MAGICAL DRIVE IN NORTHERN NM
The Enchanted Circle lures visitors to Eagle Nest Lake and several other attractions along the route.
New Mexico’s high country is looking great after a long, snowy winter and plenty of rain this summer. And a good way to enjoy some of that scenic beauty is to take a drive along the Enchanted Circle, a 65-mile round trip from Questa through Red River, over to Eagle Nest and back to Taos.
A recent drive revealed anglers reeling in trout at recently restored Eagle Rock Lake off N.M. 38 just outside Questa. The picturesque lake is stocked regularly and is a great place to cast a line before heading to Red River.
A quintessential summer resort town, Red River offers so much to do one needs to stop and ponder it all before proceeding. The patio at Red River Brewing Co. overlooking busy Main Street offers great spot to do that.
Outdoor recreation and the visitors it brings are the primary economic focus of Red River, which is in a canyon surrounded by heavily forested mountains.
A walk about the teeming tourist town reveals a go-cart track to race around, while the nearby ski area lift offers a lazier and more scenic ride.
Horseback rides, off-road vehicle rentals and guided fishing trips can be had, while plenty of restaurants, saloons, gift shops, sporting goods stores and art galleries round out the town’s offerings.
The area features numerous campgrounds, motels and hotels and attracts many guests from nearby Plains states, such as Texas and Oklahoma.
Upon leaving Red River, the Enchanted Circle tour continues with a climb over Bobcat Pass at 9,800 feet and winds down into the rural Moreno Valley.
The valley was once a booming gold mining area, with Elizabethtown at its heart. At the time, it boasted a population of 7,000, with saloons, gambling halls, theaters, businesses and several newspapers.
Now the gold and the town are gone and the valley is a quiet place dominated by sprawling ranches and expansive views. The highway ends at Eagle Nest, where the local state park’s beautiful visitor center features a beautiful outdoor pavilion overlooking the lake. This spot is one of the state’s best-kept secrets and is a great place to stop for a picnic and some fishing.
The state park also features a campground for those who might want spend the night, and the nearby village offers overnight accommodations, gas and groceries, fishing supplies and a classic Western-style saloon.
The Enchanted Circle commences on U.S. 64, up and over 9,100-foot Palo Flechado Pass and down through a twisty canyon along which the Rio Fernando de Taos flows. At the intersection of N.M. 585, travelers can head west to reunite with N.M. 68 and take that road back home.