Visit the Sunspot Scenic Byway through majestic scenery  that dazzles the eye. Take a ride up beautiful scenic Route 244 to the starting point for the Sunspot Scenic Byway and travel on it to its end at the Sacramento Peak National Solar Observatory.

From an elevation of 8,360 feet at its lowest point in Haynes Canyon to 9,500 feet near Alamo Peak, the Sunspot Highway traverses the front rim of the majestic Sacramento Mountains, offering you a variety of scenic opportunities and spectacular views of the Tularosa Basin and the ceaselessly shifting sand dunes of White Sands National Monument. On a clear day, one can see NASA's Space Shuttle "Space Port".

The Sunspot Scenic Byway winds through a beautiful scenic forest of  Fir,  Pine, and Aspen. Interpretive scenic vistas and numerous overlooks provide breathtaking views of this exceptional landscape. If you travel the Scenic Byway at the end of September or the beginning of October, you will be treated to a Fall, "change of seasons", color spectacle. The canyons and hillsides west of the road are painted in brilliant yellows, reds, and oranges as the Aspens and Maples change color and provide you with a unique and dazzling colorful experience.

 The road is located in the Hudsonian life zone containing vegetation normally found thousands of miles north. The view overlooks many additional life zones, ending in Chihuahuan desert, which extends into Mexico. The area is full of interesting wildlife including mule deer, black bear, elk,   eagles and  spotted owls. Bird watchers will likely see red tailed hawks, ravens, woodpeckers, warblers, and robins. Wildflowers include Indian paintbrushes, coneflowers, firecracker flowers, lupines, geraniums, daisies, and western yarrows. Openings in the forest afford glimpses of the San Andres Mountains, White Sands National Monument, the Tularosa Basin, and the White Sands Missile Range.

When you arrive at the end of the Sunspot Scenic Byway you will be at  the Sunspot Astronomy and Visitor Center, and the National Solar Observatory. Take some time to visit and learn how scientist explore the Sun.

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Sunspot Astronomy and Visitor Center

Not only is South-Central New Mexico a land of Natural Beauty and Wonder but also a land of scientific discovery. Whether it be Trinity site where the first Atomic Bomb was exploded or the White Sands Missile Range where all our nations rockets and missiles are tested, the South-Central area remains in the forefront  of scientific research.  Two major Observatories dedicated to exploring the Sun and the stars are located at the end of the Sunspot Scenic Byway. They are the National Solar Observatory at Sacramento Peak , which has  been a premier location for observing solar activity since the summer of 1947 and the Apache Point Observatory  dedicated to studying the stars.

You can learn more about both of these observatories by visiting the Sunspot Astronomy and Visitor Center located at the end of the Byway. The Visitor Center offers tours,  interpretive and interactive exhibits on the National Solar Observatory, the Apache Point Observatory and the science of the Lincoln National Forest.

The Visitor's Center contains:

• The Armillary Sphere and Sundial at the Sunspot Astronomy and Visitor Center

• Exhibits about how astronomers learn things about the Universe.

• Exhibits about the telescopes and facilities at our observatory.
• Exhibits about the telescopes and facilities at Apache Point Observatory.
• Exhibits about the forest and the work of the US Forest Service.
• A gift shop where you can buy books, posters, postcards, t-shirts, and sundry articles related to astronomy or the observatory.

The Visitor Center is wheelchair-accessible, and is the start and end point of guided and self-guided tours of the observatory. During the summer months, it is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm. During the winter months, the opening hours are 10 am to 4 pm, Friday, Saturday & Sunday (weather permitting).  Self-guided tours are available, year round during daylight hours. Guided tours are provided every day at 2:00 pm during the summer.

After visiting the Visitors Center, you can then go to the  Evans Facility, which has an observation room for visitors and contains two telescopes.  Next you can go visit the uniquely designed Dunn Solar Telescope at the top of the hill.  You can just walk in and look around, see the scientists at work, and see images of the Sun that are being recorded (weather permitting).

After visiting the Dunn Solar Telescope you can go to the  Scenic Viewpoint from where you have a nice view of  the Tularosa Basin, including Holloman Air Force Base and the White Sands National Monument. You can also see the Hilltop Dome which houses the  second set of telescopes at the National Solar Observatory.

For more information call: (505) 434-7190.

or Click  National Solar Observatory in Sunspot, New Mexico ,

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Directions to Sunspot Scenic Byway

Directions

The  Sunspot Scenic Byway goes from Cloudcroft to the "National Solar Observatory" in Sunspot.  From Cloudcroft, take NM 130 East (the junction with NM 82 lies at the western edge of town) and drive about 2 miles to the junction with NM 6563. Then, follow NM 6563 all the way to the end of the Sunspot Scenic Byway where the "National Solar Observatory" resides, about 15 miles . Once inside Sunspot (through the stone gate), take the first turnoff to the left (marked "visitor center") and park in front of the Visitor Center. Then, visit the Center, stroll around or take a tour.

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