New Mexico · Hiking · Near Santo Domingo Pueblo

La Cueva Trail

La Cueva TrailPhoto: Ktr101, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.3 mi
round trip
263 ft
climb
7,030 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is La Cueva Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name La Cueva Trail, 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

  • Sandia Ranger District Road & Area Closure for National Forest Road 462 Maintenance

    Agency alert covering Sandia Ranger District · Order 03-03-05-26-24 · 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

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

La Cueva Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.66 miles long, with a one-way elevation gain of 263 feet, taking you from a low point of about 6,755 feet to a high of about 7,030 feet. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Sandia Park weather station, which sits at about 7,030 feet, show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, with lows in the low 40s. Climbers will find several areas within a short distance, including Lower La Cueva Canyon, Ted's Head and Lower La Cueva Domes (History Slabs), all about 0.2 miles away. The Tierra Monte South Trail is about 0.4 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Campbell Scout Ranch

    Campground

    Campground · 6.9 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    County Line BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 1 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rainsJim Legans, Jr from Albuquerque, New Mexico, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

    Tinkertown Museum

    Museum

    Museum · 7.0 mi from Santo Domingo Pueblo

    Folk art museum in Sandia Park, New Mexico

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Jim Legans, Jr from Albuquerque, New Mexico, CC BY 2.0 (commons)

More in Santo Domingo Pueblo

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit La Cueva Trail

    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, 6.6 mi away at 7,030 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors