The Best Outdoor Activities to Do Around Santa Fe

Santa Fe, located in the land of enchantment that is New Mexico, is a magical place. While the city is known for its delicious food and unique architecture, it also has incredible access to outdoor recreation. From hiking to skiing to desert badlands, here are the best outdoor activities to do around Santa Fe.

– Responsible Travel Tips –

Please be respectful of the local environment when exploring the outdoors in New Mexico. Practice Leave No Trace principles such as staying on designated roads/trails, leaving wildlife alone and putting out fires. It always helps to pick up a piece of trash or two as well!

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Galisteo Basin Preserve

1. GO FOR A WALK AT GALISTEO BASIN PRESERVE

This community funded nature preserve is about 20 minutes outside of Santa Fe. This is a great spot to start your day by taking a sunrise walk or end your day by enjoying a beautiful sunset. There are more than 40 miles of trails to explore, so it is definitely worth spending a couple of hours here.

For the best views, park at either the Cowboy Shack or Morning Star Trailheads to access the North Loop trail. This moderate 5.5 mile hike can easily be shortened or lengthened with the many connecting trails here.

Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway

2. TAKE A SCENIC DRIVE

There are 2 scenic byways that leave from Santa Fe. While the Santa Fe NF Byway can be done as a day trip, the High Road Byway is a longer drive. You can take the High Road either as partial trip or use as an alternative route if you plan to visit Taos.

Santa Fe National Forest Scenic Byway

This scenic road runs 15 miles in length from downtown Santa Fe to an elevation of 10,350 feet at Ski Santa Fe. Plan for at least half a day of exploration & stops, which include state parks, beautiful viewpoints and hiking trails. If you drive this road during the fall, you will also get to see the spectacular color change of the Aspen trees.

High Road to Taos Scenic Byway

The High Road to Taos is a 105 mile drive from Santa Fe to Taos. The drive takes around 2.5 hours, however, that is without stops so plan to spend a couple more hours exploring. This gorgeous road takes you through unique scenery like desert badlands, small pueblo towns and rural agricultural communities.

Deception Peak

3. HIKE IN THE SANTA FE NATIONAL FOREST

The Santa Fe National Forest is found both east and west of the city. However, the most accessible hiking is on the east side, found along the Santa Fe Scenic Byway listed above. Hikes to enjoy include the Nambe Lake Trail (difficult, 6.3 miles) Deception Peak and Lake Peak (difficult, 6.2 miles) and the Chamisa Trail (moderate, 4.3 miles.)

If you only have time for one hike, definitely do the Deception Peak trail. While strenuous, the effort is worth it for the 360 degree views of Santa Fe and the surrounding mountains.

Santa Fe Pueblo Architecture

4. ENJOY A BIKE TOUR THROUGH DOWNTOWN SANTA FE

Learn about the history and culture of Santa Fe while enjoying a locally guided bike tour. On this tour, you’ll have the chance to learn about the unique architecture style that defines Santa Fe as well as the artist community here. This is an easy going 2 hour tour, so it is a good option for any level of rider.

Keep reading for the remainder of the best outdoor activities to do around Santa Fe.

Nambe Badlands

OTHER ACTIVITIES TO DO NEAR SANTA FE

As mentioned previously, the outdoor recreation opportunities in this area are endless. Here are a few more unique options to consider during your visit.

Hike in the Nambe Badlands

You’ll find this strange looking geological area about an hour north of Santa Fe. You can hike and bike here on the large trail system that meanders through these badlands. Be sure to download a trail map from Alltrails before you go as there are no signs or trail markings.

Visit Bandelier National Monument

A unique spot on this list, Bandelier National Monument offers a glimpse into the area’s past. There are petroglyphs and cave dwellings to explore as well as incredible canyon hiking trails. Look at the monuments website to find more information on guided ranger hikes and programs, stargazing and camping options.

Ski at Ski Santa Fe

If you travel to Santa Fe during the winter, then you should definitely visit Ski Santa Fe. Suitable for any level of skier, this small resort has a good range of terrain and is only 30 minutes from downtown Santa Fe. It’s also accessible by public bus, which is a great option for those who don’t feel comfortable driving on winter roads.

Go on a Guided Rafting Tour

Rafting tours are always a fun way to enjoy the outdoors on a warm summer day. The Santa Fe Rafting Company operates tours that leave directly from Santa Fe, with multiple options available. From half day to multi day and beginner or advanced trips, there is something for everyone to enjoy here!

Santa Fe National Forest

WHERE TO STAY AROUND SANTA FE

Camping Options

There are a couple of campground options around Santa Fe: Black Canyon Campground (15 minutes away, tent and RV sites, some reservable) and Big Tesuque Campground (30 minutes away, free tent only sites, no reservations) as well as Bandelier National Monument (1 hour away, tent and RV, some reservable) and the Santa Fe KOA.

Unique Lodging Options

The lovely Las Palomas, an inn within walking distance to downtown Santa Fe with beautiful New Mexican decor and architecture. Pueblo Bonito Santa Fe is another fantastic option, with thoughtfully designed spaces, outdoor patios and handcrafted wood furniture.