The best road cycling routes around White Rock

A paved pathway leads to a viewing platform at the northern tip, providing stunning vistas of the Rio Grande River and the picturesque White Rock Canyon. The river gracefully winds its way through the canyon, creating a stunning contrast against the rugged terrain.

Right off the road is the trailhead for the Potrillo Canyon Loop Trail, a smooth and easy-going path that takes you to the rim of White Rock Canyon. As you explore, you'll find different trail options – some well-marked with signs, while others invite you to follow their natural course.

Located 12 miles from the main section of Bandelier National Monument on State Highway 4, the Tsankawi section offers a 1.5-mile walk along a mesa, showcasing cavates, petroglyphs, and an Ancestral Pueblo village. The trail is sometimes narrow in places, requires some scrambling in addition to climbing several ~12 foot ladders, and is quite exposed to the elements so it should be avoided during thunderstorms and inclement weather. In winter, the path may be slippery and icy. Tsankawi also can be a little challenging to locate, in large part because it signs on Highway 4. From Santa Fe, turn from State Highway 502 to 4, finding Tsankawi less than 1/4 mile on the left. Coming from Bandelier, it's easier to locate, with the gravel parking lot on the right past the 3rd stoplight. Here is a link to a great virtual tour of the site by the NPS: nps.gov/band/learn/photosmultimedia/tt-vt-intro.htm

Here you will find the trailhead for the Bayo Canyon Trail. The trail runs from the rotary next to Loma Linda Park to the bottom of Bayo Canyon. At the bottom of the canyon the trail levels out before turning into a dirt road that eventually leads out to the highway.

Located 12 miles from the main section of Bandelier National Monument on State Highway 4, the Tsankawi section offers a 1.5-mile walk along a mesa, showcasing cavates, petroglyphs, and an Ancestral Pueblo village. The trail is sometimes narrow in places, requires some scrambling in addition to climbing several ~12 foot ladders, and is quite exposed to the elements so it should be avoided during thunderstorms and inclement weather. In winter, the path may be slippery and icy. Tsankawi also can be a little challenging to locate, in large part because it signs on Highway 4. From Santa Fe, turn from State Highway 502 to 4, finding Tsankawi less than 1/4 mile on the left. Coming from Bandelier, it's easier to locate, with the gravel parking lot on the right past the 3rd stoplight. Here is a link to a great virtual tour of the site by the NPS: https://www.nps.gov/band/learn/photosmultimedia/tt-vt-intro.htm

The White Rock Overlook is a stunning overlook in White Rock, New Mexico. From this point on the far end of Overlook Park you get amazing, panoramic views down the steep mesa to the Rio Grande River and over the open desert.

Ponderosa Group Campground has vault toilets and water spigots and is just off of New Mexico Highway 4. The campsites can hold 10–50 people, and there is access to the Frijoles Canyon Shuttle running from mid-May to mid-October. This campground was affected by the Las Conchas Fire back in 2011, and today it is repaired and running well.

The Juniper campground overlooks the Bandelier National Monument and is a clean and quiet place to spend the night with beautiful views all round. If you have any spare energy, there are hiking trails right next to the campsite.