Trail · Central NM
Search hiking, mountain-bike and equestrian trails, campsites, fishing and water access, hunting units, farmers markets, and hidden gems across New Mexico — with fees, access rules, and cultural-protocol guidance.
The Albuquerque Trail is a 3.6-mile hiking trail in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico, managed by the Cibola National Forest (Mountainair Ranger District) in Torrance County. The trail originates at the Albuquerque Trailhead parking area off Forest Road 55 and connects to the Fourth of July Trail. The area provides access to Tajique Canyon, which contains the largest stand of Rocky Mountain bigtooth maples in New Mexico. The trail is open year-round for day use with a $5 per vehicle fee.
Box Canyon Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico, with a modest recorded elevation gain of approximately 256 feet. Photography is permitted. Trail length, difficulty rating, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Cerro Blanco Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Comanche Trailhead offers a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico with a recorded elevation gain of approximately 2,047 feet. Photography is permitted. Trail length, difficulty rating, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Cottonwood Trailhead accesses the Manzano Mountains in central New Mexico's Torrance County. Managed by the USDA Forest Service (Cibola National Forest, Mountainair Ranger District), the trailhead is reached by parking off Forest Road 422 and hiking approximately 0.5 mile to the Kayser/Cottonwood Junction. Located within the recovery area of the 2007 Ojo Peak Wildfire, the site offers access to hiking and horseback riding opportunities. Day-use fees may apply; accepted passes include the New Mexico Enchantment Pass and interagency passes.
Encino Trailhead in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico welcomes both hikers and equestrian riders, making it a dual-use starting point for exploring this mountain range. Photography is permitted. Specific trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently listed; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Fourth of July Trailhead sits at the west/northwest end of Fourth of July Campground in the Manzano Mountains, Cibola National Forest. The 1.8-mile trail leads from this day-use trailhead into Manzano Mountain Wilderness and eventually connects to Manzano Crest Trail. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service's Mountainair Ranger District, Torrance County. Campground operates April–November; day-use parking is available near the entrance.
Kayser/Cottonwood Trailhead is located off Forest Road 422 in Torrance County within the Mountainair Ranger District of Cibola National Forest, situated in the Manzano Mountains approximately 50 miles south-southeast of Albuquerque. The trailhead is accessed by parking off FR422 and hiking about half a mile to Kayser/Cottonwood Junction. The area sits within the 2007 Ojo Peak Wildfire recovery zone. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service, this location serves as a jumping-off point for hiking and horseback riding in the Manzano Mountains, which contain the largest stand of Rocky Mountain large tooth maples in New Mexico.
Little Black Peak Wilderness Study Area is a 75-km lava flow approximately 5,000 years old located in Lincoln County, New Mexico, 4.5 miles west of Carrizozo. Managed by the BLM Roswell Field Office, the area features a rugged landscape of volcanic rock with fissures, jumbled outcrops, and occasional lava tubes. The 5,676-foot Little Black Peak cinder cone is the primary source vent. No designated trails exist; hiking is cross-country only across extremely uneven, sharp volcanic lava. Several pullouts on U.S. 380 provide access points. Valley of Fires Recreation Area lies 2.5 miles away.
Manzano Crest North Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty rating, and other details are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Manzano Crest South Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty rating, and other details are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Manzano Wilderness Study Area in central New Mexico is managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office and is under consideration for addition to the adjacent Manzano Wilderness administered by the Cibola National Forest. The area is open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not specified; contact the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office for current access conditions.
Monte Largo Trailhead in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico provides dual-use access for hikers and equestrian riders, with a recorded elevation gain of approximately 3,730 feet. Photography is permitted. Trail length, difficulty rating, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
New Canyon Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Ox Canyon Trailhead is a day-use trailhead in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico, managed by the USDA Forest Service (Cibola National Forest, Mountainair Ranger District). The 3.9-mile trail ascends to the Manzano Crest Trail and offers vault toilet facilities. The trailhead is typically open April through November.
Pine Shadow Trailhead in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico accommodates hikers, equestrian riders, and picnickers. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Red Canyon / Spruce Spring Trailhead in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico welcomes both hikers and equestrian riders. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
The Sandia Mountains rise just east of Albuquerque in central New Mexico and are the most-visited mountains in the state. Open year-round for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and winter sports. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty vary by route; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for specific conditions.
Trail Canyon Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted at this location. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
Trigo Trailhead is a hiking access point in the Manzano Mountains of central New Mexico. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation gain, difficulty, and duration details are not currently specified; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for conditions before visiting.
White Ridge Bike Trails is a 12-mile mountain biking system managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office, located southwest of San Ysidro in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Two concentric loops wind across gypsum-rich mesa ridgelines with fast, flowing singletrack, steep climbs, and technical descents featuring approximately 1,000 feet of total elevation gain. Hikers are welcome on all trails; one segment is designated for equestrian use. The site is accessible via Cabezon Road (County Road 906) approximately 4.4 miles from the trailhead; high-clearance vehicles are preferred but the road is passable when dry. No water, toilets, or cell service are available on-site. Primitive dispersed camping is permitted on adjacent BLM lands with a 14-day stay limit.