Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
HeyTaos · Enchanted Circle
Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway
An 84-mile National Forest Scenic Byway looping from Taos through Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire, circling Wheeler Peak at 13,167 feet. One of the best drives in the Southwest.
The Route
The Enchanted Circle is named for the way it circles Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico at 13,167 feet. The loop is 84 miles total. Direct drive time is 2.5 to 3 hours without stops. Allow a full day with time to explore the towns and pull off at overlooks.
Clockwise from Taos: North on NM-522 through Questa, east on NM-38 through Red River, south through Bobcat Pass (9,820 feet) to Eagle Nest Lake, west on US-64 through Angel Fire back to Taos via Palo Flechado Pass (9,101 feet). Clockwise is the preferred direction because the Bobcat Pass climb is gentler going east and the descent into Moreno Valley is more gradual.
| Segment | Highway | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Taos to Questa | NM-522 North | ~22 miles |
| Questa to Red River | NM-38 East | ~12 miles |
| Red River to Eagle Nest | NM-38 South (over Bobcat Pass) | ~16 miles |
| Eagle Nest to Angel Fire | US-64 West | ~15 miles |
| Angel Fire to Taos | US-64 West (over Palo Flechado Pass) | ~20 miles |
Stops on the Loop
| Stop | What to do |
|---|---|
| Questa | Small village and junction town. Wild Rivers Recreation Area access is a short drive west on NM-378 , worth a detour for the canyon overlooks where the Red River meets the Rio Grande. Basic services, no tourist infrastructure. |
| Red River | A former gold and copper mining town that reinvented itself as a ski and summer recreation destination. Red River Ski Area operates in winter. In summer: trout fishing in the Red River, hiking into the Wheeler Peak Wilderness, mountain biking, and chairlift rides. A main street with restaurants and lodging. |
| Bobcat Pass | 9,820 feet. The high point of the drive. Pull off for views toward Wheeler Peak. Best aspen color on the loop, typically mid to late October. Can have snow as early as September and as late as May. |
| Elizabethtown | Ghost town about 6 miles south of Red River via NM-38. First incorporated town in New Mexico territory, founded in 1870 after a gold strike. Ruins and a historical marker only , no services, no facilities. Worth a brief stop for the history. |
| Eagle Nest Lake State Park | 2,400-acre high-altitude reservoir at 8,200 feet in the Moreno Valley. Rainbow trout and landlocked kokanee salmon fishing, kayaking, bald eagle and elk viewing. Windy most afternoons. $5/vehicle day use. 575-377-1594. |
| Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park, Angel Fire | A white chapel and memorial built by Dr. Victor Westphall in 1971 in memory of his son David, killed in Vietnam. One of the first memorials to Vietnam veterans in the country. Architecturally striking against the mountain backdrop. Free. Open daily. 575-377-7353. |
| Angel Fire | Year-round resort community with ski area, golf course, and services. Angel Fire Resort is a family-friendly mountain with good intermediate terrain and substantially more affordable than TSV. Services, lodging, and restaurants along the main road. |
| Palo Flechado Pass | 9,101 feet on US-64 between Angel Fire and Taos. Named for an arrow-riddled tree encountered by a Spanish expedition in the 18th century. Views south into the Moreno Valley on the descent. |
By Season
| Season | Conditions |
|---|---|
| Winter (Dec-Mar) | Bobcat Pass and Palo Flechado Pass can be snow-covered or icy. All-wheel drive with chains recommended. Red River and Angel Fire ski areas are operating. The loop is driveable in good conditions but monitor forecasts closely. |
| Spring (Apr-May) | Highly variable. Snow can persist at Bobcat Pass into May. Late spring can bring mud on unpaved pullouts. Rivers run high with snowmelt. Least crowded time for the loop. |
| Summer (Jun-Sep) | Best access and most services. Red River and Eagle Nest are busy on summer weekends. Afternoon thunderstorms common July and August. Start early. |
| Fall (Oct-Nov) | Peak drive season for aspen color, typically third week of October at Bobcat Pass. Crowds on fall color weekends. First snow possible by late October at elevation. |
Driving Tips
Fuel up in Taos before starting. Questa has one station but Red River and beyond have limited fuel options on the loop. Cell coverage is poor through most of the Enchanted Circle. Download offline maps before leaving.
Check road conditions at nmroads.com before any winter or early spring attempt. The NMDOT can close Bobcat Pass in storms. The pass reopens quickly after storms clear but a surprise closure mid-loop requires backtracking.
For the best fall color, aim for mid to late October and go on a weekday if possible. The Bobcat Pass section is the best color on the loop, but the whole route through the Moreno Valley is excellent. Start at dawn from Taos for a complete loop before the afternoon cloud cover.