Ski Santa Fe
Located just 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe, family-owned Ski Santa Fe is the highest ski area in New Mexico, with a base elevation of 10,350 feet and a summit reaching 12,075 feet! The mountain offers over 660 acres of skiable terrain, with a great mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced runs, including groomed and glade runs. There are also three terrain parks for snowboarders, and trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Thanks to its elevation, Ski Santa Fe often enjoys a long season with consistent snowfall.
In summer and fall, the area transforms into a hub for hiking, scenic chairlift rides, and mountain biking. There are some epic views from the top that stretch across the Rio Grande Valley and into distant mountain ranges!
See MoreSanta Fe National Forest
You don't have to go far for an outdoor escape in Santa Fe. Access to the Santa Fe National Forest is just about an hour away. Home to over 1.6 million majestic acres of mountains, canyons, gorges, rivers, and streams, the forest also includes over 1,000 miles of hiking trails and endless views. There’s even a dormant volcano with a 15-mile-wide crater—The Valles Caldera National Preserve.
You can go skiing, hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, boating, horseback riding, and wildlife-viewing—keep an eye out for elk, deer, and wild turkeys! For hikers, there are even three historic trails to check out: the Santa Fe Trail, Old Spanish Trail, and El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro. And if you’re up for a challenge, Santa Fe Baldy is one of the best hikes in Santa Fe!
Tip: For incredible fall color, visit from September to October!
See MorePecos Wilderness
The Pecos Wilderness is a protected wilderness area within the Santa Fe National Forest and Carson National Forest, and includes over 220,000 acres of rugged high peaks, alpine lakes, rivers, and forests. Because of its size, the trails here are perfect for people who like to feel the peacefulness and solitude of the forest.
The Pecos Wilderness is popular for backpacking, hiking, camping, and fishing. Hike in the peaceful wilderness areas, go horseback riding, stay in a village of family-owned lodges and cabins, or journey through a 16th-century mission in Pecos National Historical Park.
See MoreDale Ball Trails
Dale Ball Trails, located just minutes from downtown Santa Fe, is a local favorite for hiking, running, and mountain biking. The trail system is a nearly 25-mile network of natural-surface trails that wind through the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, with plenty of viewpoints of the stunning forest and pine groves. Thanks to the trail system design, it’s super easy to tailor your route from short loops to longer hikes for all skill levels.
See MoreTesuque Peak
Hike to Tesuque Peak for breathtaking panoramic views of Santa Fe, the surrounding mountains, and the high desert landscape. Take the Tesuque Creek North Fork Trail, which has an elevation gain of over 2,000 feet. It’s moderately challenging, but rewarding, with wildflowers in spring and golden aspens in fall. Sunrise or sunset from the summit is unforgettable!
See MoreHyde Memorial State Park
Just 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe, Hyde Memorial State Park is located above 8,300 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains pine forest along Little Tesuque Creek. It’s a popular place for camping—you can stay in one of their cozy yurts or in the lodge.
Outdoor activities abound year-round. In summer, enjoy hiking, camping and mountain biking. In the spring, walk among the blooming wildflowers and watch the birds. Go in the fall to see the aspens turn to brilliant shades of gold. And in the winter, try cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or sledding!
See MoreRandall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary
The Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary sits at the edge of the National Forest and upper Santa Fe River Watershed and is spread across 135 acres owned by the Audubon Society. Bird lovers and nature enthusiasts will love this sanctuary, home to over 190 species of birds, as well as countless other native species of flora and fauna that are carefully maintained for the bird. Birds in the sanctuary include the Cooper’s Hawk, Downy Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, Western Bluebirds, the Juniper Titmouse, and many more.
While visiting, you can tour the gardens, check out the historic Randall Davey House or the Nature Discover Area, and even explore the walking trails through meadows and forests in the sanctuary.
See MoreGalisteo Basin Preserve
Just 14 miles south of Santa Fe, you can find over 48 miles of trails open for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding in the Galisteo Basin Preserve, which protects nearly 10,000 acres of sweeping grasslands, steep arroyos, volcanic mesas, and rugged desert landscapes. This area is both ecologically and culturally significant, with archaeological sites that date back thousands of years.
The basin is known for dramatic light and expansive views, especially at sunrise and sunset. Because of its open terrain, the Galisteo Basin feels vast and peaceful, making it a favorite for travelers seeking solitude and a deeper connection to New Mexico’s high desert environment.
Note: Trails are lightly marked, encouraging a sense of exploration while still protecting sensitive habitats.
See MoreSanta Cruz Lake
Tucked into the foothills below the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Santa Cruz Lake is a peaceful retreat located about 30 miles north of Santa Fe. The small but beautiful reservoir is surrounded by forested hills and offers a relaxed alternative to larger, busier lakes in the region.
Santa Cruz Lake is ideal for Route 66 travelers looking to slow down, enjoy mountain scenery, and spend a low-effort day outdoors. It's a popular spot for boating and fishing (rainbow trout are periodically stocked), as well as for kayaking, picnicking, and camping. The lake’s elevation—just over 7,500 feet—keeps temperatures cooler during summer, making it an appealing warm-weather escape.
Note: Santa Cruz Lake closes in the winter. It will reopen for the season on February 15, 2026.
See MoreThe Turquoise Trail
Detour time! The Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway is a 52-mile route connecting Santa Fe to Albuquerque on Highway 14 through historic mining towns, rolling hills, and desert landscapes. The route, which makes a perfect day trip, passes through places like Cerrillos, Golden and Madrid, where old mining buildings have been reborn as colorful galleries, cozy cafés, and interesting museums. There are a lot of great places to pull off the road to soak in the views of the Sandia Mountains, Ortiz Mountains, and Galisteo Basin.
Beyond its epic scenery, the Turquoise Trail is rich in history, tracing centuries of Indigenous use and later mining booms. This is a great idea for travelers who enjoy detours—slow travel, roadside stops, and a deeper look at New Mexico’s hidden gems.
See MoreCerrillos Hills State Park
Cerrillos Hills State Park blends outdoor recreation with New Mexico history. Located off the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway (State Highway 14) between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, about 20 minutes off Route 66, the park features over 1,100 protected acres of rolling hills, old mining roads, and high-desert grasslands.
There are about 5 miles of trails that wind through former turquoise mining areas and feature sweeping views of the Galisteo Basin and Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Keep a lookout for some incredible wildlife, including mule deer, prairie falcons, and coyotes! Interpretive signs help tell the story of the area and highlight its cultural and geological significance.
See MoreAtalaya Mountain
The Atalaya Mountain Trail is one of Santa Fe’s most popular hikes, thanks to its 360-degree views from the summit, and that it’s just minutes to Santa Fe. The trail is about a 6.2-mile roundtrip that climbs steadily through piñon-juniper forest and open slopes on the way to the top of Atalaya Mountain. The hike, which connects to the larger Dale Ball Trail system, is moderately strenuous, with consistent elevation gain of about 1,800 feet. Most hikers find it doable in about 4 to 4.5 hours.
Once you get to the summit, you're rewarded with views that stretch across Santa Fe, the Jemez Mountains, and the Sangre de Cristo range! The trail is especially popular in fall for its crisp air and wide-open views, and in spring when wildflowers bloom. This is a great Santa Fe hike that delivers big scenery without being a lot of extra driving.
See MoreNambe Lake
If you're looking to really get off the beaten path and get into nature, this might be the perfect place to do it. Located high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at nearly 9,000 feet, Nambe Lake is a small alpine lake surrounded by forested slopes and mountain peaks. Even though it’s only about 18 miles north of Santa Fe, the area can only be reached via a rugged forest road, but that just adds to the experience. The lake feels remote and quiet—a hidden gem.
Nambe Lake has opportunities for trout and salmon fishing, hiking, and backcountry camping, and it has nice cool temperatures even in the summer thanks to its elevation. You can rent fishing equipment, rafts, paddle boards, float tubes, canoes, and kayaks, which is helpful if you’re not traveling with these items.
Note: Nambe Lake & Recreation Area closes in winter. It will reopen on March 27, 2025.
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