NEW MEXICO

New Mexico has a number of trails with minimal obstacles.  Some are very easy and others are wheelchair accessible.  Here are just a few of them.
Most of the links given were found through Internet search. Some places I have been able to visit and a few have been recommended to me by other people who have been there. With your help, we can share our knowledge with disabled people everywhere and also increase awareness of the need for more accessibility. Please e-mail me with your suggestions using the form in the sidebar.

Federal
State
Local
Private
Miscellaneous

Federal

  • Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
    Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most popular bird photography places in the American West.  It lies between the Chupadera Mountains to the west and the San Pascual Mountains to the east and is a critical stopover for migrating waterfowl. The refuge is well known for the tens of thousands of cranes, geese, and ducks that winter here each year.   
    Here is the Refuge website.    Trail descriptions  The website does not state the difficulty of these trails.  Most sound pretty easy, but you should call ahead or check with the visitor center.  Phone  575-835-1828.  There are more trails than I have listed below.

    Marsh Overlook Trail is an easy 1.5 mile walk around a seasonally flooded wetland.
    Boardwalk Trail 0.5 mile round trip

    Rio Viejo Trail is 1.7 mile round trip along a former channel of the Rio Grande.
    Wheelchair AccessibleDesert Arboretum 0.25mi. described as “mostly accessible”.

    Snow Geese taking flight in front of an accessible vantage point at Bosque Del Apache, NM
    Snow Geese take flight at Bosque Del Apache © Cathy & Gordon Illg

    You can see thousands of waterbirds and photograph them from your car.  Thank you Cathy & Gordon Illg for this shot of snow geese and photographers.

  • El Malpais National Conservation Area
    “The richly diverse volcanic landscape of El Malpais offers solitude, recreation, and discovery. Explore cinder cones, lava tube caves, sandstone bluffs, and hiking trails. Wildlife abounds in the open grasslands and forests. ”
    Here is the Area website from the BLM.   Here is another from the National Park Service.   Map      Call the BLM at 505-287-7911 or the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center 505-876-2783 for information about the trails.  I am not sure how easy the footing is on them.
    Hikerwithcane? The 1/2 mile round trip hike to La Ventana Natural Arch is described as “relatively easy”.
    Hikerwithcane? The Ranger Station Nature Trail is a 1 1/4 mile loop with an elevation gain of 125 feet.

  • Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument
    Here is the Monument website.  Phone 505-331-6259  Be sure to call ahead to be sure of trail conditions.  Here is a nice description from newmexiconomad.
    Wheelchair Accessible“The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long, rated as easy and portions are ADA accessible”  It is not clear as to what portions so do call ahead.  Reviews on Trip Advisor.
    Wheelchair Accessible“The Veterans Memorial Trail is a 1-mile long loop trail, rated as very easy and is wheel chair accessible.  The Veterans Memorial is located at the end of a 3 mile long gravel surfaced road overlooking picturesque Peralta Canyon and Jemez Mountain peaks. “

  • Perea Nature Trail
    “A mountain peak dominates the one-mile Perea Nature Trail — located just outside the village of San Ysidro in northwest New Mexico. The mountain highlights the Jemez Mountain Range, which is the southern start of the Rocky Mountains that extend northward to Alaska.”
    Here is a website for the Trail.    Phone 505-761-8700
    This one mile (or 0.8 or 0.9 depending on the source of information)  loop trail “features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels.”  Here is AllTrails description.

  • Río Grande del Norte National Monument
    “The Río Grande del Norte National Monument is comprised of rugged, wide open plains at an average elevation of 7,000 feet, dotted by volcanic cones, and cut by steep canyons with rivers tucked away in their depths. The Río Grande carves an 800 foot deep gorge through layers of volcanic basalt flows and ash.”
    Here is their website. Here is a more descriptive website from Taos.org.   Phone for office in Taos 575-758-8851  Map
    Rio Grande Visitor Center 575-751-4899  Wild Rivers Visitor Center 575-586-1150
    The descriptions below are from a website I can no longer find. Call ahead to be sure about the ease of these trails.
    Upper Gorge (Wild Rivers)
    HikerwithcaneWild Rivers Nature Trail “is an easy interpretive loop along the canyon rims of the Red River and the Rio Grande at La Junta Point. The trail is approximately 1/2 mile long.”
    HikerwithcaneRinconada Loop Trail is a 6.1 mile loop which you could do parts of from the campgrounds.  A wheelchair user would probably need some assistance.
    Wheelchair AccessibleChawalauna Overlook is about 1/4 mile from the parking lot and according to the very helpful Monument manager, John Bailey, has a lovely rim view.
    HikerwithcaneTrails leading north and south from the Wild Rivers Visitor Center have gravel in places, making them probably too difficult for wheelchair users.
    HikerwithcanePescado Trail from the Visitor Center is pretty easy for the first 1/2 mile and takes you to a great view of the river gorge. A wheelchair user might need assistance.
    Lower Gorge (Orilla Verde) 
    HikerwithcaneThe first 1 1/4 mile of the 9 mile West Rim Trail going south from the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge (High Bridge) is easy, flat, and smooth.  There is a bench which would make a good turn-around spot for limited walkers.
    HikerwithcaneLa Vista Verde is 1.3 miles and easy, but does have 6 steps near the beginning.
    Taos Valley Overlook 
    Hikerwithcane Trader’s Trail is an easy 1.8 mile with a steady, not too steep slope.

  • Santa Fe National Forest
    The Santa Fe National Forest holds 1.6 million acres of mountain scenery,  the headwaters of Pecos, Jemez, and Gallinas Rivers, mountain streams and lakes.  It includes four wilderness areas and 1,000 miles of hiking trails.
    Here is the Forest website. Phone 505-438-5300.  Thanks to Clifton Russell for suggestions of accessible trails in Santa Fe National Forest.
    Wheelchair Accessible    There is a paved trail with fishing access spots along the San Antonio River at San Antonio Campground.  Thank you, Katie Watson, for the reference.
    Wheelchair AccessibleSan Diego Canyon Overlook site in the Jemez Ranger District.
    There is a paved trail to the overlook as well as ADA restroom.
    HikerwithcaneEast Fork Trail (Forest trail 137) just off NM State Highway 4. Also in Jemez Ranger District.  “This [10 mile] trail would be suitable for elderly, but maybe too challenging for wheel chairs.”  It sounds as if parts of it would be OK.  “From Jemez Falls it’s another mile to the East Fork Trailhead. This segment of trail is an easier walk, although still moving uphill. From the East Fork Trailhead to  the Las Conchas Trailhead the hiking becomes easier with rolling terrain.”  I suggest you contact Forest Headquarters  (505) 438-5300 for advice on the parts appropriate for you.
    Wheelchair AccessibleCowles Fishing Pond in the Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District.  “An ADA accessible  trail around both ponds was completed on 5/25/2013.”
    Here are some accessible picnic and camping areas that Clifton Russell brought to my attention:
    Pecos/Las Vegas Ranger District
    Windy Bridge
    Baker Flat
    Lower  Dalton
    Española Ranger District
    Black Canyon Campground
    Big Tesuque Campground

  • Socorro Nature Area
    “The Socorro Nature Area is a 120-acre environmental education area in the Rio Grande Bosque. The area includes a 1/2-mile self-guiding nature walk with interpretive signs, a pond, and amphitheatre.”
    Here is the BLM Area website. and here is a more informative website from Soccorronm.org.   Phone 575-835-0412   Interpretive Trail Guide
    Wheelchair AccessibleThe first .11 mile of this self-guiding nature walk goes to the pond and is wheelchair accessible.  On the guide, there are two loop trails which add up to about a mile and are very easy.   According to the manager, you could possibly do them in a wheelchair, if you had help getting through some soft patches.  Call 575-835-0412 for information.

  • Valley of Fires Recreation Area

    “Valley of Fires Recreation Area is beside the Malpais Lava Flow. About 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States.” Despite its barren appearance from distance, you will find a wealth of plants and wildlife.
    Here is the Area website.    Phone  575-648-2241 or 575-840-6243
     Described in Americansouthwest.net 
    Wheelchair Accessible    Malpais Nature Trail  “….when you walk through the nature trail there are many varieties of flowers, cactus, trees and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. There is a juniper that is said to be 400 years old. The lava is similar to Hawaiian lava, jagged and rippled, and most of the lava field is a wilderness study area. The self-guided …. Trail is paved for 1 /3 mile, fully accessible for individuals with disabilities. Interpretive brochures are available at the trailhead near the group shelter. In addition to the flora, fauna abound. There are bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails,lizards, great horned owls, burrowing owls, buzzards, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows and golden eagles, a virtual birdwatcher’s paradise.”

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State

  • Accessible Features  in New Mexico State Parks
    The following parks are listed as having accessible trails:
     Bottomless Lakes, Devil’s Inkwell Campground Trail
    Cerrillos Hills, Village View Trail
    Eagle Nest Lake, Visitor Center picnic area trail
    Elephant Butte Lake, West Lake Shore Trail from Monticello Campground
    Leasburg Dam, Riverside Trail
    Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, Zoo Trails
    Mesilla Valley Bosque, Overlook & Demonstration Garden Trails
    Rio Grande Nature Center, Aldo Leopold & Paseo del Bosque Trails
    Sugarite Canyon, Chicorica Boardwalk Trail

     

  • Bottomless Lakes State Park 
    14 miles southeast of Roswell, Bottomless Lakes State Park is 14 miles southeast of Roswell.  The lakes are sinkholes, ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep.
    Here is the Park website.  Phone  575-624-6058.   Map
    These trails are said to be flat and easy, but I am not sure about wheelchair use.  Call first.
    Wheelchair Accessible? Bluff Trail 0.86 mile

    Wheelchair Accessible? Wetlands Trail 0.54 mile

  • Cerrillos Hills State Park
    The park is off the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. There are five miles of trails and “spectacular views of the Sandia, Ortiz, Jemez, and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. ”
    Here is the Park website.   Phone 505-474-0196   Map
    Wheelchair AccessibleVillage View Trail 0.2 mile

  • Elephant Butte Lake State Park
    Elephant Butte is New Mexico’s largest state and has a 40,000 acre man-made lake on the Rio Grande.
    Here is the Park website.    Description of the park in onlyinyourstate.
    Phone 575-744-5923
    Wheelchair AccessibleWest Lake Shore Trail The trail is accessible for about 4 1/2 miles south from the Monticello Campground.  However, “…there are some sections of uneven surfaces and deep sand.”  Call ahead to be sure of the areas suitable for you.

  • Leasburg Dam State Park
    Leesburg Dam on the Rio Grande and is just 25 minutes from  Las Cruces There is a “cactus garden, several hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing, canoeing, kayaking and birding.”
    Here is the Park website.    Phone  575-524-4068
    Wheelchair AccessibleLower Mogollon Trail runs along the river and is a good place for birding.

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Local

  • Albuquerque
    Wheelchair AccessiblePaseo del Bosque Trail 16 miles of paved trail from the “north to the south edges of the metro area through the Rio Grande’s cottonwood bosque (forest).”  The trail passes through Rio Grande Valley State Park.  Photographic tour  Printable map

  • Los Alamos County
    Open Space and Trails   The County Trail Network with links to trail descriptions.
    Los Alamos Nature Center opened May, 2015 and has rave reviews on Trip Advisor.   The Pajarito Environmental Education Center  operates from here and has an intriguing program called “Gentle Walks”.  Give them a call  505-662-0460 see if any of these walks are within your capabilities.   The Los Alamos Trails App can be downloaded on Apple products, and will soon be available for Android, as well.
    Wheelchair AccessibleKatherine Watson, executive director, writes that “…the only really accessible trail in Los Alamos is the paved Canyon Rim Trail. ”  Clifton Russell also mentioned this trail: “In Los Alamos County, but not on the Forest, there is a very nice paved trail as you go into Los Alamos called the Canyon Rim trail.  It is about 2 miles long and goes along the south side of the highway by the Airport.  Lovely views over the canyon, wide, mostly level.  A visitor would see the signs by the airport runway as they drive into town.”
    The North Bayo Bench Trail is a historic road ending at a viewpoint overlooking the orange-walled Bayo Canyon.  3.2 miles

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Private

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Miscellaneous

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