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Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor Recreation

Santa Fe County offers a myriad of outdoor recreational activities that not only minimize environmental impact but also foster outdoor education and promote cultural awareness. These activities enhance the welfare of local communities and include visiting national, state, and county parks, wildlife preserves, guided tours, and engaging in outdoor adventures such as canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, off-road tours, white-water rafting, and skiing.

Visit the Outdoor Recreation Division Website

Industry Trends

Outdoor recreation is a significant draw for both tourists and residents in Santa Fe County, thanks to its favorable climate and diverse natural amenities. The region boasts a wide range of activities including high-altitude running, hiking, fishing, hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, horseback riding, road and mountain biking, rock climbing, ultimate frisbee, and golfing. 

Biking, in particular, has seen substantial growth, with the county’s open spaces and trail networks becoming key destinations. Highlights include the expansion of Bicycle Technologies International (BTI), the historic Santa Fe Century, the Gran-Fondo New York-Santa Fe, and the hosting of the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) World Summit. Santa Fe County features over 600 miles of hiking trails and 400 miles of mountain biking trails, earning it the designation of a Silver-Level Ride Center by IMBA. 

Additionally, the county is home to the historic El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail, which connects Mexico with the United States and was historically used for trade. This extensive trail network presents significant opportunities to build upon existing assets and leverage them for further economic development.

Moreover, the region’s outdoor attractions support the growth of outdoor recreation businesses and entrepreneurial activities. The newly established New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division aims to promote and support this industry, making New Mexico the twelfth state to create a government office dedicated to enhancing the outdoor recreation economy. This sector encompasses guides, outfitters, outdoor manufacturers, retailers, and service providers, with a focus on capitalizing on the county’s natural resources and building facilities and programs to support these enterprises.