The Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway loops 84 miles through some of northern New Mexico’s most breathtaking high-country scenery. Beginning and ending in Taos, this National and State Scenic Byway circles Wheeler Peak, the state’s highest summit at 13,161 feet, passing through a stunning mix of alpine meadows, dense evergreen forests, and wide-open valleys framed by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Along the route, travelers pass through the charming communities of Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, and Red River, each offering their own character and outdoor recreation. Eagle Nest Lake gleams against a backdrop of rugged peaks, while the Moreno Valley stretches out in golden grasslands that seem to roll on forever. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire provides a powerful and contemplative stop.

History runs deep here. The byway passes near the old mining town of Elizabethtown, one of New Mexico’s earliest boomtowns, now a ghost town worth exploring. The route also skirts the edge of the Wheeler Peak Wilderness, a paradise for hikers.

Allow two to three hours for the drive without stops, or a full day to explore properly. Late September through early October delivers spectacular fall color, though summer offers ideal weather and wildflower-filled meadows.

Explore Nearby

• Wolford 16686 — Public Land
• Early Trails — Public Land in Utah
• Theodore Roosevelt State Park — State Park in Pennsylvania
• Streeter Point Recreation Area — State Park in Massachusetts
• Blackwell Island Light — Lighthouse in New York