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Santa Fe National Forest

4.8 ★★★★★ 4,379 Google reviews · Running trail in Los Alamos, New Mexico · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
2 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Santa Fe National Forest'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.

2 miScenicDog-friendlyQuiet

This 1.6-million-acre forest with many miles of trails offers activities such as hunting & fishing.

What runners say about Santa Fe National Forest

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (4,379 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 7 mentions

“Clean vault toilets/ wide open spaces (some with fire pits) plenty of juniper for privacy.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 14 mentions

“Beautiful area for hiking and climbing and mountain biking, dirtbike & Offroad activities also available here.”

🌾 quiet & peaceful 4 mentions

“The place was amazing, quiet, Serene peaceful and just overall beautiful.”

We camped at Jemez Falls. We had a great time and got out of the 103+ temps in the metro. Camp is well maintained. Fresh potable water is available. Pit toilets were clean. The cool stream is about 1/2 mile hike from the camp. Warm springs are a brutal 2.

★★★★★ — Bobbi , Jul 2020

We hiked trail 137 from the Battleship Rock picnic area to McCauley Springs. 4 miles round trip, beautiful and green with the river at first and then hiking up to the springs. Highly recommend this trail. Wear good shoes and bring water

★★★★★ — Shanna , Jun 2019

This forest is absolutely beautiful! So many trails to discover! I especially love the thousands of aspen trees, the lovely creeks and cleanness everywhere. Very beautiful when in Santa Fe.

★★★★★ — Sari , Jul 2022

An amazing place for dispersed camping, hiking and exploration of the diverse terrain of this National Forest.. Eight great days immersed in nature, can't wait to return in 2024.

★★★★★ — Wayne , Nov 2023

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 4,379 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 23 mentions

“The trails start anywhere from about 8000 to 10000 feet with the Aspen Vista trail (one of the higher up trails) topping out at 12000 feet and offering expansive views of the area.”

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🐕 Dog-friendly 5 mentions

“Everyone is good about keeping their dogs on leads & the hosts are on top of everything.”

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🤫 Quiet / uncrowded 4 mentions

“The place was amazing, quiet, Serene peaceful and just overall beautiful.”

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Plan your run at Santa Fe National Forest

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • Distance2 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
  • Websitefs.usda.gov
  • Phone(505) 438-5300
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8 AM–4:30 PM
Tuesday 8 AM–4:30 PM
Wednesday 8 AM–4:30 PM
Thursday 8 AM–4:30 PM
Friday 8 AM–4:30 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Santa Fe National Forest

Los Alamos, New Mexico

Get directions

Running trails near Los Alamos

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Diablo Canyon Recreation Area

4.7 ★★★★★ 214 reviews

Santa Fe, NM

7.5 miLoopScenicDog-friendly

A park and canyon featuring hiking, rock climbing, camping, and wildlife viewing.

12.3 miles away

La Puebla Park

4.1 ★★★★☆ 20 reviews

Española, NM

15.8 miles away

Nambe Badlands Trailhead

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Nambe, NM

LoopNatural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

17.6 miles away

Calabasas Trail Head (La Tierra Trails)

4.8 ★★★★★ 37 reviews

Santa Fe, NM

25 miScenicDog-friendly

Hiking area with trails for different levels of difficulty, plus views.

23.1 miles away

La Tierra Trailhead

4.7 ★★★★★ 28 reviews

Santa Fe, NM

Natural surfaceDog-friendly

23.4 miles away

Frijoles Trailhead (La Tierra Trails)

4.7 ★★★★★ 109 reviews

Santa Fe, NM

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

Well-marked, fun-filled locale for hiking and biking and equestrian sports, with jumps for all skill levels.

23.5 miles away

All running trails in Los Alamos, NM →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.