Cibola NF--Sandia Crest Rd.

About this Location

Sandia Crest Road is NM-536 (Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway).

Sandia Crest is a mile above the surrounding countryside and 2 miles above sea level. The all-weather, paved Sandia Crest Highway (NM-536) is the highest scenic drive in the southwest. The Sandia Mountains were created by an uplift, leaving the forested eastern slope you’ll drive up, and a craggy, cliff-like western face. Part of the Cibola National Forest, the Sandias are home to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, black bear, and many other mammals and birds, including the golden eagles, you may see soaring at the Crest. To experience some of the many moods of the Crest, we recommend an afternoon hike along the trails. Then relax awhile at the Sandia Crest House Gift Shop and Restaurant. Stay to enjoy the sunset, sometimes spectacular, and the incredible night view of the city lights and starry skies.

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.

Content from Official Website and Cibola National Forest Official Website