Sandoval County, New Mexico

Start your road trip at the Pueblo Visitor Center. You can stop at the Jemez State Monument to visit the old ruins of the Mission. Then head to the Jemez Falls. Continue the drive  through beautiful red rock scenery to Los Alamos and Bandelier National Monument. 

For the past 7,000 years, calcium carbonate at this spot in northern New Mexico. And after all those centuries, it has formed into a natural bridge across the Jemez river, roughly 300 feet in length.  Drive northeast from Jemez Springs on New Mexico State Route 4. Just under 2 miles later, the fo...

Exit Interstate 550 and head North on Highway 4 heading towards Jemez Springs. The Spence Hot Springs Parking Lot and Trailhead is about 25 miles North off Highway 4. The trail starts on a decline into the canyon for about 800 feet before you cross the bridge over the scenic river. Continue follo...

Hiking at Tent Rocks is a must-do for anyone in the northern New Mexico area. It's an accessible trail that gives you incredible rewards with little effort. The cone-shaped "tent rocks" are the result of erosion following a volcanic explosion 6-7 million years ago, making for some incredible and ...

75 minutes north of Albuquerque, Las Conchas is a trailhead that sits right off the highway with two accessible, although small, parking lots.  Right out of the gate the wide and well worn trail drops down to follow the river north through a wide mountain valley lined with large stands of trees, ...

Although you can reach these hot springs via the main trail in the winter, the Thompson Ridge route is a shorter option that comes in from above the springs rather than below. If you go in winter, you'll need winter route finding skills for the trail (there's no signage at any point) and an all w...

These hot springs are a short hike from the parking area along the top of Forest Service Road 376. I've added additional details below in the event that the road is closed due to seasonality or you prefer to stretch your legs for a significantly longer, yet scenic hike. The GPX track is displayin...

Start your hike from the Visitor's Center and head out on the Main Loop Trail to begin. You can hike the loop in either direction, either first crossing the river across from the Visitor's Center or heading out from directly behind the Center. If you start from across the river, you'll begin with...

Bandelier National Monument encompasses over 33,000 acres of public land, including Frijoles Canyon, the home of the Ancestral Puebloans that once lived in the area. The park has miles of trails to explore the rugged countryside, but the main attractions are the cliff dwellings you'll find on the...

This is one of the most photographed festivals in the world. Professionals and amateurs gather here each year to take millions of photos, and your goal (albeit a difficult one) is to capture a unique perspective at this event. Something that conveys the particular emotion of what the balloon fest...

Up near the iconic La Luz Trailhead is a smaller and somewhat hidden trail a little farther up the road, Piedra Lisa Trail.  This short two mile climb to the ridge that divides the view of Albuquerque and Placitas tops out at a rocky outcrop that provides simply stellar views of the city and to t...

Point 8300, also nicknamed Mayan Temple by the locals, is the highest point in the Rincon Ridge. In order to reach the summit you start by following the South Piedra Lisa Trail for about 2.25 miles to the ridge. Once you reach the ridge the Piedra Lisa goes off to the right, but there is an unmar...

Leaving from the foothills above Albuquerque this trail leads you from the desert up to the peaks of the Sandia Mountains.  You'll climb from the city at 7000 ft above sea level all the way up to 10,378 ft in altitude along a trail the changes from high desert to deep pine forest.  The views alon...

You start at the hiking at base of the the San Pedro Wilderness at the San Gregorio Lake Trailhead! This particular hike is called the Vacas Trail loop.For directions: Take US 550 to Cuba (north west of Albuquerque), turn east on NM 126 and go for about 9 miles. Just past the community of Deer La...

10K trailhead springs from it a whole handful of beautiful trails.  With access to a rocky path that leads off into raw wilderness, a clean and smooth walking, hiking, and mountain biking trail covered by tall pine canopy, or a wide cut service road ideal for easy strolls, you have plenty of opti...

Start at the Sandia Mountain base terminal where you can purchase your tickets to ride the tram (Tip: If you make reservations at the peaks restaurant, High Finance, you can get a discount on your ticket). Enjoy the 15 minute ride to the peak while taking in beautiful city views of Albuquerque as...