We live in a beautiful state. There are so many different parts of New Mexico that have so much to offer, and the list below has a bunch of options that you can reach by just hopping in the car. Grab your adventuring crew and check out the ABQ Mom’s Guide to Adventuring in New Mexico.
PARKS
Cerrillos Hills State Park
Located off Turquoise Trail Highway in between ABQ and Santa Fe, this day-use park includes trails, mountain views, and miles of mining history.
Features:
• Hiking
• Birding
• Visitor Center
• Equestrian
Current Hours: Daily 6am – 9pm
Cimarron Canyon State Park
Northeast of Angel Fire find the Cimarron Canyon State Park along the Cimarron River. Keep a lookout for some wildlife viewing as the park sits in the Colin Neblett Wildlife Management Area.
Features:
• Camping
• Hiking
• Birding
• Picnic Area
• Fly Fishing
• Equestrian
Current Hours: Thursday- Sunday 8am – 5pm
City of Rocks State Park
Located in between Silver City and Deming, this park is named after the volcanic rock formations that reside in the park. The volcanic rock was formed 34.9 million years ago and resembles a “city” while the trails that run through them resemble “city streets.”
Features:
• Camping
• Hiking
• Birding
• Mountain Biking
• Picnic Areas
• Botanical Garden
• Visitor Center with restrooms and hot showers
Current Hours: Daily 7am – 4pm
Coyote Creek State Park
This park is located southeast of Taos in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains along a stream.
Features:
• Camping
• Hiking
• Birding
• Fishing
• Picnic Areas
• Playground
• Visitor Center
Current Hours: Friday – Sunday 7am – 4pm
Hyde Memorial State Park
Just a short drive from Santa Fe located along Little Tesuque Creek, you’ll find New Mexico’s first state park. Hyde Memorial has so much to offer from activities to places to stay and is super close to ABQ.
Features:
• Camping
• Hiking
• Lodging
• Yurts
• Picnic Areas
• Playground
• Snow activities (Snow-shoeing, cross country skiing, sledding)
• Visitor Center (with wi-fi)
Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm
Leasburg Dam State Park
Just north of Las Cruces next to Radium springs, find this peaceful and relaxing state park. It offers a variety of amenities right on the Rio Grande.
Features:
• Camping
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Birding
• Kayaking
• Canoeing
• Swimming
• The Observatory (offering events and programs)
Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 7am – 4pm
Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park
Tucked right outside of Carlsbad find this wildlife zoo park. There are at least 40 different species and hundreds of plants that are able to be viewed up close.
Features:
• Hiking
• Birding
• Visitor Center
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 9am – 5pm
Manzano Mountains State Park
Right in Albuquerque’s backyard, find the Manzano Mountain State Park. If you’re looking for a quick getaway with plenty of trails and great views, check out this park.
Features:
• Hiking
• Birding
• Wildlife Viewing
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Closed
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park
Right outside of Las Cruces, find the Mesilla Valley Bosque park.
Features:
• Hiking
• Birding
• Ranger-led Tours
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Daily 7am – 4pm
Oasis State Park
Named because of its representation of a true oasis, this state park is located right outside of Portales. If you’re looking for fishing (and many more activities), this is your spot.
Features:
• Hiking
• Birding
• Fishing
• Sand Dunes
• Equestrian
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Friday – Sunday 8am – 5pm
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park
In the Sacramento Mountains just south of Alamogordo, find the Oliver Lee Memorial State Park.
Features:
• Hiking
• Birding
• Camping
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm
Pancho Villa State Park
Right on the border of Mexico, find a state park with a lot of history.
Features:
• Museum
• Birding
• Camping
• Picnic Area
• RV Camper hook-up
• Playground
Current Hours: Daily 7am – 4pm
Pecos Canyon State Park
One of New Mexico’s newest parks and still under development, Pecos Canyon is located just north of the Village of Pecos.
Features:
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Camping
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm
Percha Dam State Park
Just south of Truth or Consequences is a quiet, peaceful park great for camping.
Features:
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Camping
• Birding
• RV Hook-up
• Restroom and Showers
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
In the heart of Albuquerque, if you haven’t been already (possibly on a field trip), you will find the Rio Grande Nature Center. This is a great place for a fun, day trip exploring with the kiddos.
Features:
• Hiking
• Birding
• Wildlife Viewing
• Visitor Center
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Thursday – Sunday 8am – 5pm
Rockhound State Park
Just south of Deming is the Rockhound State park located in the Little Florida Mountains.
Features:
• Hiking
• Camping
• Birding
• Picnic Area
Current Hours: Daily 7am – 4pm
Villanueva State Park
Located in the heart of Villanueva, this park includes sandstone bluffs and the beautiful Pecos River.
Features:
• Hiking
• Birding
• Camping
• Picnic Area
• Fishing
• Equestrian
• Playground
Current Hours: Daily 8am – 5pm
LAKES
• West of Grants • Currently closed
• SE of Roswell • Currently closed
• North of Carlsbad • Sat – Sun 7am – 5pm
• North of T or C • Thurs – Sun 7am – 5pm
Clayton Lake + Dinosaur Trackways
• North of Clayton • Fri – Sun 6am – 9pm
• NW of Tucumcari • Fri – Sun 7am – 5pm
• North of AngelFire • Thurs – Sun 8am – 5pm
• T or C • Thurs – Sun 9am – 8pm
• SW of Chama • Daily 7am – 5pm
• N of Jemez Springs • Currently Closed
• NW of Chama • Daily 7am – 5pm
• NE of Santa Fe • Currently Closed
• NE of Bloomfield • Daily 6am – 6pm
• N of Santa Rosa • Sat – Sun 7am – 5pm
• N of Las Vegas • Daily 7am – 5pm
• NW of Fort Sumner • Sat – Sun 7am – 8pm
• NE of Tucumcari • Daily 6am – 9pm
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKING TRAILS
Travertine Falls
Tijeras Exit to Arrowhead Trail and follow to the end.
Powerline Trail and Coyote Trail
East on I-40 and exit at Exit 175. At the bottom of the ramp there is a traffic light. Continue straight through the light on NM 337 for approximately 2 miles.
Alameda Open Space
South of Alameda at Rio Grande.
Cienega Picnic Area
East on I-40 to Exit 175 to Cedar Crest. Follow The Turquoise Trail for approximately 6.5 miles, to NM 536. Turn left onto 536 and follow it for about two miles. Turn left at the Cienega Picnic Area sign.
OTHER FUN PLACES TO ADVENTURE
White Sands National Monument
This national park consists of miles upon miles of white soft sand. BBQ grills, picnic sites, and a gift shop accompany the rolling white dunes. Grab the sled and some hot dogs and make a day trip out of it.
Jemez Springs
Jemez Springs has so many adventures in one small place: lodging, campsites, hot springs, and so much more. Jemez is just a short trip northwest of ABQ, and you’ll find all the fun your family is looking for.
Carlsbad Caverns
With more than 119 different caves, the beauty and awe of the caverns cannot be beat. Learn all about the history of the caverns and enjoy a picnic on this trip about five hours from Albuquerque.
Four Corners Monument
Have you ever been in four places at once? Well, here you can! This is the spot where New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, and Utah meet up at one exact point. Four Corners Monument is 60 miles northwest of Farmington on Hwy. 160.
