When people think of the best places to hike their minds may not wander straight to New Mexico. However, some of the best hikes can be found in New Mexico with an otherworldly feel and a secluded touch. Even though I didn’t get to spend a long time in New Mexico, it didn’t take much for me to realize the charm and wonder of this beautiful state!
I wanted a chance to showcase some of New Mexico’s best hikes and share the beauty of this state with everyone! This list complies the best 10 hikes in New Mexico that are definitely worth the trip out. I hope you are able to find some hidden gems on this list that inspire you to grab your hiking boots and hit the trails!
If you are looking for more Western adventures make sure to check out these Arizona adventures!
1.) Sugarite Canyon State Park
Sugarite Canyon State Park was my first stop in New Mexico and what an introduction it was! This beautiful park is located in the North East of New Mexico and was a great day trip from Colorado Springs where we set up base. For only a $5 entrance fee you get access to 13 miles (20km) of trails, fishing, hunting, and more!
They offer overnight camping here for $10-$30USD depending on the type of site you reserve. Camping is open year-round with discounted rates in the winter months. Lake Maloya sits right on the edge of the park offering a tranquil view and relaxing atmosphere. People are allowed to bring boats to enjoy the lake up close and personal.
If you are traveling here in the winter, don’t worry; the park also offers lots of winter activities! Snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country skiing are a taste of what can be done in the winter months here. Not to mention the beautiful scenic hikes! The best thing about this park is all the trail levels they offer. They have everything from easy trails for the whole family, to more difficult trails for the adventure seeker!
You can easily pack a picnic and relax at the lake or grab your backpack and spend the day hiking. This is really one of the best hikes in New Mexico!
2.) Manzanita Canyon Trail (lobo peak)
If you are an avid hiker then you can’t miss Lobo Peak! While the hike is a bit strenuous the views are well worth the pain of the uphill climb. Desiring a hike where you will most likely be the only one at the top, Lobo Peak was made for you!
If you plan on hiking this trail you will want to make sure you have really good hiking boots, snacks, and the proper equipment. This trail is 11 miles (17km) out and back so you will want to start early and plan on this being an all-day excursion. You will want to ensure you have plenty of water with you as you climb the mountain, and it wouldn’t hurt to carry a filtered water bottle.
To get to the trailhead you will want to park at the parking lot for the Yerba Trail. If you want even further details on how to get there you can check out these detailed directions.
If you are wondering if the trail is going to be too hard for you, don’t worry just take it slow and you will be just fine. One of the best perks about this trail is the fact you can bring your dogs along!
3.) Williams Lake Trail
If you are looking for a thrilling adventure but don’t want to be gone the entire day the Williams Lake Trail is for you! One of the top-rated hikes in all of New Mexico, if you are an outdoors enthusiast you have to visit this trail. The best part about this hike is that it takes about two hours total for the entire hike! You can get up early have a killer hiking experience and be back down the mountain in time for a hearty lunch.
Four-legged friends are also welcome on this adventurous trail as long as they have a leash. If you park in the parking lot and pass the Bavarian Lodge by the Kachina Chairlift you know you are heading in the right direction! While this trail may not be very long or take much time to complete it’s not for the faint of heart. Be prepared for steep inclines, rocky climbs, and a relatively hard assent. That being said it is completely worth every effort to get to the top!
4.) Alkali Flat Trail
If you are looking for completely unique hikes in New Mexico, the Alkali Flat Trail inside White Sands National Park was made for you! You will feel like you stepped onto another planet with the landscape of this park. Just like the name implies, the park is filled with pristine fine white sand all ready to be explored. Unlike the name, this trail is not completely flat and offers visitors a choose-your-own-adventure feel. You can make this hike as easy or rough as you like. There are so many trails to explore within this National Park but if you are only here for a day I would recommend the Alkali Flat Trail.
The price to enter varies on a couple of different factors. If you are only visiting for the day it is $25USD per vehicle, (this includes everyone in the vehicle.) $20USD if you are visiting on a motorcycle, or you can buy a year pass that is good for three people for $45USD. Dogs are allowed if you keep them on a leash. If you want an adventure like nothing else in all of New Mexico this park is waiting for you!
5.) San Antonio hot springs
Looking for a place to sneak away from the world and feel completely at peace? San Antonio Hot Springs offers hikers the opportunity to become one with nature and unwind in the steamy hot springs. The trail itself isn’t long at only 1.5 miles out and back. While the trail isn’t a complete walk in the park, it is still easy enough that most people can hike it with no issues. Make sure to pack your swimsuit and lunch then you can spend the afternoon in perfect solitude! The springs are located in the Santa Fe National Forest. You will park in the parking lot for Forest Service Road 376.
The road to get there is sometimes closed during the winter season due to extreme weather. If you are looking to visit and want to check beforehand you can look at this hot spring status. Dogs are more than welcome to join you on this adventure as long as they have a leash. When adventuring here be prepared to have a great time and pack lots of snacks!
6.) Turkey Creek hot springs
Close to the border of Arizona sits one of the best hikes in New Mexico! The hike to Turkey Creek Hot Springs is not for the faint of heart, but in the end, you will be rewarded with the best inviting hot spring. This 10.9-mile out-and-back hike provides an adventure that can be had in one day or multiple. With camping available, you could spend a day or two exploring the varying landscape. They make camping easy with campsites all along the trail. The hot spring is not the only thing this trail has to offer. You will come across rivers, mountains, and all sorts of wildlife on this remote trail!
It is recommended that getting to the trailhead you need a heavier-duty car with good tires, as the road can be pretty rocky and rough. If you want a true backpacking trip this trail will offer you just that. If you are looking for just a day hike you can also find that here. With the river only being about 5 miles in you could easily make that your day hike. This trail is open year-round, but if you want to check the status and see any updates you can also look at this tracker here.
7.) Doña ana arch loop
If you are looking for open-air with vast space to explore, you will love Doña Ana Arch! This short hike is perfect if you want a break from driving and want to get the blood pumping. Although it might only be a short 3.2-mile loop, the hike is very steep and quite challenging. If you want a photo option where you can capture the vastness of New Mexico and the cool rock formations, then let this trial be your answer.
If you are into mountain biking then this trail also offers moderately hard biking trails. I would say this probably isn’t the best trail if you are just starting out. Yet, for the riders who have been in the game a while, you will have a great time. Make sure to bring plenty of water as this trail is in the middle of the desert with little shade and is intense. Looking for a place to watch the sunset or sunrise? This trail also provides some of the best views to watch the sun rise and fall! While hiking the trial you may want to bring a downloaded version of the map as the trail isn’t well marked. You can download one here.
8.) Osha Trail
Wanting a break from the desert? The Osha Trail offers hikers the opportunity to be surrounded by trees and lush vegetation once more! This hike is also great for those who have younger kids and want them to fall in love with the outdoors. The trail can get a bit rocky at points so make sure to wear good hiking shoes. If you make it to the top you will be rewarded with a nice view of White Sands Park! The trail is a short 2.5-mile loop that can be hiked in roughly a 1hr 10min.
If you are a runner this trail is also great for trail running. Just make sure to watch your step and you will probably want to be acclimated to the altitude before setting off. Dogs are welcome here but they must be on a leash. If you are hoping to see wildlife this trail is your best bet. With so much foliage the forest offers a home base for deer, so many species of birds, and all the little four-legged critters that live in the woods. Because of the park’s location, you could easily spend some time hiking here then head right on over to White Sands Park to continue the adventure!
9.) Dripping Springs Trail
Want to feel like you are transported back to the wild west? Dripping Springs Trail will do just that! This trial is perfect for anyone wanting to get a taste of the true South West. The only thing hard about this trail is exposure to the elements. Just make sure to bring plenty of water and you’ll be set. There is a waterfall along the trail which is a unique find in New Mexico and makes a trip out to this trail worth it. The $5USD parking fee will get you not only into this trail but two others connecting to the parking lot.
This trail is only 3 miles out and back allowing you to spend an afternoon exploring all the west has to offer. If you want a more in-depth trial look you can read up on the details exact here. This location tends to be one of the more popular ones on this list so if you are looking for complete solitude you might to try another trail above. That being said, it is still a great hike and not so popular that it loses its magic!
10.) Pine Tree Trail
Located right by Dipping Springs and Doña Ana Arch, the Pine Tree Trail offers some of the best off-beat hiking in New Mexico! This hike has some steep inclines which will have you wanting to hike this trail in the morning before the heat sets in. At only 4.6 miles, it should only take anywhere from 2.5 – 3 hours to complete this loop giving you the rest of your day to explore another trail close by. You will want good footwear as parts of the trail can be a bit unmaintained and steep needing a good grip to get up. Also, keep an eye on your surroundings giving caution to rattlesnakes and mountain lions.
There is nothing to be afraid of but this trail is less trafficked so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Another layer of protection, your dogs are welcome here too! They can even be unleashed in most areas if that is your preference. Looking to get back into the mountains? This trail has some of the best views of the surrounding mountains! Enough to fulfill any mountain lover’s dream! Pine Tree trail is really one of the best hikes in New Mexico!
Where have we been?
Wrapping up
here we have it! there is a list of the best hikes in New Mexico! Everything from mountains to waterfalls, you will never get bored exploring all the hikes New Mexico has to offer. if you want more outdoor adventures make sure to check out this camping guide! Other than that did I hit all your favorites? Let me know! Where is your go-to hiking spot in New Mexico?
Until Next Time, Olivia Grace❤️
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