Hyde Memorial State Park

Hyde Memorial State Park, founded in 1938 as New Mexico’s first state park, sits just eight miles northeast of Santa Fe. At 8,500 feet in elevation, it offers cool mountain air, forests of ponderosa pine and aspen, and easy access to outdoor recreation. Many of the park’s stone buildings, picnic shelters, and other facilities were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

Things to Do

Hike the Mountain Trails

Several short trails begin within the park, and many more can be reached nearby in the Santa Fe National Forest. While none of the trails are especially unique, they offer a pleasant way to enjoy the forest and mountain scenery.

Camp in the Pines

The park offers nice developed campsites surrounded by tall pines, providing a quiet mountain setting just a short drive from Santa Fe. Campsites are popular during summer and fall and reservations are recommended.

Enjoy Winter Recreation

When snow blankets the mountains, Hyde Memorial becomes an easy place to enjoy winter activities. You can sled, snowshoe, and cross-country ski without traveling too far from Santa Fe.

Final Take

Hyde Memorial State Park is not so much of a destination as a convenient mountain getaway. Whether you’re camping, enjoying autumn colors, or playing in the snow, it’s an easy way to experience the Sangre de Cristo Mountains without working too hard.