Cibola NF--Sandia Crest

Tips for Birding

Grab a sandwich and a hot coffee at the Crest House and sit back and enjoy the feeder activity.

Birds of Interest

The highlight of birding Sandia Crest for many is a winter trip to see all three species of rosy-finches. A long-term banding project has been on-going from the Crest House.

About this Location

The Sandia Mountains are a small range east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The mountains do not have a summit. Instead, the high point is a long ridge called the Sandia Crest. At 10,678 feet in elevation, the vegetation here is vastly different than in Albuquerque which lies about 4,500 feet below. Access to the Sandia Crest is easy and this is a popular tourist destination. The best wildflower viewing is along a hiking trail that starts at the southwestern corner of the parking lot. The trail is paved for a short distance for handicapped access and then becomes packed dirt. It is relatively level and easy to walk. The trail follows the limestone outcrops along the crest and then heads into the forest so you have an opportunity to see both sun-loving and shade-loving plants.

From Albuquerque, take I-40 east to the Tijeras Exit and then NM-14 north to the junction with NM-536. Take NM-536 (Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway) to the Sandia Crest. This road has many switchbacks but is otherwise a well-maintained paved road. The highway ends at the Sandia Crest which has a restaurant, gift shop, handicap-accessible viewing, and toilets.

About Cibola National Forest

See all hotspots at Cibola National Forest

Cibola National Forest covers more than 1.6 million acres and includes mountains, grasslands, wilderness, and forests. The name Cibola comes from the Zuni word for their tribal lands, which the Spanish later translated as "buffalo". The forest is home black bears, cougars, elk, and pronghorn. Cibola National Forest offers many recreational opportunities including hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and skiing. It also has cultural and historical significance, as it contains ancient Native American sites and historic trails.

The National Forest has four ranger districts: Sandia, Mountainair, Magdalena, and Mount Taylor. In addition, the Cibola has four wilderness areas: Sandia Mountain, Manzano Mountain, Withington, and Apache Kid.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

  • Roadside viewing

  • Wheelchair accessible trail

  • Entrance fee

Content from Official Website, Cibola National Forest Official Website, and Ann Johnson

Last updated October 17, 2023