10 Easy Road Trips Near Los Lunas, New Mexico (All Outside Valencia County)
If you’re based in or visiting
Los Lunas, New Mexico, you’re in a perfect spot for some amazing day trips. Even better, you don’t have to go far to find incredible things to do – you just have to step outside
Valencia County into its neighbors:
Bernalillo, Cibola, Socorro, and
Torrance Counties.
This guide gives you
10 short out-of-county road trips from Los Lunas. Each one is packed with ideas for simple adventures, local food, and classic New Mexico scenery. All distances are approximate and measured from Los Lunas.
1. Old Town Albuquerque – History, Shops & Green Chile (Bernalillo County)
Approx. drive: ~30–40 minutes, about 30 miles north
If you only have time for one road trip from Los Lunas,
Old Town Albuquerque is the obvious choice. It’s close, easy to navigate, and full of that classic New Mexico charm.
Walk around the tree-shaded plaza, step into old adobe buildings, and browse local shops. You’ll find:
- Handmade jewelry from Native artists
- Southwestern art galleries
- Cozy cafés serving breakfast burritos and green chile everything
Don’t miss the
San Felipe de Neri Church, which dates back to the 1700s. It’s one of those places where you instantly feel the layers of history.
If you’re visiting in October, you may catch some of the energy from the
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Even when it’s not Fiesta time, you’ll often see hot air balloons floating in the sky early in the morning.
Why it’s great for Los Lunas locals: It’s a short, low-stress drive and perfect for a half-day or full day of wandering, eating, and people-watching.
2. Sandia Peak Scenic Byway & Crest – Big Views Above Albuquerque (Bernalillo County)
Approx. drive: ~1–1.25 hours, about 50–60 miles
Ready to trade desert floor views for mountain air? Head to the
Sandia Mountains on the east side of Albuquerque.
You have two main ways to enjoy the Sandias:
- Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway* (check current status and hours): Ride up over deep canyons to the crest.
- Sandia Crest Scenic Byway: A winding drive through the forest to the top.
At the top, you get sweeping views of the Rio Grande Valley. On a clear day you can see for miles and miles. In summer, it’s usually 15–20 degrees cooler than the valley, which makes it a nice escape from the heat.
You’ll find:
- Short hiking trails near the crest area
- Photo spots with guard rails and overlooks
- Picnic areas along the drive
If you time your trip for late afternoon, stay for sunset. Watching the light wash over Albuquerque from above feels almost unreal.
3. Petroglyph National Monument – Ancient Art on the Mesa (Bernalillo County)
Approx. drive: ~40–45 minutes, about 35 miles northwest
On Albuquerque’s West Side, just a short hop from Los Lunas, you’ll find
Petroglyph National Monument. It’s one of the most unique spots near the city and an easy day trip with kids, visitors, or anyone who loves history.
Here, you can hike along dusty volcanic rocks and spot hundreds (actually thousands) of
ancient petroglyphs carved into the stones. Many are believed to be 400–700 years old, created by Native peoples and early Spanish settlers.
Popular areas include:
- Boca Negra Canyon: Short trail with lots of carvings close to the path.
- Rinconada Canyon: A bit longer, quieter, with petroglyphs along the way.
Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat. The trails are fairly easy, but there’s not much shade. It’s one of those places where you feel connected to something much older than our modern roads and houses.
4. Acoma Pueblo “Sky City” – Living History on a Mesa (Cibola County)
Approx. drive: ~1.5 hours, about 80–90 miles west
For a deeper dive into New Mexico’s Native heritage, head west to
Acoma Pueblo, also known as
Sky City. The village sits high on a sandstone mesa and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States.
Guided tours (required to enter the mesa-top village) usually include:
- Stories about Acoma history and traditions
- Visits to the historic San Esteban del Rey Mission
- Chances to buy traditional Acoma pottery and bread directly from local families
The views from the mesa are huge – wide open desert stretching in every direction. It’s peaceful, powerful, and humbling.
Tip: Check ahead for tour times, camera policies, and any access changes. This is an active community, not a theme park, so follow all guidelines and show respect.
5. El Malpaís National Monument – Lava Flows & Natural Arches (Cibola County)
Approx. drive: ~1.5 hours, about 80 miles southwest
If you’re up for a slightly longer drive from Los Lunas,
El Malpaís National Monument feels like another planet. The name means “the badlands,” and it’s a world of ancient lava flows, caves, and rugged rock formations.
Popular spots include:
- El Calderon Area: Short trails over lava fields and to old volcanic features.
- La Ventana Natural Arch: One of the largest natural arches in New Mexico, with a short trail to a great viewpoint.
The landscape here is dramatic – black lava under bright blue sky, with distant sandstone cliffs. If you enjoy photography, you’ll have a field day.
Be sure to stop at a visitor center first to grab maps and get advice based on weather and road conditions. Some areas can get muddy or rough after storms.
6. Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge – Birdwatching Heaven (Socorro County)
Approx. drive: ~1.5 hours, about 80–90 miles south
Head down I-25 past Socorro and you’ll reach
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, one of the most famous birdwatching spots in the country.
Even if you’re not a hardcore birder, it’s a beautiful, peaceful place:
- Loop drives with pullouts for viewing wildlife
- Walking trails through wetlands and along fields
- Huge skies that light up at sunrise and sunset
In late fall and winter, thousands of
sandhill cranes and
snow geese gather here. Watching them lift off the water at sunrise feels like something out of a nature film.
I once timed a visit for a cold morning in November, and even from my warm car, I could hear the sound of wings and calls echoing across the valley. It sticks with you.
7. Socorro & the Quebradas Backcountry Byway – Small Town & Desert Colors (Socorro County)
Approx. drive: ~1–1.25 hours to Socorro, about 70–75 miles south
The town of
Socorro makes an easy road trip from Los Lunas if you want something low-key but still interesting.
In town, you can:
- Walk around the historic plaza
- Grab a classic New Mexican meal at a local café
- Check out local shops and small museums
If you’re up for a bit more exploring, head east of town to the
Quebradas Backcountry Byway. This rougher road (check conditions and your vehicle) winds through colorful badlands-style scenery – red, purple, and tan rock layers that glow in late-day light.
You don’t have to drive the whole byway. Even a shorter section gives you a taste of real New Mexico backcountry without going too far from civilization.
8. Very Large Array (VLA) – Giant Radio Telescopes on the Plains (Socorro County)
Approx. drive: ~2 hours, about 110 miles southwest
If you’ve ever seen pictures of rows of huge white satellite dishes in the middle of nowhere, you may have seen the
Very Large Array, or
VLA, on the
Plains of San Agustin.
While this is on the farther end of a day trip from Los Lunas, it’s still doable and very memorable.
At the VLA you can:
- Walk a self-guided tour near the antennas (when open to visitors)
- Learn how astronomers use radio waves to study space
- See just how massive these dishes really are up close
The drive itself is part of the fun. You pass through wide open ranch land and big-sky country, with long straight stretches of road that feel almost endless.
Tip: Check the official website before you go. The visitor center hours and access can change, and some areas may be closed during research activities.
9. Manzano Mountains State Park – Forest Escape from the Desert (Torrance County)
Approx. drive: ~1–1.25 hours, about 60–70 miles east-southeast
When you’ve had enough hot, dry air and want pines and shade, aim for
Manzano Mountains State Park in
Torrance County.
Here you’ll find:
- Picnic areas tucked under tall trees
- Cooler temperatures than the valley
- Short hiking trails and access to longer routes in the Manzano Mountains
It’s the kind of place where you bring a cooler, some sandwiches, and a good book. Listen to the wind in the trees, smell the pine, and remember that this is just a quick road trip from Los Lunas.
In fall, the nearby canyons can be gorgeous with changing leaves, especially around the higher elevations.
10. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument – Ruins & Quiet Desert Towns (Torrance County)
Approx. drive: ~1.5 hours, about 80–90 miles east
For one of the most underrated day trips near Los Lunas, head to
Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument. It’s spread across three main sites in and around the small towns of
Mountainair and
Gran Quivira:
Each site has:
- Ruins of 1600s Spanish mission churches
- Remains of earlier Native pueblo communities
- Short walking paths with interpretive signs
The combination of stone walls, open sky, and quiet desert gives the area a haunting, peaceful feel. It’s not crowded, and you can really take your time. Bring water, as services are limited and the sun can be strong even on cooler days.
Tips for Planning Your Los Lunas Road Trips
To make these out-of-county adventures smooth and fun:
- Check hours and closures: Especially for places like Acoma Pueblo, the VLA, and some national monuments.
- Fuel up in town: Once you leave Albuquerque or Socorro, gas stations can be far apart.
- Pack water and snacks: New Mexico is dry, and some trails have no services.
- Watch the weather: Summer storms and winter snow can affect mountain and backcountry roads.
- Respect the land and cultures: Many sites are sacred to local communities.
Where Will You Go First?
Living in or visiting
Los Lunas, New Mexico puts you near some of the best
day trips in central New Mexico. From the historic streets of
Old Town Albuquerque to the lava fields of
El Malpaís and the quiet ruins of
Salinas Pueblo Missions, you’ve got a full menu of easy road trips waiting just outside
Valencia County.
Which of these out-of-county road trips are you most excited to try? Have you already visited any of these spots?
- Share your favorite nearby getaway from Los Lunas.
- Drop your tips, stories, or questions in the comments below.
- If you found this helpful, please share this post with friends and family planning a New Mexico adventure.
The more we share our road trip ideas, the easier it gets for everyone to explore this beautiful corner of New Mexico.
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