New Mexico · Hiking

Otero Canyon

Otero CanyonPhoto: killbox, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.7 mi
round trip
242 ft
climb
7,089 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Otero Canyon open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Sandia Ranger District. It doesn't name Otero Canyon, 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.

Otero Canyon is an easy out-and-back hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest, about 1.6 miles from the district's boundary. The route covers roughly 3.4 miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 242 feet. It starts at a low point of about 6,789 feet and climbs to a high of about 7,089 feet. The most comfortable months for a visit are late spring and early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Sandia Park weather station show May highs around 73°F and September highs around 77°F, with summer highs near 83°F. Several other trails lie within a short distance. Cedro Creek Interpretive is about 0.2 miles away and West Ridge about 0.3 miles. Birdhouse Ridge is about half a mile off, and the Cedro Creek Nature Trail is about 0.7 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Otero Canyon

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

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors