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 (60)

Day Hikes (156)

Showing: 1 - 10 of 160 results

Agua Fria Trail #233

The Agua Fria trail is 2.8 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 113E and ends at Trail 269. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking. Trail…

Agua Sarca Trail #228

The Agua Sarca trail is 8.4 miles long. It begins at Trail 150 and ends at Trail 156. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Horseback Riding

Alamo Spring Trail #114

The Alamo Spring Trail (Forest Trail 114) is one mile long and is rated as an easy hike. It begins at the end of Forest Road 287 and follows an unimproved road until connecting with Bandelier…

Anastacio Trail

The Anastacio Ttrail, at an elevation of approximately 10,200 ft, is 3.0 miles long. It begins at Trail 46 and ends at Trail 51, and is located entirely within San Pedro Parks Wilderness. Uses:…

Atalaya - Upper Trailhead

Site Open

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

Atalaya Trail #170

From a large parking lot at St. John's College, the trail heads north and east which includes the opportuntity to climb to the summit of Atalaya Mountain.

Atalaya- Lower Trailhead

Site Open

The trailhead starts near St John's College.

Baldy Trail #176

The Baldy trail is 6.4 miles long. It begins at Forest Road 79 and ends at Glorieta Baldy. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking.

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 Trail #182

The Bear Wallow trail is 1.1 miles long. It begins at Trail 150 and ends at Trail 254. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking, Mountain Biking