The dreamiest maple canyon for these newlyweds
While most of New Mexico glows in shades of gold during October an November, Fourth of July Canyon's unique maple trees offer vibrant shades of peach, pink, and red. I try to make a trip here in mid-October, and it's always best when I have clients to photograph. Fortunately, Victoria and Brandon reached out about capturing some wedding portraits, since they didn't get many at their ceremony back in May, and Victoria had fallen in love with this canyon the previous autumn. Even though the color was less vibrant with our timing, we found colorful vignettes throughout the trail, and I worked a little magic in post-processing to bring out the beautiful colors of these rare maple trees.
Planning your photo session
Nestled in the Manzano Mountains, Fourth of July Canyon is about a 2-hour drive from Santa Fe and about an hour from Albuquerque. When the leaves change, throngs of New Mexico residents battle for parking spots, so it's good to arrive very early in the morning or late afternoon, especially if you plan to visit on a weekend. For these reasons, a photos session in the canyon requires booking The Whole Enchilada or a custom Adventure Package. It's never too early to book for autumn, and my 2026 books open at the end of December. Happy Leaf Peeping!
