What to See and Do
Hiking and Biking
South Piedra Lisa Trail
The South Piedra Lisa Trail is a trek through the lush forests of the Sandia Mountain Wilderness. The popular out-and-back trail is surrounded by dense vegetation and colorful wildflowers, and the hiking experience tends to be the best between March and October.
Length: 4.4 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Rinconada Canyon Trail
Near Albuquerque, you'll find the Rinconada Canyon Trail, a heavily trafficked loop traversing a wide-open stretch of desert. The trail is unique in the sense that many of the surrounding rocks are etched with fascinating petroglyphs. Hikers of all skill levels should be able to handle the trek, and they can even bring their leashed dogs along.
Length: 2.2 miles
Intensity: Easy
Alameda Bosque Trail
The Alameda Bosque Trail is a paved out-and-back trail that runs beside a narrow river. In addition to hiking and running, the trail is a popular spot for mountain biking, road biking, and even horseback riding. You won't find much shade along the way, so don't forget the sunscreen and drinking water.
Length: 10.4 miles
Intensity: Easy
Fishing & Boating
The Ignacio Chavez WSA is located in an area dominated by desert land, so significant bodies of water are sparse. However, if you travel toward Albuquerque and the area south of the city, you'll come across the famous Rio Grande River. You can float the majestic river in any type of non-motorized craft, such as a kayak, canoe, or raft. The river is also a frequent destination for fly-fishing enthusiasts looking to catch a few of the local trout, pike, smallmouth bass, and carp.
Climbing
Climbing opportunities are limited in the region but not nonexistent. You can head to the nearby Sandia Mountains for some long-approach alpine climbing, or you can take on some granite bouldering in the foothills. The Tunnel Springs trail features several short, sustained climbs, and nearby Palomas Peak is a great destination for limestone sport climbing if you're skilled enough to tackle it.
Wildlife Viewing
The entire region is populated by many diverse wildlife species, but the Carson National Forest is perhaps the most compelling destination for observing them. Within the scenic forest, you'll have a solid chance to come across mule deer, elk, antelopes, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, and black bears. The area is also inhabited by many smaller animals and numerous songbirds.
Picnicking
Although you may find scattered picnic tables around the BLM site, you may have to create your own picnicking setup instead. Many of the higher-elevation areas of the WSA offer breathtaking views of the surrounding wilderness and desert, so those may be the best places to lay out your blanket and enjoy lunch.
