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Running trails in New Mexico
183 trails across 27 cities in New Mexico, with the most in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces — including 30 natural surface, 33 loops, 39 shaded, and 7 long enough for a 5-mile run. Every listing shows the things runners actually decide on: surface, loop distance, shade, lighting, restrooms, water and trailhead parking. Pick a city for the full local list, or filter the New Mexico trails below.
Cities in New Mexico
Every city and town in New Mexico with a running trail in the directory, most trails first.
Notable running trails in New Mexico
The New Mexico trails runners review most, ranked by rating weighted by review volume. Filter by surface, loop, distance, shade or lighting to narrow to the run you're actually planning. See the full best-of-New Mexico ranking →
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
4.9 ★★★★★ 18,363 reviews
Well-known national park famous for its limestone caves, rock formations & hiking trails.
Sandia Peak Tramway
4.7 ★★★★★ 12,430 reviews
2.7-mi aerial tram ride with Albuquerque & mountain views to a peak with trails, skiing & dining.
Santa Fe National Forest
4.8 ★★★★★ 4,379 reviews
This 1.6-million-acre forest with many miles of trails offers activities such as hunting & fishing.
A Park Above
4.8 ★★★★★ 3,527 reviews
Green space with ample playground equipment, plus a splash pad, wheelchair swings & covered tables.
Bottomless Lakes State Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 2,998 reviews
Park features several sinkhole-formed lakes with water sport activities, plus hiking trails.
Lake Carlsbad Beach Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,639 reviews
Recreation area with fishing, boating & water sports, plus play equipment & picnic areas.
Lincoln National Forest
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,926 reviews
Rugged mountain terrain with hiking & horse trails, campgrounds, picnic sites, skiing & more.
Dripping Springs Natural Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 1,592 reviews
Hiking trails through rock spires & scrub to 1800s resort buildings & a granite-wall spring.
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,610 reviews
Riverside forest featuring trails, bird watching & native plants, plus exhibits & picnicking.
Mariposa Basin Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,164 reviews
3 walking trail loops around ponds, a draw for bird watchers, plus playgrounds & sports fields.
Cabezon Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 997 reviews
City park with an outdoor swimming pool, community center, football field, playgrounds & gazebos.
Boca Negra Canyon
4.6 ★★★★★ 950 reviews
Rustic desert park featuring low-key day hikes amid numerous petroglyphs carved into volcanic rocks.
Cahoon Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 974 reviews
Public green space with tennis and basketball courts, a playground, and a picnic area.
Embudito Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 784 reviews
Scenic hike leading to sweeping city views and a variety of terrain.
Rockhound State Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 814 reviews
Agates & quartz crystal are in abundance at this park with trails, a swimming beach & camping.
Berg Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 823 reviews
Charming public park in verdant, tranquil surrounds featuring open play areas, trails & a river.
Hillcrest Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 753 reviews
Park with a playground, picnic tables, and aquatic center, plus a dog park, splash pad, and zoo.
Green Meadow Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 722 reviews
Park featuring a pond for fishing, a playground, and walking path, plus picnic tables.
Greene Acres Park
4.3 ★★★★☆ 754 reviews
Family-friendly, clean park, offering a playground and fishing as well as a lake and a pond.
Alameda / Rio Grande Open Space
4.7 ★★★★★ 579 reviews
Popular riverside park offering trails, birding and horseback riding.
Rinconada Canyon Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 533 reviews
Easy loop trail for viewing ancient rock drawings.
La Luz Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 489 reviews
Rough hiking path offering sweeping vistas of the sprawling city.
Menaul Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 496 reviews
Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are available at this park with trails and picnic tables.
Frenchy's Field/Santa Fe River Trail
4.4 ★★★★☆ 518 reviews
Labyrinth and meadow featuring walking trails, dog-walking opportunities and a river trail.
Petroglyph National Monument, Piedras Marcadas Canyon Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 477 reviews
Alameda Park
4.4 ★★★★☆ 491 reviews
Relaxed public park featuring a playground and a zoo with native Southwestern animals.
Soledad Canyon Day Use Area
4.8 ★★★★★ 434 reviews
Mountainous, pet-friendly destination offering various hiking trails, some with waterfall views.
No trails match those filters.
New Mexico trails by surface
Surface is the biggest split in trail running — asphalt is fast and predictable, crushed limestone is softer but still smooth, dirt is easiest on the joints and the most fun, boardwalk is flat and scenic but slick when wet.
More ways to find a trail in New Mexico
- Best running trails in New Mexico — the state-wide ranking from runner reviews
- Loop trails — 33 in New Mexico come back to the trailhead without backtracking
- Long-run trails (5+ miles) — 7 in New Mexico are long enough for a proper long run
- Shaded trails — 39 in New Mexico keep tree cover over the path for summer miles
- Lit trails — 15 in New Mexico have lighting for pre-dawn and post-work runs
- Trails with restrooms — 58 in New Mexico, and 17 with water fountains
- Trailhead parking — 90 in New Mexico have parking at the trailhead
- Dog-friendly trails — 81 in New Mexico you can run with a dog
- Stroller & wheelchair-accessible — 41 in New Mexico are smooth and wide enough
- Scenic trails — 120 in New Mexico runners single out for the views
- Browse by surface — paved, crushed limestone, natural dirt or boardwalk
- All trail features — loops, shade, lighting, restrooms, mile markers and more
- Running trails by state — the rest of the country
- Trail-running guides — surfaces and your knees, loop vs out-and-back, trail etiquette, running before dawn
Trail features in New Mexico
- Scenic Running Trails
- Trails with Trailhead Parking
- Dog-Friendly Running Trails
- Trails with Restrooms
- Hilly Trails & Hill Workouts
- Quiet, Uncrowded Trails
- Stroller & Wheelchair-Accessible Trails
- Shaded Running Trails
- Loop Trails (No Backtracking)
- Flat & Fast Running Trails
- Trails with Mile Markers
- Trails with Water Fountains
- Lit Trails for Early & Night Runs
- Long-Run Trails (5+ Miles)