Fun Fall Days around Santa Fe

Late afternoon campfire near the North Fork of Tesuque Creek. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Although I live more than 50 miles away, many of my posts celebrate the culture and beauty of Santa Fe. I usually visit New Mexico's capital city at least once a week, and have fallen in love with the adjacent forests.

A chilly November day in Santa Fe National Forest. Photo by Jim Schnur.

I enjoy sharing posts about places to see in Santa Fe. Sometimes, I just capture images around the city, or take tours of notable cultural heritage sites. I have documented gatherings and events, such as the annual burning of Zozobra and the amazing Santa Fe Indian Market.

A place to sit at Santa Fe's DeVargas Park near the Sante Fe River. Photo by Jim Schnur.

I have also shared images of seasonal change in the Santa Fe National Forest. This post looks at the fall and autumn colors in 2025. If you want to see some of the same locations during the spring, I have a great post here for you. A view from last autumn before the first snowfall is here.

Rather than writing a lot of paragraphs, I'll let the beauty of the pictures do the talking.

Santa Fe Plaza

Early fall colors at the beginning of October in Santa Fe Plaza. Photos by Jim Schnur.

Plazas are the heart of many communities with Spanish colonial origins. The Santa Fe Plaza is a popular gathering place throughout the year. A year-round Indigenous market takes place almost daily at the Palace of the Governors immediately north of the Plaza.

By October 15, chile pepper ristras replaced planters, and fall colors proliferated. Photos by Jim Schnur

Indigenous hoop dancers and drummers often perform at the Plaza. Tourists and residents alike congregate throughout the day and into the evening.

A hoop dancer from a Pueblo performing at the Santa Fe Plaza in mid-October. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Leaves approaching their peak color on October 22, during a warm fall. Photos by Jim Schnur.

Heading to the Mountain

Colors at Cathedral Park, a short walk from Santa Fe Plaza, October 29. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Late fall colors on December 3 at the "Roundhouse," New Mexico's capitol. Photo by Jim Schnur.

A notable tree at E. Alameda St. and Paseo de Peralta, October 29. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Let's take a few fall drives to Ski Santa Fe to enjoy the seasonal transitions in the nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains from late September into November the week before Thanksgiving. Enjoy the tour of this wonderful area.

On the Way to Ski Santa Fe

Aspens starting to change color by September 29. Photo by Jim Schnur.

We leave Santa Fe on New Mexico State Road 475. After a few miles of high-end mountain subdivisions, we enter Santa Fe National Forest within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. We will also briefly pass through Hyde Memorial State Park before returning to the national forest.

A little grazing by Hyde Memorial State Park on November 2. Photo by Jim Schnur.

As we gain elevation, we wil enjoy a few roadside curbs where we can see the peaks at Ski Santa Fe in the distance. The view changes as the fall landscape progresses from green to orange and gold and, finally, white.

A distant view of the ski areas in late September. Photo by Jim Schnur.

A similar view before sunset on November 2, with the moon rising. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Snow covered the ski area in this view from November 21. Photo by Jim Schnur.

A Stop at Big Tesuque

Enjoying a trail at the Big Tesuque Campground. Photo by Jim Schnur.

The Big Tesuque Campground is a popular stopping point a few miles before we reach Ski Santa Fe. From my many trips on this road, I believe some of the best fall color views of aspens are at this location.

In late September, the lot at Big Tesuque is often full for hikers and campers. Photos by Jim Schnur.

The same parking lot seemed a lot emptier less than 2 months later. Photos by Jim Schnur.

Profound fall colors at Big Tesuque on September 29. Photos by Jim Schnur.

Views from a November 2 hike along a steep trail beyond the campground. Photos by Jim Schnur.

Aspen Vista and the Tesuque Creek Trail

Green colors at Aspen Vista in late September. Photo by Jim Schnur.

The picnic area at Aspen Vista is another popular destination as we approach Ski Santa Fe. At approxiamately 9,900 feet in elevation, this location offers views of thick aspen forests. The Tesuque Creek Trail and other trails that connect allow hikers to reach elevations of over 12,000 feet.

A snowy Aspen View in November. Photo by Jim Schnur.

The portion of the Tesuque Creek Trail (Aspen Trail) near the picnic area doubles as an unimproved mountain road for US Forest Service vehicles. Let's take a walk along part of it on November 2 and November 21 to see the fall transitions.

By November 2, all the leaves fell from the aspens. Snow arrived a few weeks later. Photos by Jim Schnur.

Portions of the trail had few human footprints during my walk. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Looking into the sky from the trail a few weeks apart. Photos by Jim Schnur.

Aspens after the leaves have dropped in early November. Photos by Jim Schnur.

Sticks gathered almost like a primitive tent disappeared a few weeks later. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Continuing our drive on November 21. Photos by Jim Schnur.

An Impressive and Grand View

Looking toward Santa Fe more than 2,500 below and the Sandias in the distance. Photo by Jim Schnur.

A short distance from the entrance of Ski Santa Fe, the Vista Grande overlook provides an impressive view of much of Santa Fe, as well as distant mountains. This spot offers a great location to stand 10,000 feet above sea level and view the Sandias (more than 50 miles away) and the Jémez Mountains.

A chilly moment at the Vista Grande overlook above the clouds. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Ski Santa Fe

Arriving at Ski Santa Fe after a few stops along the way. Photo by Jim Schnur.

Ski Santa Fe usually opens for the season by November. The lifts are also open on certain weekends at the peak of fall colors for guests to enjoy the aspens and other trees. Let's visit in late September, early November, and after the first significant snowfall of the season.