New Mexico, also known as the Land of Enchantment, is a beautiful state with diverse landscapes, a rich cultural heritage, and a long history. It’s also a land of mystery and intrigue, perfect for riddles and brain teasers. Here are 37 riddles about New Mexico to challenge your mind and teach you more about this southwestern state.
Riddles about New Mexico Cities and Towns
Let’s start with some riddles about the cities and towns of New Mexico.
Riddle 1
This city’s name means “The Meadows” in Spanish. It’s the largest city in New Mexico and sits along the Rio Grande. What is it?
Answer: Albuquerque
Riddle 2
Founded as La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco in 1610, this city has the oldest public building in America and serves as New Mexico’s capital. What is it?
Answer: Santa Fe
Riddle 3
Home to New Mexico Tech and founded as a mining town, this city’s name means “the crosses” in Spanish. What is it?
Answer: Socorro
Riddle 4
This artistic town in northern New Mexico takes its name from the turquoise gems found nearby. What is it?
Answer: Turquoise
Riddle 5
Founded in 1706 and located along the Camino Real trade route, this town’s full name means “holy faith of our lady of the light.” What is it?
Answer: Santa Fe de Nuevo México
Riddle 6
This town near the Texas border takes its name from the Spanish word for “crossing.” What is it?
Answer: Las Cruces
Riddle 7
Home to the New Mexico Military Institute, this town’s name refers to a treacherous section of the Pecos River. What is it?
Answer: Roswell
Riddle 8
This southern New Mexico town’s name comes from a coal-mining company that operated there. What is it?
Answer: Carlsbad
Riddles about New Mexico Geography
Next up, let’s look at some riddles about the diverse geography of New Mexico.
Riddle 9
I’m the southernmost ski resort in the United States. Skiers flock to my slopes from Thanksgiving to early April. What am I?
Answer: Ski Apache
Riddle 10
I’m a national park in northwestern New Mexico known for my eroded sandstone cliffs and tall, slender spires. What am I?
Answer: Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Riddle 11
I’m a desert valley straddling the Rio Grande, known for my hot air balloons and thriving viticulture. What am I?
Answer: Albuquerque Valley
Riddle 12
Located east of Alamogordo, I’m the largest crater in the continental United States and was created about 50,000 years ago by a meteorite. What am I?
Answer: Omni Crater
Riddle 13
I’m a winding gorge with steep cliffs located near Taos. Georgia O’Keeffe painted me frequently. What am I?
Answer: Ghost Ranch
Riddle 14
I’m the highest point in New Mexico at 13,161 feet. Wheeler Peak is my tallest summit. What am I?
Answer: Sangre de Cristo Mountains
Riddle 15
I’m a desert covering parts of New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico. I’m home to the white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park. What am I?
Answer: Chihuahuan Desert
Riddle 16
I’m a limestone cave system near Carlsbad named for my jagged, sawtooth formations. What am I?
Answer: Lechuguilla Cave
Riddles about New Mexico History
Let’s look back in time now with riddles about New Mexico history.
Riddle 17
I explored New Mexico for Spain in the early 1500s and gave the state its full name. Who am I?
Answer: Francisco Vásquez de Coronado
Riddle 18
I led a slave revolt against Spanish colonists in New Mexico in 1680. Who am I?
Answer: Popé
Riddle 19
I established missions in New Mexico in the late 1500s and early 1600s to convert Native Americans to Christianity. My statue stands in Santa Fe’s plaza. Who am I?
Answer: Don Juan de Oñate
Riddle 20
Billy the Kid was jailed and shot dead in my New Mexico town on July 14, 1881. What’s the name of my town?
Answer: Fort Sumner
Riddle 21
I’m an Native American pueblo located just north of Albuquerque that also names the New Mexico volcano nearby. What am I?
Answer: Sandia Pueblo
Riddle 22
I was a famous lawman and gunfighter who was sheriff in Lincoln County during the Lincoln County War. Who am I?
Answer: Pat Garrett
Riddle 23
I led Mexican revolutionary forces against the U.S. in 1846, defending New Mexico in the Battle of Santa Fe. Who am I?
Answer: Governor Manuel Armijo
Riddles about New Mexico Culture
Next up are riddles related to New Mexico’s rich culture and traditions.
Riddle 24
I’m a type of flute carved from the hollowed stem of an agave plant. I’m an important instrument in Native American music across the Southwest. What am I?
Answer: Flauta
Riddle 25
I’m a Feria held each July in Santa Fe celebrating the city’s Spanish heritage. People dress up and party during my two days of revelry. What am I?
Answer: Santa Fe Fiesta
Riddle 26
I’m a traditional adobe oven used especially in New Mexico. My name comes from the Spanish word for “beehive.” What am I?
Answer: Horno
Riddle 27
A woven textile and rug style originating with Navajo people in New Mexico and Arizona. My name means “one that was woven” in Navajo. What am I?
Answer: Navajo rug
Riddle 28
I’m a genre of religious Spanish folk music traditionally sung during Lent and Holy Week. I’m an important tradition in Hispanic culture across New Mexico. What am I?
Answer: Alabado
Riddle 29
A style of poetry popularized by cowboy poets in New Mexico, I compare such things as old lovers or places to items like wrecked cars or worn saddles. What poetic style am I?
Answer: Rusty hinge school of cowboy poetry
Riddle 30
I’m a New Mexican sacramental wine drunk during communion made from grapes and juniper berries. What traditional beverage am I?
Answer: Sacramental wine
Riddles about New Mexico Native Wildlife
Let’s look at some of the unique animals found in New Mexico’s varied environments.
Riddle 31
With my black mask and bushy ringed tail, I’m the state mammal of New Mexico. Who am I?
Answer: Ring-tailed cat
Riddle 32
I’m the state bird of New Mexico, named for my red plumage. I’m associated with Mexican folklore. What am I?
Answer: Roadrunner
Riddle 33
With my branched antlers, I’m the largest species of deer in New Mexico. Hunting me is a popular fall tradition. What am I?
Answer: Elk
Riddle 34
I’m New Mexico’s state fish, found in the Pecos River as well as ponds and lakes. My name comes from Greek for “black fish.” What am I?
Answer: Black bass
Riddle 35
I’m the state insect of New Mexico, named for my black-tipped wings. I’m among the largest butterflies in North America. What am I?
Answer: Sandia hairstreak butterfly
Riddle 36
With my spiky tail and flat body, I’m a type of lizard well-adapted to desert life in New Mexico. What am I?
Answer: Horned lizard
Riddle 37
I’m the state vegetable of New Mexico and an important crop grown in the Socorro Valley. What nutritious food am I?
Answer: Chile pepper
Conclusion
New Mexico’s varied landscapes, rich cultures, and unique wildlife provide endless inspiration for riddles and brain teasers. How many of these riddles could you solve? Learning more about the Land of Enchantment through these puzzles is a fun way to stretch your mind. Whether you live in New Mexico or are just passing through, keep your eyes open for more mysteries waiting to be solved!
