Hiking

Hiking opportunities in the Santa Fe National Forest are plentiful and diverse as the life zones of the forest.  Due to the forest covering so many elevations and habitat types, there is year-round access to hiking trails on the forest.  Hikers can choose from lower front country trails for short day hikes or longer backpacks in the higher elevations of one of the four designated Wilderness areas.

Many trails are shared with equestrians and, if not in Wilderness, mountain bikers.  Please stay on the trail, as short cutting switchbacks and other off trail travel can damage the trails and cause erosion.

It’s not a good idea to leave valuables in your vehicle at any trailhead.

It’s always a good idea to let someone know your itinerary, and of course pack out anything you pack in.

For a list of available Santa Fe National Forest system trails click here - Santa Fe NF trails

Backpacking

Backpacking is a popular activity on the Santa Fe National Forest, especially in the higher elevations of the Pecos and San Pedro Parks Wilderness areas (no Wilderness permits are required). Most other areas of the forest are open to backpacking as well, and sometimes are an even better bet for solitude.

Learn and practice the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, always pack out anything you pack in, and be sure to know when there are fire closures and always take extra care with fire.

Day Hikes

Hiking or walking consistently ranks as the highest recreational use, engaging at 63 to 66 percent of visitors.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail is intended to provide for scenic, high-quality, primitive hiking and horseback riding experiences, while preserving the significant natural, historic, and cultural resources along the Trail. Cañones Creek National Recreation Trail offers spectacular views of the Cañones Canyon cliffs. Winsor National Recreation Trail is a popular trail with opportunities to view high-elevation mountain scenery.

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Recreation Opportunities

Backpacking (12)

Day Hikes (33)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 33 results

Atalaya - Upper Trailhead

Site Open

This trailhead starts within a residential area above the lower trailhead near St John's College. 

Atalaya- Lower Trailhead

Site Open

The trailhead starts near St John's College.

Battleship Rock Trailhead

Site Open

Trailhead parking for the East Fork Trail (Forest Trail 137) is located north of Battleship Rock Picnic Area, off NM State Highway 4, about five miles north of the Village of Jemez Springs. To…

Bear Wallow Trailhead

Site Open

Trailhead along the road to the Santa Fe Ski Area just above Hyde Park State Park.  Good loop options.

Big Tesuque Campground

Site Open

Big Tesuque is a travel-in campground not conducive to trailer or RV camping. There are 10 units, picnic tables and grills,  and  vaulted toilets in the parking lot.  There is no potable water…

Black Canyon Campground

Site Open

Black Canyon Campground is one of the more popular campgrounds on the Santa Fe National Forest and offers the most amenities of any of the campgrounds in the Espanola Ranger District. Some sites…

Borrego Trailhead

Site Open

The Borrego Trailhead is more traditionally thought of as the trailhead from Borrego Mesa.  The Borrego Trail goes north -south between Borrego Mesa and the Aspen Ranch Trailhead near the Santa Fe…

Burro Basin Trailhead

Site Closed

The Burro Basin Trailhead located at the end of  Forest Road 263.Uses: parking, hiking, backpacking, horseback riding.

Chamisa Trailhead

Site Open

The Chamisa Trailhead is the first Forest trailhead as you go up the road to the Santa Fe Ski Basin. 

Cowles Campground

Site Open

Cowles Campground sits at the base of the Winsor Canyon where it meets the Pecos Canyon and is near Cowles Ponds, Winsor Creek, Pecos River, and Winsor Ridge Trailhead.Note: campground shelters are…