Rio Rancho neighbors Albuquerque to the northwest. Edgewood, Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, Golden, Madrid and Cerrillos run along Interstate 40 to the east of Albuquerque. Don't mistake these towns for bedroom communities. They offer their own attractions and cultural events reflective of their personalities. Since they are all within an hour's drive of the city, they also make for wonderful day trips during your stay.
Rio Rancho
Nestled at 5,290 feet above sea level, Rio Rancho has a mild, high-desert climate perfect for sporting events, scenic tours and outdoor adventures year-round. Rio Rancho offers convenient and affordable access to Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Visiting Rio Rancho provides the opportunity to experience a tapestry of history, Native American and Hispanic cultures, star gazing and nature exploration of the Land of Enchantment's vast, inspiring landscapes.
East Mountains
East of Albuquerque lie the mountain communities of Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park, Golden, Madrid and Cerrillos. These historic villages are all connected by the Turquoise Trail, a National Scenic Byway. Follow the Turquoise Trail to discover unique treasures such as Tinkertown Museum, a classic roadside attraction featuring Ross Ward’s extraordinary collection of miniature wood-carved figures and wacky Western memorabilia. In Cedar Crest you can wander through the Museum of Archaeology and Material Culture; in Edgewood you can see wolves and mountain lions at the Wildlife West Nature Park. The communities of the East Mountains also host many jazz, blues, bluegrass and other musical and artistic festivals.
The Sandia Peak Ski Area offers hiking and mountain biking in the summer and skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing in the winter. The Ski Area has dozens of trails serviced by four chairlifts, a surface lift and a children's mighty mite. The highly acclaimed Paa-ko Ridge Golf Club is nestled in these pristine mountain surroundings. There are plenty of opportunities for you to golf and ski on the same day!
