West Mesa Open Space

Much of the open space acquired around the volcanoes, on the mesa top, and along the volcanic escarpment was included within Petroglyph National Monument in 1990. However, large tracts adjacent to the Monument remain under the sole
management of the City. The 4,200 acre parcel of land is predominantly north and east of the volcanoes and preserves vast expanses of mesa-top lava flows, small volcanic features, archaeological sites, arroyo courses and wide vistas.

The Mesa Grasslands Preserve consists of over 3,800 acres west of the volcanoes in the Rio Puerco Valley. This area provides valuable habitat for certain plant and wildlife including an open range for herds of pronghorn antelope.

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

Current Planning Efforts

The City of Albuquerque Open Space Division (OSD) collaborated with community members and partners, including the National Park Service, to develop a conceptual trail network to connect key destinations across the West Mesa. This initiative aimed to identify up to 25 miles of multi-use trails linking existing landforms, recreational areas, future developments, and the Petroglyph National Monument.

Funded through City Council Resolution R-21-228, a formal planning effort for the West Mesa Trails Plan was launched and completed in 2024 in partnership with Sites Southwest. To support the implementation of this plan, the City secured an Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant to fund Phase One, which focuses on enhancing trail connections, upgrading existing facilities, and constructing new trailheads. Phase One includes the development of six and a half miles of new trails and two new trailheads, one at the La Boca Negra Horseman’s Complex off 81st Street and another at the west end of the Paseo de la Mesa Trail. This project is currently underway and expected to open to the public in May.

The City is also proud to announce the acquisition of the La Cuentista Open Space. In July 2017, the City entered into a phased purchase agreement with Elk Haven LLC, acquiring a total of 59.26 acres. Of this, 37.26 acres were purchased outright, and the remaining 22 acres were donated in three subsequent phases by Stan Diamond and Francies Pavich of Elk Haven. The final acquisition was completed in December 2024.

As identified in the West Mesa Trails Plan, the second priority is the construction of trails and a trailhead at La Cuentista. The City is actively seeking funding opportunities to develop this site. In the interim, the property has been fenced to prevent illegal dumping.

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.