Embudo Canyon Trailhead
Challenging sandy trails through the Sandia Foothills, offering great workouts and scenic views with minimal shade.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Golden hour light, cooler temps
Embudo Canyon Trailhead
Best Time
Golden hour light, cooler temps

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Challenging sandy trails through the Sandia Foothills, offering great workouts and scenic views with minimal shade.
"Great trail with some excellent views, but it's easy to wander off the beaten path."
Wear Pants & Sun Protection
Protect your legs from brush and the intense sun. Long sleeves, hats, and sunscreen are essential. :sunwithface:
Bring a Map App
Trails can be unclear. A navigation app is crucial to stay on the right path and avoid getting lost. :iphone:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Embudo Spring
Further into the canyon
Discover the namesake spring, though it can be dry. The journey offers varied plant life and interesting rock features.

Sandia Foothills Views
Higher elevations
Ascend for breathtaking panoramic views of the Sandia Mountains and the Albuquerque landscape.
Diverse Flora and Fauna
Throughout the canyon
Experience the transition from scrub cactus to more varied plant life as you venture deeper into the canyon.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Trail Conditions & Sun Protection
Navigation & Trail Clarity
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Wear Pants & Sun Protection
Protect your legs from brush and the intense sun. Long sleeves, hats, and sunscreen are essential. :sunwithface:
Bring a Map App
Trails can be unclear. A navigation app is crucial to stay on the right path and avoid getting lost. :iphone:
Sturdy Hiking Shoes
The trail is sandy and uphill. Good footwear ensures better footing and a more comfortable hike. :athletic_shoe:
Hydration is Key
There's little shade, so carry plenty of water, especially on warmer days. :droplet:
Tips
from all over the internet
Wear Pants & Sun Protection
Protect your legs from brush and the intense sun. Long sleeves, hats, and sunscreen are essential. :sunwithface:
Bring a Map App
Trails can be unclear. A navigation app is crucial to stay on the right path and avoid getting lost. :iphone:
Sturdy Hiking Shoes
The trail is sandy and uphill. Good footwear ensures better footing and a more comfortable hike. :athletic_shoe:
Hydration is Key
There's little shade, so carry plenty of water, especially on warmer days. :droplet:
Respect Wildlife
You might encounter local wildlife. Observe from a distance and do not feed them. :deer:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Embudo Canyon Trail for its challenging uphill terrain and scenic views, making it a great spot for a workout or a hike. However, the trail's lack of clear markings and minimal shade are frequently cited drawbacks, making navigation and sun protection essential.
"I hiked this trail with my family up to Embudo Spring and back. The trail is wide and sandy with little shade cover so sun exposure was fierce. The first bit of the trail was mostly scrub cactus, but once the canyon closed up around us, the rock features and plant life became more varied and interesting. The features of interest were a water tower that made fun laser sounds when we threw rocks at it, a flash flood blocking pool, and of course the embudo spring, which was dry at the time. The trail was moderately steep and diverged and reconverted several times. It was not clear which was the preferred trail at each divergence and if we took the wrong one we had to scramble up rocks to return to the main trail. This seems to be a popular dirt bike location."
Joseph Cardon
"A great place to do some hiking! Lots of different paths to take. Great views too!"
Andy Helton
"The trail kept going but I made some good distance in. Lots of brush against your legs so pants are advised. Not too rough, ran into a couple spots where I wasn't sure where the trail was/supposed to go but maps help. Cool area and not busy at all."
Nick H
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Embudo Canyon Trailhead is located at the top of Montgomery Boulevard NE in Albuquerque, leading into the Sandia Foothills Open Space. It's accessible by car, with parking available at the trailhead.
Public transport options to the immediate trailhead are limited. It's generally recommended to drive or use ride-sharing services to reach the trailhead.
Parking is available at the trailhead, but it can fill up, especially on weekends and during peak hiking hours. Arrive early for the best chance of securing a spot.
Yes, Embudo Canyon can be accessed from other trailheads in the Sandia Foothills, such as the Pino Trail or Three Guns Trailhead, offering different routes and experiences.
The trail is popular with dirt bikes and mountain bikers, but it is primarily a hiking trail. Ensure you are aware of and respect other users.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no entrance fee to access the Embudo Canyon Trailhead or the surrounding Sandia Foothills Open Space. It's a free public access area.
The trailhead and trails are generally open from dawn to dusk. It's advisable to check local park service advisories for any specific closures or restrictions.
No permit is required for day hiking on the Embudo Canyon Trail. However, if you plan on any overnight camping or specific activities, check with the Cibola National Forest for regulations.
Dogs are generally allowed on the trails but must be kept on a leash at all times. Always clean up after your pet.
While the area is generally open from dawn to dusk, some visitors have reported seeing wildlife at night via trail cameras. It's best to stick to daylight hours for safety and to respect the natural environment.
🎫 🥾 Onsite Experience
The trail is considered moderately steep, with a lot of uphill dirt and sand. It's good for a workout or a light hike, but can be challenging for beginners.
The trail is not always clearly marked, especially at divergences. It's easy to wander off the beaten path, so using a map app is highly recommended.
You'll find a mix of scrub cactus and varied plant life as you ascend. Higher elevations offer snow in cooler months and great views of the Sandia Mountains.
Restroom facilities are typically not available directly at the Embudo Canyon Trailhead. Plan accordingly before you arrive.
Yes, many people use Embudo Canyon for trail running due to its uphill sandy and dirt paths, making it a good workout.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture stunning panoramic views of the Sandia Mountains and Albuquerque from higher elevations. The varied plant life and rock formations also make for interesting shots.
Late afternoon offers beautiful golden hour light for photography. Sunsets can also provide dramatic skies over the mountains.
While not guaranteed, you might spot various desert creatures. One visitor even captured a coyote on their Ring camera late at night.
Look out for interesting rock features, the water tower mentioned by one reviewer, and the Embudo Spring itself, though it may be dry.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive landscapes. Consider a telephoto lens if you hope to spot and photograph wildlife from a distance.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Keep an eye on younger children as the trail can be unclear at junctions, and it's easy to wander off. A map app is helpful for parents to ensure everyone stays on the intended path. The varied terrain and interesting rock features can keep kids engaged, and reaching the Embudo Spring (even if dry) can be a small victory.
🏃♀️ Trail Runners
Be mindful of the trail's clarity; using a GPS watch or a navigation app is recommended to avoid getting lost, especially on longer runs. The lack of shade means early morning or late afternoon runs are often more comfortable. Ensure you have adequate hydration, as there are no water sources on the trail.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Trails
Pro Tip: Before you head out, download the offline maps for the area. Cell service can be spotty in the canyon, so having maps accessible without a signal is crucial for a smooth and safe hiking experience. Pay attention to trail markers if they are present, but always cross-reference with your navigation app.
What to Expect on the Trail
The terrain is predominantly uphill, making it a good spot for a challenging workout or a vigorous hike. While the initial part of the trail might seem sparse, as you venture deeper into the canyon, the landscape becomes more varied with interesting rock formations and diverse plant life. Some hikers have noted features like a water tower and a flash flood pool along the way. The Embudo Spring, which gives the canyon its name, is a point of interest, though it's often dry.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit