New Mexico · Rock climbing · Placitas

Tunnel Springs

Tunnel Springs in New Mexico has 14 climbing routes across 10 grades, offering mixed, sport, and trad styles.

14 routes
5.6 – 5.11a
Trad · Mixed · Sport

Is Tunnel Springs open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Best time to visit Tunnel Springs

Best months: March–May and September–November. 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

    47° / 24°

    2 wet · 1 snow

  2. Feb

    53° / 28°

    3 wet · 1 snow

  3. Mar

    61° / 33°

    3 wet · 1 snow

  4. Apr

    71° / 40°

    3 wet

  5. May

    79° / 48°

    3 wet

  6. Jun

    89° / 58°

    4 wet

  7. Jul

    91° / 63°

    8 wet

  8. Aug

    89° / 60°

    8 wet

  9. Sep

    82° / 53°

    5 wet

  10. Oct

    71° / 41°

    4 wet

  11. Nov

    56° / 31°

    3 wet · 1 snow

  12. Dec

    46° / 24°

    2 wet · 1 snow

Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Placitas 4w, NM, 2.9 mi away at 5,585 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Tunnel Springs is a climbing area in the Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of the Sandia Ranger District of Cibola National Forest in New Mexico. The Forest Service manages the land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to visit. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Placitas show May highs around 79°F and October highs around 71°F, while July and August average highs near 91°F with more wet days. Several trails start close by, including Agua Sarca about 0.6 miles away and Del Orno Trail at 0.9 miles. The Temple, a climbing area, lies about 2.8 miles off, and Possum Junction is about 2.9 miles away.

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