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New Mexico ranks among top adventure states
From ski slopes and hiking trails to national parks and water sports — American Adventure Index puts New Mexico in the nation’s top 10 for outdoor vacations
New Mexico ranked as the seventh most popular location for adventure travel, according to the American Adventure Index from wander.com.
During the first month of 2026, there were more than 45K searches for “adventure vacations” in the U.S., 40% more than the previous month, highlighting the growing demand for activity-centric trips, the analysis said.
“We often refer to New Mexico as ‘adventure steeped in culture’ because we recognize how our cultural heritage alongside our outdoor recreation offerings contribute to our truly unique identity as a destination,” Cody Johnson, communications director for the New Mexico Tourism Department, said in an email.
“The accessibility of a vast variety of outdoor recreation not only enhances our appeal as a leisure destination for travelers but also improves the quality of life for residents.”
New Mexico received points in the ranking for its two national parks — Carlsbad Caverns National Park and White Sands National Park — and more than 10 other sites managed by the federal government including national monuments, historical parks and preserves.
Some of the featured destinations include:
Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Known for its extensive underground caves.
White Sands National Park: Famous for its rare white gypsum sand dunes.
Bandelier National Monument: Ancestral Pueblo dwellings.
Valles Caldera National Preserve: A massive volcanic caldera.
Pecos National Historical Park: Protects 18th-century mission churches and Indigenous sites.
New Mexico received recognition for outside activities in the analysis for ski resorts, mountain bike trails, camping sites and horseback riding trails, making it one of the best states for an adventure vacation, the numbers show. Despite being known for high desert scenery, New Mexico also received points for water activities like river rafting on the Chama River and Rio Grande, as well as for its lakes.
New Mexico ranked higher than Colorado and Alaska for horseback riding trails.
Wyoming was named the best state for an adventure vacation. The state leads the index for hiking trails, with 187.9 trails per 100,000 people, which is more than three times the national average of 51.9. Much of Wyoming’s adventure revolves around Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. U.S. searches for “Grand Teton hiking trails” have risen by 120% over the past year, with more people hoping to explore the beautiful landscapes and nature on offer. The park operates year-round, with winter attracting visitors for popular activities such as skiing and snowshoeing.
Alaska ranks second, with a score of 9.2. The state is home to eight national parks, more than any other state in the top 10. Alaska also supports a broad mix of outdoor exploration, with 199.3 mountain biking trails and 164.7 hiking trails per 100,000 people. The rugged terrain and breathtaking scenery in Alaska make it an ideal destination for mountain bikers, with a wide range of trails for every skill level.
Montana finishes off the top three with a score of 8.85/10. The state is the perfect place for land-based adventure, leading the nation in horseback riding, with 216.2 trails per 100,000 people, over 10 times the national average of 21.2. With options ranging from 1-hour trail rides to multi-day trips, there are options for everyone looking to experience the scenery from horseback.
Wyoming has almost 19 hiking trails per 100,000 people, the highest rate in the country. Trails wind through geothermal landscapes, alpine ranges, and high plains, often with far fewer people than you would expect. Summer is the most popular season for hikers in Wyoming; however, the winter months offer snowshoeing routes for those feeling more adventurous. If you’re looking for a peaceful hike, then early fall is ideal.
Vermont can boast the highest number of mountain biking trails, with 484 for every 100,000 people. Routes vary widely, allowing riders to mix technical terrain with scenic rides throughout the day. Vermont hosts many popular biking events throughout the year, including “The Ranger,” which offers multiple routes for different skill levels.
Montana is home to the most horseback riding trails per capita, with over 215 trails for every 100,000 people. Rides in the state tend to be long and unhurried, with space to slow down and take it all in. The state currently hosts 22 registered dude ranches.
To build the index, Wander scored each U.S. state on the following indicators (normalized per 100,000 people where applicable), before averaging these to produce a final score out of 10:
Ski resorts: sourced from Ski Resort.
Mountain biking trails: sourced from Trail Forks.
Horseback riding trails: sourced from Trail Forks.
Hiking trails: sourced from AllTrails.
National Park count: sourced from Integrated Resource Management Applications (IRMA).
National Park recreation visits (2024): sourced from IRMA.
Camping sites: sourced from Tripadvisor.
Water sports listings: sourced Tripadvisor.
Find the American Adventure Index at wander.com/article/american-adventure-index. All data was collected in December 2025 and is correct as of then.
