A square kiva, a centuries-old pueblo, and vast high-desert landscapes: Sandoval offers many different ways to experience history and nature. Those who enjoy the outdoors will find hiking trails and viewpoints; those interested in culture can explore historic sites and collections. Water, forests, and volcanic landscapes also shape experiences in the region.

Pueblo History and Cultural Collections

At Coronado Historic Site, the foundations of Kuaua Pueblo are among the visible traces of history. Tiwa Pueblo people built the pueblo around 1300 AD. A square kiva, excavated in 1935, revealed murals considered the finest pre-Columbian wall art in North America. An interpretive trail leads through the ruins. Covered picnic tables offer views of the Rio Grande and the Sandia Mountains. Kuaua Ruins are located west of the main route of El Camino Real.

Casa San Ysidro in Corrales is a historic house museum. The Minge Collection includes Hispano and Pueblo weaving and pottery. Textiles and pottery are therefore the focus here, while Coronado Historic Site offers a different way to explore history through its ruins and murals.

Jemez National Historic Landmark also brings together stone remnants from different eras: it includes the remains of a village about 700 years old and the 1621 San José de los Jemez church. At Jemez Historic Site, the ancestors of today’s residents of Jemez Pueblo (Walatowa) built the pueblo of Gisewa about 700 years ago. Between 1621 and 1625, Franciscan friars designed the stone church and convent building of San José de los Jémez there.

Hiking Trails Between High Desert and Rock Landscapes

The landscapes vary considerably: Ojito Wilderness, southwest of San Ysidro, encompasses more than 11,000 acres of rugged high desert. The Seismosaurus Trail leads to the site where a Seismosaurus dinosaur skeleton was once excavated. The Hoodoo Trail ends at a viewpoint overlooking the scenic badlands. For a different kind of trail, the Cave Loop Trail at Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument offers an easy 1.2-mile loop. Check current conditions before you go.

The Red Rock Trails offer a 1.5-mile self-guided hike; permits are required for these trails. The Walatowa History Museum is located in the Walatowa Visitor Center. It offers a cultural journey through Hemish (Jemez) history and culture. Guided tours at the Visitor Center are available by appointment from Wednesday to Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Check dates and times before your trip, as schedules may change.

Water, Forests, and Volcanic Features

Valles Caldera National Preserve encompasses volcanic features, diverse high-mountain ecosystems, and abundant wildlife. Its cultural history goes back more than 10,000 years. At Fenton Lake State Park, the Jemez Mountains provide a scenic backdrop, and ponderosa pine forests surround the park. The Rio Cebolla flows through it, while the lake offers opportunities for fishing and canoeing. Check the park’s current advisories before your visit.

Another scenic landmark is Jemez Falls: the waterfall drops 70 feet over a rocky cliff surrounded by boulders and pine trees. A trailhead in the Jemez Falls Picnic Area leads to the falls. Jemez Hot Springs has four outdoor pools; the water contains more than 17 healing minerals. These places offer different nature experiences, from a waterfall in a forested setting to outdoor pools.

Among the striking geological formations is Cabezon Peak, one of the most prominent of 50 volcanic necks in the Mount Taylor lava fields. The Jemez Mountain Trail begins in San Ysidro. The Gilman Tunnels are part of the Jemez National Recreation Area in the Santa Fe National Forest. NM 485 provides access to the tunnels via a paved but narrow road; road conditions can change seasonally.

Birdlife can also shape your choice of outing: in a typical birding year, birdwatchers can expect to see more than 200 species in Sandoval County. Sandoval brings together hikes, historic sites, and wildlife watching, with a wide range of landscapes and subjects to explore.

Discover more destinations: Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Santa Ana Pueblo, Ponderosa, Corrales, Algodones, Placitas, Doña Ana.

View the main travel overview: New Mexico.