New Mexico · Hiking

Rocky Top

1.5 mi
round trip
205 ft
climb
7,747 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Rocky Top open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Rocky Top is an easy, short hike in the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico, about 1.5 miles long with a 205-foot elevation gain. The trail is an out-and-back, starting at a low point of about 7,532 feet and reaching a high of about 7,747 feet. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is natural-surfaced. Bikes and horses are both allowed, so it works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from the Sandia Park weather station, about 11 miles away, show May highs near 73°F and September highs near 77°F, with July and August running warmer at about 83°F. The hike is open year-round, and several other trails sit within a mile, including Dog Run South, Rollercoaster and Rollercoaster Trail. Climbers can find Bouldering Cave about 3 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 Rocky Top

    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, 11.3 mi away at 7,030 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.