It was an amazing time hiking the refuge. Wish there was a better access to the Bosque as the weeds…read morecover the pathway.

This is a little nature haven right in town. So worth the trip for the peace and quiet and the…read morebirds. Wonderful local artwork and the gift shop has some beautiful finds! They offer classes and volunteer opportunities. Spacious, clean bathrooms, and water fountains where you can refill your water bottle. Beautiful setting! Get out there and breathe!

Since the Copper Trailhead doesn't have its own entry, this is a combo review. Copper is considered…read morerelatively easy. The caveat is that the final approach to the U-Mound gets more complex and I gave up. But there's a consolation prize: the term "U-Mound" is apparently also used to refer to the general rocks in the vicinity, which are approachable via the easy trails. Given the incomplete maps online and reviews of the difficult trails around Embudo, the TL;DR take is that you should look for the 401 trail if you're into scenery but not trying to re-enact some grim 2012-era Sundance movie. There are many elevation options. While I didn't see wildflowers in April, there was a great cacti assortment. Geography note: there are buses relatively close to Copper Trailhead but the ABQ Ride schedule is not generous. As of press time there were no post-sunset buses so I took Lyft.

First time at this little trailhead and it was definitely worth checking out…read more I've been trying to be more intentional about spending time at the open spaces and enjoying all of the great outdoor space the city has to offer. This area is family, friendly with a ride of different trails and pet friendly as well. Like other areas in the foothills do you have to watch out for cacti and other hazards. Still enjoying the views is worth getting out here. There's a good amount of parking and additional parking further out.

Beginning from the parking area off Carlito Springs Road, this trail heads steadily uphill via…read moreCarlito Springs Loop Trail. The main highlight of this trail is the tranquil freshwater springs. There are also some lovely views, looking out across the nearby neighborhoods to the distant mountains. In spring, this area is a great place to see a variety of different wildflowers in bloom. The three springs are for visual pleasure only and are covered in algae. It gives a nice surreal feel to them and we got great pictures. It was still cool when we set off, took us 60 years olds 40 mins with stops to catch our breath. At the top you can continue on the 1.8 loop back to the car park. We retraced our steps coming down and it was not even 20 mins.

Unique and pretty hiking spot close to ABQ. The hike itself is pretty easy, so good for beginners…read more My husband carried our 3 month old twins while hiking, without any problems. We also passed a good number of families and pups. The spring itself has signs that say for viewing only- so be sure to stay clear of the springs. Although it'd be nice to dip our feet in I'm glad they are prioritizing the springs itself.

I took my wife and our dog for a walk along the Paseo del Bosque Trail, and it was exactly the…read morereset we needed. We went in late November, when the cottonwoods are still glowing gold, and the whole riverside felt like it was an autumn paradise. The trail is flat and easy, with long stretches that let you really settle into the scenery-Rio Grande on one side, trees and little side ponds on the other. Our dog loved it. There's plenty of room to keep a dog on leash without feeling crowded, and enough side paths and textures (sand, dirt, leaves) to keep him interested. We saw ducks and geese cruising on the water, along with a woodpecker working a cottonwood trunk. It also turned into a really sweet date. There are quiet spots to stop, sit by the water, and just watch the birds and the current go by. It never felt unsafe or overly busy, just a steady trickle of walkers, cyclists, and other people out enjoying the trail. If you're visiting Albuquerque-or you just moved here and want to fall in love with the area a little bit-Paseo del Bosque is an easy yes.

I pulled into the Alameda Open Space parking area. I pulled my bike out, got geared up, started my…read moreapps and began the ride. I rode about 11 miles out, then I turned around and came back. The trail had a dotted center line and a reminder of the courtesies to use while on the trail. The path I took was not shaded. I would say about a 1/4 of the path had rough bumps, and many of them were painted to highlight them. It was a decent path, but I didn't feel like there was much in the way of sight seeing.

This was amazing, I had fun hiking the whole day! Me and my friends decided to hike this trail. Be…read moreaware that there is a restaurant on the top and a tram to get down. I took the tram instead of hiking down. The trail is around 7-8 miles, with steep switchback my friends call "Switchback Hell". I had a blast hiking on that trail. I will come again with more people.

Always a fun time. Very defined trail. Great views although they can get a bit repetitive after a…read morepoint. Personally never felt this trail to be hard. Lots of rock slides, but if you have decent balance you should be good. Parking is free with the national park pass, otherwise it's paid parking- couple bucks. If you are going to take the tram down after hiking up, know that dogs aren't allowed on the tram. And the tram ends at a different point/ so either park a car at each end or be prepared to hike 2.5-3 miles back from there to La Luz trailhead (which can be brutal in summer)

Ernie Taylor is a nice little pocket park next to the Bear Canyon Senior Center. It makes for a…read morepleasant outdoor sit down space for fresh air & conversation on these beautiful autumn days. There are a few picnic tables (expanded metal well coated with vinyl, which is nice), some benches, and a bit of exercise equipment. Plenty of open grass & trees with enough shade to keep the 'Burque sun off if that's what you want. Trash cans for picnic debris and the dog walkers to deposit their little baggies into. No parking lot, but plenty of street parking.

I've only recently discovered this park. Funny, I've lived in Rio Rancho for a long time but didn't…read moreknow this was here. As a park it's OK, but not exceptional. Personally I didn't find it a pretty place to be or walk through. For me, the best thing about it is that it's close. I'll come back, to walk and get exercise. But there's many other places that are esthetically more pleasing to see than the Black Arroyo Park.

Ladders, spiderwebs, and faux rock walks. I can't believe I didn't find this park sooner! This park…read moreoffers lots of fun climbing attractions for preschoolers +. There are a couple shaded areas to sit or picnic at while watching your little ones (5-12years recommended age) play and climb. There is a ton of green grass to roll and run around in. The grass even has the little flowers that are perfect for making necklaces with! This park has a spectacular view of the mountains. The landscape is well maintained and pretty. It is also clean. The main play structure does have shade sails, but the equipment is still very hot in the sun. As the other review mentioned there is not a lot for younger kids to play on, however only a block away, there is another park a little more suited for little ones.

The Good: Massive piece of recreational real estate which includes a sprawling baseball/soccer…read morearea, dog run, playground and public library. The dog run alone is its own park. The playground is mighty fun, with an Indiana Jones-esque bridge running a ways above the ground, long curling slide, and the basics: bucket and big kid swings (long radius), climbing apparatus, the usual. Gorgeous view of the city and the mountains to the east. The Bad: The usual: Sand, no shade. Not a lot of picnic tables or gathering areas for families to celebrate and recreate. From the signage, it appears that air-filled bouncers aren't allowed here, not that I personally care. The biggest issue that I noted was the wind. While it was a breezy day, this park seems to be perched on peak of a hill without trees, and a light breeze turns into a full-on blizzard at times. My kid wanted to leave soon after arrival. The Verdict: On a calm day, bring the kids and make a day of it. Don't forget to snuggle your local library. This is actually possible, library snuggling. I find a nice corner and nuzzle my face into the carpet. I consider it a societal duty.