Outdoor Things To Do
Set in the high desert and offering more than 300 days of sunshine annually, Albuquerque is the perfect place to explore the great outdoors! The City of Albuquerque decided decades ago to preserve open spaces to provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors while leaving habitat for wildlife. Find hiking and biking trails, from riverside rambles to mountainous challenges, in and around Albuquerque. If you’re looking to spend time outdoors, you’ve come to the right city!
With its majestic backdrop of the Sandia Mountains and the alternatingly wild rapids and calm serenity of the Rio Grande River, Albuquerque is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. The city boasts an abundance of trails for both the casual walker and the seasoned hiker, offering panoramic views that capture the essence of New Mexico’s high desert beauty. Cyclists, too, find solace in the city’s extensive bike paths, winding through urban landscapes and sprawling natural parks.
In the city or just outside it, you’ll find several fun outdoor places to explore:
Petroglyph National Monument, ABQ BioPark Zoo, Botanic Gardens and Aquarium, Rio Grande Nature Center State Park, Tingley Beach, Boca Negra Canyon, and Mariposa Basin Park.
Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway is the world’s third longest single span funicular, with a nearly three-mile ride up the side of the Sandia Mountains. From the top of Sandia Peak you can see an 11,000 square-mile panoramic view.
For hiking, take La Luz Trail to the top of Sandia Peak, and also to explore more remote backcountry hiking. In the city, you can enjoy the multi-use Paseo del Bosque Trail which follows the Rio Grande from north to south of the metro area.
From cycling and mountain biking to horseback riding and jeep tours, outdoor enthusiasts will find much to do in and around Albuquerque. Canoe, kayak, or raft down the Rio Grande, fly-fish in the Pecos, or go boating on Elephant Butte Lake, the largest lake in New Mexico and just about 2 hours drive to the south.
Explore the Valles Caldera National Preserve, with its hot springs, volcanic domes and the 11,253-foot Redondo Peak, a resurgent lava dome. The nearly 90,000 acres of sprawling grassy mountain meadows and forests of the caldera preserve were long used for ranching and are the setting of Walt’s cabin in the filming of the TV series, “Longmire.”
From hiking trails that reveal breathtaking desert vistas to water sports on the river and the exhilarating experience of hot air ballooning, the city beckons adventure-seekers and nature lovers to dive into its diverse outdoor offerings. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or someone simply looking to bask in the natural beauty of the Southwest, Albuquerque promises unforgettable outdoor experiences.
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