10k Trailhead - Cedar Crest, NM
10k Trailhead, located on Sandia Crest Scenic Hwy in Cedar Crest, NM, is a premier dog park in New Mexico offering a variety of pet-friendly trails perfect for dog owners and outdoor enthusiasts. This dog-friendly hiking destination features accessible parking, well-maintained paths, and a range of activities including hiking, walking, and out-and-back trails suitable for all skill levels. The park is especially welcoming to families with children and their pets, providing amenities like public restrooms and kid-friendly hikes to ensure a comfortable visit for everyone.
What makes 10k Trailhead unique is its stunning natural scenery and diverse trail options, including the rewarding Del Agua Overlook with panoramic views. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful, shaded environment rich with native plant life and abundant birdlife, making it a restorative escape from city life. Whether you’re training for a trail run or seeking a leisurely hike with your dog, this dog park near Albuquerque offers a serene and respectful community atmosphere where leashed dogs are welcome to explore alongside their owners.
FAQ for 10k Trailhead in Cedar Crest New Mexico:
- What are the park’s leash requirements? All dog owners at the 10k Trailhead respectably keep their dogs on leashes while on the trails.
- Is there shade or shelter available? The trail offers excellent shade for most of the way, including from white fir trees that provide a nice canopy.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, there are public restrooms available for visitors at the 10k Trailhead.
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the park has a wheelchair accessible parking lot.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids and offers kid-friendly hikes.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, there is a parking fee of $5 for the day, which can be paid online or at the parking station.
- Where is the best place to park? The parking area near the trailhead is the best place to park, but be prepared to pay the $5 parking fee.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the trail is clean and well-maintained.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, there are many different trails you can take from the trailhead, including out-and-back hiking trails with varying difficulty levels and rolling hills.
Reviews
Really fun trail run! Some rolling hills and at 10k great for training. About 1500 vert if you include Osha loop which will make the total distance about 8 miles. You will share the trail with hikers, and people on horseback occasionally 🙂
What a view! Can’t wait to come back for the hike. We pulled up our Merlin bird app for just a minute, and had 13 birds recognized.
So many different trails you can take at this head and they have all been equally nice for different reasons. It’s one of my favorite getaways from Albuquerque in the summer to escape the extreme heat. I like a lot of trails around the mountains, but this is for sure in the top 3. I suggest paying online before you go up the mountain or have NULL and a pen to pay at the station to park for the day. I always see deer going to the parking area.
This is a perfect trail. Easy to do in the late morning and be back home by 3 PM or so. I took my six-year-old all the way to the peak. We had sandwiches up there, enjoyed the view, then meandered back down.The white fir trees were dropping their cones which smell devine.Excellent shade for most of the way. Serene, lots of birdsong. Not crowded, but enough people coming and going to say hello to every once in a while. All dog owners respectfully had their pups on leashes. Trail was clean and well-maintained.Lush undergrowth. Plenty of native plant life to identify. Bring your field guide! Restorative to the soul.
Amazing trail with the awesome reward of the Del Agua Overlook at the end. Would say probably 6/10 in difficulty as there are a ton of uphill/downhill elevation changes, a lot of granite, and many roots in the path. A few areas with some downed trees, but nothing that’ll prevent you from moving along. Recommend a trek pole to assist with the inconsistent and uneven portions of the trail. Plenty of spots to take a rest if need be. Not a ton of traffic. Inexperienced hikers can expect to spend 4-5 hours out and back. Apple Watch tracked 5.4 miles from parking lot to the overlook and back.