The Santa Fe scenic drive is in north-central New Mexico. It begins in the city of Santa Fe at the corner of Palace and Washington Avenues. It travels northeast to the road’s end near the Santa Fe Ski Area. The byway is 15 miles long and follows NM 475, which is a narrow two-lane paved road with sharp curves and steep grades. Caution should be used by all drivers. Travelers will need to retrace the route back to Santa Fe. The byway remains open year-round but delays are possible in winter.
The scenic byway begins near the historic Palace of the Governors. This adobe structure was built in 1610 by the Spanish government and is the oldest continuously occupied public building in the United States. From this point, drive north on Washington Avenue for several blocks and then turn east on Artist Road, which is also NM 475. From this point, the byway begins climbing the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You first pass through picturesque Tesuque Canyon and then enter dense stands of ponderosa pine, which eventually give way to a mixed conifer and aspen forest near the ski area.
A trailhead for the Winsor Trail is at the byway’s end and provides access to the Pecos Wilderness. Numerous other trails are at the campgrounds and picnic areas along the byway. They range in difficulty from a short, easy walk to more strenuous backpacking trails.
Camping areas are abundant along this scenic byway. The national forest maintains three campgrounds. New Mexico State Parks and Recreation Department operates Hyde Memorial State Park for byway travelers. The state park is nearly 400 acres of land completely surrounded by national forest land. There are 45 campsites with picnic tables and fire rings; some sites have electric hookups. Black Canyon Campground is the next largest campground with 41 sites. Hookups are also available at many of its campsites. Big Tesuque and Aspen Basin Campgrounds are a little more primitive but offer a total of 17 campsites with picnic tables. Neither campground has drinking water or hookups.