Coronado Campground

The Great Outdoors

The Albuquerque region has some of the most diverse landscapes in the whole state with chilly peaks and searing deserts just an hour's drive apart from each other. If you enjoy spending time outside, you’re going to love camping at Coronado Campground.Hiking through Petroglyph National Monument is a must if you’re at all interested in Native American history. Close to 25,000 etchings grace the rocks within the monument, depicting everything from ancient hunts to astronomical signs and yet to be deciphered symbolism. The monument is over a dozen miles long and has multiple entry points, but they’re all within a very short drive of downtown Albuquerque.For watersports, locals head to Sandia Lakes Recreation Area outside Bernalillo. The small group of lakes west of Highway 313 is a fantastic escape from the summer heat with excellent swimming facilities. If you’re an angler, the lake has a great stock of catfish that would make a scrumptious dinner prepared over your campfire.Want to see the Albuquerque area from above but don’t have the leg muscles to climb the 3,000 feet to reach the summit of the city’s surrounding peaks? Take a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway instead; the gondola takes just 15 minutes to reach those heights, and once you’re at the summit, there are some amazing hiking trails to explore. Just be careful with the elevation; there’s less oxygen up there, and many hikers get lightheaded from walks that would be considered effortless down in the valley.

Exploring the City

As the largest city and home to thousands of University of New Mexico students, there’s no shortage of good food in the Albuquerque area. The most important decision you’ll have to make when choosing a dish is red or green (chiles). The battle between the green chiles of southern New Mexico and the reds up north is a fierce one that can divide families. Fortunately, many restaurants sell their southwestern delicacies with both red and green sauces, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to decide on your favorite.Bit of a science nerd? Then you’ll definitely want to visit the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. Explore exhibits detailing the billions of years of regional history, spend time in The Naturalist Center learning about native species, and see some lifelike dino displays during your tour.Love unique experiences? Then you’ll have to visit the Meow Wolf art installation in nearby Santa Fe. The experience cannot be described in words, but in essence, it’s an interactive art gallery with few rules for exploring. Open a washing machine to crawl into another dimension, run your hands through a set of lasers to play a harp, or bang on the ribs of an ancient beast to hear a ghostly melody. To the uninitiated, it makes little sense, but for those that have gone through it, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.