El Camino Real

New Mexico

National Scenic Byway

Map

Byway Details

Designation
National Scenic Byway
Length
382 mi in New Mexico

About El Camino Real

El Camino Real is a 382.4-mile National Scenic Byway in New Mexico, also designated a New Mexico State Scenic Byway. It strings together dozens of communities along its length, from Sunland Park, Santa Teresa and Las Cruces in the south through Truth or Consequences, Socorro and Albuquerque, then on to Santa Fe, Española and Ohkay Owingeh in the north. Along the way the route passes through river valley towns and farming villages such as Hatch, Mesilla, Bosque Farms and Bernalillo. It also runs through several pueblos, including Isleta, Santa Ana, San Felipe, Santo Domingo and Tesuque. Its many stops make it easy to break the drive into shorter segments based in larger towns like Las Cruces, Socorro, Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to drive. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Caballo Dam run highs around 79°F in April and 80°F in October, while June and July average highs near 97°F. Conditions vary along a route this long. Short walks sit right off the byway, including the Santa Fe Greenway River Trail, the Riverside Trail and the Marsh Overlook Trail. Mountain bikers can find Red Dawg about a mile and a half away.

Scenic byway data: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration

Facts about this place

When to go

Best time to go: Feb–Apr. The mildest months here, with typical highs of 65–79°F and lows of 32–45°F.

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Caballo Dam, NM weather station, 18 mi away. High / low in °F, and days with snow.

  1. Jan59° high29° low
  2. Feb65° high32° low
  3. Mar72° high39° low
  4. Apr79° high45° low
  5. May88° high54° low
  6. Jun97° high63° low
  7. Jul97° high69° low
  8. Aug95° high67° low
  9. Sep89° high59° low
  10. Oct80° high47° low
  11. Nov68° high36° low
  12. Dec58° high29° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Towns along the route
Salem · Garfield · Arrey · Oasis · Caballo · Las Palomas · Williamsburg · Elephant Butte · Truth or Consequences · San Antonito · San Antonio · Luis Lopez · Socorro · Escondida · Lemitar · Polvadera · Chamizal · Alamillo · San Acacia · Placitas · Hatch · Rodey · Rincon · Radium Springs · Doña Ana · San Ysidro · Las Cruces · Mesilla · San Pablo · San Miguel · La Mesa · Chamberino · La Union · Canutillo · Santa Teresa · Sunland Park · Las Nutrias · Veguita · Casa Colorada · Madrone · Jarales · Rio Communities · Sausal · Adelino · Tome · El Cerro · Valencia · Peralta · Bosque Farms · Chical · Isleta · South Valley · Albuquerque · Los Ranchos de Albuquerque · North Valley · Edith Enclave · Pueblo of Sandia Village · Bernalillo · Santa Ana Pueblo · Algodones · San Felipe Pueblo · Santo Domingo Pueblo · Peña Blanca · La Cienega · Agua Fria · Santa Fe · Tesuque · Peak Place · Tesuque Pueblo · Cuyamungue Grant · Cuyamungue · Jacona · Pojoaque · El Valle de Arroyo Seco · Sombrillo · Santa Cruz · Cuartelez · Española · Ohkay Owingeh · Pueblito

Source: USGS GNIS populated places

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 2 miles of the route, PostGIS distance)