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.[1]

Scenic and Historic Byway

Interstate 25 marker

U.S. Highway 64 marker

State Road 68 marker

Highway markers for Interstate 25, US Highway 64 and State Route 68
Highway names
InterstatesInterstate nn (I-nn)
US HighwaysUS Highway nn (US-nn)
StateState Route nn (SR-nn)
System links
  • New Mexico State Highway System

List

State designated byways

The following table is a list of scenic byways in New Mexico according to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation:[2][nb 1]

BywayLengthNotesNational DesignationState Designation
Abo Pass Trail31 milesA scenic drive through the Salt Missions area along NM 47 and US 60.July 31, 1998[1][4][5][6]
Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway84 milesHistory of the Wild West.NSB June 9, 1998[7]July 31, 1998[1]
Corrales Road Scenic Byway6.7 milesBeautiful views and shaded cottonwoods along NM 448July 31, 1998[1]
El Camino Real National Scenic Byway276 milesThe former El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, or King's Highway.NSB June 9, 1998,[7] September 22, 2005 (extended)July 31, 1998[1]
Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway84 milesA loop of scenic North Central New Mexico.July 31, 1998[1]
Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway154 milesA historic route commemorating Chiricahua Apache warrior Geronimo.NSB September 22, 2005[7]July 31, 1998[1]
Guadalupe Back Country Byway30 milesProvides access to recreational opportunitiesBLM September 26, 1994[8]July 31, 1998[1]
Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway132 milesScenic trip past geologic formations.NSB June 9, 1998[7]July 31, 1998[1]
La Frontera Del Llano94.3 milesTravel through plains and grasslands areas.By 2013[9]
Lake Valley Back Country Byway44 milesLake Valley mining town ruins from 1880 accessed via dirt roads.BLM April 14, 1993[8]July 31, 1998[1]
Mesalands Scenic Byway320 milesViews of mesas and steep rock walls in central New Mexico.July 31, 1998[1]
Narrow Gauge Scenic Byway9.9 milesScenic, historic driveJuly 31, 1998[1]
Puye Cliffs Scenic Byway14 milesSanta Clara Pueblo is located on the bywayBy 2013[9]
Quebradas Back Country Byway24 milesScenic, rugged back country road east of Socorro.BLM June 20, 1989[8]July 31, 1998[1]
Route 66 National Scenic Byway604 milesUS 66 crosses the stateNSB June 15, 2000[7]July 31, 1998[1]
Salt Missions Trail Byway140 milesScenic, historic trailJuly 31, 1998[1]
Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway15 milesRecreational opportunities and mountain scenery along NM 475NFSBJuly 31, 1998[1]
Santa Fe Trail National Scenic Byway277 milesHistoric trail of westward expansion.NSB June 9, 1998[7]July 31, 1998[1]
Socorro Historical District Scenic Byway3 milesHistoric bywayBy 2013[9]
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[1]
The High Road to Taos Byway52 milesScenic, historic and artistic bywayBy 2013[9]
Trail of the Ancients Scenic Byway662 milesRoutes of prehistoric "world-famous" archeological sites.By 2013[9]
Trail of the Mountain Spirits National Scenic Byway72 milesScenic views of southwestern New Mexico.NSB September 22, 2005[7]By 2013[9]
Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway52 milesScenic route between Santa Fe and Albuquerque.NSB June 15, 2000[7]July 31, 1998[1]
Wild Rivers Back Country Scenic Byway13 milesByway through Rio Grande canyon area in the high plains of northern New Mexico.BLM June 20, 1989[8]July 31, 1998[1]

Other byways
BywayLengthNotesType of bywayDesignated
Chain of Craters Back Country BywayBureau of Land Management Back Country BywayMarch 10, 1993.[8]
Navajo Nations Scenic BywaysNavajo Nation Transportation Development Committee[nb 2]Beginning in 1996[11][10]

Notes
  1. There were three roads designated as Scenic and Historic Byways by the state of New Mexico on July 31, 1998 that are no longer considered scenic byways, including: the 11 mile Sandia Crest Scenic Byway on NM 536 through the Cibola National Forest, the 110 mile Gila Cliff Dwellings/Inner Loop Scenic Byway along NM 15 and NM 35 through Gila National Forest and the Dry Cimmaron Byway.[1][3]
  2. The plans for Navajo National Scenic Byways were developed by a task force including the Arizona Department of Transportation, and Bureau of Indian Affairs.[10] It is administered with the Federal Highway Administration.[11]

References
  1. 18 NMAC 31.2 New Mexico Scenic and Historic Byways Program. Archived 2006-10-07 at the Wayback Machine Transportation and Highways. New Mexico Legislation. Filed February 27, 1998. Effective July 31, 1998. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  2. New Mexico's Scenic Byways. New Mexico Tourism Department. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  3. New Mexico's Scenic Byways. New Mexico Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  4. Abo Pass Trail.] New Mexico Tourism Department. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  5. Abo Pass Trail. New Mexico Department of Transportation. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  6. Abo Pass Trail - New Mexico Scenic & Historic Byway. Wildernet. August 10, 2014.
  7. "Appendix D: Designation by Year - Analysis - Byway Quality - National Scenic Byways Program". www.fhwa.dot.gov. 2008-08-26. Archived from the original on 2017-02-19. Retrieved 2017-02-19.
  8. BLM Scenic and/or Back Country Byway (BCB) Roster as of June 30, 2004. Archived January 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Bureau of Land Management Back Country Byway. Retrieved August 10, 2014.
  9. New Mexico Designated Unique or Valuable Scenic Landscapes. United States Department of Agriculture. Natural Resources Conservation Service. Issued in 2013. Retrieved August 11, 2014. Note: Not the best source as not an official list, but it wouldn't have made it onto the list if it wasn't a byway; conversely there is one scenic drive (Dry Cimmaron) that is no longer a scenic byway
  10. Diné Biítah "Among the People" Scenic Road Corridor Management Plan. Prepared for Arizona Department of Transportation - Transportation Enhancement & Scenic Roads Section. August 15, 2008. pp. 3, 8. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  11. Navajo Nation Scenic Byways. Projects. Kimley Horn Consulting. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
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