Imagine yourself cruising along a deserted road, your eyes squinting against the powerful rays of a New Mexico sun, content in the knowledge that you are likely the only person for miles. Driving along the back roads, you experience a feeling of total freedom. It’s something everyone should do once in a while.
Flickr/Alan Levine There is no shortage of scenic country roads in New Mexico, but to truly escape the stresses of life, try a drive along State Road 120. This drive features some of New Mexico’s most unspoiled countryside.
The longest state road in the Land of Enchantment stretches for 119 miles and its appeal lies in what you won’t find along the way: traffic, people, much developed land.
Bing Maps
You may not have heard of Black Lake, where this road starts (or ends). This pretty spot is in Colfax County, on the edge of national forest land just south of Angel Fire, where NM-120 branches off from NM-434.
Google Maps
When you veer off onto NM-120, you are heading deep into the boonies. Between mile markers 3 and 12, the road isn’t paved (so it can be tricky to navigate in bad weather). This tree-lined road is extremely peaceful.
Wikimedia Commons/Jrkennedy37
It weaves through the countryside, to the small community of Ocate, which boasts… a post office. Keep an eye out for Ocate Peak, an old volcano that served as a marker on the old Santa Fe Trail.
Wikimedia Commons/Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia
Meander on for 24 more miles and you’ll reach Wagon Mound.
Wikimedia Commons/Vacaypicts
Home to 314 people, this town was named after a rock formation that people believed resembled a Conestoga wagon…
Wikimedia Commons/Vacaypicts
…like this one.
Wikimedia Commons/Ad Meskens Wagon Mound was another landmark along the Santa Fe Trail.
As you continue driving through ranch country, you’ll see Los Mesas del Conjelon West rising on the right.
After crossing the Canadian River (a tributary of the Arkansas River), you enter the village of Roy.
Flickr/Jon Lewis
There is a general store here where you can pick up some snacks.
Yelp/Pam M. Only 234 people live in Roy so you wouldn’t think you could get lost. However, NM-120 zigzags, finally leaving town as the Yates Highway.
The road travels through a portion of the Kiowa National Grassland…
Flickr/Ronnie Pitman
…Before ending just east of Gladstone.
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
Since the point of this drive is to get away from it all, be sure to start your journey with a full tank of gas and bring along some food and water.
Flickr/Alan Levine
There is no shortage of scenic country roads in New Mexico, but to truly escape the stresses of life, try a drive along State Road 120. This drive features some of New Mexico’s most unspoiled countryside.
Bing Maps
Google Maps
Wikimedia Commons/Jrkennedy37
Wikimedia Commons/Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia
Wikimedia Commons/Vacaypicts
Wikimedia Commons/Ad Meskens
Wagon Mound was another landmark along the Santa Fe Trail.
Flickr/Jon Lewis
Yelp/Pam M.
Only 234 people live in Roy so you wouldn’t think you could get lost. However, NM-120 zigzags, finally leaving town as the Yates Highway.
Flickr/Ronnie Pitman
Flickr/Larry Lamsa
The drive time is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Have you driven along New Mexico’s longest state road? What are your favorite spots in the northeastern part of the state? Let us know on the Only In New Mexico Facebook page.
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