List of mountain ranges of New Mexico facts for kids
New Mexico is a state in the southwestern United States known for its beautiful and diverse landscapes. A big part of this beauty comes from its many mountain ranges. A mountain range is a group of mountains connected together, often formed by the same geological processes. These ranges are home to amazing wildlife, unique plants, and offer incredible views. They also play a big role in the state's history and culture.
Discovering New Mexico's Mountain Ranges
New Mexico is sometimes called the "Land of Enchantment," and its mountains are a huge reason why! From tall peaks that touch the sky to smaller hills, these mountain ranges shape the state's geography. They influence everything from the weather to where people live and what kinds of plants and animals thrive.
This is a list of some of the most important mountain ranges you can find in New Mexico. They are listed in alphabetical order to make them easy to find.
- Alamo Hueco Mountains
- Animas Mountains
- Brazos Mountains
- Brokeoff (Breakup) Mountains
- Brushy (Teethy) Mountains
- Caballo Mountains
- Canyon Creek Mountains
- Capitan Mountains
- Cebolleta Mountains
- Cedar Mountain Range
- Chupadera Mountains
- Chuska Mountains
- Cimarron (Cinnamon) Range
- Cookes Range
- Cornudas Mountains
- Crosby Mountains
- Datil Mountains
- Diablo Range
- Doña Ana Mountains
- East Potrillo Mountains
- Elk Mountains
- Fernando Mountains
- Florida Mountains
- Fra Cristobal Range
- Franklin Mountains (Partly in Texas, but important to New Mexico's border)
- Gallinas Mountains
- Gallo Mountains
- Good Sight Mountains
- Guadalupe Mountains (Shared with Texas, famous for Carlsbad Caverns National Park)
- Guadalupe Mountains (Hidalgo County)
- Hueco Mountains
- Jarilla Mountains
- Jemez Mountains (Home to the Valles Caldera, a huge volcanic crater)
- Jerky Mountains
- Jicarilla Mountains
- Kelly Mountains
- Ladron Mountains
- Little Burro Mountains
- Little Hatchet Mountains
- Long Canyon Mountains
- Los Pinos Mountains
- Luera Mountains
- Magdalena Mountains
- Mangas Mountains
- Manzanita Mountains
- Manzano Mountains
- Mimbres Mountains (Also known as the Black Range)
- Mogollon Mountains
- Mule Mountains
- Nacimiento Mountains
- Organ Mountains
- Ortiz Mountains
- Oscura Mountains
- Peloncillo Mountains
- Picacho Mountains
- Pinos Altos Range
- Pyramid Mountains
- Rincon Mountains
- Robledo Mountains
- Sacramento Mountains
- Saliz Mountains
- San Andres Mountains
- San Augustin Mountains
- San Francisco Mountains
- San Juan Mountains
- San Luis Mountains
- San Mateo Mountains (Cibola County)
- San Mateo Mountains (Socorro County)
- San Pedro Mountains (Rio Arriba County)
- San Pedro Mountains (Santa Fe County)
- Sandia Mountains (Near Albuquerque, famous for its tramway)
- Sangre de Cristo Mountains (Part of the Rocky Mountains, with New Mexico's highest peak)
- Sawtooth Mountains
- Sierra Aguilada
- Sierra Blanca (A sacred mountain for the Mescalero Apache people)
- Sierra de las Uvas
- Sierra Rica
- Socorro Mountains
- South Mountain
- Taos Mountains
- Tres Hermanas
- Tularosa Mountains
- Tusas Mountains
- Turkey Mountains
- Vera Cruz Mountains
- Victorio Mountains
- West Potrillo Mountains
- Zuni Mountains
Associated Landforms and Peaks
Many of New Mexico's mountains are connected to other important natural features. These can be valleys, specific peaks within a range, or even rivers and state parks that are shaped by the mountains. Here are some of these associated landforms:
- Albuquerque Valley
- Animas Valley
- Big Hatchet Peak
- Brushy Mountain
- Caballo Lake State Park
- Capitan Mountains Wilderness
- Chupadera Mesa, Chupadera, New Mexico
- Cimarron Canyon, Cimarron River
- Cookes Peak
- Doña Ana Peak
- Elk Mountain
- Florida Peak
- Gallinas Peak
- Hachita Valley
- Jicarilla Peak
- Ladron Peak
- Manzano Peak
- Mimbres Peak, Mimbres River
- Mule Creek
- Oscura Peak
- Plains of San Agustin
- Pyramid Peak
- Sacramento Canyon
- San Andres Peak, San Andres National Wildlife Refuge
- San Augustin Pass, San Augustin Peak
- San Mateo Canyon, San Mateo Mesa
- San Simon Valley
- Sandia Mountain Wilderness
- Taos Peak
- Truchas Peak
- Tularosa Basin
- Valles Caldera
- Victorio Peak
- Wheeler Peak (The highest point in New Mexico)
