Happy National Dog Day everyone! I cannot think of a better day to share some of Henry and Melvin’s favorite places here in Santa Fe as they have been here with us all summer long!

If you’re thinking of visiting Santa Fe with a canine companion, you’re so in luck! The City Different is one of the best places to travel with a dog (or to be a dog!).

Here are some of our favorite activities and destinations around town that will keep both humans and pups happy!!!! We have found our boys are so much better behaved in their different surroundings when they get worn out from exercise.

Frank S Ortiz Dog Park

This city-owned gem of a park includes 135 acres of gently rolling pinon and juniper forest paths. Social dogs can get their playtime in, while more solitary pups will enjoy quieter corners of the park. As a bonus, the park’s ridgeline overlooks downtown Santa Fe and is one of the best places in town for sunset viewing.

Dogs are allowed off leash to run and play. The park is not fenced-in, (all though there is a small completely fenced in area for dogs that are under 25 pounds) but dogs can roam comfortably on the trails without approaching the outer perimeters. Patrons are asked to look out for and clean up after their dogs.

Your pups can quench their thirst in 2 different locations at the Dog Park too!

We absolutely love it here!!! They boys really look forward to going everyday. Just look at their smiling little faces!!!!

https://thedogparkproject.org/index.html

Cross of the Martyrs, Santa Fe (Fort Marcy Hill)

You'll find the Cross of the Martyrs a short hike away on a hilltop near the Santa Fe Plaza. Dedicated to the Franciscan friars killed during the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, this site offers great views of the city from above. The hike isn't strenuous, but there are ten sets of stairs along the way. But there are plenty of spots to rest, numerous plaques along the route which provide a history lesson, and lots of fresh air.

Starting in 1540, the Pueblo Native Americans that lived in the Southwest were subject to a steady wave of Spanish soldiers, missionaries, and colonists. Encounters were often violent, and many Pueblo people were enslaved. The delicate balance of power lasted for more than 100 years, but in 1670 a severe drought and raids by the Apache brought extreme hardships to the region. With unrest growing, Governor Juan Francisco Treviño had 47 Pueblo medicine men arrested for practicing "sorcery." With many of his soldiers away tending to the Apache situation, when Pueblo leaders moved with force to rescue their medicine men, Treviño had little choice to give up the prisoners. One of the prisoners was known as Popé, and he fled to Taos Pueblo, where he began seeding support for a revolt. He spent five years getting support from more than 46 Pueblo towns. The surviving Spanish fled Santa Fe, only to return 12 years later.

Our AirBNB is so close to this so this has been a favorite little trek that we take to The Plaza!!

Fort Marcy Hill is a great place to watch a sunrise or sunset too!!!

La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs

Hundreds of petroglyphs, dating from pre-contact time and the Spanish colonial era, can be found along this mesa above the Santa Fe River. Most of the petroglyphs were placed there by Keresan-speaking puebloan people living in the area between the 13th and 17th centuries. The descendants of these people now live down the Santa Fe River along the Rio Grande at the Cochiti and Santo Domingo Pueblos. The area is known for the great number of hump-backed flute player images and a great variety of bird figures. The site is also of interest to those tracing the route of El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, as the ancient road passed along here as well.

BLM-managed lands offer numerous opportunities for hiking ranging from small foot paths through untrammeled wilderness to National Historic Trails with developed trail heads and interpretation centers. No matter what type of experience you are looking for, you can find it on BLM-managed lands. Dogs are welcome on most BLM-managed trails. Please check the trail website or call the local BLM field office for specific leash policies.

Please stay on established paths and properly dispose of your trash and human/dog waste. Additionally, many hiking locations are adjacent to areas of outstanding cultural heritage

LATITUDE/LONGITUDE:

35.608728, -106.120017

DIRECTIONS:

La Cieneguilla Petroglyph Site is very close to the City of Santa Fe. From the intersection of Airport Road and NM 599, continue west on Airport Road for 3.3 miles. There is a gravel parking area on the west side of the road and a BLM sign. Follow a trail marked by arrows for about five to ten minutes to access the basalt cliffs where the petroglyphs are located.

Dale Bale Trails

Luckily for dogs (and humans) that love to hike, Santa Fe has no shortage of great and accessible hiking trails. A good option is the Dale Ball trails, starting at the Sierra del Norte trailhead on Hyde Park Road. The Dale Ball Trail system is a nearly 25-mile network of natural-surface trails for hikers and bicyclists in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Located a short distance from downtown Santa Fe, it is the quickest way to get from the city into the mountains. It offers great opportunities for beginners and advanced hikers alike, along with amazing views of both the surrounding wilderness and back towards the city. Trail users can navigate the trail system through trailhead maps and a system of numbered junctions, each with a local orientation map and arrow plaques indicating how to get to a next given junction, as well as connections to surrounding trails, including the La Piedra, Little Tesuque, Santa Fe Canyon Preserve, Dorothy Stewart, and Atalaya Trails.

You’ll find plenty of other canine hikers, and there are even poop bags available at the trailhead.

Galisteo Basin

The beautiful Basin is outside of Santa Fe towards Lamy but oh my goodness-it’s the dreamiest!!! With more than 41 miles of publicly-accessible trails open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians, the Galisteo Basin Preserve is beloved and actively enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors. It is a place of community and quiet reflection: a place of renewal and inspiration. The GBP trails gracefully traverse the savannah grasslands, sandstone ridge lines and arroyos of an iconic landscape in northern New Mexico.

The Plaza

And of course, The Plaza is dog friendly! Many restaurants here are dog friendly as well! However our boys get anxious in crowds so we don’t dine with them too often but we have made several visits to The Plaza. They love going by Wear Your Grace and getting cold water and a treat!!!!

https://www.santafenm.gov/

Our Two Dog-Friendly AirBNB’s we recommend

For a short term rental please check out Casa Herradura. Casa Herradura is in an excellent location! Minutes to everything-elegance and history abound in this 100 year old historic adobe! Santa Fe Plaza, Museums, Canyon Rd, tasty restaurants & shopping, all within a five to ten minute walk. SF Ski Basin and hiking aplenty, a short drive up the mountain. Frank Ortiz dog park only a six minute drive. Great for couples, skiers, families, big groups and furry friends.

Charlotte is an amazing host with a great eye for contemporary design!!

We loved staying here!!!

For a long term rental please check out The Whyte Casa. This is an upscale renovated cozy adobe Casita only 2 walking blocks to the plaza area (with top rated restaurants, shopping & art galleries - you can also walk to Canyon Road!), AND 1 block to the road that goes to the Santa Fe Ski Basin (12 miles) and 10,000 Waves spa (3.5 miles). You'll be in the middle of everything while enjoying the peace & quiet of a local. This home is very open with charming wood vigas in the ceilings, newly plastered walls, collector's art, & all the comforts you will require. There are 2 full private bedrooms and a Scandinavian designed sleepers sofa with solid support and foam mattress - surprisingly (yet intentionally) very comfortable! In addition, you'll enjoy 2 FULL BATHS (a rare find) that are themselves spa quality with high-end stone tile, top-of-the-line fixtures and plush comfy towels.

You'll have your own private fenced in yard to enjoy morning coffee with the pups or a relaxing glass of wine at sunset; or if you'd rather, just walk up to the top of the hill of our street and you'll be at the Cross of the Martyrs (Ft. Marcy Hill), which has the most amazing views of the city and mountain vistas...AND to die for sunsets!!!