Outdoor Adventures
Santa Fe is widely recognized for its unrivaled mountain scenery in a stunning high desert landscape. The spectacular terrain provides world-class hiking, biking and skiing opportunities.
Interactive Trail Map
Whether you're into biking, hiking, horseback riding or backpacking, Santa Fe County has the trails and paths mapped to guide your outdoor adventure.
6/1/2018
Santa Fe County Trails That Provide Access to the Santa Fe National Forest Temporarily Closed
Due to extreme fire conditions, the Santa Fe County Fire Chief has directed all Santa Fe County trails that provide access to the Santa Fe National Forest be temporarily closed until further notice.
“The closure of Santa Fe County trails that translate directly into Santa Fe National Forest property is a necessary and proactive move by the County to support the efforts of federal agencies to protect lives and property during this period of extreme drought and fire danger,” stated Santa Fe County Fire Chief David Sperling.
He continued, “Santa Fe County recognizes that Santa Fe County controls hiking and biking trails that provide direct access to closed forest lands. It is critically important that we collaborate with our federal partners to protect property and our shared forest and water resources.”
This recommendation is based on the 1997 Fire Code, Section 902.2.4.2 which allows the Fire Chief to order trails and other access ways to be closed. The County Fire Department has determined that temporary trail closures are necessary to provide for public safety due to extreme fire conditions.
The trails will be closed effective immediately and until further notice. Trail closure signs are currently being placed at County trail junctions and at trailheads to provide notice to users regarding the closures.
County Properties That Will Remain Open:
• Trails at Arroyo Hondo Open Space
• Santa Fe River Trail
• Santa Fe Rail Trail
• Spur Trail
• Cerrillos Hills State Park
Outside Bike & Brew Festival, September 1 - 2, 2018
Outside Bike & Brew Festival is one of the most exciting and innovative cycling and craft beer festivals in the country. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico this event is filled with two days of cycling celebration for avid and casual riders, bike builders, beer drinkers and music lovers from around the country. outsidesantafe.com
- Gravel Grinder
- Mountain Bike Clinics & Tours
- Hand-Crafted Bikes and Beers
- Century + Gran Fondo
- Kid’s Events
- Dozens of Craft Breweries
Mountain Biking
Are you looking for an excellent mountain biking experience? Looking for long ascents, steep, technical downhills, flow trails, cross country loops? Want to be able to ride a variety of trails over multiple days? In short, are you looking for a world-class mountain biking destination? Look no further than Santa Fe:
- Host of the 2012 International Mountain Biking Association IMBA World Summit.
- Designated by IMBA as a Silver Level Ride Center.
- “One of the Top Ten mountain biking destinations in North America”- Singletracks Magazine.
- “One of America’s top mountain biking towns”- USA Today.
- “Best destination for Outdoor Enthusiasts”- USA Today.
- Home of Outside Magazine and Bicycle Technologies Inc.
Santa Fe offers over 400 miles of mountain biking trails, and within minutes from your doorstep, you can access all the riding you want, for whatever skill level you are at.
For a listing of mountain bike trails visit mtbproject.com
The RTD Mountain Trail bus through the Santa Fe National Forest to Ski Santa Fe will continue its trial phase with summer service beginning on July 1, 2016 and running through August 31, 2016. The service will provide two roundtrip runs Monday through Friday and three roundtrip runs on Saturday and Sunday. The bus will be equipped to accommodate six bikes per trip. The cost is $5.00 per uphill trip and fare free downhill. For information on route, schedules, stops, and fares, visit ncrtd.org
Hiking
Santa Fe offers over 600 miles of hikeable trails including terrain in the Pecos Wilderness and Valles Caldera National Preserve. Within the greater Santa Fe area you’ll find stunning high desert trails ranging from beginner to advanced. For information on trails and maps visit alltrails.com/us/new-mexico/santa-fe.
- “One of the Top Ten towns for High Altitude Running”- Outside Magazine
- “Santa Fe’s Dale Ball trail system is one of 25 Best Trail Runs in America”- Runners World Magazine
HORSEBACK RIDING
The Stables at Bishop's Lodge Ranch & Spa
505.819.4013
1297 Bishops Lodge Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Situated on 317 acres in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains, The Stables and Bishop's Lodge Ranch Resort offer horseback trail riding as well as Equus, a horse-assisted personal and leadership development experience for individuals and organizations.
Santa Fe Western Adventures
505.472.9384
68 Bonanza Creek Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87508
Open year-round. Offering custom private and group horseback riding, and sunset rides. Also providing exciting western-themed recreational activities and entertainment for large groups for any special event or occasion.
Broken Saddle Riding Company Inc
505.424.7774
26 Vicksville Rd, Los Cerrillos, NM 87010
Ride through the scenic hills and high desert ranch from the historic mining town of Cerrillos, NM. Rides include spectacular 360º views of all area mountain ranges. Trips include the Madrid Overlook, La Bajada Overlook, Devil's Canyon, Crooked Hat Canyon, Elkins Canyon, Cash Entry Mine, Grand Central Silver Mine, Franklin Ridge and Miner's Trail.
Fishing
Feeling lucky? Want to get your inner “Zen” on and be one with the trout? Santa Fe offers several opportunities for both stream and lake fishing, all within a short distance from town. For stream fishing, the Pecos river is only 30 minutes away, and anglers can catch Rainbow, Brown, and the occasional Brook trout. The Rio Grande is 1 hour’s drive, but it is often worthwhile: large Brown trout, Rainbow trout, and Pike await the patient angler.
High Desert Angler
460 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.988.7688
The Reel Life
526 N Guadalupe St, Santa Fe, NM 87501 505.995.8114
GOLFING
Nestled in the beautiful high desert terrain of Santa Fe County are a variety of courses to choose from. Our courses are for adventurous golfers who want a unique, memorable golf experience in the stunning Northern New Mexico scenery.
Black Mesa Golf Club
115 State Road 399,
Española, NM 87532
505.747.8946
This 18-hole course is ranked among America's top 50 by Golf Magazine. Enjoy a majestic desert experience on rolling fairways extending through mountainous valleys and dramatic sandstone ridges.
Cochiti Golf Club
5200 Cochiti Hwy
Cochiti Lake, NM 87083
505.465.2230
Cochiti Golf Club is a public 18-hole course conveniently located between Albuquerque and Santa Fe in Cochiti Lake. Consistently ranked as one of the best courses in New Mexico, Cochiti Golf Club has a stunning layout.
Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe
205 Caja del Rio Road
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505.955.4470
Located eight miles west of the historical downtown district, the year round golf course offers golf sport enthusiasts of all ages a spectacular golf sxperience showcasing exceptional customer service, exclusive low rates and full service amenities. Partake in the championship 18-hole , 35-station all grass driving range, practive greens, putting area and a par three course ranked "top three big little course in the US" by Travel + Leisure Magazine.
Towa Golf Course at the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino
30 Buffalo Thunder Trail
Santa Fe, NM 87506
505.455.5555
A 15 minute drive North from Santa Fe, located in the dramatic scenery of Northern New Mexico's Pojoaque Valley, Towa's three independent nine-hold courses challenge with dramatic elevation changes, seasonal weather conditions, and scenery of such extraordinary beauty it threatens to distract the most focused golfer. World GOlf Awards "North America's Best Golf Hotel 2015" winner!
Skiing
Want in on a little secret? In Santa Fe, you can be on a ski lift within 30 minutes of leaving your doorstep. Only 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe and averaging 225 inches of snow per year, the Santa Fe Ski Area offers a high-altitude experience (peak elevation 12,075 feet above sea level- 12th highest ski area in North America) with open slopes that are not crowded, a variety of terrain that is perfect for the family, and world-class views. With over 300 days of sunshine, a bluebird day is very common right after a storm. Visit skisantafe.com for information about lift tickets, snow and weather reports and rentals.
Santa Fe also offers a cross country ski loop near the Santa Fe Ski Area, located at 10,000 feet in elevation. The Norski Cross Country Ski Trail is ¼ mile before the Santa Fe Ski Area, on the left side of the road. The area is specific to cross country, but is not groomed and no dogs are allowed. For information on cross country skiing and snow shoeing, visit santafewalkabouts.com.
Santa Fe is also within an easy drive to Ski Pajarito (Los Alamos), Angel Fire Ski Area, Red River Ski Area, and Taos Ski Valley.
A Public Transit service will now provide public transportation from downtown to the Santa Fe Ski Area, with stops along the way. Originating at the downtown South Capitol NM Rail Runner train station, it stops at several downtown hotels, Ten Thousand Waves, and various trailheads along the way up to the Santa Fe Ski Area. The transit bus will run from Sept. 26, 2015 through April 3, 2016, and then resume regular operation for the Summer, July 1-Aug. 31. It will have ski racks in the winter for transporting skis to the SF Ski Area. For information on route, schedules, stops, and fares, visit ncrtd.org.
off - road jeep tours
For an unforgettable off-road adventure, head out on a rugged jeep tour into the wild places of Santa Fe County. A four-wheel drive expedition with Santa Fe Jeep Tours through striking high desert terrain and alpine forests will reveal some of the area's most majestic sites, and they-re oftern not easy to get to on your own.
Santa Fe Jeep Tours
1170 Harrison Road
Santa Fe, NM 87501
505.428.9126
For the wondrous adventurer who prefers to see all these marvelous sites in the comfort of their own jeep, there are maps available to pick up at the Santa Fe National Forest office.
