The 7 Best Outdoor Adventures in Santa Fe
From easy strolls to heart-pounding escapades, Santa Fe has an outdoor adventure waiting for you.
Hit all seven of these and you’ve seen the greatest hits when it comes to Santa Fe’s renowned easy access to outdoors activities:
1. Santa Fe River Walk
2. Santa Fe Botanical Gardens
3. Waterfall Hike at Hyde Memorial
4. Dale Ball Trails
5. Nambe Lake
6. Mountain Biking the La Tierra Trails
7. Whitewater Rafting on the Rio Grande
From easy strolls to heart-pounding escapades, Santa Fe has an outdoor adventure waiting for you.
Santa Fe, with its stunning landscapes and dynamic terrain, offers a plethora of outdoor activities for every type of adventurer. In this post, we're exploring seven must-try outdoor experiences, each with its unique flavor of thrill and serenity. We've categorized these into easy, medium, and hard challenges, and we've also included handy tips to help you prepare for your adventure. So, let's dive in!
Easy (just a few hours, all skills and abilities)
1. Santa Fe River Walk and Park Picnic
Start your adventure with a leisurely walk along the Santa Fe River, meandering through charming neighborhoods to reach Patrick Smith Park. Wrap up your experience with a delectable brunch picnic at the Teahouse, nestled amid the trees on Canyon Road.
Where to start: Downtown Santa Fe. Follow the paved sidewalks along West Alameda Street until you reach Patrick Smith Park. For the more adventurous, feel free to dip down by the river onto one of the many informal dirt pathways that follows the river upstream.
What to bring: Comfortable shoes, water, a picnic blanket, and your favorite book.
Where to eat: Towards the end of the walk pick up sandwiches to go from either The Teahouse or takeout pad thai from Thai on Canyon.
Best time of year to enjoy: Spring through fall, when the weather is warm and the foliage is lush.
2. Explore the Santa Fe Botanical Garden
Spend a day at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, a 20-acre oasis showcasing an array of native plants, water features, and stunning mountain views.
Where to start: Santa Fe Botanical Garden entrance (a short 5-10 minute drive from downtown)
What to bring: A hat, sunscreen, water, and a camera.
Where to eat: Visit the Museum Hill Cafe for a light lunch. Afterwards, you have several other leading museums to choose from all within walking distance. Our favorite is the Museum of International Folk Art.
Best time of year to enjoy: Year-round, each season brings its unique beauty.
3. Waterfall hike at Hyde Memorial State Park
Hyde Memorial State Park, located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. One of the park's highlights is the waterfall hike, an easy and family-friendly trail that leads to a beautiful, cascading waterfall. The round-trip hike is about 2 miles long and offers an excellent opportunity to enjoy the park's diverse flora and fauna. The sound of the waterfall and the serene environment make it a perfect spot for a picnic.
Where to start: Hyde Memorial State Park entrance. The Waterfall Trail is well marked once you find the trailhead - park near Group Shelter #2 for the easiest option, or park at Cottam’s Ski Shop lot for a longer hike. Do note there is often no cell signal in this area, so download maps before you depart if you need them.
What to bring: Comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, snacks, and a camera to capture the beautiful scenery.
Where to eat: Bring a picnic! Although it’s often packed, Dolina has a fantastic selection of pastries and prepared foods to good.
Best time of year to enjoy: Spring when the park is lush and green, and the waterfall is most active.
Medium - half day+, moderate levels of physical exertion
4. Dale Ball Trail Hike
The Dale Ball Trail System is the best urban hiking network that you’ve never heard of. This impressive network of trails, spanning over 22 miles and covering approximately 347 acres of city and county land, was developed in the early 2000s. Start your journey at the Sierra del Norte parking lot and choose your adventure using the incredibly well signed trails. From downtown Santa Fe, it's a quick 10 minute drive to the trailhead. Our favorite is to start at Marker 1 and hike the loop to Marker 9 for a lovely 2.5 mile loop, but those looking to add more can simply tack on the A section.
Where to start: Sierra del Norte parking lot
What to bring: Hiking boots, water, snacks, a map of the trails, and a camera.
Where to eat: After your hike, treat yourself to a meal at Izanami. Just a short 3 minute drive further up the mountain from the trailhead, this Japanese-inspired restaurant offers an array of small plates perfect for sharing. They also have an impressive sake list. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.
Best time of year to enjoy: spring and fall, for cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage.
5. Nambe Lake Trail Hike
Challenge yourself with a moderately tough hike to the pristine alpine Nambe Lake, nestled in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. You’ll feel like you’ve left New Mexico and been transported to Swiss Alps. The round trip of this hike is 6 miles, with the trail taking you through an elevation gain of around 2,000 feet. Depending on your pace and the number of breaks you take to soak in the stunning surroundings, it typically takes about 3-4 hours to complete.
Where to start: Ski Santa Fe parking lot. This is 10,000 feet + in elevation, so wait until your acclimated to the Santa Fe altitude before
What to bring: Sturdy hiking boots, water, high-energy snacks, and a camera.
Where to eat: Pack a picnic to enjoy by the lake.
Best time of year to enjoy: summer and early fall, when the trail is free of snow.
Hard - for the adrenaline seekers
6. Mountain Biking the La Tierra Trails
Embrace the challenge of the La Tierra Trails, a popular spot for mountain biking. You can rent bikes from Mellow Velo, a local bike shop in downtown Santa Fe, or take a guided tour through Santa Fe Mountain Adventures.
Where to start: La Tierra Trailhead
What to bring: Helmet, gloves, water, snacks, and a camera.
Where to rent bikes: Mellow Velo or hire a tour from Outspire Hiking and Snowshoeing.
Where to eat: even though La Tierra feels a world way it’s only 5 miles to downtown, and just a quick 7 minute drive (or 15 minute, nearly all downhill bike ride) to our favorite gastropub, Fire & Hops. Bike racks are out front, and there’s no better place to drink beer on a warm summer day than their lovely back patio.
Best time of year to enjoy: Spring through fall, when the trails are dry and the weather is cooler.
7. Raft the mighty Rio Grande
Thrill-seekers will love navigating the rapids of the Rio Grande, surrounded by breathtaking canyon scenery.
Where to start: Book a guided trip with a local outfitter. Santa Fe Rafting Company has been in business since 1984 and is one of the most popular operators, with half, full and multi-day options to choose from covering everything from mellow Class I/II lower Rio Grande to the raging Class IV Taos Box.
What to bring: Swimwear, sunscreen, water shoes, and a waterproof camera.
Where to eat: Most outfitters provide a meal as part of the rafting package.
Best time of year to enjoy: Spring and early summer when the river levels are high.
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