Enchanted Circle is in north-central New Mexico about 70 miles northeast of Santa Fe. The byway forms a loop drive beginning and ending in Taos. It follows NM 38, NM 522, and US 64 for a total of 84 miles. All the roads are two-lane paved roads suitable for all types of vehicles. Enchanted Circle generally remains open year-round.
Enchanted Circle crosses Carson National Forest forming a circle around the 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, New Mexico’s highest point. The byway climbs the southern portion of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains through forests of spruce and fir, crosses wide mountain valleys and meadows, and follows alongside meandering streams and rivers.
The ghost town of Elizabethtown lies on the byway’s eastern portion, just north of the US 64 intersection. This town was established in 1870 after gold was discovered in the area; it was New Mexico’s first incorporated town. It’s reported to have been a wild and wooly place with thousands of residents, seven saloons, and three dance halls. The remains of the town are a short drive west of the byway on CR B-20 across Moreno Creek.
Farther south of Elizabethtown is another monument to American history. The Vietnam Veterans National Memorial, now operated by the Disabled American Veterans, was originally built by Dr. Victor Westphall in memory of his son who died in the Vietnam War. The memorial is open daily and has special Memorial Day Services each year.
Plenty of opportunities exist for extending your stay along the byway. The national forest developed several campgrounds with numerous shaded sites and picnic tables. Dispersed camping is also permitted nearly anywhere on national forest land.