Discover Los Cerrillos: Hiking Trails, Mining History, and Culture

Los Cerrillos combines impressive landscapes with the multifaceted history of a historic mining district. Those planning a trip centered on nature, culture, and unique experiences will find a variety of ways to spend the day here: Cerrillos Hills State Park offers trails through the landscape, museums and historic buildings tell stories of the past, and guided horseback rides lead through the former mining area of Cerrillos.

Hiking Trails and Views in Cerrillos Hills State Park

Cerrillos Hills State Park is intended for day visits year-round. Its original trails pass through piñon-juniper hills and offer views of the Ortiz Mountains and beyond. The park has a total of five miles of hiking trails. This information provides a helpful basis for planning your day if you want to focus your trip on activity and scenery.

Another way to explore the historic mining district is through the guided horseback rides offered by Turquoise Hills Riding Co. They lead through the historic mining area of Cerrillos. The Cerrillos Mining Museum can also arrange tours to Mount Chalchihuitl. The mountain is considered the oldest turquoise mine in New Mexico and is listed in the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties.

Mining History and Cultural Heritage

The Cerrillos Mining District was added to the New Mexico Register of Cultural Properties in 1973. Its cultural heritage reflects five centuries of intertwined history involving Native Americans, Hispanics, and Anglos. This long development is made visible at the Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum through tools, equipment, objects, and artifacts from the era of mineral mining. The collection spans from prehistory through the 1880s and into more recent times.

The Cerrillos Turquoise Mining Museum is located on the grounds of the former Palace Hotel. The Opera House is also one of the town’s defining historic landmarks: It is the oldest masonry building in Cerrillos. In the village of Cerrillos, 19 historic plaques have also been installed. Their texts were approved by the current owners and offer another opportunity to engage with the town’s traditional stories.

Combining Multiple Travel Interests in One Accommodation Plan

The Casa Grande Petting Zoo adds animals to the historical and scenic impressions. It is home to several goats, a llama, chickens, and pigeons. This allows you to add an activity to your itinerary that is distinctly different from museum visits, hikes, and horseback rides. Which accommodation is right for you therefore depends primarily on whether you want to organize your days around the trails in the state park, the mining history, or a mixture of different experiences.

To reach the historic town area, Cerrillos Historic District is accessible via State Highway 14, also known as The Turquoise Trail. When searching for a vacation rental in Los Cerrillos, you can include this route in your planning along with selecting your preferred daytime activities. This leaves room for a museum visit, a horseback ride, or time in the park without limiting the trip to just one theme.

More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to compare additional places after Los Cerrillos, you can also include Española, Jaconita, Agua Fria, Cañada de los Alamos, and Santa Fe in your search.

Back to the main travel overview: Santa Fe.