Recreation
The opportunities for outdoor sports and recreation in New Mexico are
as varied as the state's terrain. Few states can
boast six of the Earth's seven climatic zones,
nor are they blessed with the towering mountains
that rise above New Mexico's high desert plains.
Our clear, blue skies invite balloonists and
glider pilots to soar on the wind. The Rocky
Mountain skiing is unmatched. With public lands
amounting to more than a third of the state,
including thirteen national monuments and parks,
five national forests and thirty-four state
parks, New Mexico has an outdoor adventure for
everybody from weekend sightseers to avid back
country explorers. New Mexico also has over
seventy golf courses from executive-style golf
to Professional Golf Association
tournament-caliber courses. Although many people
think of New Mexico as a desert, there are
opportunities for boating, wind surfing and even
scuba diving across the state.
Harley Rentals - Thunderbird Harley-Davidson/Buell
Thunderbird is passionate about the
Harley-Davidson® product and culture. Equally
important is that they share that same passion in
their efforts to deliver an exceptional customer
experience every day. They strive to create a
welcoming environment where they can sell, rent, and
service motorsports products and accessories, and
educate their customers about all things
Harley-Davidson and Buell. Rider must have a valid
motorcycle endorsement and be 21 years of age or
older. Riders get 24-hour roadside assistance, a set
of locking chains for securing the motorcycle, and
rain gear and helmets for both the rider and
passenger. American Bike. Local Life. Ride Proud.
Aerial Tramway - Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway
The 2.7-mile ascent to the 10,378-foot peak of the
Sandia Mountains is a thrilling, can't-miss
attraction. The adventure begins as you board the
tram, already high above the city in the foothills
of the dramatic Sandia Mountains. Immediately you
will be amazed as you ride the 2.7-mile Sandia Peak
Tramway and are whisked gently over the canyons and
lush forests that lie beneath the 10,378- foot
Sandia Peak. During the day you might see mule deer,
black bears or bobcats roaming the forest beneath
you, while hawks, golden eagles and even the
occasional hang glider coast through the air. Once
atop the peak, you can see a panorama of more than
11,000 square miles of spectacular beauty. At night,
the city lights below sparkle like a million jewels.
In the summer you'll be free to venture out on a
hike or take a leisurely walk through the
wildflowers; during winter you can grab your
snowboard and hit the slopes on the eastern slope
Sandia Peak ski area.
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
 The
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is
a world-renowned attraction and destination
for kids of all ages. For more than three
decades, the first week in October brings
the smell of roasting chiles and the
beautiful, magical moving picture show of
hot air balloons sailing silently through
the crisp fall air. From its modest
beginnings in 1972 with 13 balloons
launching from a shopping mall parking lot,
the Balloon Fiesta has grown to multiple
events launching year-round at the
custom-designed, 365-acre Balloon Fiesta
Park. Our signature event remains Balloon
Fiesta—which, with 700 balloons, is the
largest ballooning event on earth, the most
photographed event on earth, and the largest
annual international event held in the
United States. The 2011 Balloon Fiesta – our
40th! – takes place October 1-9, 2011 in
Albuquerque, NM. Learn more online at
www.balloonfiesta.com.
Fly Fishing - San Juan River
 The
San Juan River in New Mexico is one of the finest
tailwater fisheries anywhere! The 4.25 miles of San Juan
river quality water below Navajo Dam holds over 80,000
trout. An average San Juan river trout is 17", but fish
over 20" are abundant. To fool these selective San Juan
trout requires tiny flies, fine tippets, proper
presentation and attention to detail.
www.ifly4trout.com
is dedicated to sharing helpful information on the San
Juan river and related fly fishing and fly tying
resources. Within the site you'll find fishing reports,
information on hatches, fly patterns, tips & techniques,
the latest news, FAQs and answers, an informative
discussion forum, fishing photos, and guide service.
Browse around and find out why so many fisherman from
around the world are attracted to fly fishing the San
Juan River.
Jeep Tours - New Mexico Private Jeep Tours
 New
Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment, and New Mexico Jeep
Tours offers an adventurous way to discover why. New Mexico Jeep
Tours follows no beaten path, instead carving our own way to
ancestral Pueblo ruins, ghost towns, volcanic necks and other
unusual geological formations. Travel along primitive roads and
see mountains or deserts while learning about the people,
history, geology and culture that makes New Mexico special.
Tours are in a private Jeep, either open or covered and
climate-controlled year-round for comfort. Tours range from
three to eight hours (two person minimum), with free hotel pick
up and experienced driver guides. All tours include bottled
water, with sandwich lunches from Subway on tours 6.5 hours or
longer.
Hot Air Ballooning - Rainbow Ryders, Inc
 For
hot air ballooning in Albuquerque, Rainbow
Ryders rises above the rest with daily,
year-round balloon rides for weddings,
groups, conventions, company retreats and
special occasions. We even have gift
certificates for Rainbow Ryders hot air
balloon flights! Rainbow Ryders is THE
authorized hot air balloon company for the
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.®
Their hot air balloon company has been in
business under the same ownership for 28
years, offering safe, fun and memorable hot
air ballooning adventures in Albuquerque,
NM. Rainbow Ryders offers balloon rides
every morning at sunrise year-round, weather
permitting. Sunset balloon flights are
offered during the winter months.
Llama Trekking - Wild
Earth Llama Adventure
 Explore
New Mexico’s Pristine
Wilderness...without the burden
of a heavy pack! Wild Earth
Llama Adventures offers “Take a
Llama to Lunch!” Day Hikes,
Multi-Day Wilderness Adventures,
and Custom Designed Wilderness
Events, in the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains and Rio Grande Gorge,
near Taos and Santa Fe. On the
trail, their gentle and
sure-footed llamas carry the
gear, while you are left free to
enjoy the beauty and wonder of
New Mexico’s diverse wilderness
environments. Experienced
Naturalist Guides share their
knowledge of local ecology,
natural history, wilderness
skills, ancient Southwest
cultures and more! Backcountry
Gourmet Meals. All Ages and
Fitness Levels.
Rafting/Kayaking - Los Rios River Runners
Rafting in Taos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque for
Over 30 Years. Raft the white-knuckle whitewater
of the world-famous Taos Box. Float through the
spectacular Chama river canyon and sleep under
the stars. Enjoy a traditional Pueblo Indian
feast after floating a calm stretch of the Rio
Grande with a native guide. Or take your kids on
a Rio Grande white water adventure they'll
remember their whole lives. Los Rios River
Runners has more access to New Mexico's rivers
than any other rafting company. Half-day,
full-day and overnight adventures near Taos and
Santa Fe - and a unique group tour. Come rafting
with Los Rios, and meet experienced,
knowledgeable, and fun-loving river rafting
guides.
Rock Climbing- Suntoucher Mountain Guides
 Suntoucher
Guides are some of the most experienced
and qualified rock and ice climbing
guides in North America. Owner, head
guide, and guide trainer John Kear is
one of only a handful of American guides
to have completed the International
Guide Certification, UIAGM. Co-Owner
Carolyn Parker is an AMGA Certified Rock
guide and Athlete Trainer. They
specialize in small ratio guided ascents
and professional instruction. This
combined with our years of success and
experience worldwide, will provide you
with the some of the best experience and
instruction there is to offer.
Skiing - Sandia Peak Ski Area
With the Rio Grande Inn as your base, you can make a
quick getaway to the Sandia Mountains and the thirty
groomed trails at this intimate, 200-acre ski area.
Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway to the top right from
town, or make the longer drive around the mountains
through Cedar Crest to get there by car. Sandia
welcomes snowboarders, telemarkers, and alpine
skiers alike. Lessons and competitions are offered
in each of the downhill disciplines. Click
here to download a pdf of the
Sandia Peak Ski Trails.
Wilderness Tours - Native Sons Adventures
 Native
Sons Adventure Company is a Taos, New Mexico based
outdoor tour company specializing in guided wilderness
tours of the Rio Grande, Sangre de Cristo mountains, and
other wild and scenic areas of northern New Mexico.
Native Sons holds full tour operator permits with the
Bureau of Land Management, and has private land
partnerships which allows them to design broad-based
tours which take you from the depths of the Rio Grande
Gorge to the heights of New Mexico's tallest peaks.
Their experienced guides can take you on world-class
adventures that include Snowmobile Tours, Whitewater
River Rafting, Inflatable Kayaking Trips, Mountain Bike
Tours, Overnight Adventure Trips and Chama River Raft
Rentals. They also offer mountain bike shuttle service
for the South Boundary Trail.
Recommended Recreation Sources
-
American Trails
- The only
national, nonprofit
organization working
on behalf of all
trail interests,
including hiking,
bicycling, mountain
biking, horseback
riding, water
trails, snowshoeing,
cross-country
skiing, trail
motorcycling, ATVs,
snowmobiling and
four-wheeling.
-
Dirtworld.com -
Online
guide for mountain
bike trails in New
Mexico.
-
National Caves
Association
- This site provides
a directory of caves
open to the public.
These unique and
historical
attractions provide
a fun opportunity to
experience nature’s
beauty, while
learning about
preserving these
natural wonders.
-
New Mexico
Professional Big
Game Hunting, Inc.
- A
full-service trophy
hunting operation
led by highly
trained and
experienced guides
providing proven
client success as
well as overall
satisfaction.
-
Painted Sky Hang
Gliding
- Located in
Albuquerque,
master-rated pilot
Mel Glantz offers
year-round hang
gliding training.
-
Public
Lands
Information
Center
- The
New
Mexico
Public
Lands
Information
Center (PLIC)
in Santa
Fe is a
single
source
of
information
for all
types of
outdoor
recreation
on lands
managed
by New
Mexico
State
Parks,
Game and
Fish and
Land
Offices
as well
as all
the
federal
National
Parks
and
Monuments,
National
Forests,
Wildlife
Refuges,
Bureau
Of Land
Management
areas,
and US
Army
Corps Of
Engineers
Lakes.
The PLIC
is open
8 am -
4:30 pm,
M-F,
except
for
federal
holidays.
Their
website
covers
outdoor
recreation
for New
Mexico
and
eleven
other
western
states
in
detail.
-
Rapture Air
Paragliding -
Rapture Air
Paragliding is
located in
Albuquerque New
Mexico and operates
year-round so join
us for one of our
day lessons or go
all out and become
your own paragliding
pilot.
-
Sky Dive New Mexico
- Offering
classes for
beginners and jump
opportunities for
club members, Sky
Dive NM is located
at the Belen
Alexander Airport 35
minutes south of
Albuquerque on I-25.
-
Southwest Safaris
- Scenic airventures
explore the remote
corners of New
Mexico, Colorado,
Utah, and Arizona.
Traveling in the
comfort and safety
of special
observation
aircraft, members of
expeditions discover
exciting landmarks,
national parks, and
frontier sites
viewed from a
four-dimensional
perspective few have
ever witnessed.
-
Sundance Aviation
- Soar above the
New Mexico desert in
a glider! Flights of
15 and 30 minutes of
different intensity
are offered. Glider
flight training is
also taught at this
school. By riding
columns of rising
air called thermals,
gliders ascend to
altitudes of up to
18,000 feet above
sea level. The view
from the cockpit is
spectacular and one
can often see for
hundreds of miles.
They fly year-round
in the beautiful New
Mexico high desert.
-
Wolf Horse
Outfitters
- Native
American guide
service specializing
in horseback riding
Adventures into the
Gila and Aldo
Leopold Wilderness.
Wolf Horse
Outfitters provides
all packing
services, drop camps
and camp support
services; including
cooking and meals to
your zone location
or preferred base
camp site. Camping
equipment is
available on
request.
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