Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, has so much to offer its visitors. This city is popularly known for its International Balloon Festival. But that’s not all, there are plenty of national parks you can visit during your trip to Albuquerque. Now let’s explore some of the best national parks near Albuquerque.
With sparkling deserts, enormous caves beneath the earth’s surface, gem-rich mountains, and centuries of human history, new Mexico truly lives up to its moniker as the “Land of Enchantment.” Here are some national parks around Albuquerque.
Petroglyph National Monument
Located just 13 minutes from Albuquerque, Petroglyph National Monument is an exciting park that looks into the past. It is one of those parks that protects and conserves one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. It features symbols and designs carved onto volcanic rocks by Spanish settlers and Native Americans more than 400 years ago.
There is no exhibits or museum at this monument. When visiting the Petroglyph center, you can pick up a park brochure and trail maps to make it easier for you to explore it. Situated on the western edge of the monument, this park’s trail system offers scenic miles of hiking around the volcano cinder cones. You will also enjoy the perfect views of the Sandia Mountains and Rio Grande Valley from the scenic overlook.
Bandelier National Monument
The Ancestral Pueblo People lived in Bandelier many centuries ago. Throughout their stay there, they built their homes from the volcanic tuff and planted their crops in the mesa top fields. An extreme drought made it difficult to grow life-sustaining crops. So at some point, these people moved from this area to pueblos along the Rio Grande.
On your visit to Bandelier National Monument, you will find evidence of human presence dating back over 11,000 years. This includes dwellings carved into soft rock fields, petroglyphs, standing masonry walls, among many other things. The best place to start exploring the Bandelier Monument is on the Main Loop Trail.
Manhattan Project National Historical Park
This park is just about one and half hours from Albuquerque city. In this park, you will find cliff dwellings dating back thousands of years to the dawn of the nuclear age. It is here that the U.S. developed the lethal weapon.
You will be able to learn so much about the Manhattan Project by visiting this park’s visitor center. From there, you can explore local museums, hike desert trails, and even enjoy a guided tour as you visit the historic sites within the community.
Santa Fe National Historic Trail
The Santa Fe Trail was a highway route that was used to connect Missouri and Santa Fe between 1821 and 1880. Today. This park extends between western Missouri to Santa Fe, NM. Along the length of this historic trail, there are plenty of historic sites, museums, original trail segments, and landmarks. This park is just located one hour from Albuquerque city.
Valdez Caldera National Preserve
About thousands of years ago, there was a volcanic eruption that left a 13-mile-wide circular depression, now popularly known as the Valles Caldera. It is much more just a geological past today. This national reserve is full of abundant wildlife, mountain meadows, meandering streams, etc. There are also other wonderful outdoor activities, such as astronomy, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, and hunting.
CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
At Carlsbad Caverns National Park, there are over 119 caves that are hidden below the surface. These caves were created when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone and left behind caverns of different sizes. The limestone was a component of a reef complex around 265 million years ago. Discover the distinction between a stalactite and a stalagmite, and don’t miss the millions of Brazilian free-tailed bats that fly into and out of the caves from April to October.
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
The Tularosa Basin is home to one of New Mexico’s most spectacular natural attractions. White Sands National Park is home to hundreds of square miles of gypsum sand dunes that mimic waves. It is the largest gypsum dunefield in the world and was formed thousands of years ago. White Sands is home to the world’s largest collection of Ice Age-era petrified footprints.
CHACO CULTURE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
At the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, enormous structures constructed by the Ancestral Pueblo people between A.D. 850 and 1250 still survive. Discover with evening sky programs, hiking and bike paths, and guided excursions. It is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. The Chaco Culture National Historical Park has over 4,000 ancient and archaeological sites.
LIVING DESERT ZOO AND GARDENS STATE PARK
At the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, explore the fauna. The Chihuahuan Desert is home to more than 40 different animal species and hundreds of different plant types. Additionally, there are picnic sites and hiking trails in Living Desert, including a walking track that runs through the park and a nature trail that is close by.
RIO GRANDE NATURE CENTER STATE PARK
In Albuquerque, next to the Rio Grande, is the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. With roughly 250 species, including roadrunners and wood ducks, it provides some of the greatest bird viewing. Discover a path network along the river to observe animals, such as Sandhill cranes and porcupines.
Navajo lake state park
The second-largest lake in the state is located in Navajo Lake State Park. Two marinas, many campsites, and two boat docks are present. Additionally, investigate the San Juan River, which offers top-notch fly-fishing.
In conclusion these mnational parks ar in the vicinity of ABQ.. when around the above are some of the national parks around ABQ.
