What a fun place to explore! Lots of lovely vegetation,…read morenumerous birds, a great climbing area (see photo) a nice gift shop and fun haiku sprinkled around!

Great birding spot up in the hills above Santa Fe. There are many bird feeders at the visitor…read morecenter where you can see many birds including lots of hummingbirds. Beautiful hilly trail. Well maintained with friendly volunteers! This is the best Audobon center I have visited. Must see for birders. Very beautiful property.

Atalaya Trail is a very serviceable and enjoyable trail.  It's just the right length for an…read moreafternoon (or morning) hike, and it offers just enough elevation gain that you won't be bored by the level of endeavor required.  That said, apart from the views you'll be rewarded with when you're here, there's not a whole lot else of interest to see during your visit. Tip: This is a popular destination for both hikers and cyclists; both of the aforementioned need to keep their eyes peeled for their opposite numbers; hikers especially need to exercise caution to avoid being hit by oblivious cyclists. I've been here several times recently, and very much enjoy myself each time.  I've found that the views (especially from the top) are very rewarding.  Because it's very easily accessible from all over the area, the trail can sometimes get very crowded; it's best to visit either in the early morning or at off-peak hours to optimize avoid the crowds. The trail winds through the Cruz Blanca neighborhood before rapidly ascending up the side of Atalaya Mountain; it eventually reaches a height of just over nine thousand feet.  While the final stretch is quite gravelly and steep, the views from the top are totally worth it!

Part of the Dale Ball trail system, that include the Dorothy Stewart and Wilderness Trailheads. The…read moreparking lot near after entry for St John's college is the largest and furthest away. Drive up Camino Cruz Blanca and save yourself the 1.5 walk along the road past $1MM homes to these other trailheads. As with everything Dale Ball creates, this is a superbly marked trail system that allows the hiker to plan and tailor their experience. I made a bee-line to the summit of Mt. Picacho. Beautiful vista, but I'll need to return for a sunset and very carefully make my way down the steeper parts of a darkening trail.

Took this beautiful trail on a Monday morning. You have to…read morepark off the side of the road, as there is no parking lot but there is plenty of parking in the morning. When I arrived, I found parking amongst four vehicles already lined up -- and when I left, about four to five more were parked up and down the road, so don't stress about the parking too much. I do want to mention that there are 'high car prowler' signs, so definitely don't come with valuables/leave valuables in your car. The hike itself takes about an hour to an hour and a half, give or take. A few recommendations: 01. Most of the hike is sun exposed, so do bear that in mind (in case a sunstroke or skin cancer is something of concern). 02. Go in the AM hours as you'll get rather sweaty from the steep uphill trekking. Besides, who doesn't want a gorgeous view at the start of their day? 03. Hiking boots (as it is steep going up and can be slippery going down). I encountered a lot of elderly people too. I'm talking people in their 60's+. It was... very inspiring to see, as this trail is a moderately difficult hike! Quite adorable to see them out there hiking with their dogs and their hiking poles. So kind and friendly too. 100% worth it.

Pretty, easy hike for visiting from flat land beginners offers nice view over St. John's Collegeread more

In the July heat, I could hear the birds more than I could see them but it was still fun to take…read morethe short trail hikes and use the Merlin app (https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org/) to figure out what birds we were hearing. Closer to the center you'll have a chance to see the birds that visit the hanging bird feeders and you can stroll the garden that has labelled flowers and plants. The docent led tour of the Randall Davey house and studio is interesting if you are there on a Friday and is a great way to support the Center.

I had a lovely visit to this free (I know, free!!) Center and really enjoyed the short hike and…read moreviews. A good spot to visit if you have some time to kill or are with kids and want a easy and super short hike.

We had trouble finding the starting point that we were originally looking for (our Lyft dropped us…read moreelsewhere), but nonetheless we were able to still hike on a beautiful trail. It did not disappoint! It was easy to follow as everything we clearly marked.

This is a nice easy to moderate trail. Plenty of trees and great views to be had. It is not far…read morefrom the plaza and many other great Santa Fe destinations. There is a good sized parking lot. The markings and posting are great and the trail is easy to follow. It is definitely recommended if you are looking for a great way to spend a morning or afternoon in nature.

Beautiful cool and shaded. What? Not good enough? Ok, most of Chamisa is nice soft dirt walking,…read moreTenderfoot! Easy to spot this trail head on left of road after crossing into the National Park from Santa Fe.

We need to have a talk, my Santa Fean Yelp brethren. You undervalue the James Beard-awarded fine…read moredining destination pumping lifeblood into your celebrated art district*. You ignore the historic (and haunted) cemetery where many of your most prominent ancestors rest (or *don't* rest, if my investigation is any indication)**. Worst of all, you apparently have no knowledge of the scenic trail just a few miles northeast of town. Fortunately for you, the dapper, mysterious Ryan M. from San Antonio is here not only to berate but to educate. My father and I were so taken with the Chamisa Trail that I added it to Yelp Santa Fe's business listings. The Chamisa Trailhead is located somewhere between mile markers seven and eight on Hyde Park Rd. Signage is minimal, which might explain the trail's relative obscurity to tourists and locals. When you arrive, you'll notice two paths, neither of which is labeled. The path on the right is apparently the more difficult of the two, a fact my father and I learned the hard way. It was a challenge at times but nothing too strenuous. If you're a girly man (or a LaVeyan Satanist who takes things too literally), then the "left-hand path" would probably be the better option. Both paths begin and end at the parking area, though, so don't worry about getting lost. The word "chamisa" refers to the rubber rabbitbrush that grows wild throughout Santa Fe and parts of the western United States. I could pretend to be a well-traveled authority on ericameria nauseosa, but that would be mendacious of me. No, I learned much about the rabbitbrush from a chatty server at Café Pasqual's, the best place for breakfast in Santa Fe. He informed me that many folks suffer a violent allergic reaction to chamisa, which might explain the Latin prefix "nauseo" in "nauseosa." Thankfully, my father and I suffered no ill effects throughout our three-mile hike. Ironically, I recall seeing very little (if any) chamisa brush on the trail. As I attempt to describe the unmolested beauty of this semi-secluded trail, I find myself resorting to adjectives such as "gorgeous," "scenic," "spectacular," and "peaceful." The Chamisa Trail is indeed all of these and more. Every turn reveals something new: a millennia-old rock formation, an aspen with trembling yellow leaves, a ground squirrel foraging for food. Not once did my father and I hear the sound of a car engine, an airplane, or any semblance of modern life. We had the trail practically to ourselves the entire time, which emphasized the sense of isolation. As I mentioned earlier, the path on the right is definitely the more difficult of the two. If you choose this path, expect a steep, mostly uphill hike with many switchbacks and drop-offs. The most challenging moment of the hike, however, occurred towards the end when we were declining. The section in question was steep and rocky. Had we attempted to navigate it on foot, we probably would have fallen and broken our necks. After some deliberation, we decided to sit and slide down until we reached the bottom. Our exfoliated butt cheeks paid the price, but at least we lived to tell the tale. The mystic charm of Santa Fe is apparent in its art, architecture, cuisine, and the untouched beauty of Hyde State Park, the home of Chamisa Trailhead. Whether you're a local (in which case, shame on you again for neglecting your Yelper duties) or a visitor, then please consider spending an afternoon hiking the Chamisa Trail. You'll appreciate its many gifts and work up an appetite for a world-class meal at either Geronimo or The Compound. *See my review of The Compound: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-compound-santa-fe?hrid=CL8YFxAUxslYbtKsF28oKw&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct) **See my review of Fairview Cemetery: https://www.yelp.com/biz/fairview-cemetery-santa-fe?hrid=1kYzceD5CpAKFiqUDxapbw&utm_campaign=www_review_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

Beautiful trail with great views. A little rocky in some areas but a good incline overall and nice…read moreoption for a hike or trail run. It is in a residential area and the only parking is right in front of the trailhead with room for about 4 cars. We got lucky and the 4th spot was available when we arrived! Worth a visit! Near downtown so an easy trail for visitors staying at hotels to check out!

The trailhead for this beautiful and easy 1.9-mile loop hike is about 3/4 miles above St. John's…read moreCollege on Santa Fe's eastside. The trail affords great views of the north end of Santa Fe and the Jemez Mountains. There are frequently lizards and horned toads along the trail edges. Although the trailhead parking lot is small (4 cars), there is roadside parking near St. John's College.

A great spot for an easy hike around Santa Fe…read more I mean truly, a beautiful hike, and not hard at all. I had been looking for one that my gal would like. She likes a good walk but isnt looking for soemthign that would be literally back breaking. I hadn't hiked Arroyo myself yet but I knew it was one she would like as I knew the terrain in that area. so we went out early-ish on a Saturday(before the sun really kicked in). There's a nice parking area that I think I could find in the dark. From there We grabbed our hiking poles and went straight out(there is a side path too but we didn't go that way). It was a beautiful walk amongst the trees and sometimes wide open ridge lines. We saw a few other hikers and joggers, but not many. It was the type of hike I could really enjoying once a week, if only I lived locally. But we will be back for sure for a hike again soon to this great spot.

Beautiful short trail with wide open views of Santa Fe, decent amount of parking, porta potty, and…read morenot very busy! The loop is a little less than two miles long and has minor elevation gains and dips throughout. Great for beginners still acclimating to the altitude or for anyone looking for a nice and easy walk to admire Santa Fe's environment. I was lucky enough to visit during cactus bloom season which made this trail extra special!