Get Two Alpine Tarns All to Yourself at Trampas Lakes
This 11-mile out-and-back climbs to two high-altitude lakes in New Mexico's Carson National Forest.
New Mexico Trails
New Mexico, located in the southwestern U.S., is generally mountainous, with the Colorado Plateau — a series of flat land, gorges, mountains and valleys — in the northwest corner, and the Rocky Mountains stretching from the north — including the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountain ranges.
New Mexico is known for White Sands National Monument, a dramatic feature made up of white gypsum sand dunes. The state is also home to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, a park with more than 100 caves to explore.
Explore an Otherworldly Dune Field in White Sands National Park
The world's largest gypsum dune field isn't just a wonder of the natural world—it's a great place to hike, too.
Latest in New Mexico Trails
Hike New Mexico's Mesas in the Cruces Basin Wilderness
Discover true quiet in this uncrowded forest.
Explore White Sands, America's Newest National Park
Giant gypsum dunes and winter temperatures in the sixties are only some of the draws for this preserve.
Hike of the Week: White Sands National Monument, NM
Wander through the world's largest gypsum dune field in New Mexico.
Discover Native American Ruins On a Lonely Desert Mesa
Yapashi Pueblo Loop, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
Get Lost in the Dunes of White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Walking in this gypsum dunefield is hard—but it's worth the trouble.
Arizona: Lanphier Canyon-Blue River Loop, Blue Range Primitive Area, Apache & Sitgreaves National Forests, AZ/NM
Leave the desert heat and hike along side Lanphier Canyon Blue River Loop, take a dip in the cool Arizona water when the sun gets too hot.
Albuquerque: Pino Trail
This 11.2-mile trek runs through a sweet high-desert canyon, connecting stark cactus country and pretty fir highlands. Pack extra water for this dry hike.
Santa Fe, NM: Atalaya Trail
This challenging 5.8-mile hike climbs through pinon scrub and rust-red ponderosa pine before topping out 2,000 feet above Santa Fe's adobe sprawl.
Albuquerque: Nambe Lake
This 6-mile out-and-back adventure serves up mountain forests, a peaceful creek, and an unbeatable lunch spot on the banks of a small alpine lake.
Santa Fe, NM: Gavilan Trail
A lung-burning 2,000-foot gain in 2.5 miles rewards with sweet ridgeline views of the Taos Mountains and Wheeler Peak. This dayhike runs 6.6 miles round-trip.
Santa Fe: Santa Fe Baldy
Knock off two Santa Fe must-dos--Lake Katherine, the most beautiful lake in NM, and illustrious Santa Fe Baldy—in one long day on this strenuous 15.4-mile out-and-back.
Albuquerque: Elena Gallegos Short Loop
Save this 5.5-mile loop in the city foothills for after work and see for yourself the watermelon-pink sun- sets that nearby Sandia Mountain is named after.
Albuquerque: 10K Loop
Thanks to an abandoned highway plan, this close-to-town 6.3-mile loop remains rugged and wild--a perfect quick escape for summer evenings and Saturday mornings.
Albuquerque: Embudo-Whitewash Loop
Move from scrubby desert to forested foothills on this 9.5-mile loop just minutes from downtown. Pack ample water and a raptor ID book.
Santa Fe: Caballo Mountain
Trek 14.4 miles on less-traveled trails to a 10,000-foot summit over the Valles Caldera, a giant volcanic bowl in the shadow of the Jemez Mountains.
Albuquerque: North Apache Kid Trail
Seeking solitude? Test your compass skills as you venture 9.4 miles into a canyon of recovering burn zones and trickling springs in the San Mateo Mountains.
Albuquerque, NM: Piedra Lisa South
Climb through the sandy canyons and shrubby ridgelines of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness on this 5-mile out-and-back outside Albuquerque.
Albuquerque: Gila Loop
Lush river canyons meet high desert mesas on this 23.7-mile, 3-day loop in the Gila Wilderness.