Sandia Peak Mountain Hiking

Mountain hike trail system 15+ miles.

Access to the Crest and Crest Highway During Projects

As soon as April 2026, the Cibola National Forest will begin two projects that will affect visitor use and public access to the Sandia Crest area through fall of 2027.

These projects include:

• Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction Project 
• Sandia Crest Recreation Area Renovation Project

During the implementation of these projects, the Sandia Crest Recreation Area and nearby trails and recreation sites will be closed to the public for an extended period.

The need for the Sandia Ranger District to focus on the Crest site is for health and safety concerns, upholding agency special use permit requirements, hazardous fuels reduction, scenic integrity objectives – and to improve the overall recreation experience for visitors.

Find more information here.