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23 day trips to take from Albuquerque
The Abó Mission, part of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.
Hikes, hot springs, pueblo tours and radio telescope facilities are just some of the things within a two-hour radius of Albuquerque.
Outdoors
This 13-mile-wide circular depression was created when a volcano erupted roughly 1 million years ago. Today, it is a preserve known for its mountain meadows, abundant wildlife and streams.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just under two hours
This drive is roughly 50 miles long and links Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The route goes through Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, Golden, Madrid, Cerrillos, and San Marcos/Lone Butte. Along the way you'll see the Sandia Peak Ski Area, Broken Saddle Riding Co. and Lantern Ridge Farm Market and Nursery to name a few.
Distance from Albuquerque: 40 minutes
Explore expansive lava fields, sandstone cliffs, lava tube caves and ancient trails at this National Park.
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Distance from Albuquerque: Just under two hours
This refuge consists of 30,000 acres of designated wilderness established to provide a stopover for migrating waterfowl. Migratory birds can be found in the greatest numbers from early November to late January.
Distance from Albuquerque: Roughly an hour and a half
Rising from the Rio Puerco valley floor, Cabezon can be seen for miles in all directions. There are multiple volcanic necks jutting from the landscape, making a great place for strong hikers to explore.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just over an hour
The National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Very Large Array
The VLA has self-guided walking tours through the radio telescope facilities, which are used by the international scientific community.
Distance from Albuquerque: Two hours
The landscape here was the inspiration for some of Georgia O'Keeffe's paintings. The 21,000 acres of rock walls have held spiritual significance for the Pueblo people for centuries. Now, the ranch offers tours, trail rides, hiking, paddling and snowshoeing.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just over two hours
Lakes
Cochiti Lake has day use recreation areas including swim beaches, boat launch areas, picnic sites and campgrounds.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just under an hour
The water reservoir has sandy beaches, picnic areas and plenty of space for boats, kayaks, jet skis, pontoons, sailboats and houseboats.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just over two hours
Enjoy fishing, boating, camping, hiking and water sports at this 5,200 surface acre reservoir. Reptile fossils from 200 million years ago have been found in the area.
Distance from Albuquerque: Two hours
Hot Springs
Jemez Springs has a bath house offering soaks and massages, and multiple hot springs out in nature to hike to.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just over an hour
This hike is open year-round and dogs are welcome.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 1.5 miles
The recommended time to visit this trail is March through October. Dogs are welcome.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: .7 miles
The recommended time to visit this trail is April through December. The trail is steep and rocky.
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 3.2 miles
Truth or Consequences
This town has multiple hot spring resorts to visit. The region gained popularity as a health center from the 1900s into the 1940s.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just over two hours
This hot spring is one of the oldest health spas in the country, this hot spring resort has arsenic, lithia, soda and iron in its naturally sulfur-free waters. There are spa resorts great for weekend trips, and soaking pools ideal for day trips.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just under two hours
Located near United World College in Las Vegas, the hot springs are divided into pools of varying temperatures, ranging from 102.7 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just under two hours
Pueblos
Acoma Sky City Cultural Center hosts tours and has various public events such as a harvest dance, holiday luminarias and feasts.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just over an hour
The Pueblo is designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and a National Historic Landmark. It has been perpetually inhabited for more than 1,000 years.
Distance from Albuquerque: Roughly two and a half hours
This ghost town and pueblo ruins covers roughly 370 acres. The pueblos were believed to have been occupied by the Mogollon then Anasazi cultures as early as the 10th century. A town was established with the coming of the railroad in 1912, but by the 60s things had closed down. Now only the original pueblo ruins and remnants of buildings remain.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just over an hour
Guided tours follow paved trails through the ruins of cliff dwellings from the ancestral Tiwa people who lived in the area hundreds of years ago.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just over an hour and a half
Many of these petroglyphs come from the Keresan-speaking Puebloan people who lived in the area between the 13th and 17th centuries.
Distance from Albuquerque: Just under an hour
Stay in Town
Located in Bernalillo, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado entered the Rio Grande valley near this site back in 1540. Coronado was on his quest for the fabled Seven Cities of Gold. He and his men explored the 12 Tiwa villages over the next two years.
Distance from Albuquerque: Half an hour
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
Explore indoor and outdoor wildlife viewing areas. Available activities include education programs, festivals, picnic areas, trails and wildlife viewing.
Location: 2901 Candelaria NW
Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge
Right behind an industrial portion of the South Valley, this wetland refuge occupies 570 acres of Tiwa land. The refuge aims to connect people with wildlife, plants and the land.
Location: 7851 Second SW
Gutiérrez Hubbell House History And Cultural Center
This 5,748-square-foot house was built in the mid-1850s and has been used as a private residence, mercantile, agricultural center, post office and gathering place over the years.
Location: 6029 Isleta SW
