Sandia RD Foothills & Sandia Wilderness Access
The Sandia Mountains are part of the signature of Albuquerque's unique sense of place. They serve as a premier open space refuge to a population of over 700,000 people in the extended metropolitan area. Several areas of City of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County Open Space lands are located adjacent to Sandia Ranger District and Sandia Mountains. These public areas provide refuge from urban pressures and ensure habitat for vegetation and wildlife while offering access to the Sandia Mountain Wilderness landscape.
The Sandia Mountain Wilderness offers over 35,000 acres of peace and tranquility in a congressionally designated wilderness. In wilderness, there are no roads and travel is restricted to foot or horseback. Mechanized equipment, including bicycles and drones, are not allowed. This unique designation allows for solitude and discovery as visitors embark on a more primitive adventure.
General Information
For a more detailed look at the Sandia Foothill and Wilderness Trails click here.
Passes & Permits
Please see signs posted at the picnic areas for how to pay your Day Use Fee. The New Mexico Enchantment Pass and other interagency passes are accepted at these locations. Additionally, Las Huertas Picnic Site is available for advanced reservations at Recreation.gov.
Complexes
Sites accessible from Highway 165 that travels from the village of Placitas to the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway. Please be advised that the highway may require high clearance vehicles.
Las Huertas was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is located at the northeast end of the Sandia Ranger District.
The Sandia Man Cave is located on the north end of the Sandia Mountains high up on the steep cliff walls of Las Huertas Canyon. The trailhead is off of NM 165 and is
Trailhead access to Sandia Mountain Wilderness via North Crest Trail 13
The Agua Sarca Trailhead is located about 1.7 miles down Forest Road 231 (aka Tunnel Spring Road). There is a small parking area on the left. Agua
Access to Sandia Mountain Wilderness. Please refer to the Placitas Area Trail System map and Sandia Mountain Trails
Please refer to the Placitas Area Trail System and Sandia Mountain Trails map to plan your course.
Piedra Lisa North Trailhead accesses the Piedra Lisa trail from the Placitas Trail Area and quickly enters the Sandia Mountain Wilderness.
Recreation Sites
3 Gun Trailhead/ 3 GunTrl 194/ Hawk Watch Trl 215
Agua Sarca Trailhead & Agua Sarca Trail 231
Bobsled Spur 53
Canyon Estates Trailhead
Embudito Trailhead & Embudito Trail 192
Juan Tabo Picnic Sites
La Cueva Trailhead-La Cueva Trail 83 & Picnic Site
La Luz Trailhead and La Luz Trail 137
Las Huertas Picnic Site
Mustang Alley 60