Visiting is a little more complicated than some other parks/monuments, but if you just read the…read morewebsite you'll get it figured out! The key is that reservations are required, both from the NPS and from the Cochiti Pueblo. Get the NPS reservation first, and only then get the Cochiti Pueblo one (link to that is on the NPS site!). Don't drive to the trailhead, drive to the Cochiti Pueblo visitor center first, check in there, then follow the guide car (runs pretty much continuously all day) to the NPS entrance. The trailhead has multiple pit toilets, all of which were well maintained. The hike through the slot canyon and up onto the ridge is absolutely stunning. There really aren't words to do justice, nor do the pictures really convey things either. The hike into and through the slot canyon isn't steep, although there are some pretty big steps required to clamber over some rocks here and there, and it can be narrow and is often sandy. There's not a lot of elevation change though until you get through the slot canyon, then you just switchback straight up a couple hundred feet onto the ridge. That section isn't terribly long though, and the views from the top are well worth it. The first third of the hike and the last third are pretty exposed to the sun, so make sure you apply that sunscreen and bring plenty of water!

Incredible. Reservation was easy. Gov Rec Ticket and Cochiti Tribal Pass, so two tickets. Worth…read moreevery penny. We got our tickets about 5 days out from visit. Check in at Visitor Center on arrival to check off your name on the list. Visitor centre has good restrooms, snacks and a few gifts and some very pleasant staff. Next Line up behind the white pilot vehicle and he will guide you in for a few miles where they will check your pass. After that its another few miles to a small carpark with restrooms and then off your go. We did slot canyon. Half a mile walk through amazing scenery/narrow passages through the stone and some climbing over rocks. I found it quite easy but do go before the sun comes out. We started at 9.30 am. After this section, which took us about 40 minutes due to lots of photo ops you will see another sign saying 1 mile to overlook. We almost gave up as the first climb looked hard - its not, just go on. We are in our 60's with dicky knees and it was not issue, just use your bottom when you have to. A light pair of garden gloves would be handy for when your hands scrape the boulders. All practical stuff here, the views speak for themselves. it's stunning and because of the limited access you meet few people along the way. As always with State Parks, check the website for any passes required or closures.

A great spot for an easy hike around Santa Fe…read more I mean truly, a beautiful hike, and not hard at all. I had been looking for one that my gal would like. She likes a good walk but isnt looking for soemthign that would be literally back breaking. I hadn't hiked Arroyo myself yet but I knew it was one she would like as I knew the terrain in that area. so we went out early-ish on a Saturday(before the sun really kicked in). There's a nice parking area that I think I could find in the dark. From there We grabbed our hiking poles and went straight out(there is a side path too but we didn't go that way). It was a beautiful walk amongst the trees and sometimes wide open ridge lines. We saw a few other hikers and joggers, but not many. It was the type of hike I could really enjoying once a week, if only I lived locally. But we will be back for sure for a hike again soon to this great spot.

Beautiful short trail with wide open views of Santa Fe, decent amount of parking, porta potty, and…read morenot very busy! The loop is a little less than two miles long and has minor elevation gains and dips throughout. Great for beginners still acclimating to the altitude or for anyone looking for a nice and easy walk to admire Santa Fe's environment. I was lucky enough to visit during cactus bloom season which made this trail extra special!

I really loved this trail! This trail is not for the faint of heart or the beginner. It's a…read morechallenge but a good challenge. You can go at your own pace and you'll get to see all the beautiful butterflies and other creatures. Huge area and very clean. Great for camping, picnics, and hiking.

It was so nice! I'd recommend going the first week of October, we went October 18th and it was…read morepast peak so some of the trees were already bare. But still, super nice, a bit chilly, but an amazing way to start a Sunday morning with the puppers The AllTrails map has you do a loop, but we did it as an out and back and hiked 2.5 miles in before turning around on the less steep side.

Atalaya Trail is a very serviceable and enjoyable trail.  It's just the right length for an…read moreafternoon (or morning) hike, and it offers just enough elevation gain that you won't be bored by the level of endeavor required.  That said, apart from the views you'll be rewarded with when you're here, there's not a whole lot else of interest to see during your visit. Tip: This is a popular destination for both hikers and cyclists; both of the aforementioned need to keep their eyes peeled for their opposite numbers; hikers especially need to exercise caution to avoid being hit by oblivious cyclists. I've been here several times recently, and very much enjoy myself each time.  I've found that the views (especially from the top) are very rewarding.  Because it's very easily accessible from all over the area, the trail can sometimes get very crowded; it's best to visit either in the early morning or at off-peak hours to optimize avoid the crowds. The trail winds through the Cruz Blanca neighborhood before rapidly ascending up the side of Atalaya Mountain; it eventually reaches a height of just over nine thousand feet.  While the final stretch is quite gravelly and steep, the views from the top are totally worth it!

Part of the Dale Ball trail system, that include the Dorothy Stewart and Wilderness Trailheads. The…read moreparking lot near after entry for St John's college is the largest and furthest away. Drive up Camino Cruz Blanca and save yourself the 1.5 walk along the road past $1MM homes to these other trailheads. As with everything Dale Ball creates, this is a superbly marked trail system that allows the hiker to plan and tailor their experience. I made a bee-line to the summit of Mt. Picacho. Beautiful vista, but I'll need to return for a sunset and very carefully make my way down the steeper parts of a darkening trail.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve, and it was absolutely beautiful. The…read moremain 1.5-mile loop is easy, quiet, and full of character -- cottonwoods, old reservoir ruins, and a nice mix of sun and shade. It's amazing how peaceful it feels being just a few minutes from town. We also took a short side hike on the Dale Ball Trail System, which connects nearby. The views opened up fast -- rolling foothills, crisp mountain air, and wide open blue skies. Perfect mix of short-and-scenic without feeling rushed. Highly recommend this combo if you want something relaxing but still photo-worthy. Bring water, take your time, and enjoy the calm New Mexico landscape before heading back into Santa Fe.

Nice little hike along the ruins of the old Santa Fe Reservoir. Signs with old photos give…read morehistorical and ecological perspectives. Nice lush scenery along the Santa Fe "River," usually a steam. Some wonderful cool hidden benches for the romantically inclined. No dogs or bikes. Trailhead across from Audubon sign is not easy to find.

Hillside Park offers great views of Santa Fe, as well as provides historical information about New…read moreMexico and Santa Fe. It's accessible, close to the city centre and the paved walkway makes it easy for all to enjoy. We visited Hillside Park, as it was recommended by a local. It's not a very long or steep walk at all. The walkway is paved with railings and a few steps. Once at the top you can see the Cross of the Martyrs and views of Santa Fe. That's in itself a reason to visit. But what I liked most about Hillside Park is the historical plaques along the walkway, detailing the founding of Santa Fe from its first settlers to when it became a part of the United States and New Mexico today. It is also the historic sight of Fort Marcy, a military reservation in the mid-1800's when U.S. declared war on Mexico. With this trail you can see more informational signs about the war and fort. I would definitely recommend for visitors in Santa Fe to check out Hillside Park, not only for its city views but to learn about the city's history and its significance in the U.S. So glad we came here!

Overlook park to get a view of the city and get some steps. The gate and railing separate Fort…read moreMarcy Park at the top from this park and cross partially funded by the Catholic Church to recognize the 21 Franciscan priests and friars killed in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 led by Popé (not the Pope), according to a plaque. There are visible signs of consternation on some of the plaques that this recently built park makes no mention of the atrocities that lead to the uprising. Nonetheless, I found the one sided history laid out in the plaques to be educational because it made me look up people and the events.

Beautiful trail with great views. A little rocky in some areas but a good incline overall and nice…read moreoption for a hike or trail run. It is in a residential area and the only parking is right in front of the trailhead with room for about 4 cars. We got lucky and the 4th spot was available when we arrived! Worth a visit! Near downtown so an easy trail for visitors staying at hotels to check out!

The trailhead for this beautiful and easy 1.9-mile loop hike is about 3/4 miles above St. John's…read moreCollege on Santa Fe's eastside. The trail affords great views of the north end of Santa Fe and the Jemez Mountains. There are frequently lizards and horned toads along the trail edges. Although the trailhead parking lot is small (4 cars), there is roadside parking near St. John's College.

During our annual winter road trip from Austin to Taos, we take as many opportunities as possible…read moreto stretch our legs and take in some beautiful New Mexico landscapes, especially after a great local meal. We chose one of the trails at La Tierra because it was near our location after our tasty late lunch at the original Pantry diner and would put us on the correct side of town to easily continue our journey north on Highway 84 to our lodging at Embudo (north of Espanola). From a peek at the trail system map from Santa Fe Conservation Trust (SFCT, https://sfct.org/la-tierra-trails/), it looked like the La Cuchara trailhead (off 599 aka Veteran's Memorial Highway, behind Unity Santa Fe church) would be our best option, as we could access the roughly 3-mile Ridgetop Loop that would give us a bit of elevation gain with lovely views of the mountains in every direction. If you wanna follow our path, start at the trailhead (designated by marker "TH" throughout the park) and proceed through these numbered markers: 24, 21, 17, 16, 14, 12, 11, 25, and back to the trailhead. This was a mild winter Sunday afternoon, with temps in the low-40s, breezy, and partly sunny. There was a bit of leftover snow here and there, but the single-track terrain was primarily sandy and rocky with minimal mud, a good thing, since we were in our street shoes. We encountered only 2 other parties during our 1-hour outing, one guy on a mountain bike, and a couple walking their 4 dogs (off-leash, grrrr, but thankfully, harmless). The La Tierra Trails system has over 25 miles within 1.5k acres and is rated for multi-use by hikers, cyclists, and horses, plus a small section for motorcycles and ATVs at Buckman Track. Trail runners can also enjoy this trail system, with caution for the abundant cacti. Mountain bikers and BMX riders can have extra fun with some technical trail sections, jumps, and terrain obstacles created just for them; they even get an annual event during Santa Fe Bike Month (August) here, the La Tierra Torture race https://www.core-crew.com/la-tierra-torture-4-27 . Good to know: There are no restrooms or other comfort facilities (at least near the trailhead and path we took). We did notice signs about the risk of car break-ins and shattered window glass on the ground, but no one broke into our car while we were on the trail.

We loved hiking out here, nice and secluded, well marked trails that were easy to follow. All the…read moretrail markers had the full map to help you orient. Very good scenery. There were a couple places that were a little steep but most of the trail was very reasonable grade wise. We took a two mile or so loop from the calabasas trailhead, but there are a bunch of different trail heads to start from and options to go. Some are horse and bike friendly, some not. Bring water with you! There isn't any place to get it nearby.