and e-mail will 'activate' the site addresses so you can just click on them to get there):

(NM) Albuquerque (Map Ref K28):
http://www.viva.com/nm/cen.html
Great place to start your tour. Lots of history here. Don't miss 'Old Town' for shopping. Great southwest foods. International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta in late Sept./early Oct. Also Sandia Tramway (Longest aerial tramway) east of Albuquerque. View at evening sunset is wonderful. Restaurant at top - reservations recommend.

(NM) Bandelier Nat'l Monument (Map Ref J28): http://www.nps.gov/band/
Native American ruins northwest of Santa Fe, NM. Combination of stone dwellings and caves in soft stone. Small park subject to close due to overcrowding on weekends. Nice quiet walk through Main Ruins Loop. Moderately strenuous climb to 'Ceremonial Cave' 140 ft up series of ladders & steps. Falls Trail below Visitor's Center to view falls and on to Rio Grande. Frey Trail to/from campground. longer back country hiking available. Nice but small campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend one full day. Motels in nearby Los Alamos.

(NM) Chaco (Canyon) Culture Nat'l Historic Park (Map Ref J26):
http://www.nps.gov/chcu/
Center of Anasazi Native American culture. Large stone ruins - stay off ruins but walk through many of them very interesting. Several movies at visitor center - should see. Drive into area via bumpy dirt road (20 miles via south entrance or 11 miles via north entrance) - don't take in rainy weather. Road discourages many potential visitors but is well worth the trip (and keeps the crowds small). Campground small & dry. Take your own water. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Hiking requires free permit (Visitor's Center). Pueblo Alto Trail overlooks several ruins - begins behind Kin Kletso ruin. Take 'Hidden Trail' up to first mesa level & continue up several more levels - up to 5 mile hike but can take shorter. Don't miss overlook of Pueblo Bonito. Tsin Kletsin (South Mesa) Trail begins at Casa Rinconada ruin and goes up to mesa top overlooking much of Canyon. Front side of trail interesting but back side takes you down some dry & hot canyons - recommend go as far as canyon overlook on back side and then come back down front side. Other hikes available. Recommend 1-2 day (2 night) visit. Motels & commercial campgrounds available in Grants. (MUST SEE)

(NM) Chama (Map Ref I28):
http://www.viva.com/nm/nc.chama.html and
http://www.rmii.com/slv/alamosa/ccs/antonito/train.html
One of the most beautiful valleys (8,000 ft altitude) in New Mexico. Start point for NM end of Cumbres-Toltec Narrow Gage Steam Railroad: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homep...hter/focts.htm
Phone for reservations: (505) 756-2151. Day trips into mountains with stop over for lunch - begins at 8,000 ft and climbs to just over 10,000 ft Cumbres Pass. Also starts from Antonito, CO. Departs at 10:30 daily (Chama)/ 10:00 (Antonito); come early to watch train preparations. Reservations recommended. Campgrounds & Motels available. Recommend one day to ride train & another to film train from highway points. (MUST SEE)

(NM) El Malipais Nat'l Monument (Map Ref L26 - at Grants):
http://www.nps.gov/elma/
Large area of lava fields created by early volcanic activity. Can view portions from roads. Rugged trails through lava flow areas - free permit at Ranger Station in Grants. Lava tubes may be visited only with high clearance vehicle. Ice caves are commercial tourist spot. Large natural arch on eastern edge of area just off paved road (NM 117).

(NM) El Morro Nat'l Monument (Map Ref L26):
http://www.nps.gov/elmo/
Also known as 'Inscription Rock'. Prehistoric Native American markings as well as early Spanish & American explorers. Large pool of water was important stopping place in this arid region. Inscription Trail easy walk on paved surface. Mesa Top Trail nice hike up cliffs for views and Native American ruins. Nice but small campground. Pit toilets and no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Campgrounds & motels in nearby Grants. Recommend day visit.

(NM) Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (Map Ref I29): Located on highway 64, northwest of Taos. Drop of over 600 ft to Rio Grande River at bottom of gorge. Drive along highway 64 from Taos to Chama very scenic. Also, white water rafting around Taos.

Opps! Left out part of a sentence in my reply. Meant to say copy the message and e-mail to yourself. Sending complete web addresses will 'activate' them so you only need to click on them to use them.

Larry (Change 'bigfeet" to "bigfoot" to e-mail

Actually there are several things to do and see in southern NM along with Carlsbad Caverns. In Carlsbad, there is a Living Desert Museum that has native New Mexico animals and plants and you have a great view of the valley and city. Also in south central New Mexico is White Sands National Park that is really pretty. Alamagordo has a space museum. There is Ruidoso which has a race track (horses) and Inn of the Mountain Gods which has a beautiful golf course and a casino. There is Lincoln where Pat Garrett captured Billy the Kid. You can see the jailhouse and other historic sites. Near Lincoln is Capitan where Smokey the Bear was found as a cub, he's burried there now. Let's not forget Roswell and the now infamous UFO museum and crash site.

Actually there are several things to do and see in southern NM along with Carlsbad Caverns. In Carlsbad, there is a Living Desert Museum that has native New Mexico animals and plants and you have a great view of the valley and city. Also in south central New Mexico is White Sands National Park that is really pretty. Alamagordo has a space museum. There is Ruidoso which has a race track (horses) and Inn of the Mountain Gods which has a beautiful golf course and a casino. There is Lincoln where Pat Garrett captured Billy the Kid. You can see the jailhouse and other historic sites. Near Lincoln is Capitan where Smokey the Bear was found as a cub, he's burried there now. Let's not forget Roswell and the now infamous UFO museum and crash site.

Actually there are several things to do and see in southern NM along with Carlsbad Caverns. In Carlsbad, there is a Living Desert Museum that has native New Mexico animals and plants and you have a great view of the valley and city. Also in south central New Mexico is White Sands National Park that is really pretty. Alamagordo has a space museum. There is Ruidoso which has a race track (horses) and Inn of the Mountain Gods which has a beautiful golf course and a casino. There is Lincoln where Pat Garrett captured Billy the Kid. You can see the jailhouse and other historic sites. Near Lincoln is Capitan where Smokey the Bear was found as a cub, he's burried there now. Let's not forget Roswell and the now infamous UFO museum and crash site.

I agree with the above responses about Los Alamos and Bandelier. Hiking up and around the caves in the canyon was probably my favorite activity in NM. While in Taos, stop by the Taos Inn for dinner and drinks. It's a fun atmosphere. Have fun!