Best Hiking in New Mexico

Trying to find the best hiking in New Mexico? Bivy has great hiking, biking, paddling, climbing, skiing, riding and more, with hand-curated trail maps, as well as detailed driving directions.

1

New Mexico, Rio Arriba County

01 :24 hrs
2.8 mi
186.61389 ft
Hard

Chimney Rock trail is located in Ghost Ranch, NM. The trailhead sign and archway for the most popular hike is located behind the Museums, past Corral Block complex. Cross the arroyo and follow the trail up the ridge. From the top there is an excellent view of the Piedra Lumbre Basin. The hike is 1.5-2 hrs and has wonderful views.

2

New Mexico, Albuquerque

00 :53 hrs
2.4 mi
34.16504 ft
Easy

One of five trails in the Petroglyphs National Monument, the Rinconada Canyon Trail will take you through prehistoric and historic petroglyphs.This trail is a loop, although you can always walk back the way you came and see just how many petroglyphs you may have missed! The art here ranges from the Ancestral Pubelo around 500 years ago, to ranchers less than 100 years ago. Dogs are allowed on leash. No entrance fees are required. Stop by the visitors center, just a little further up the road to get detailed maps and information.

3

New Mexico, Otero County

01 :40 hrs
4.8 mi
13.661621 ft
Moderate

Hike through the beautiful and stark White Sands National Monument along the Alkali Flats Trail, where you will get some stunning views of the giant dunes made of gypsum sand. This is one of the few designated trails in the monument, but you are more than welcome to wander around as long as you are back to the trailhead by sunset. Keep an eye out for white posts with orange tops to keep yourself on the trail. Be sure to pack plenty of water, sunscreen, and sunglasses, as the bright white sand reflects the harsh desert sun and makes it quite toasty. There is a $3 entrance fee per person. No mountain bikes allowed. Dogs allowed on leash.

4

New Mexico, Dona Ana County

02 :03 hrs
4.9 mi
202.3894 ft
Moderate

Dripping Springs was once a bustling resort village, started in the 1870's by Confederate Civil War veteran Eugene Van Patten. Hike around the area on the well maintained trails to see the old, dilapidated buildings of the Van Patten Resort and Boyd Sanatorium and to get a feel for this hidden oasis in the desert. This hike will take you along the base of the Organ Mountains, through arroyos and grasslands filled with abundant wildlife and up into Fillmore Canyon, where you will see a waterfall. Dripping Springs is also known for it's "weeping walls" and lush, oasis-like atmosphere. This trail system is not great for mountain bikes, although they are allowed. There is a $3 day use fee per vehicle at the parking lot.

5

New Mexico, Otero County

00 :09 hrs
0.2 mi
2.105957 ft
Easy

Easy trex boardwalk into the dunes.There are numerous educational stations. Suitable for any level. Don't go on windy days.

6

New Mexico, Bernalillo County

06 :04 hrs
8.4 mi
1171.1565 ft
Expert

The La Luz Trail climbs from the base of the Sandia mountains all the way up to the peak, so be prepared for a challenging trek. That is why this loop ends with a nice, 15 minute scenic tram ride back down to your starting point. If you wish, however, you can go back the way you came, or make it a shuttle - leaving a parked car at either end. This trail will lead you to spectacular views amid an immense amount of switchbacks used to ease the rapid elevation gain. Enjoy the giant granite slabs and boulders that are the Sandia Mountains while hiking over talus slopes and above lush, vegetated valleys. One-way tram tickets can be purchased at either end for $12/person, and it usually runs from 9 am - 5 pm. There is a parking fee of $1 to park at the Sandia Peak Tramway grounds. Because this is in the wilderness, mountain bikes are not allowed. This trail is listed as no dogs, due to the fact that they are not allowed on the tram down.

7

New Mexico, Santa Fe

00 :36 hrs
1.5 mi
31.716064 ft
Easy

Take an easy hike through the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve and enjoy one of the last bits of unspoiled riparian habitat in Santa Fe. This is an excellent hike for birders, over 140 species have been noted in the area. This habitat is known as a bosque, or riverside forest, and is very rare. There are interpretive signs all along the hike, explaining what you are seeing. No bikes or pets allowed.

8

New Mexico, ABQ

01 :53 hrs
5.4 mi
5.4870605 ft
Moderate

Take a hike around the Rio Grande Nature Center, park of the Rio Grande Valley State Park. This center is a 270 acre preserve and a very popular spot for wildlife viewing. This trail runs all through the bosque, or river forest, and some reconstructed wetlands which house huge populations of Canada Geese and Sandhill Cranes in the late fall & winter. This route will also take you across the Montano Bridge to the Pueblo Montano - an Open Space art project that arose from the ashes of the 2003 bosque fire. Here you will find sculptures crafted by chainsaw artists from the burned trees - memorials to the lost wildlife. No dogs or bicycles allowed. $3 entrance fee per vehicle.

9

New Mexico, San Miguel County

03 :44 hrs
3.5 mi
117.5647 ft
Hard

Hike down the to the Rio Mora and beautiful meadow beside it. The hike starts at the Iron Gate campground and immediately heads into the Pecos Wilderness. You will hike along the ridge and down into the canyon, next to the Rio Mora. Most of the hike is well shaded and if you're hiking in the fall, you should be rewarded with some beautiful colors. You will even get some beautiful views while on the trail, including that of Pecos Baldy. There is ample wildlife here and the trail is quite flat, so may be a great place to hike in and camp down next to the stream. Because this hike is in the wilderness, no mountain bikes are allowed. $2 day use fee.

10

Texas, Culberson County

09 :31 hrs
5.8 mi
717.6183 ft
Hard

3000 ft up and back. Good 360 views from the top.

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