Day Hiking

Day Hiking Areas

• Black Kettle NG RD

  The Black Kettle and McClellan Creek National Grasslands contains over 31,000 acres in both Texas and Oklahoma.

• Black Kettle Campground
• Black Kettle Loop - Great Plains Trail
• Croton Creek Trailhead
• Lake Marvin Boating Site
• Lake McClellan UTV/ATV Area Trailhead
• Skipout Campground
• Magdalena RD

  Tracing its roots from 1899 with the creation of the Gila Forest Reserve and its name from 1906, the Magdalena Ranger District has been a part of Magdalena's economic life for nearly a century. This long history makes the U.S. Forest Service the oldest continuous business in Magdalena. At approximately 800,000 acres (320,000hectares)the Magdalena Ranger District is the largest of four mountain Districts and four grasslands administered by the Cibola National Forest.

  The District itself is composed of four separate and distinct mountain ranges in southwest New Mexico covering the three counties of Socorro, Catron, and Sierra. The ranges include the Datils, Bears, San Mateos and Magdalena Mountains. From the peak of South Baldy at 10,700 feet dropping in elevation to under 6,000 feet in the southern portion of the San Mateos, varied topography and ecosystems can be found on the district.

  Recreation and Wilderness

  Recreational activities include hiking, camping, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, hunting, and four-wheeling to name a few. To host these activities, the district has five small-developed campgrounds including Water Canyon, Springtime, Luna Park, Beartrap and Hughes Mill. With limited use of the campgrounds primary recreational values are the many dispersed, primitive, and unconfined acres.

  Created in 1980, the Apache Kid and Withington Wilderness' are located in the San Mateo Mountains. Some 190 miles of trails are located throughout the district centered primarily in the Magdalena and San Mateo Mountains. Maintained roads total about 500 miles with another 600 miles of unimproved roads. Thompson Canyon is a noted popular rock climbing area with the challenging Enchanted Tower.

• Mesa Trail
• Mesa Trailhead
• Six Mile Trail
• South Canyon Trail
• Mount Taylor RD

  Each season on the Mt. Taylor Ranger District provides different opportunities for the forest visitor.  In late spring, summer and early fall, hikers and backpackers can enjoy the beautiful vistas along Gooseberry Spring Trail as they approach the summit of Mt. Taylor or Strawberry Canyon Trail on the way to McGaffey Lookout Tower in the Zuni Mountains. Fall offers warm, clear days and crisp, cool nights and brings with it abundant hunting opportunities in the Zuni Mountains and on Mt. Taylor.  Stands of aspen across the district provide beautiful gold and red foliage.  Winter sports include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.  The well-known Mt. Taylor Winter Quadrathlon offers the adventuresome a challenging endurance race every February. In summer, skies often display single and double rainbows after seasonal monsoons. 

  Developed recreation sites include Quaking Aspen, McGaffey, and Ojo Redondo in the Zuni Mountains and Coal Mine and Lobo Canyon on Mt. Taylor.  Photographers and history buffs alike can find many areas to explore and capture memories. The sunsets are truly beautiful to watch as dusk approaches. 

• Coal Mine Interpretive Trail
• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail TH
• Gooseberry Springs Trail
• Gooseberry Springs Trailhead
• Strawberry Canyon Trail
• Strawberry Canyon Trailhead
• Water Canyon Trail
• Water Canyon Trailhead
• Mountainair RD

  The Mountainair Ranger District is located southeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The District is comprised of two divisions: The Gallinas and the Manzanos.

  The District has many recreational opportunities, including camping, hiking, picnicking. It also is home to the Manzano Wilderness Area.

• Albuquerque Trail
• Albuquerque Trailhead
• Box Canyon Trailhead
• Cerro Blanco Trailhead
• Comanche Trailhead
• Cottonwood Trail
• Cottonwood Trailhead
• Encino Trailhead
• Fourth of July Trailhead
• Gavilan Trail
• Kayser / Cottonwood Trailhead
• Manzano Crest North Trailhead
• Manzano Crest South Trailhead
• Monte Largo Trailhead
• New Canyon Trailhead
• Ox Canyon Trailhead
• Pine Shadow Trailhead
• Red Canyon/spruce Spring Trailhead
• Trail Canyon Trailhead
• Trigo Trailhead
• Sandia Ranger District

  Just east of Albuquerque are the most visited mountains in New Mexico. Millions of people journey into the Sandia Mountains each year. More than half these visitors ride the Sandia Peak Tram or drive the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway to take in spectacular panoramic views of Central New Mexico and to enjoy many other recreational opportunities. The Sandia Crest Scenic Byway 536, has several newly remodeled picnic grounds with shelters and group areas for reservation.

  The National Fee Project is currently in operation for all developed sites on the Scenic Byway and along the west and north sides of the district inthe Juan Tabo, Basin, and Las Huertas Canyon Areas. A daily amenity fee of $3.00 is required for all vehicles parking in designated, developed recreation sites around the District. An annual pass is favorable, with particular support given to the concept of fees staying available to the unit where they are collected.  The annual Sandia Ranger District Amenity pass is $30.00 and can be purchased at the Sandia Ranger Station, Tijeras, NM, the Forest Service Supervisor's Office, Albuquerque, NM, and REI, Albuquerque, NM.

  The Sandias are part of the signature of Albuquerque's unique sense of place. They serve as a premier refuge to a population of over 700,000 people in the extended metropolitan area. Over one-third of the State's school-age population lives within an hour's drive of the Sandias, and there is a great demand for fire prevention, fire ecology, and other environmental education programs.

  Sandia Mountain is a landmark in the spiritual universe of many active traditional Indian beliefs. It is regularly visited for ceremonial purposes by the Sandia Pueblo and at least annually by many other pueblos. It also has direct ties to Spanish land grant communities established by the King of Spain in the 1700's and Mexican land grants from the 1820's. Some Spanish land grants adjoining the Sandias are still active.

  Water sources are not only sacred to Indian beliefs, but also played a key role in sustaining the agricultural bases of the land grant communities. Several ditch systems still function today, including one actively maintained in Las Huertas Canyon as an "acequia madre" for a community's agricultural water. These traditional communities are encountering greater conflicts with the growing recreational uses of the Sandias.

  The lesser-known southern part of the District includes the Manzanita Mountains, which form a low ridge between the Sandias to the north and the Manzano Mountains to the south.

  The Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Site is located behind the Sandia Ranger Station office. The Friends of the Tijeras Pueblo maintain and provide education through the use of a monthly lecture series which meets at the Sandia Ranger Station every second Tuesday of the month.

  A portion of this area is in the Military Withdrawal, where public use has been restricted since 1943. The Military Withdrawal and adjacent Forest Service land is currently the subject of intensive ecosystem planning to reduce fuel loads and the risk of wildfire, to enhance wildlife habitat and ecosystem health.

  In many ways wildlife, fish and rare plants are the measure of our success as ecosystem managers. Species diversity and abundance relate to ecosystem health. The District wildlife program features habitat enhancement projects, inventory and monitoring of emphasis species, and informative and education. The program relies heavily on the support of partnership groups such as the Albuquerque Wildlife Federation, Hawk Watch International, Central New Mexico Audubon Society, Sandia Mountain Bear Watch, and the New Mexico Habitat Stamp program; the wildlife program is integrated into fire/fuels, recreation, and forest health project objectives and Quivira Coalition.

• Foothills Trails of Sandia Mountain

  The foothills trails include Albuquerque Open Space trails 305, 305a and 366. US Forest Service Foothills Trail 365. Foothills trail 365 weaves in and out of Open Space, private, residential and Forest Service lands.

  Trails open for Hiking and Mountain Biking.

  **Please refer to the map links below to plan your course. Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed.

  Open Space Map Look for "Foothills" under Open Space Trail Maps.

  Sandia Mountain Trail Guide

• 305, 305a & 366 City Open Space Connecting Trails
• Foothills Trail 365
• PinoTrailhead-Elena Gallegos Trailhead
• Manzanita Mountains Recreation Zone

  All recreation areas and trailheads south of Interstate 40 within the Sandia Ranger District.

  • Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.
  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed
  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to know which trails are designated for motorized vehicles and to follow the guidelines.
  • This is a multi-use area.
  • Trail(s) open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and OHV use.

  Area Trailheads:

  • Lower Pine Trailhead (area is unavailable)
  • Chamisoso Trailhead
  • Coyote Trailhead
  • Tunnel Canyon Trailhead
  • Otero Canyon Trailhead
  • Pine Flat Trailhead
  • Cedro Trailhead
  • Oak Flat Trailhead

  Area Picnicking:

  • Pine Flat Group Picnic Area
  • Oak, Yucca and Locust Picnic Group Areas

  Area Camping:

  • Cedro Peak Camping Area
• Cedro Trailhead

  Cedro Trailhead (near Cedro Camping sites) gives access to Middle Trail 05623 & Cedro Singletrack Trail 05625.

  Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.

  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed.
  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to use a map.
  • It is a multi-user area.
  • Trail(s) open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, 2 Wheel Motorized Vehicles and Horseback Riding.
  • Be courteous to other users – motorized vehicles and bicycles yield to hikers and horses.
  • Travel only on established trails.
• Cedro Peak Camping Sites - Robin and Jay
• Cedro Peak Trail 05240
• Cedro Singletrack Trail 05625
• Meadow Ridge Trail 05627
• Meadow Singletrack Trail 05625
• Middle Trail 05623
• Rabbit Run Trail 05605
• Rattlesnake Trail 05056
• Chamisoso Trailhead, Trail 05184 & Link 05620

   

  Chamisoso Trailhead is approximately 2 miles south of I-40, on NM 337. There are 2 gravel parking areas across from each other with room for trailers.

  The trailhead provides access to Chamisoso Trail 05184 by way of Powerline Trail 05543.  If you travel further up the road you will come to Coyote Trailhead which leads to Coyote-Chamisoso Link 05620, Forest Road 462, Coyote Trail 05619 and Coyote Split Trail 05851. 

  Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.

  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed.
  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to use a map.
  • It is a multi-user area.
  • Be courteous to other users – motorized vehicles and bicycles yield to hikers and horses
  • Travel only on established trails

  Trails/Roads from this trailhead are open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, OHV's (FS 462 only), & 2 Wheel Motorized vehicles.

  **Off Highway Vehicles (OHV) less than or equal to 50 inches wide may use Forest Roads 462, 12, 13, 542 & Meadow Ridge 05627 ONLY. Make sure to consult your map. (Look on the map for the black and white choppy lines).

• ATV Bypass 05617
• Coyote TH, Coyote Trls 05620, 05619, 05851, FR 462
• Coyote TH, Coyote Trls 05620, 05619, 05851, FR 462
• Delberts Trail 05622
• Jackalope Trail 05624
• Powerline Trail 05543
• Lower Pine Trailhead & Lower Pine Trail 05606

  Lower Pine Trailhead is located off NM 333 aka Old Route 66. Turn at the Kennedy Road/Bartolo Baca Road. It is the northern most access to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System.

  It gives access to Lower Pine Trail 05606, Tablazon Canyon Trail 05629; Pinyon Trail 05607, Gear Grinder Trail 05630, Lone Pine Trail 05628 and Bear Scat Trail, 05027.

  • Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.
  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed
  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to know which trails are designated for motorized vehicles and to follow the guidelines.
  • It is a multi-user area.
  • Trail(s) from this trailhead are open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding, 2 Wheel Motorized and OHV use.
• Bear Scat Trail 05027
• Forest Service Roads 462, 12, 13 and 542
• Gear Grinder Trail 05630
• Lone Pine Trail 05628
• Mighty Mule Trail 05257
• Pinyon Trail 05607
• Tablezon Canyon Trail 05629
• Mars Court Trailhead

  Mars Court Trailhead is approximately 9.4 miles south of I-40, off NM 337. The trailhead provides access to David Canyon via Manzanita Mountains Trail System. The parking area can accommodate a small number of horse trailers as well as approximately 10 + vehicles.

  Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.

  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed

  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to know which trails are designated for motorized vehicles and to follow the guidelines.

  • It is a multi-user area.

  • Trail(s) open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and OHV use.

• 3 Bottles Advanced - 3 Bottles Flow Trail 05641
• Cajun Pine Trail 05049
• Cajun Turkey Trail 05048
• Drop In Trail 05238
• Forest Service Road 106
• Forest Service Road 335
• Forest Service Road 530
• More Turkey Trail 05643
• Southern Crossing 05050
• Turkey Trot Trail 05162
• West Boundary Trail 05642
• Wild Turkey Trail 05161
• Oak Flat Trailhead & Connector Trail 05637

  As you enter the Oak Flat Picnic Site entrance, take a left turn and follow the pavement to the parking area at very end. Oak Flat Connector Trailhead accesses Oak Flat Connector Trail 05637.

  Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.

  • NO CAMPING ALLOWED OR AUTHORIZED in Oak Flat Area
  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed
  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to know which trails are designated for motorized vehicles and to follow the guidelines.
  • It is a multi-user area.
  • Trail(s) open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and 2 Wheel Motorized trail riding.
• Another Juan (Bites the Dust) Trail 05603
• Caida Del Pino Trail 05640
• Easy Pickin' Trail 05638
• Mahogany Trail 05602
• Oak, Yucca, and Locust Group Picnic Sites
• Pokerchip Trail 05612
• Ponderosa Trail 05604
• Rocky Top Trail 05610
• Otero Canyon Trailhead

  Otero Canyon Trailhead is approximately 4 miles south of I-40, on NM 337. The parking area provides space for approximately 20 passenger cars with no designated trailer parking.

  • Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.
  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed
  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to know which trails are designated for motorized vehicles and to follow the guidelines.
  • It is a multi-user area.

  Trail(s) open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and 2 Wheel Motorized trail riding.

• Blue Ribbon Trail 05236
• Cedro Creek Nature Trail 05236B
• Gnasty Trail 05057
• Otero Canyon Trail 05056
• West Ridge Trail 05268
• Pine Flat Connector Trailhead & Trail 05635

  Pine Flat Connector Trailhead accesses the Manzanita Mountains Trail System by way of the Pine Flat Connector Trail 05635. The trailhead begins at FS Road 54, at the south end of  Pine Flat Picnic Site.

  Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.

  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed

  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to know which trails are designated for motorized vehicles and to follow the guidelines.

  • It is a multi-user area.

  • Trail(s) open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and 2 Wheel Motorized use.

• Deadman Trail 05639
• Gambel Oak 05618
• Gambel Spur Trail 05633
• Pine Flat Picnic Site
• Pine Loop Trail 05636
• Tijeras Pueblo Archaeological Interp Site & Trail
• Tunnel Canyon Trailhead

  Tunnel Canyon Trailhead is located approximately two and a half miles south of I-40. It gives access to Tunnel Canyon Trail 05145, which is 2.4 miles long, and Birdhouse Ridge Trail 05411, both of which lead into the Manzanita Mountains Trail System.

  Please refer to the Manzanita Mountains Trail System map to plan your course.

  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed.
  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to use a map.
  • It is a multi-user area.
  • Trail(s) open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking, 2 Wheel Motorized Vehicles and Horseback Riding.
  • Be courteous to other users – motorized vehicles and bicycles yield to hikers and horses.
  • Travel only on established trails.
• Birdhouse Ridge Trail 05411
• Tunnel Canyon Trail 05145
• Placitas Trail System

  Placitas Trail System is at the north end of the Sandia Mountains.

  Please refer to the Placitas Area Trail System  and the Sandia Mountain Trails map to plan your course.

  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed.

  The Placitas Area Trail System encompasses a number of designated National Forest System trails as well as a number of user-created, unofficial trails. The Sandia Ranger District asks users to minimize their impact(s) to this fragile environment by observing the following:

  • Be courteous to other users – bicycles yield to hikers and horses
  • Travel only on established trails – limit cross country travel
  • Trail construction is not permitted unless approved by the Cibola National Forest Service
  • Bicycles are not permitted within the Sandia Mountain Wilderness
• Bobsled Spur 53
• Bobsled Trail 52
• Bootleg Trail 54
• Chalk Dust Trail 35
• Del Agua Trail 248
• Fence Line Trail 58
• High Voltage Trail 59
• Highside Trail 63
• Mustang Alley 60
• Piedra Lisa North Trailhead--Piedra Lisa Trail 135
• Placitas Trailhead
• Sidetrack Trail 81
• Sidewinder Trail 61
• Strip Mine Trailhead & Strip Mine Trail 51
• Tightrope Trail 17
• Sandia Crest Trails & Trailheads

  SANDIA CREST TRAILS & TRAILHEADS

  ENJOY!

  Want to take a hike, but not sure which trail to take?

  Look for "Suggested Hikes" and "Useful Information" when you refer to the Sandia Crest Trails and Trailheads and Sandia Mountain Trail Guide to plan your course.

  • Cell phone coverage is not guaranteed
  • It is the recreationist’s responsibility to know which trails are designated for motorized vehicles and to follow the guidelines.
  • It is a multi-user area.
  • Trail(s) open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking and Horseback Riding.
• 10k Trailhead and 10K Trail 200
• Buried Cable Trail 272
• Challenge Trail 233
• Crest House Nature Trail 98
• Crest Spur Trail 84
• Crest Trail 130 - North & South
• Ellis Trailhead, Ellis Trail 202 & FR 488
• Four Seasons Nature Trail 97
• Gravel Pit Trail 339
• King of The Mountain Trail
• Kiwanis Cabin Interpretive Site
• Kiwanis Cabin Trail 93 & Road 94
• Kiwanis Meadow Trail 16
• Rocky Point Trail 9
• Survey Trail 203
• Switchback Trail 271
• Sandia Mountains

  The Sandia Mountains are chock full recreational activities, for all seasons.

  Just east of Albuquerque, the Sandia Mountains are the most visited mountains in New Mexico. Millions of people journey into the Sandia Mountains each year. More than half these visitors ride the Sandia Peak Tram or drive the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway to take in spectacular panoramic views of Central New Mexico and to enjoy many other recreational opportunities. The Sandia Crest Scenic Byway 536, has several picnic sites with shelters and group areas for reservation.

  • If you recreate on a regular basis in the Sandias or other National Lands you might consider purchasing one of the America the Beautiful Passes or a Sandia Annual Pass at the locations listed below.

  Sandia Mountain Trails

• 3 Gun Trailhead/ 3 GunTrl 194/ Hawk Watch Trl 215
• Agua Sarca Trailhead & Agua Sarca Trail 231
• EAST SIDE

  EAST ASPECT - All trails and picnic sites found on the east side of the Sandia Mountain Range.

• Armijo Trail 222
• Balsam Glade Nature Tr - La Madera Canyon Overlook
• Balsam Glade Picnic Site
• Barts Trail 225
• Bill Spring Trail 196
• Canoncito Trail 150
• Canyon Estates Trailhead
• Capulin Spring Picnic Site
• Cienega Canyon Picnic Site & Interpretive Trail
• Cienega Canyon Trail 148
• Cienega Equestrian Trailhead
• Cienega Horse Bypass Trail 266
• Doc Long Picnic Site
• Faulty Trail 195
• Las Huertas Picnic Site
• Osha Loop Trail 201
• Osha Spring Trail 247
• Oso Corredor Trail 265
• Penasco Blanca Trail 334
• Piedra Lisa South Trailhead-Piedra Lisa Trail 135
• Piedra Lisa/La Luz Link 137C
• Sandia Man Cave, Trailhead & Trail 72
• Sandia Peak Ski Area Alpine
• Sulphur Canyon Picnic Site
• Sulphur Canyon Trail 281
• Tecolote Trailhead & Tecolote Trail 264
• Tree Spring Trailhead and Tree Spring Trail 147
• Upper Faulty Trail 195A
• Tunnel Spring Trailhead & North Crest Trail 130
• WEST SIDE

  WEST SIDE - All trails and picnic sites on the west side of the Sandia Mountain Range.

• Chimney Canyon Trail 137A
• Domingo Baca Trail 230
• Embudito Trailhead & Embudito Trail 192
• Embudo TH, Embudo Trail 193 & Horse Bypass 193A
• Hawk Watch Trail 215
• Juan Tabo Picnic Sites
• La Cueva Trailhead-La Cueva Trail 83 & Picnic Site
• La Luz Trailhead and La Luz Trail 137
• Pino Trail 140
• Tramway Trailhead and Trail 82