denver to santa fe with kids...scenic?

We are doing a whirlwind trip driving from Minneapolis to Denver then down into New Mexico.We have four kids who enjoy seeing new things, but they are younger and we don%26#39;t have a ton of time to stop and walk or hike...little legs won%26#39;t go too far. I am wondering if driving from trinidad to santa fe on 25 would be at all scenic (keeping in mind we are from MN and have a totally different kind of landscape there.) I am looking for rock formations, desert, sand dunes, cactuses...anything to look at as we go. Or would I be better off going through the Great Sand Dunes Natl Park in Colorado and then down through Taos into Santa Fe? The more we can see along the way or close to the highway, the better. I know that sounds lame but with our young ones, we want to get the most bang for our buck!!

Thanks for your help!

denver to santa fe with kids...scenic?

I would skip I-25 if you have time. Actually Northern New Mexico is primarily mountains and mesas...except where the Great Plains creep in between Raton and Las Vegas along I-25. Having driven through Minnesota, you probably see enough of the Great Plains at home, right? :-)

Your option of traveling over to the Great Sand Dunes, then down to Taos/Taos Pueblo (a must see!), and then Santa Fe is a good one.

An alternative would be south over Raton Pass between Trinidad,CO and Raton, NM (some great views from the summit of both Colorado and New Mexico), then southwest to Cimarron, Eagle Nest, Angel Fire, and through Taos Canyon into Taos. This is very pretty country, with canyons, and pine forests!

From Taos, you have your choice of the ';High Road,'; past old Spanish villages, and churches in old communities such as Truchas, Trampas, and Chimayo; or, the ';Low Road'; along the Rio Grande River, from Taos to Espanola...then Santa Fe. Both have their merits.

You%26#39;ll see some cactus, and we are considered to be in the ';High Desert'; here in Northern New Mexico around Albuquerque/Santa Fe, but the low deserts of Southern New Mexico, and Arizona is where you%26#39;ll find the sand dunes, and big cacti such as the magnificent saguaros around Tucson.

Let us know if you have any further questions, or thoughts.

denver to santa fe with kids...scenic?

Speaking of sand dunes, you may want to consider White Sands National Monument, if you%26#39;re willing to travel that far south. Read about it here:

http://www.nps.gov/whsa/

Thanks!! That is very helpful!

Well from Denver to Santa Fe on I25 is an interesting drive. From Trinidad to Santa Fe you drive over Raton Pass, see Raton NM, visit Ft Union Nat Mon and see actual ruts from the Santa Fe Trail, Las Vegas NM and Pecos Nat Mon.

No cactus, sand dunes or even desert.. mostly prairie and mountains along this route.

Well, I have three different ways to go than the other posters. Take 285 from Denver, watch for signs for Tiny Town just after entering the mountains. Further down in the South Park area, stop at Fairplay; a good replica of an old mining town with lots of old buildings and other fun things. Staying on 285 south, just past Salida junction, you will go over Poncha Pass. After descending the pass, watch for junction of Colorado 17. This road takes you within reach of the Great Sand Dunes National Monument. The kids would have a great time climbing up and down the dunes. Colo. 17 takes you into Alamosa, where you can go east on US 160 or returning to 285 south. The first takes you east to Fort Garland where you pick up Colo. 159 south across the border into New Mexico and Taos. 285 takes you south into Espanola, NM, and Santa Fe, where you would pick up I-25. This 285 route takes you through the Colorado mountains, where you have a chance to see the continental divide, and you cross 4 mountain passes along the way. Another route just slightly different would be head west on I-70 into the mountains to Colo. 9 at Dillon, then south to Breckenridge, which was an old mining town. Mostly spruced up now but still interesting. You continue south on 9 over Hoosier Pass and down to Fairplay where you pick up 285. Or, continue on I-70 to Colo. 91, go south over Fremont Pass. Lots of old mine ruins, and one of the largest Molybdinum (?) mines in the US, and down to Leadville. This is an old mining town, and is the highest incorporated city in the US. Several old mines to explore, and there are a lot of old buildings to wander through. Continue south to Buena Vista where you pick up 285. Just the views of the 14,000 ft. peaks is worth any of these trips.

The drive from Raton to Las Vegas is painfully boring. Also there isnt too much to see between Las Vegas and Santa Fe either.