New Mexico
There are over 1,200 known hiking and trekking trails in New Mexico.
Most popular trails:
The South Boundary Trail: This 11.6-mile out-and-back trail in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness leads to the summit of Wheeler Peak, the second-highest point in New Mexico.
The Cowles Mountain Trail: This 3.2-mile loop trail in the Santa Fe National Forest offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
The Aspen Vista Trail: This 2.4-mile loop trail in the Santa Fe National Forest winds through aspen groves and meadows.
The Lower Falls Trail: This 0.4-mile trail in Jemez Falls Recreation Area leads to the base of the Lower Falls.
The Rattlesnake Loop: This 2.4-mile easy hike takes you through a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and wetlands.
The Greenbelt: This 16-mile trail along the Rio Grande is a great option for families with young children.
Most popular trails:
Hiking with dogs: The Cowles Mountain Trail, the Aspen Vista Trail, and the Rattlesnake Loop are all dog-friendly trails.
Bird watching: The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to see birds, such as sandhill cranes and snow geese.
Stargazing: White Sands National Park is a dark sky park, making it a great place to see stars.
Wildflower viewing: The Jemez Mountains and the Gila Wilderness are both home to a variety of wildflowers, which bloom in the spring and summer.
Fall foliage: The Sandia Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains are both great places to see fall foliage in the fall.
Most challenging trails:
The West Fork Trail: This 10.4-mile out-and-back trail in the Gila Wilderness is considered one of the most challenging hikes in the state.
The Black Canyon Trail: This 11.2-mile out-and-back trail in the Gila Wilderness is another challenging hike.
The Wheeler Peak Summit Trail: This 7.8-mile out-and-back trail in the Wheeler Peak Wilderness leads to the summit of Wheeler Peak.
The Pecos Baldy Trail: This 9.4-mile loop hike in the Pecos Wilderness is a challenging hike that leads to the summit of Pecos Baldy, the highest peak in the Pecos Wilderness.
The Jemez Baldy Trail: This 5.8-mile loop hike in the Jemez Mountains leads to the summit of Jemez Baldy, the highest peak in the Jemez Mountains.
Most scenic trails:
The Narrows: This 11-mile round-trip hike follows a slot canyon along the Virgin River in Zion National Park.
Angel's Landing: This 4.6-mile round-trip hike climbs 1,483 feet to the summit of a narrow rock fin in Zion National Park.
The Wave: This 4-mile round-trip hike leads to a natural rock formation in Navajo National Monument that resembles a wave.
The White Sands National Park Dunes: This park has several trails that offer stunning views of the sand dunes.
The Capulin Volcano National Monument Trails: This national monument has several trails that offer stunning views of the volcano and the surrounding area.
Most family-friendly trails:
The Rio Grande Nature Trail: This 1.5-mile loop trail in Albuquerque offers a variety of habitats, including forests, fields, and wetlands.
The Tingley Beach Trail: This 1.2-mile loop trail in Albuquerque takes you to a sandy beach along the Rio Grande.
The Rinconada Canyon Trail: This 1.2-mile loop trail in Santa Fe winds through a canyon and offers views of the city.
Most accessible trails in the state:
The Great Walk: This 1.5-mile trail at Bandelier National Monument is paved and wheelchair accessible. It winds through the ruins of an ancient pueblo and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
The Rinconada Canyon Trail: This 1.2-mile loop trail in Santa Fe is paved and wheelchair accessible. It winds through a canyon and offers views of the city.
The Petroglyph National Monument Trail: This 0.5-mile trail in Albuquerque is paved and wheelchair accessible. It leads to a series of petroglyphs, which are ancient rock carvings.
The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Trails: Several trails in this refuge are wheelchair accessible, including the Wildlife Drive Trail and the Bosque Trail. These trails offer opportunities to see a variety of wildlife, such as sandhill cranes and snow geese.
The Rio Grande Nature Center Trails: Several trails in this nature center are wheelchair accessible, including the Rio Grande Nature Trail and the Tingley Beach Trail. These trails offer opportunities to see a variety of plants and animals, as well as views of the Rio Grande.
The White Sands National Park Dunes: The Dunes Drive in White Sands National Park is accessible to vehicles with wheelchair lifts. This drive offers stunning views of the sand dunes.
Please note that some of these trails may require assistance from a park ranger or other staff member. It is always a good idea to check with the park or refuge before you go to confirm the accessibility of the trails.
Where to get permits for trails:
National Parks:Bandelier National Park: 675 South Camino Real, Suite 100, Santa Fe, NM 87501, (505) 672-3861Carlsbad Caverns National Park: 3225 Guadalupe Mountain Drive, Carlsbad, NM 88220, (505) 785-2232Chaco Culture National Historical Park: 1200 N. Tijeras Blvd., Suite 100, Albuquerque, NM 87102, (505) 786-2290
El Malpais National Monument: 500 South 12th Street, Suite 101, Grants, NM 87020, (505) 783-4900Great Sand Dunes National Park: 11500 Highway 150, Mosca, CO 81146, (719) 378-2312
White Sands National Park: 1000 Dunes Drive, White Sands National Park, NM 88349, (505) 435-2811
National Forests:Cibola National Forest: 701 Forest Road 337, Tijeras, NM 87059, (505) 837-9500
Gila National Forest: 3005 E. Camino Real, Suite A, Silver City, NM 88061, (505) 382-4400
Lincoln National Forest: 301 E. Highway 380, Ruidoso, NM 88345, (505) 437-5300
Santa Fe National Forest: 1320 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505, (505) 820-2525
Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge: 3800 State Road 35, Socorro, NM 87801, (505) 837-5500
Wilderness Areas:Alpine Lakes Wilderness: P.O. Box 449, Cloudcroft, NM 88317, (505) 382-4400
Black Range Wilderness: 301 E. Highway 380, Ruidoso, NM 88345, (505) 437-5300Cerro Alto Wilderness: 3005 E. Camino Real, Suite A, Silver City, NM 88061, (505) 382-4400
Cibola National Forest Wildernesses: 701 Forest Road 337, Tijeras, NM 87059, (505) 837-9500
Gila Wilderness: 3005 E. Camino Real, Suite A, Silver City, NM 88061, (505) 382-4400
Lincoln National Forest Wildernesses: 301 E. Highway 380, Ruidoso, NM 88345, (505) 437-5300
Pecos Wilderness: 1320 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505, (505) 820-2525
Santa Fe National Forest Wildernesses: 1320 Rodeo Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505, (505) 820-2525
You can also contact the National Park Service's regional office in Santa Fe at (505) 476-3300.
