Landscape Photo Adventures

📸 Day Trip 1: Classic Northern New Mexico Loop (Colorful Earth & Iconic Landforms)

Total driving time: ~4 hours round-trip (leisurely paced)

Morning:

• Ghost Ranch & Chimney Rock (Abiquiú, NM)
  • Iconic O’Keeffe landscapes, red and orange cliffs, classic badlands, rugged mesas.
  • Best shooting times: early morning (sunrise) for vivid color.

Afternoon:

• Plaza Blanca (The White Place) near Abiquiú
  • Dramatic white sandstone formations, otherworldly erosion patterns.
  • Great location for dramatic midday to late afternoon photography.

Evening:

• Rio Grande Gorge Bridge & Overlook (Taos, NM)
  • Sunset views over the gorge, cliffs bathed in warm light.
  • Consider capturing the deep gorge contrasted with pastel skies.

---

📸 Day Trip 2: Red Rocks & Mesas Loop (NM & AZ)

Total driving time: ~5 hours round-trip

Morning:

• Shiprock Peak (Shiprock, NM)
  • Massive volcanic monolith, sacred Navajo landmark.
  • Spectacular at sunrise when golden light illuminates its unique silhouette.

Midday:

• Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (UT/AZ border)
  • Classic American Southwest mesas and buttes.
  • Iconic for photography, filming locations, paintings.
  • Midday captures deep contrasts, bright blue skies, vivid red rock.

Evening:

• Four Corners Monument (Optional stop, NM/AZ/CO/UT border)
  • Interesting landmark for novelty shots and wide landscapes.
• Or return via Valley of the Gods (near Mexican Hat, UT)
  • Quiet landscapes, vivid sunsets, deep reds and oranges of sandstone formations.

---

📸 Day Trip 3: Dramatic Canyons & Waterfalls (Northern NM & Southern CO)

Total driving time: ~4.5 hours round-trip

Morning:

• Rio Grande del Norte National Monument (Wild Rivers Recreation Area) near Questa, NM
  • Deep canyons, dramatic basalt cliffs, Rio Grande vistas.
  • Early morning golden-hour photography excellent here.

Afternoon:

• Great Sand Dunes National Park (Southern CO)
  • Massive dunes against the backdrop of Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
  • Midday to afternoon shadows accentuate dune contours.

Late Afternoon / Early Evening:

• Zapata Falls (near Great Sand Dunes, CO)
  • Hidden waterfall cascading through a rocky crevasse.
  • Beautiful for slow-shutter water photography, capturing smooth flowing water.

---

🌵 Additional Bonus Day (If desired): Classic Southwestern Colors in Utah

(Recommended as an overnight stay due to longer drive)

• Arches National Park (Moab, UT)
  • World-famous rock arches, dramatic orange-red formations.
  • Classic photography of “Delicate Arch,” “Landscape Arch,” and numerous formations.
• Canyonlands National Park (near Moab, UT)
  • Majestic canyons, immense vistas from viewpoints like Island in the Sky.