- Travelers can take a hike through Fourth of July Canyon in the autumn and enjoy the spectacular fall foliage. Located in the Cibola National Forest in the foothills of the Manzano Mountains, this lovely canyon offers two short hikes, the Crimson Maple Trail and the Spring Loop Trail. For a longer hike, visitors can take the almost two-mile Fourth of July Trail and meet with the Albuquerque Trail to make a loop back to the road. According to Moon Travel Guides, the best time to see fall foliage is late September through mid-October, when the oak and maple trees turn color.
Fourth of July Canyon
2113 Osuna Road Northeast
Albuquerque, NM 87113-1001
505-346-2650
moon.com/destinations/santa-fe-taos-albuquerque/albuquerque/outside-albuquerque/salinas-pueblo-missions-nationa/fourth-july-can - New Mexico's International Balloon Fiesta is one of the most photographed sights in the world.balloon ride image by redrex from Fotolia.com
Since 1972, the city of Albuquerque has hosted the International Balloon Fiesta in the autumn. This annual event draws thousands of people and, according to the website, is one of the most photographed events in the world. Spectators thrill to the sight of hundreds of hot air balloons ascending at once. Visitors can also enjoy the evening "Balloon Glow" events, where balloons remain tethered to the ground but burn their coils to create a glowing effect. At the Balloon Discovery Area, families can learn about ballooning through interactive exhibits, speakers, puppet shows and videos.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
5000 Balloon Fiesta Pkwy. NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113
505-821-1000
balloonfiesta.com - Village Tours offers a five-day, four-night motorcoach tour from Wichita or Oklahoma City to Albuquerque, just in time for autumn colors. The tour includes transportation about a deluxe motorcoach, lodging, five to seven meals dependent on departure city, a tour guide, admission fees to scheduled activities and luggage handling.
Visitors can spend two days exploring the Balloon Fiesta. Other possibilities include touring the Albuquerque Balloon Museum and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center before shopping in Albuquerque's Old Town. Visitors can also take a 2.7 mile ride on Sandia Peak Arial Tram up to 11,000 feet in the Sandia Mountains. There they will enjoy a gourmet dinner at the peak, then travel back down to town for a tour of the Tinkertown Museum's folk art collection. A good way to finish the tour is with a visit to the Kwahadi Indian Museum.
Village Tours
620 West 21st North
Wichita, KS 67205
800-333-0312
villagetours.net/_files/cms/Albuquerque2010_03-15-10_13-25.pdf - One of the best ways to experience New Mexico's autumn splendor is from a train. The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway, America's "longest and highest steam-operated train", departs from Chama daily from May through mid-October. Travelers Choose from Coach Class, individual seating in Tourist Class, or splurge on Victorian elegance of the restored Parlor Class cars. All classes can access the open-air observation platform, a great place to take pictures of the fall colors. Travelers will take a ride through the Chama Valley, cross a trestle over Wolf Creek, then start the steep climb up to Cumbres Pass at over 10,000 feet.
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railway
cumbrestoltec.com - A horseback ride through Gila National Forest is a great way to see fall colors.horse image by Penny Williams from Fotolia.com
When in New Mexico for an autumn vacation, travelers can stay at the Double E Guest Ranch. This working guest ranch offers wilderness trail rides, horsemanship clinics and the chance to truly get back to nature. Guests will enjoy the fall colors of the Gila National Forest on horseback. The ranch is set on over 30,000 acres, so there's room to roam and explore the New Mexico scenery.
Double E Guest Ranch
67 Double E. Ranch Road
Gila, NM 88038
505-535-2048
doubleeranch.com
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