Above: Find yourself with a hike-and-yoga experience. Courtesy of Yogihiker
GO TO CAPULIN VOLCANO NATIONAL MONUMENT, east of Ratón, and look for scads and scads of baby lady beetles snacking up for the summer at this annual stop on their wind-carried migration. Best place to see them: Walk the one-mile Crater Rim Trail. (You can also catch a glimpse of five states from the top.) Easy. Climbs are mostly gentle. Kick it up a notch by walking to the top instead of driving. nps.gov/cavo
Stroll some of the wildlands nestled within New Mexico’s largest city. The Albuquerque Open Space Division’s sites range from petroglyphs to farmlands to foothills—14 in all, each a short drive from anywhere in the city. Check ahead and you might find a guided hike, outdoor concert, or workshop. Moderate. Some trails boast elevation gains, and one, the Paseo del Bosque Trail, runs along the Río Grande for 16 miles (bicyclists love it). nmmag.us/openspace
Cool off in Carlsbad by taking a dip in the Pecos River at the Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area. Bring a picnic to enjoy under the shade trees and amble along the paved trails that wind among grass-covered fields. Easy. Paths provide solid footing, though be prepared for summer heat. nmmag.us/lakecarlsbad
Bike or walk Farmington’s riverfront trails in Animas and Berg parks. Find a park bench and settle in for some morning or evening bird-watching. (The people-watching is pretty fun, too.) Easy to moderate. There are some grade changes and uneven surfaces. nmmag.us/farmingtonparks
Above: Sit for a spell on this peaceful bench at the Osha Trail. Photograph by Kate Nelson.
Look for wildflowers along the Osha Trail, near Cloudcroft in the Lincoln National Forest. This 2.2-mile loop carries you beneath towering pines and through lush meadows. (Keep an eye out for a sitting bench with a peace sign.) Moderate to strenuous. The trail has substantial elevation drops and gains. Check the weather in case of a sudden rainstorm. nmmag.us/oshatrail
Schedule a Santa Fe hiking-and-yoga excursion with one of Yogihiker’s seasoned experts, newly trained in social-distancing and yoga-mat-sanitizing protocols. Small groups head into the Santa Fe National Forest for about 45 minutes, then take an hourlong open-air yoga break. Easy to strenuous. Sessions are tailored to your exertion preference. yogihiker.com
Grab the kids and pluck your fill of berries at La Cueva Farm’s U-pick raspberry field. North of Las Vegas, New Mexico, the farm also bursts with history. Snap some pics of the old gristmill and the still-in-use adobe-walled San Rafael Mission. Easy. Be sure to bring a hat and wear sunscreen. lacuevafarm.com
Plant a tree, build a trail, lend a hand. Help improve everyone’s adventure by dropping in on activities organized by New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors throughout the state. Strenuous. Some trips involve backpacking, moving rocks, and sawing logs, all for hours at a time. nmvfo.org
Make some friends by hopping onto the Meetup website to find like-minded outdoorsy types who can introduce you to new trails. Bonus: Many of them like to gather for après fun, too. Easy to strenuous. Moderators explain the parameters of each outing. meetup.com
Spin your wheels (car, motorcycle, or bike) with a trip along the 90-mile Enchanted Circle—Taos, Angel Fire, Eagle Nest, Red River, and Questa—stopping often to enjoy the breathtaking views of New Mexico’s highest peaks. Easy to strenuous. It all depends on the power source: a motor (easy) or you (strenuous). enchantedcircle.org