West Mesa Open Space

West Mesa Open Space & New Trail Facilities 

The City of Albuquerque Open Space Division (OSD) manages more than 30,000 acres of protected land citywide, including over 10,000 acres on the West Mesa. Much of this land protects the volcanic landscape, arroyos, and sweeping vistas surrounding Petroglyph National Monument. While the Monument is co-managed with the National Park Service, the City also manages thousands of acres of adjacent Open Space to conserve resources, preserve views, and provide low-impact recreation.

To guide future recreation and conservation investments, the OSD collaborated with community members and partners, including the National Park Service, to develop a conceptual trail network connecting key destinations across the West Mesa. This vision—funded through City Council Resolution R-21-228—led to the West Mesa Trails Plan, completed in 2024 in partnership with Sites Southwest. The plan identifies up to 25 miles of future multi-use trails linking natural features, recreation areas, new development, and Petroglyph National Monument lands.

To support implementation, the City secured a New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant, matched by City funds, to complete Phase One improvements. This phase is now complete and includes: 

• 6.5 miles of new multi-use trail (Volcano View Trail)
• Two newly constructed trailheads
• Volcano View Trailhead (near La Boca Negra Horseman's Complex off 81st Street)
• Ruth Eisenberg Trailhead (west end of Paseo de la Mesa Trail off Atrisco Vista Blvd)

These trailheads now connect the new Volcano View Trail with the existing Paseo de la Mesa Trail system, greatly expanding recreational access for walkers, hikers, cyclists, and families. In addition, the Paseo de la Mesa Trail was recently resurfaced using ¼-cent Transportation Infrastructure GRT funds ($1,366,036.71) to enhance safety and user experience.

The Ruth Eisenberg Trailhead honors Ruth Eisenberg, known as the "Volcano Lady",  whose advocacy helped secure and protect the volcanoes and surrounding West Mesa lands from development, eventually forming the foundation of both the City’s Open Space program and the Petroglyph National Monument.

Areas

The West Mesa Open Space contains the following areas:

• Petroglyph National Monument contains a number of areas of cultural and geologic importance.
  • Piedras Marcadas Canyon provides trails to ancient petroglyphs.
  • Boca Negra Canyon has three trails leading to ancient petroglyphs.
  • Rinconada Canyon has a 1.3 mile trail leading to ancient petroglyphs.
  • Volcanoes - the remains of five dormant volcanic cores.
• Grasslands Preserve is undeveloped and closed to the public.
• Paseo de la Mesa Multi-Use Trail. Take a ride or a stroll on a new addition to the West Mesa trails network!
• Shooting Range State Park is a fee area for target shooting.
• La Boca Negra Horseman's Complex
• George J. Maloof Memorial Air Park
• Ruth Eisenberg (new trailhead)

Planning Efforts- La Cuentista Open Space

The City is also proud to announce the acquisition of La Cuentista Open Space, a 59.26-acre property purchased through a phased agreement with Elk Haven LLC. Of this total, 37.26 acres were purchased and 22 acres were generously donated in three phases by Stan Diamond and Francies Pavich, with the final property transfer completed in December 2024.

As identified in the West Mesa Trails Plan, the next priority for this site is to develop trails and a trailhead that will connect La Cuentista to the broader West Mesa trail network. To advance this vision, the City will begin a phased development approach, starting with community engagement and conceptual planning in winter 2025/2026. This process will include working closely with nearby residents, trail users, and community partners to develop a thoughtful and sustainable plan that aligns with the Open Space Division’s mission of low-impact recreation, resource protection, and long-term stewardship.

In the interim, the property has been fenced to protect natural resources and prevent illegal dumping while funding and planning efforts progress.

Please review our project webpage and the West Mesa Trails Plan (WMTP) at the following link: https://www.westmesatrails.org/ and the West Mesa Trails Plan (WMTP) pdf. 

Please email [email protected] with any questions.