Towards the northwest corner of the state of New Mexico are the Aztec ruins and Shiprock, the beautiful monolith that rises out of the rolling hills just west of Farmington. The rock is considered sacred ground to the Navajo and climbing is not allowed, but it`s worth it to hike up close for great photo opportunities.
South of Farmington off of highway 550 is one of New Mexico`s most famous ruins, Chaco Canyon. The Canyon houses a plethora of old stone and shale built pueblo buildings. If you go early in the day, you can take County Road 7500 across to highway 371, then north again on County Road 7297 to the Bisti Wilderness, an interesting geological anomaly where eroded rocks stick up out of the ground like an army of goblins.
In the east of the state, right along highway 40, is the little town of Santa Rosa, home to the Blue hole. The Blue hole is a natural spring which is open year round and attracts swimmers and divers alike. The hole is bell shaped and wider at the bottom and has a year-round temperature of 62 degrees Fahrenheit.
In the southwest are the Cibola and Gila National forests. There is ample camping amid towering pines, beautiful rivers and lakes and scenic canyons. In the town of Silver City the geologist can have a magnificent time rock-hounding. Semi precious stones such as turquoise and jade and Geods can be found in the hills and there are even Rock Hounding companies that can lead you on your trek.
Completing your tour of New Mexico, you can drive west from Carlsbad along Interstate 10 through Las Cruces, Deming and Lordsburg, then north past Tucson where you can return your car rental in Phoenix.