Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway

State: New Mexico
Length: 154 mi / 247.8 km
Time to Allow: 13 hours, which includes backtracking, to drive the byway, or several days to fully take in the sights

For those interested in learning about the history of New Mexico and the various people who make their home in this area, the Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway is an incredible first foray into the history of the area. Not only are there countless museums and education opportunities along the snaking byway, but there are also restored historic locations that give visitors a glimpse into the past. For those who look to explore history on their own two feet, there are plenty of walking, hiking, and biking trails along the way that highlight not only the unique terrain of this area but also give you a closer look at some of the key locations in past conflicts that created what is now New Mexico.

While this trail is locally known as a gorgeous scenic destination, Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway has an interesting history behind it, one that is tragic and complex, and honors both the history of New Mexico and the people who called the area home (and still do to this day), long before Europeans moved into the area. The Apache is a group of Native American tribes in the southwest region of what is now the United States and portions of Mexico.

Geronimo Trail gets its name in honor of Goyaalé, better known by the name “Geronimo,” a name given due to his outstanding bravery in combatting Mexican and United States troops during the eventual takeover of the southwestern territories during the Mexican-American war and the following colonization. Geronimo was neither a chief or a soldier, but he led a group of Apache made up of largely women and children, as well as a few men, to escape from soldier-guarded reservations and fight back against the armies displacing his people. While his story is one marked by tragedy, it is one worth remembering due to his incredible bravery and heroism, as well as his several surrenders to not only protect those with him but to attempt to reunite them with families and people they had been displaced from.

It is important to note that while this byway is an incredible place of recreation and scenic views, it is also one of learning, as it sheds light on the complex tensions in the area, both with the Mexican fight for independence, as well as the steady displacement and abuse of the Apache people who lived in the area. While there are plenty of opportunities to visit this byway as a purely recreational destination, it is important to remember the history of the area and honor the people who came before, and those who still make their home in the area. No matter what brings you to Geronimo Trail Scenic Byway, you are sure to leave with a new appreciation for the history of New Mexico, from its origin as a state to its present-day existence along the southwestern border of the United States. Whether you’ve come to learn about history, or simply bask in the scenic views that make up this 13-hour drive, you’re sure to leave this area with a sense of awe, respect, and an appreciation for the trail and the people its name strives to honor.

If you are interested in learning more about Goyaalé, the Apache, and the complicated history of New Mexico, there are plenty of resources available online, with the Encyclopedia Britannica [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Geronimo] as a good starting point.

More New Mexico Byways

You can check out additional Byways in New Mexico by clicking on the list of byways below, or by going to the New Mexico Byways home section. To find even more of scenic byways in the United States, visit our scenic byways map.