New Mexico in Movies and TV: Famous Filming Locations You Can Visit
Just a short drive southwest of Albuquerque, the rugged terrain of the Sandia Mountains offers a stunning backdrop that has drawn filmmakers for decades. A visit to the Sandia Crest, accessible via the Sandia Peak Tramway—the longest aerial tramway in the United States—provides breathtaking views of the city below and the sprawling desert beyond. This scenic vantage point has been featured in multiple films and TV shows that use the dramatic, reddish rock formations and sweeping vistas to evoke the American Southwest’s unique atmosphere. Hikers who choose the La Luz Trail from the base to the crest encounter a challenging 8.9-mile route through pine forests and rocky outcrops, making it a favorite for those who want to immerse themselves physically in the landscapes that inspire so many stories. Early autumn, when the aspens turn golden, makes for an especially vivid visit, enhancing the cinematic quality of the views.
Head further north near Santa Fe, the historic town of Madrid sits about 30 minutes away and has become a well-known filming location thanks to its preserved mining-era buildings and eclectic artistic vibe. This former coal mining town turned artist haven provides an authentic Old West feel that has been featured in productions ranging from indie films to TV westerns. Walking along its main street, visitors can soak in the weathered storefronts and rustic charm that make it a natural set without the need for heavy production design. Unique shops and galleries offer a glimpse into how the community blends history with creativity, and the town’s open-air art installations add to its distinctive character. Visiting in spring or fall rewards travelers with mild temperatures and fewer crowds, allowing for a relaxed exploration of the spaces that capture New Mexico’s blend of rugged past and modern creativity.
In the southeastern part of the state, the hauntingly beautiful White Sands National Park, located about an hour south of Alamogordo, has become an iconic filming location for its vast gypsum sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. This otherworldly landscape has been featured in films that require a stark, surreal desert environment, lending a dramatic and ethereal quality to every scene. Visitors can enjoy the Dune Life Nature Trail, an easy 1.5-mile loop that introduces the unique plants and animals adapted to this unusual habitat. The park’s signature bright white sands create a dazzling contrast against deep blue skies, especially striking at sunrise or sunset when shadows accentuate the rolling dunes. The cool mornings of late fall or early spring are ideal for exploring when the temperatures are pleasant and the sands retain their brilliant hue without the harsh glare of summer.
Moving southwest, the vibrant city of Albuquerque itself has become a filming hotspot, largely thanks to the globally popular TV series that transformed the city into a character in its own right. The Old Town district, founded in the early 1700s, offers a living museum of adobe architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic plazas, making it a popular location for scenes requiring authentic Southwestern ambiance. Visitors can stroll through the plaza, visit the San Felipe de Neri Church, and explore the museums and shops that celebrate the city’s cultural heritage. The juxtaposition of this historic district with modern urban life makes it a fascinating place to see the layers of Albuquerque that appear in films. Early evenings in the spring or fall are especially charming when the plaza fills with locals and tourists enjoying the mild weather and colorful sunsets.
Just north of Las Cruces, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument provides an imposing backdrop that has appeared in numerous Westerns and adventure films. About a 30-minute drive east of the city, the monument’s jagged volcanic spires and desert foothills offer dramatic scenery that filmmakers prize for its ruggedness and isolation. The Aguirre Spring Trail is a favored spot for visitors looking to experience the monument’s striking geology firsthand; this moderate 3.2-mile out-and-back hike climbs through mixed conifer forests to a spring-fed picnic area surrounded by towering peaks. The area’s diverse wildlife and changing light conditions make it a photographer’s dream, especially during the golden hours of late afternoon. Winters here are generally mild, but summer monsoon storms bring dramatic skies that add another layer of cinematic appeal.
In the northern highlands near Taos, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is an engineering marvel and a striking visual landmark that has been featured in various films and TV shows for its dramatic setting. About 10 miles west of Taos, the bridge spans a deep canyon carved by the Rio Grande River, offering spectacular views of the churning river far below. Visitors can walk along the pedestrian sidewalks to take in the dizzying drops and expansive vistas that define the rugged northern New Mexico landscape. The nearby Wild Rivers Recreation Area provides trails with different vantage points of the gorge, including the challenging 7-mile North Rim Trail, which rewards hikers with a panoramic experience of the area’s volcanic cliffs and riparian ecosystems. Late spring and early fall bring the best weather for hiking and sightseeing here, with cool temperatures and clear skies.
Winding through the heart of New Mexico’s cinematic history, the historic mining town of Cerrillos lies about 30 minutes southwest of Santa Fe and has been a backdrop for multiple productions capturing the essence of the old West. Today, visitors can wander its weathered streets and explore the Cerrillos Hills State Park, where the combination of rugged hills and ancient mining relics provides a tangible connection to New Mexico’s frontier past. The park’s over 14 miles of trails range from easy to moderate and offer sweeping views of the surrounding mesas and distant mountains. Particularly striking is the Gallo Canyon Trail, which reveals petroglyphs and remnants of old mining operations. The quiet solitude of this area, especially in the late afternoon light of fall, invites visitors to step into the cinematic worlds that filmmakers have long found irresistible.
Lastly, the small town of Cuba, located about two hours northwest of Albuquerque along the scenic Enchanted Circle, has served as a quintessential rural setting in numerous film and television projects. Its proximity to the expansive Cibola National Forest allows visitors to explore vast pine forests, mountain meadows, and sparkling streams that provide a natural playground and filming canvas. The San Jose de la Laguna Mission Church, dating back to the early 1700s, adds a historic and architectural anchor to the town. Hiking the nearby Lookout Mountain Trail offers a moderate 4-mile round trip with panoramic views of the forested landscape and a chance to breathe in the crisp mountain air. Summer and early fall are ideal times to visit Cuba when the wildflowers bloom and the hiking conditions are at their best, adding to the vibrant scenes that have made this region a favorite for storytellers on screen.