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Elena Gallegos Open Space
4.8 ★★★★★ 389 Google reviews · Running trail in Albuquerque, New Mexico · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Elena Gallegos Open Space's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Easygoing park offering a series of mountain biking & hiking trails, mountain views & picnic spots.
What runners say about Elena Gallegos Open Space
“Take a picnic to enjoy in the well kept ramadas with nice restrooms nearby too.”
“Elena Gallegos Open Space is a beautiful place to bike, hike, and enjoy the outdoors.”
“The shaded part of the mountains were covered in snow, sadly I had no luck and didn’t run into a rattlesnake 😢, We did got to see a few Lizards at the Elena Gallegos Trail.”
“One of the best parts about this area is that it never feels overcrowded when I visit, allowing for a really peaceful experience on the trails.”
One of my favorite places to hike in Albuquerque. Lots of trails and options for hiking and lots of picnic tables. The pit toilets are usually very well taken care of. It is a really beautiful area. If it's a pretty day on the weekend, better get there early though, as the parking tends to fill up rather quickly.
Great place for a nice sunset walk really close to NE Albuquerque. Make sure you check the time they close, so your car doesn't get locked in depending on the season. Be aware that it usually costs 1 - 2$ to park in cash, but sometimes they don't collect when I visit which is usually around sunset.
Stopped here to soak in the perfect weather & views while passing through New Mexico on 7/3/23 at about 7:²⁵am. We made breakfast at one of the picnic areas & took a short bike ride. I even got a nice shot of the moon. 😍 I loved it! I wish it was a longer stay. I really would've loved to hike or ride the trail!
Beautiful claret layered mountains holding cacti, brush, and trees. Hiking here is a perfect way to spend an afternoon--beautiful sunset views looking west towards Albuquerque. The trail is fairly level for a good while.
Trail conditions & character
“Stopped here to soak in the perfect weather & views while passing through New Mexico on 7/3/23 at about 7:²⁵am.”
“If it's a pretty day on the weekend, better get there early though, as the parking tends to fill up rather quickly.”
“The path starts out flat then progresses with an upward climb.”
“There is plenty of space and eventual rising elevation if you'd like a more physically intense hike.”
“From the dirt parking lot where the restroom is, I walk to the pine tree line where the rock out croppings are.”
“The shaded part of the mountains were covered in snow, sadly I had no luck and didn’t run into a rattlesnake 😢, We did got to see a few Lizards at the Elena Gallegos Trail.”
“There have been several times where I've had to jump out of the way very quickly, so if you have kids or dogs beware.”
“One of the best parts about this area is that it never feels overcrowded when I visit, allowing for a really peaceful experience on the trails.”
Plan your run at Elena Gallegos Open Space
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitecabq.gov
- Phone(505) 206-0115
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–9 PM |
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