Sandia Man Cave

Sandia Cave, also called Sandia Man Cave, is a small limestone cave hidden in the steep walls of Las Huertas Canyon on the north side of the Sandia Mountains. The site became famous in the 1930s after archaeologist Frank Hibben claimed it showed evidence of a very ancient “Sandia Man” culture predating Folsom. Those claims were later heavily disputed, with researchers questioning the cave’s dating, disturbed layers, artifacts, and overall archaeological reliability. Today, Sandia Cave is a national historic landmark and can be visited as a short scenic hike with an interesting backstory. The trail is about a half mile from the parking area to the cave. It climbs to concrete stairs, follows a limestone ledge, and ends at a narrow metal spiral staircase that leads up to the cave entrance.