Top New Mexico Outdoor Activities

Watch daylight appear above the Rio Grand Valley during a sunrise hot air balloon ride from Albuquerque, and see the first rays illuminate the rugged Sandia Mountains. Take in stunning aerial views and dip low enough to skim the Rio Grande, then rise back up above the desert landscape. Touch town after a 1-hour flight, and begin the day with sparkling wine and a light continental breakfast before returning to your launch site.

Watch sunset ignite the Rio Grande Valley on a hot air balloon ride from Albuquerque, and see the evening light transform the Sandia Mountains and desert landscape. Enjoy commentary from your pilot throughout the flight, and spot the region’s landmarks as you soar above the rugged terrain; dip low to skim the Rio Grande and capture unforgettable, aerial images of New Mexico’s largest city. Touch back down after a 1-hour flight, then linger over an elegant picnic of sparkling wine and snacks before returning to your launch site.

Take a haunted tour of Old Town Albuquerque and learn about the many ghosts who have made the square home. Legends, folklore, ghost stories, and history come to life as you depart on an intriguing excursion through 313 years of haunted history. Historic buildings and dark alleys conceal long-forgotten secrets of battles, murders, hangings, hidden cemeteries, and more.

Albuquerque is world renowned for its hot air balloon festival. Most visitors only watch balloons from the ground but this tour offers the chance to soar into the air yourself. In a small group of no more than five people, watch the sun rise as you fly over the Sandia Mountains and toast the experience with a glass of bubbly.

Go white water rafting on the Rio Grande River in New Mexico on this half-day tour from Taos. Your guide provides all necessary gear and paddle instruction for your 5-mile trip, which can be scheduled for the morning or afternoon. Zip through class 3 rapids that provide a fun ride for all levels of experience, with light refreshments provided when you get off the river.

Rather than wandering around alone, explore Albuquerque's Old Town in the company of someone who knows it best and can provide context. This small-group walking tour introduces you to the legends, lore and colorful characters of this historically rich neighborhood while taking you to all the most important landmarks.

Learn all about turquoise during your time in the American Southwest with a visit to The Turquoise Museum in Albuquerque. Located in a modern 'castle' that is as interesting as the exhibits, the Turquoise Museum features a vast collection of turquoise jewelry and other pieces such as antique furniture. Take a self-guided tour with your admission ticket, or upgrade to include a Turquoise 101 class or a guided tour.

Take a full-day Rio Grande rafting adventure ideal for families and first-time rafters. Float through the Lower Gorge’s scenic Orilla Verde, where you’ll enjoy a delicious hot fajita lunch along the riverbanks. Experience the river’s broad canyon and rich habitat, where you can watch for wildlife like mule deer and birds of prey. Then, enjoy a thrilling encounter with whitewater during a 6-mile (9.6 kilometer) section of class 2-3 rapids.

See a different side of Santa Fe beyond the plaza on a fun and athletic e-bike tour that earns rave reviews from travelers. Cover more ground than you would on a walking tour, taking advantage of the bike’s battery-assisted boost to go farther without breaking a sweat. Visit places many tourists miss, like the Santa Fe Railyard and River Park that hugs the Rio Grande, while a guide shares insider history not found in the guidebooks.

The PistachioLand tour offers a ride on a 14 passenger electric vehicle through the pistachio orchards and vineyards. This is a working farm where pistachios and wine grapes are produced, and wine and candy is also produced on-site. Free samples of nuts and wine are available in the gift shop. Although you can walk-in to purchase a $2 ticket, booking guarantees a seat unless canceled for weather.

See parts of Albuquerque that tour buses cannot reach, and cover more ground than is possible on foot. This bicycle tour introduces you to the nature and culture of Albuquerque. You'll explore some of the city’s best scenery, living cultures and unique eco-systems, and have a chance to dip your toes into the city's celebrated lifeline, the Rio Grande.

Feel the thrill of the Rio Grande’s rapids as you embark on a white-water rafting tour along the Rio Grande. Head to the launch site located in the northern New Mexico town of Taos and gear up for your adventure. Then, navigate class III rapids with your group and guide, admiring the desert landscapes while you paddle.

Explore Santa Fe while having fun with friends and family by signing up for a scavenger hunt of the city. You'll have a host on hand via WhatsApp to provide clues and help you if you run into any problems. Best of all, your hunt is a co-creation between you and your host, who will customize your hunt as you go.

Albuquerque is famed for its hot air balloon festival, so there's no better place to take to the skies yourself. Rather than crowding into a basket with strangers, enjoy a personalized experience with this private hot air balloon flight. You'll enjoy sunset views as you float through the air and celebrate your experience with an included toast.

Soak up New Mexico’s high desert scenery from the water on a gentle rafting tour down the Rio Grande. Mild class II rapids are suitable for all experience levels, with plenty of calm stretches in between to admire sloping canyon walls, rock cliffs, and the desert ecosystems of the Orilla Verde National Recreation Area. Great for small groups and families with older kids, the outdoor adventure makes an easy day trip from Taos.

Experience Taos with this adventure scavenger hunt, where you’ll have a guide available on WhatsApp to interact with, and you create the unique experience of your hunt. You’ll have a series of clues that you need to solve by interacting with locals and exploring the environment. Your host will guide you through the experience, so you can enjoy the fun.

Explore Albuquerque by e-bike and see more than is possible by foot or vehicle. This small-group takes you to some of the lesser-known corners of Albuquerque where you will dive deep into the culture, history and scenery. Best of all, pedaling an e-bike requires little effort making this tour ideal for all fitness levels.

Experience the thrill of soaring over the Animas River in Durango, Colorado on this small-group excursion. Head to Tico Time River Resort and gear up for a day of ziplining, climbing, and swimming. Zipline across to a climbing wall where you can participate in a freefall jump, then take a sky swing and zipline back. Afterward, relax at the resort’s sand beaches, zip down waterslides, or go paddleboarding.

We offer the tallest adventure tower in New Mexico standing at 60' tall. Our two main attractions are a 60' Freefall Jump off the tower and our one of a kind 40' Tarzan Swing which will leave you wanting more... Along with our 60' climbing wall and 2 ziplines across the Animas River this tour gives you an Adventure like nothing else...

Fans of ‘The Amazing Race’ will love this interactive Santa Fe scavenger hunt. Using any smartphone as a virtual guide, follow clues scattered along the Old Santa Fe Trail and among the city’s historic plazas and adobe-style buildings. Work at your own pace, and track your progress against the scores of other teams for some friendly competition. Families and small groups can play on the same team by booking together.

It isn't uncommon for people to fly just one time in a hot air balloon. Why not make it an exclusive experience for a memorable, peaceful and intimate flight? This makes a perfect gift for all sorts of celebrations and milestones such as anniversaries, birthdays and engagements. Expect a beautiful float along the Rio Grande river with views of wildlife and the Bosque (cottonwood forest) as well as a majestic sunrise over the Sandia Mountains.

Chanel your inner detective for a scavenger hunt adventure through Old Town Albuquerque! Using any smartphone as a virtual guide, solve riddles and challenges to find a trail of clues scattered throughout the city. Work at your own pace, and track your progress against the scores of other teams for some friendly competition. Great for families, small groups and fans of ‘The Amazing Race.’ 

Discover why New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment and reconnect with your artistic spirit on this one-of-a-kind walking tour from Taos. Led by a ‘creative collaborator,’ wander along a scenic stretch of the Rio Grande on a curated scavenger hunt designed to awaken your senses and tap into your inner artistry.

Take your city exploration of Albuquerque to the next level with this app-led scavenger hunt from Wacky Walks. Discover the best of the city while completing challenges and finding objects around the city. You receive points for every task that you complete and you can compare your score to other teams across the country.