One of the best rewards of living in the Land of Enchantment is the sheer number of hiking trails and open spaces to explore. However, you don’t need to be an advanced hiker to take advantage of the great outdoors. There are numerous short yet lovely trails for you discover. These eight hikes all clock in at under three miles long! Here are some of the best hikes in New Mexico that are short, sweet, and perfectly to the point.

  1. Leonora Curtin Wetland Preserve (Santa Fe)

Tripadvisor/santafean51 Although this preserve is affiliated with the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, it’s in a completely different section of Santa Fe. That’s a bonus, because fewer people have discovered it. This 35-acre, marshy area contains well-marked trails that you can take for as long or short a distance as you’d like. There are set opening hours for this preserve, so visit the official website before you head out. 27283 W Frontage Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA

  1. The Desert Upland Trail at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Roswell)

Flickr/Judy Gallagher Fancy hiking with quail? You might be in luck if you take the 1-mile long walk along the Desert Upland Trail, which is lined with native plants. While you’re in the refuge, add on the Butterfly Trail – it’s only 0.25-miles in length but, as the name indicates, it is designed to attract butterflies. Here is information relating to the refuge’s opening hours. 4200 E Pine Lodge Rd, Roswell, NM 88201, USA

  1. Lake Roberts Loop (near Silver City)

Tripadvisor/Deanne A Meander around this tranquil lake on a 2.5-mile long loop trail that offers lovely views. There’s no starting or ending point – just begin walking along the dirt path that edges the 75-acre lake. This fun, dog-friendly hike in New Mexico is rated as moderately challenging. Lake Roberts, NM 88061, USA

  1. JA Volcano and the Albuquerque Overlook at Volcanoes Day Use Area (Albuquerque)

Flickr/Robot Brainz This national monument contains five cinder cone volcanoes. The main trail is a 1-mile jaunt, round trip. It affords great views over Albuquerque and it’s easy to extend your hike by venturing a little way along the Black Volcano Loop trail. This hiking spot is located off Atrisco Vista Boulevard in Albuquerque, and it’s open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Leashed dogs are welcome! This volcano hike in New Mexico is one of the coolest you’ll ever do! Volcanoes Day Use Parking, Albuquerque, NM, USA

  1. Heron Lake State Park (Los Ojos)

Flickr/Claudia Dunitz The East Meadow Trail stretches for 2.4 miles, running parallel to Heron Lake. Since this is an out-and-back trail, you’ll want to turn around near the midway point to keep it under 3 miles – or else persuade a member of your group to pick you up at the other end! For these views… it’s worth it. The trailhead for this easy hike is at the visitor center and the park is located in Los Ojos. When the weather gets warm, this doubles as a great swimming hole in New Mexico, too. 640 NM-95, Los Ojos, NM 87551, USA

  1. Leasburg Dam State Park (Las Cruces)

Tripadvisor/Deanne A Since there are only 2.25 miles of trails in this state park, you can easily explore the whole place without breaking the 3-mile mark. The dam itself is pretty and, during warmer months, you can cool off post-hike in the Rio Grande. This state park is located at Leasburg Dam Road in Las Cruces. This is one fun state park in New Mexico you can’t miss. Leasburg Dam State Park, 12712 State Park Rd, Radium Springs, NM 88054, USA

  1. Galisteo Basin Preserve (Lamy)

Facebook/Galisteo Basin Preserve There are 50 miles of hiking trails winding through this preserve. The views are expansive – you can see for miles - the hills are gentle, and the earth tinged with red. Make up your own route when trekking through this beautiful area or follow the Cowboy Shack Trail. This out-and-back trail is 3-miles long total, so not quite under but close enough. Leashed pets are allowed in the preserve, which is located off US-285, just north of the turnoff to Lamy. This is an amazing place to watch wild horses in New Mexico as well. Galisteo Basin Preserve, Astral Valley Rd, Lamy, NM 87540, USA

  1. Coyote Call Trail (near Los Alamos)

Flickr/Thomas Shahan Tucked away in Valles Caldera, this 2.9-mile long trail features meadows, forests, and picturesque scenery. To reach the trailhead, pull off NM-4 near mile marker 41. Dogs are permitted, providing they’re on a leash. This is a good one if you’re a fan of easy hikes in New Mexico. Coyote Loop, Coyote Lp, New Mexico 87547, USA

Which short hike in New Mexico appeals to you? Which hikes in New Mexico would you say are the best? Tell us about them in the comments!

Tripadvisor/santafean51

Although this preserve is affiliated with the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, it’s in a completely different section of Santa Fe. That’s a bonus, because fewer people have discovered it. This 35-acre, marshy area contains well-marked trails that you can take for as long or short a distance as you’d like. There are set opening hours for this preserve, so visit the official website before you head out.

27283 W Frontage Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87507, USA

Flickr/Judy Gallagher

Fancy hiking with quail? You might be in luck if you take the 1-mile long walk along the Desert Upland Trail, which is lined with native plants. While you’re in the refuge, add on the Butterfly Trail – it’s only 0.25-miles in length but, as the name indicates, it is designed to attract butterflies. Here is information relating to the refuge’s opening hours.

4200 E Pine Lodge Rd, Roswell, NM 88201, USA

Tripadvisor/Deanne A

Meander around this tranquil lake on a 2.5-mile long loop trail that offers lovely views. There’s no starting or ending point – just begin walking along the dirt path that edges the 75-acre lake. This fun, dog-friendly hike in New Mexico is rated as moderately challenging.

Lake Roberts, NM 88061, USA

Flickr/Robot Brainz

This national monument contains five cinder cone volcanoes. The main trail is a 1-mile jaunt, round trip. It affords great views over Albuquerque and it’s easy to extend your hike by venturing a little way along the Black Volcano Loop trail. This hiking spot is located off Atrisco Vista Boulevard in Albuquerque, and it’s open between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Leashed dogs are welcome! This volcano hike in New Mexico is one of the coolest you’ll ever do!

Volcanoes Day Use Parking, Albuquerque, NM, USA

Flickr/Claudia Dunitz

The East Meadow Trail stretches for 2.4 miles, running parallel to Heron Lake. Since this is an out-and-back trail, you’ll want to turn around near the midway point to keep it under 3 miles – or else persuade a member of your group to pick you up at the other end! For these views… it’s worth it. The trailhead for this easy hike is at the visitor center and the park is located in Los Ojos. When the weather gets warm, this doubles as a great swimming hole in New Mexico, too.

640 NM-95, Los Ojos, NM 87551, USA

Since there are only 2.25 miles of trails in this state park, you can easily explore the whole place without breaking the 3-mile mark. The dam itself is pretty and, during warmer months, you can cool off post-hike in the Rio Grande. This state park is located at Leasburg Dam Road in Las Cruces. This is one fun state park in New Mexico you can’t miss.

Leasburg Dam State Park, 12712 State Park Rd, Radium Springs, NM 88054, USA

Facebook/Galisteo Basin Preserve

There are 50 miles of hiking trails winding through this preserve. The views are expansive – you can see for miles - the hills are gentle, and the earth tinged with red. Make up your own route when trekking through this beautiful area or follow the Cowboy Shack Trail. This out-and-back trail is 3-miles long total, so not quite under but close enough. Leashed pets are allowed in the preserve, which is located off US-285, just north of the turnoff to Lamy. This is an amazing place to watch wild horses in New Mexico as well.

Galisteo Basin Preserve, Astral Valley Rd, Lamy, NM 87540, USA

Flickr/Thomas Shahan

Tucked away in Valles Caldera, this 2.9-mile long trail features meadows, forests, and picturesque scenery. To reach the trailhead, pull off NM-4 near mile marker 41. Dogs are permitted, providing they’re on a leash. This is a good one if you’re a fan of easy hikes in New Mexico.

Coyote Loop, Coyote Lp, New Mexico 87547, USA

You may also be interested in our past article: “8 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In New Mexico.”

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in New Mexico March 31, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best easy hikes around New Mexico?   New Mexico is home to more than 1000 amazing hiking trails, each with its own pros, cons, and everything in between. Of those 1000 trails, about half of them are nice, easy, and perfect for a lazy day where you still want to get outdoors. They vary in length, but they remain simple. There’s the Alcove House Trail, at Bandelier National Monument, which is 2.6 miles long and takes you to a community that was once home to a small population of ancient Pueblo people. The Volcanoes Trail at Petroglyph National Monument is another good one for history buffs; it’s got great views and some truly interesting geology along the way (as well as, predictably, petroglyphs). Fans of waterfalls will enjoy the Travertine Falls Trail in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness; it’s 1.1 miles of short, sweet and to the point hiking up to a stunning seasonal waterfall. Finally, check out the Paseo del Bosque Trail, within Rio Grande Valley State Park. That one’s long – 17.7 miles! - and one of the best biking trails in the US. Hiking in New Mexico is a blast no matter your skill level.  What are the most amazing scenic hikes in New Mexico?   Honestly, what hikes in New Mexico aren’t scenic hikes in New Mexico? The Land of Enchantment is an enchanting place to hike and enjoy the outdoors; a lot of our trails are world-famous, and it’s easy to see why! New Mexico is an incredible place with much to see and do. What better way to explore than by hiking? Check out the La Luz Trail, near Albuquerque; it’s an eight or nine-mile trek to the summit of the Sandia Mountains. There’s a 4,000-foot elevation gain and 19 challenging switchbacks at the end of the hike, but the view is worth it. Lovers of that one will also enjoy the Wheeler Peak Trail, which is on the highest mountain in the state and part of the Sangre de Cristo Range. That one’s got a 3,000-foot elevation gain, but it’s also worth the difficulty to get the views at the end.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes in New Mexico

March 31, 2022

Tori Jane

What are some of the best easy hikes around New Mexico?   New Mexico is home to more than 1000 amazing hiking trails, each with its own pros, cons, and everything in between. Of those 1000 trails, about half of them are nice, easy, and perfect for a lazy day where you still want to get outdoors. They vary in length, but they remain simple. There’s the Alcove House Trail, at Bandelier National Monument, which is 2.6 miles long and takes you to a community that was once home to a small population of ancient Pueblo people. The Volcanoes Trail at Petroglyph National Monument is another good one for history buffs; it’s got great views and some truly interesting geology along the way (as well as, predictably, petroglyphs). Fans of waterfalls will enjoy the Travertine Falls Trail in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness; it’s 1.1 miles of short, sweet and to the point hiking up to a stunning seasonal waterfall. Finally, check out the Paseo del Bosque Trail, within Rio Grande Valley State Park. That one’s long – 17.7 miles! - and one of the best biking trails in the US. Hiking in New Mexico is a blast no matter your skill level.  What are the most amazing scenic hikes in New Mexico?   Honestly, what hikes in New Mexico aren’t scenic hikes in New Mexico? The Land of Enchantment is an enchanting place to hike and enjoy the outdoors; a lot of our trails are world-famous, and it’s easy to see why! New Mexico is an incredible place with much to see and do. What better way to explore than by hiking? Check out the La Luz Trail, near Albuquerque; it’s an eight or nine-mile trek to the summit of the Sandia Mountains. There’s a 4,000-foot elevation gain and 19 challenging switchbacks at the end of the hike, but the view is worth it. Lovers of that one will also enjoy the Wheeler Peak Trail, which is on the highest mountain in the state and part of the Sangre de Cristo Range. That one’s got a 3,000-foot elevation gain, but it’s also worth the difficulty to get the views at the end.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

New Mexico is home to more than 1000 amazing hiking trails, each with its own pros, cons, and everything in between. Of those 1000 trails, about half of them are nice, easy, and perfect for a lazy day where you still want to get outdoors. They vary in length, but they remain simple. There’s the Alcove House Trail, at Bandelier National Monument, which is 2.6 miles long and takes you to a community that was once home to a small population of ancient Pueblo people. The Volcanoes Trail at Petroglyph National Monument is another good one for history buffs; it’s got great views and some truly interesting geology along the way (as well as, predictably, petroglyphs). Fans of waterfalls will enjoy the Travertine Falls Trail in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness; it’s 1.1 miles of short, sweet and to the point hiking up to a stunning seasonal waterfall. Finally, check out the Paseo del Bosque Trail, within Rio Grande Valley State Park. That one’s long – 17.7 miles! - and one of the best biking trails in the US. Hiking in New Mexico is a blast no matter your skill level. 

What are the most amazing scenic hikes in New Mexico?  

Honestly, what hikes in New Mexico aren’t scenic hikes in New Mexico? The Land of Enchantment is an enchanting place to hike and enjoy the outdoors; a lot of our trails are world-famous, and it’s easy to see why! New Mexico is an incredible place with much to see and do. What better way to explore than by hiking? Check out the La Luz Trail, near Albuquerque; it’s an eight or nine-mile trek to the summit of the Sandia Mountains. There’s a 4,000-foot elevation gain and 19 challenging switchbacks at the end of the hike, but the view is worth it. Lovers of that one will also enjoy the Wheeler Peak Trail, which is on the highest mountain in the state and part of the Sangre de Cristo Range. That one’s got a 3,000-foot elevation gain, but it’s also worth the difficulty to get the views at the end.