New Mexico · Hiking

Deer Bed

1.8 mi
round trip
228 ft
climb
7,515 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Deer Bed open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Deer Bed, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

  • Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 91 Casa Loma Road

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-14 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Area Closure for Recreation Residence Structures and Property at 69 Casa Loma Road

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-13 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Area Closure for Sandia Crest “Switchback” Hazard Tree and Fuel Reduction Project

    Agency closure covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-02 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Lifted

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-20 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

  • Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Order 03-03-00-26-05

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-00-26-05 · USFS · Sandia Ranger District

As of · Source: USFS · Sandia Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Deer Bed is an easy out-and-back hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, about 1.8 miles long with a total elevation gain of 228 feet. The trail runs from a low point of about 7,260 feet to a high of about 7,515 feet, and it is managed by the Forest Service. The route is natural-surface and open to both horses and bikes, and it is not an accessible trail. It works well as a short outing or as a link to other nearby trails. The Forest Service lists it as open year-round. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the sweet spots. Typical averages from the Sandia Park weather station, about 4.6 miles away, show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, with lows in the low 40s. That station sits roughly 485 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run a little cooler. Overlook is just 0.2 miles away, and That Way Trail (243) and Madera Locura are within half a mile. Climbers can head to Pino Wall, about 4.4 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Deer Bed

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      44° / 19°

    2. Feb

      48° / 22°

    3. Mar

      55° / 26°

    4. Apr

      63° / 34°

    5. May

      73° / 41°

    6. Jun

      83° / 49°

    7. Jul

      83° / 53°

    8. Aug

      80° / 52°

    9. Sep

      77° / 46°

    10. Oct

      65° / 36°

    11. Nov

      54° / 24°

    12. Dec

      43° / 18°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sandia Park, NM, 4.6 mi away at 7,030 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.