Three Guns Spring Trailhead - Albuquerque, NM
Three Guns Spring Trailhead Dog Park & Trails in Albuquerque, NM
Located at the scenic base of the Sandia Mountains, Three Guns Spring Trailhead provides a convenient spot for dog owners and outdoor enthusiasts in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This dog-friendly park is known for its vast network of pet-friendly hiking trails, incredible city and mountain views, and relatively easy accessibility. The park offers a natural escape just outside city limits for leashed dog walks and is a popular starting point for both short and extended hikes.
Parking at the trailhead is limited, with room for about 6 cars, but overflow street parking is available. While the area welcomes dogs, please note that there is no water available and limited shade, so plan accordingly during hot Albuquerque summers. There are no restrooms at the trailhead itself, though some group camping and picnic areas nearby may offer basic restroom options. This location is best for active owners seeking a hiking adventure with their canine companions, and not for those looking for a traditional, fenced urban dog park with amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Three Guns Spring Trailhead Dog Park
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Dogs should be kept on-leash while hiking at the trailhead and on surrounding trails.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? No, there is not a designated fenced dog park area at Three Guns Spring Trailhead.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? There are some picnic tables and pavilions in the larger recreation area, but little to no shaded seating directly at the trailhead or on the trails.
- Are there restrooms available for owners? There are no restrooms at the main trailhead; some facilities may be available at camp or picnic areas further in.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? There is no parking fee at the trailhead itself, though there may be a small fee for picnic areas elsewhere on the grounds.
- Where is the best place to park? Limited parking is available at the trailhead. If full, street parking along the road is possible.
- Is the park muddy after it rains? Trails can become slippery or loose with dirt and gravel, but they are not typically muddy as the area is mostly sand and gravel.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, this location is known for its extensive dog-friendly hiking trail network leading into the Sandia Mountains.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Shade is minimal, especially during the summer; plan accordingly.
Reviews
Nice trail. After about an hour of hiking, you’ll see some great views of the mountain and the city. There is no parking fee. Beware of some loose dirt. I slid a few times.
Excellent trailhead and trail network as you continue uphill. It’s a little over 2 miles and 1,600ft elevation gain up to the connector with Embudo trail. Lots of side paths along the route up to Embudo that I haven’t checked out yet, but it’s a great area. If you’re going all the way up to South Sandia Peak from here, the round-trip is about 10 miles and 4,000ft elevation gain including all the ups and downs.
There’s room for about 6 cars at the trailhead and I didn’t see any “no parking signs” along the road, so if it’s busy, street parking is an option. The junctions are marked well with signs, and most of the trail has minimal erosion/slipperiness considering it’s uphill in a desert. I still wear crampons on the downhill (return trip) to the trailhead since it can be a bit slippery going down with the loose gravel. This trail is ideal for summitting South Sandia Peak. One word of caution though: The views of Albuquerque and the valley are increasingly amazing as you climb up towards South Sandia but vertigo increases too! The upper portion of the trail to South Sandia (about 5 miles from the 3 Gun Springs parking lot) has a significant drop-off on one side, and it’s a very narrow trail with loose soil and rocks. Definitely want to keep your balance and pick another trail for next time if you’re not feeling it. (The route up from nearby Travertine Falls is through a forest and less exposed, but the round trip to South Sandia Peak is about 4 miles longer than from 3 Guns Spring.)
A great place to park and hike at Carnuel, NM. There are both long and short hikes into the Sandias from the trailhead, however the most pleasant hikes are during the spring and fall as it can be very hot with no shade here in the summer and have lots of lingering snow in the winter. Get there before 9am as spaces for parking can fill up. I would rate this an easy well marked trail as you can take it that way or it could be hard as you can take very long hikes. It is both a point to point and an out and back. No restrooms
Lovely view as you ascend. Pleasant morning hike. I started with 3 layers and was shirtless by the end of it at mid 30 degree weather. Everyone is different though. A bit icy at the top and I did slip in hiking shoes. Recommend ice cleats/traction device with spikes this time of year and deeper into winter.
Great hike Did this on a Wednesday morning around 730 am and it was very enjoyable. Slope up at the end is some work but overall the trail is very smooth and mostly sand with some gravel. Did it going clockwise which seems to be the best. At the top if you keep going a few hundred yards north on the Three Guns trail you get a nice view of Albuquerque.