Santa Fe County is an outdoor paradise for adventurers. Even in the midst of winter, bright blue skies combined with daytime temps that can climb into the low 50s and 60s and create the perfect weather for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing and other outdoor fun in one of the country’s most dazzling destinations. Walk an ancient Native American trail that leads to petroglyphs carved in rock centuries ago. Hike through stunning tent rock formations. Take in majestic mountain scenery from the saddle of a gravel bike or a guided horseback tour. Plan your getaway this winter to Santa Fe County, where outdoor adventures will take your breath away.
Gravel Bike Tours
The railroad and the bicycle appeared around the same time period, sparking a love for adventure and travel. In Santa Fe County, the first bike was spotted in 1882, when three “trick riders” took the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to New Mexico. They showed off the sport to crowds gripped by the cycling craze that had spread across the country. More than a century later, gravel bikes remain popular here, thanks to our diverse riding terrain through awesome scenery. Check out our new Gravel Adventure Field Guide devoted to gravel rides across Santa Fe County, from the picturesque village of Tesuque to the Nambé Badlands, Chimayó on the High Road to Taos, the historic railroad town of Lamy and plenty of other historic places. The guide comes with GPS gravel routes, art, short stories and local insight. Pick up your free copy here: https://graveladventurefieldguide.com/santafecounty
Photo: Lobo Photo NM
Treasured National Parks & Monuments
For a spectacular hike through history, head to Pecos National Historical Park, where history stretches back some 7,000 years. In this 7,000-acre treasure, you can explore the ruins of one of the largest pueblos in the Southwest and the remnants of an 18th-century Spanish mission church. View ruts from the Santa Fe Trail, which passed through the park, as did the original alignment of Route 66. The park is equally famous as a major battle site of the American Civil War. The Battle of Glorieta Pass, fought in 1862 between Union and Confederate troops, decisively ended the Confederacy's hopes of preventing the Union from controlling the West and all its riches.
Set into a deep canyon on the Pajarito Plateau near Los Alamos, Bandelier National Monument was the home of Ancestral Puebloan people from AD 1100 to 1600. With dwellings carved into soft rock cliffs, petroglyphs and a ceremonial cave high in Alcove House, accessed by a series of ladders, Bandelier tells the story of an ancient culture that still thrives in surrounding Pueblo communities. Hike the hour-long trail that loops through the main ruins of Frijoles Canyon, and explore mountain forests, mesas, and volcanic canyons on 70 miles of maintained trails amid 33,000 acres of majestic canyon and mesa country.
About 12 miles from Bandelier National Monument lies serene Tsankawi, settled by Ancestral Puebloan people on a high plateau in the 1400s. It’s the ancestral home of the modern Pueblo of San Ildefonso. Walk Tsankawi's trail today and you're on an ancient pathway traveled for centuries as people walked from the mesa top to the canyons below and on to nearby villages. The 1.5-mile loop trail leads through narrow passageways, up and down ladders to cave rooms and unexcavated ruins, and to astounding views of petroglyphs and the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. The hike is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go because the trail turns slippery in rain and snow.
The otherworldly beauty of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is open and once again accessible to the public, having been closed since the pandemic. This startling site, located on Cochiti Pueblo, is a 40-mile drive from Santa Fe. The journey is well worth it to hike among dramatic tent rock formations created by volcanic eruptions some 7 million years ago. The trail, available for foot use only, winds its way through dramatic spires, with great birdwatching opportunities along the way. Dogs are not allowed in the Monument. Visitors are welcome to start making reservations now for their future visits through Recreation.gov.
Mining History
Hike through the region’s rich mining history at Cerrillos Hills State Park, located in the village of Cerrillos on the historic Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. Five interpretive trails reveal the many mining efforts through the centuries in this area. The Ancestral Puebloans extracted turquoise from these hills, followed by the Spanish who mined for silver. The 19th-century prospectors came for gold and other treasure. Today, the park itself is a treasure, offering hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and birding. Check the calendar for a year-round schedule of events, including ranger-guided hikes, birdwatching, star gazing and other activities.
Snowy Trails
Prime hiking trails for novices and pros alike fill the forests at Hyde Memorial State Park in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains high above the city. Escape into nature, where you might spot deer and other wildlife. The park is a hot spot in cold months for sledding, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You might be inspired to return in summer for excellent birdwatching and camping in pristine spots among the ponderosa pines, whether you pitch a tent or reserve a yurt.
Saddle Up
Since the early 1960s, more than 250 productions have been filmed at Eaves Movie Ranch, including Chisum, Easy Rider and Young Guns II. Now under new ownership, the movie ranch offers guided horseback rides through the historic movie town. From the saddle, riding through historic Western sets that may look familiar, guests can feel like they’re starring in a movie.
Call (505) 690-3118 to book your tour…
Fine Fishing
From the soothing sounds of clear mountain water to the striking beauty of the landscape and the thrill of the sport, there’s nothing like fly fishing deep in nature. With guided fly-fishing tours offered by Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection - Santa Fe for beginners and pros (guests and non-guests alike), you’ll cast your line in some of northern New Mexico’s best fishing locations, from rivers and lakes to high mountain spring creeks. Experience for yourself why Santa Fe County is a superb year-round destination for fly fishing.
Photo: Land of Enchantment Fly Fishing Guides
2025 Travel Guide
Explore our gorgeous new Santa Fe County Travel Guide with more than 70 pages devoted to Arts, Culture, Food & Drink, Adventures, Spas & Wellness and many other things to see and do. Use our calendar of events, lodging listings and more to plan your getaway. Download a digital PDF here.
Vote for Santa Fe!
We know you love Santa Fe County, and now it’s time to let the world know how you feel. Cast your vote for Santa Fe as the top U.S. Travel Destination in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards. Voting is easy and it’s open until February 24.
Upcoming Events
Music of New Mexico
Award-winning musician Cipriano Vigil specializes in the traditional folk songs of northern New Mexico. He and his family will offer A Musical Presentation of the Ritual and Tradition of New Mexican Folk Music. The event is part of the Winter Lecture Series, presented by El Rancho de las Golondrinas in in partnership with New Mexico Museum of Art.
Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 5:30 p.m, in New Mexico Museum of Art’s St. Francis Auditorium.
https://golondrinas.org/annual-events/programs/winter-lecture-series/
Vincent Neil Emerson’s Big Wheels Tour
Fans of folk and country music have embraced Vincent Neil Emerson and his refreshing modern country music. The East Texas-born singer-songwriter has collaborated with the likes of Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell and he brings his stories of life on the road, heartbreak and overcoming challenges to Santa Fe on his Big Wheels Tour.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at The Bridge at Santa Fe Brewing Company.
Irish Notes
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Lúnasa, one of the world’s best-loved Irish acoustic groups. Their songs are a happy blend of Uilleann pipes, fiddles, flutes, whistles and other instruments. It’s hard to leave feeling blue after hearing Lúnasa’s irresistible music.
Monday, March 17, 2025 7:30 p.m. at The Lensic Performing Arts Center
Merry Mayhem
This year, the 4th Annual New Mexico Renaissance Celtic Festival at Wildlife West Nature Park expands to two weekends instead of one. Travel back in time with jousting tournaments, knighting ceremonies and other family-fun events. The lineup includes entertainers, a Celtic Themed Weekend, a Medieval Themed Weekend and plenty of games, food and craft vendors.
Saturday, March 29 through Sunday, March 30, 2025 and Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Native Fashion Week
Indigenous fashion designers showcase their innovative talents during Santa Fe Native Fashion Week. Runway shows feature Native models wearing showstopping apparel that celebrates Indigenous artistry and innovation. A must-see for any fashionista.
Thursday, May 8 through Sunday, May 11, 2025