The Best Hiking in New Mexico
Looking for the best hiking in New Mexico? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around New Mexico. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.
Top hiking spots in and near New Mexico
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Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Hike at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
4.93 miHiking at Tent Rocks is a must-do for anyone in the northern New Mexico area. It's an accessible trail that gives you incredible rewards with little effort. The cone-shaped "tent rocks" are the result of erosion following a volcanic explosion 6-7 million years ago, making for some incredible and ...Read more -
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Explore White Sands National Monument
4.7The White Sands National Monument is one of the most surreal locations in the southwest. Located just north of Las Cruces, NM, White Sands is about a 45 minute drive from the city of Las Cruces. To access the park from any location, you'll take Route 70, and from Las Cruces it's one straight shot...Read more -
Chamisal, New Mexico
Hike to the Trampas Lakes in Carson National Forest
4.911 mi / 2400 ft gainThis hike is worth its weight in gold. By far one of the most beautiful places in all of New Mexico. Located in the Carson National Forest, the options for camping are limitless. Did I mention this is ranked one of New Mexico's best hikes yet it rarely gets done. The potential for solitude is ver...Read more -
Carlsbad, New Mexico
Climb Down into the Depths of Carlsbad Caverns
5.01.2 mi / -2000 ft gainThe Carlsbad Caverns is an experience like no other. There is a seven mile scenic road that leads into the park, which will direct you towards the ranger station and entrance to the caves. The entrance to this road starts and ends in Whites City.You have two options to enter the cave: The first i...Read more -
Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Hike to Williams Lake and Wheeler Peak
5.0This hike is conveniently located at Taos Ski Valley and offers two primary options: a fun 4-mile round trip hike to beautiful Williams Lake, or a 7-mile round trip hike all the way to the Wheeler Peak. You can’t go wrong with either option, but if you’re up for it, bagging Wheeler Peak is defini...Read more -
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Backpack to Lake Katherine in the Pecos Wilderness
5.016 mi / 1450 ft gainAccessible June through October, snow lingers on the trail late into the summer. This is a very popular, well-marked route so if it's solitude you're seeking, you'll probably be disappointed. At least on the weekend.The trailhead is at the parking lot for Ski Santa Fe. You'll climb from 10,250 to...Read more -
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Hike to Alcove House
4.62.2 mi / 140 ft gainStart your hike from the Visitor's Center and head out on the Main Loop Trail to begin. You can hike the loop in either direction, either first crossing the river across from the Visitor's Center or heading out from directly behind the Center. If you start from across the river, you'll begin with...Read more -
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
San Antonio Hot Springs
4.51.46 mi / 312 ft gainThese hot springs are a short hike from the parking area along the top of Forest Service Road 376. I've added additional details below in the event that the road is closed due to seasonality or you prefer to stretch your legs for a significantly longer, yet scenic hike. The GPX track is displayin...Read more -
Tularosa, New Mexico
Camp at White Sands National Monument
5.01.5 mi / 40 ft gainSpend a night under the stars in one of the more beautiful places to take it all in. White Sands National Monument offers camping to “backpackers” who have the ability to hike out into the dunes to set up camp for an overnight adventure. The closest site will be .75 miles away while the farthest ...Read more -
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Dip into Spence Hot Springs
4.01.2 mi / 193 ft gainExit Interstate 550 and head North on Highway 4 heading towards Jemez Springs. The Spence Hot Springs Parking Lot and Trailhead is about 25 miles North off Highway 4. The trail starts on a decline into the canyon for about 800 feet before you cross the bridge over the scenic river. Continue follo...Read more -
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
Hike to McCauley Hot Springs
4.05.6 mi / 1797 ft gainTurn right off of the 4 onto Camp Shaver Ln. This takes you to a parking area with a sign for Battleship Rock Campsite. This is where the trail begins. It will take you to hot springs and Jemez falls. Dog-friendly trail, accessible year round.Read more -
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Hike the Main Loop Trail at Bandelier National Monument
5.01.2 mi / 150 ft gainBandelier National Monument encompasses over 33,000 acres of public land, including Frijoles Canyon, the home of the Ancestral Puebloans that once lived in the area. The park has miles of trails to explore the rugged countryside, but the main attractions are the cliff dwellings you'll find on the...Read more -
Abiquiu, New Mexico
Hike to Chimney Rock at Ghost Ranch
4.53 mi / 600 ft gainStart your adventure by checking in at the Ghost Ranch Visitor Center, then find the trailhead just behind the building. You'll quickly drop down through an arroyo and then walk through a gate. The trail begins to climb briefly then flattens out with beautiful views across to Pedernal and the Pie...Read more -
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Hike to Nambé Lake
4.06.2 mi / 1800 ft gainStarting at the ski basin above Santa Fe, where parking is ample and the drive to reach it is staggeringly beautiful, you head north from the bottom of the parking lot from a well marked trailhead. The climb starts right out of the gate, and at a starting altitude of 10,000 ft above sea level yo...Read more -
Jemez Springs, New Mexico
San Antonio Hot Springs via Thompson Ridge Route
5.02.66 mi / 469 ft gainAlthough you can reach these hot springs via the main trail in the winter, the Thompson Ridge route is a shorter option that comes in from above the springs rather than below. If you go in winter, you'll need winter route finding skills for the trail (there's no signage at any point) and an all w...Read more -
Questa, New Mexico
Camp at Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
4.32.4 mi / 800 ft gainCreated in 2013 from partly existing public lands, The Rio Grande del Norte National Monument encompasses a large amount of land along the Rio Grande River from the Colorado border to south of Taos. Far from any major city, you'll likely enjoy trails to yourself in the morning and few other visit...Read more
Quick links
- The best hiking trails in New Mexico
- The best backpacking in New Mexico
- The best camping in New Mexico
- Top adventures in New Mexico
