🚗 Exploring New Mexico’s Turquoise Trail: History, Art & a Dash of Quirk

June 8, 2025

Welcome back to Part 2 of our five-part New Mexico road trip series! Last time, we took a deep dive—literally—into the dramatic beauty of the Rio Grande Gorge. But this week, we’re changing gears as we take a slower, more scenic route: the unforgettable Turquoise Trail.

If you’ve ever wanted to step back in time, meet eccentric artists, explore ghost towns, and eat the best green chili in the world—all in one day—then buckle up. This 50-mile stretch between Santa Fe and Tijeras is New Mexico in a nutshell: vibrant, mysterious, historical, and delightfully odd.

🗺️ What Is the Turquoise Trail?

The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway winds its way through the Sandia Mountains, connecting Albuquerque and Santa Fe while bypassing the interstate altogether. Though it’s just 50 miles long, don’t let the distance fool you—this byway is packed with more charm and curiosity than routes five times its length.

💎 Where does the name come from? This region was rich in turquoise, mined for centuries by the Puebloan peoples who considered the stone sacred. Turquoise from this very area made its way as far as Mesoamerica, woven into ceremonial items, mosaics, and trade goods long before Spanish explorers ever set foot here.

📸 First Stop: Sculptures and Sandstone Surprises

We had planned our first official stop at Origami in the Garden, the private sculpture garden of artists Kevin and Jennifer Box. Unfortunately, we arrived just before it opened for the season. 😔

But even from the road, the artwork was mesmerizing—massive, metal origami-style sculptures standing against the desert backdrop, delicate in form but powerful in presence.

Just down the road, we were wowed again by unexpected sandstone formations—rising 25 to 50 feet from the ground. Think of it as New Mexico’s mini version of Colorado’s Garden of the Gods. Yet again, the Turquoise Trail proves that getting off the beaten path often brings the best surprises.

🏚️ Cerrillos: A Mining Town Frozen in Time

Next, we pulled into Cerrillos (pronounced SER-ee-yos), a near ghost town that once teemed with miners, saloons, and untamed ambition. Today, it’s a charming throwback to the Old West with a population of just 115.

🏛️ A Museum of Curiosities

We stopped at the Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum, housed inside the quirky Casa Grande Trading Post. This place is a mix of authentic relics and what we lovingly call “grandpa’s garage-style exhibits.” 🛠️ If you like eccentric collections, random artifacts, and some questionable taxidermy, you’ll be thoroughly entertained.

Oh, and there’s a petting zoo next door. Because why not?

⛏️ The Original Turquoise Capital

This region was mined long before the Spanish arrived, and many scholars believe turquoise from these hills ended up in Chaco Canyon’s famed mosaics. By the mid-1800s, the town boomed with miners seeking gold, silver, lead, and coal. At its height, Cerrillos had 21 saloons and 4 hotels. Today, only dusty echoes remain.

🎨 Madrid: Quirky with a Capital “Q”

After Cerrillos, we cruised south into Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid, not like the Spanish capital). You can feel the energy shift the moment you enter town—suddenly, the landscape bursts into color, with brightly painted buildings, kinetic art, and motorcycles lining the streets.

💥 From Ghost Town to Art Town

Madrid was once a booming coal-mining town, providing fuel for the Santa Fe Railroad and WWII efforts. When the mines closed in the 1950s, it became a ghost town… until artists moved in during the 1970s.

They painted, planted, sculpted, and reinvented the place. Today, Madrid is a living gallery, home to eclectic galleries, boutiques, biker bars, and creative souls who wouldn’t live anywhere else.

🎬 Fun Fact: Madrid was the filming location for the movie Wild Hogs (2007), which feels fitting in a town where art, motorcycles, and offbeat charm collide.

🌶️ Must-Try Stop: Mine Shaft Tavern

If you've been following our travels, you know we’re on an eternal quest for the best green chili in the Southwest. And the Mine Shaft Tavern did not disappoint. 🍽️

This restored 1890s saloon is dripping with atmosphere—worn wooden floors, old mining tools on the walls, and a menu that pulls no punches. We indulged in their green chili cheeseburger, and it might just be our new gold standard. 🏆🌶️

🚐 RV Tip: Parking in Madrid is tight, especially if you're in a larger rig. There’s a gravel lot at the north end of town that accommodates RVs—plan to walk a bit from there.

🪙 Golden: Where the Rush Began

Tiny and often overlooked, Golden is more than a dot on the map. It was the site of the first gold rush west of the Mississippi, kicking off in the 1820s—well before California’s famed boom.

🕊️ Landmarks & Legacy

Golden’s most striking feature is the San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church, a beautifully restored adobe building surrounded by a peaceful cemetery. It’s a perfect photo stop and a quiet place to reflect on the generations that came (and went) in pursuit of fortune.

🛍️ Henderson General StoreThe only business in town, this humble shop—open since 1918—sells authentic Native American jewelry, textiles, and pottery. It’s a reminder that even in the smallest places, rich culture and craftsmanship thrive.

🌄 Final Stop: Lantern Ridge Farm Market

We ended our Turquoise Trail adventure at Lantern Ridge Farm Market, located near Sandia Crest. This isn’t just a market—it’s a restaurant, a nursery, a coffee shop, and an event space all rolled into one. And yes, you’ll find green chili here too. 🌱🌶️

With incredible mountain views, this was the ideal spot to wind down after a full day of exploration. We relaxed, reflected, and felt grateful for the unexpected detours and deep history that make the Turquoise Trail such a gem.

🧭 Final Thoughts: Why the Turquoise Trail Should Be On Your Bucket List

If you’re looking for a road that’s more than just pavement—a road that tells stories, sparks creativity, and offers wild little surprises at every turn—the Turquoise Trail is for you.

✔️ It’s short but packed with scenery.

✔️ It’s rich in Native, Spanish, and pioneer history.

✔️ It’s got enough oddball charm to keep even the quirkiest travelers entertained.

Whether you’re an art lover, history buff, nature photographer, or green chili connoisseur, this stretch of highway has something for you.

🚨 And don’t forget to tune in again—we’ll be heading into Albuquerque, uncovering petroglyphs, Old Town gems, aerial trams, and maybe even a musical highway. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it.

📌 Travel Tips for the Turquoise Trail

• 🕒 Start early to avoid crowds in Madrid.

• 🚐 RV travelers: Use designated lots or stay in nearby campgrounds.

• 🍽️ Must-Eat: Try green chili at the Mine Shaft Tavern.

• 📷 Photography lovers: Bring extra batteries—the scenery won’t quit.

• 🛍️ Souvenirs: Pick up authentic handmade goods at Henderson General Store.