Once every year, mountainsides around New Mexico turn yellow. Nowhere does the foliage appear more vividly than in the Santa Fe National Forest, just outside Santa Fe. Mountains overlooking the art capital of the world contain hundreds of Aspen groves. Iconic for their white bark and bright yellow leaves in the fall, the Aspens turn forest hikes into kaleidoscope adventures through yellow wonderlands. The leaves fall fast as autumn gives way to winter; so get up there as soon as you can! For the best hikes, we recommend starting at the Aspen Vista Trail and hiking as far along the 12-mile path as you like. For one of the most beautiful sights the Land of Enchantment has to offer, stick around for sunset – few views compare to golden hour in the Aspens.

The Santa Fe Aspens