Closest first
Straight-line miles from the city center; drive times are rough estimates. Open the app for parks near wherever you are right now.
- 1 White Sands · New Mexico · 6+ trails · $25 / vehicle161 mi · ~3.5 hr drive
- 2 Petrified Forest · Arizona · 18+ trails · $25 / vehicle177 mi · ~3.5 hr drive
- 3 Mesa Verde · Colorado · 80+ trails · $35 / vehicle178 mi · ~3.5 hr drive
- 4 Great Sand Dunes · Colorado · 18+ trails · $25 / vehicle194 mi · ~4 hr drive
- 5 Carlsbad Caverns · New Mexico · 6+ trails · $15 / person230 mi · ~5 hr drive
- 6 Guadalupe Mountains · Texas · 80+ trails · $25 / vehicle241 mi · ~5 hr drive
- 7 Black Canyon of the Gunnison · Colorado · 8+ trails · $20 / vehicle248 mi · ~5 hr drive
- 8 Canyonlands · Utah · 20+ trails · $35 / vehicle282 mi · ~6 hr drive
- 9 Saguaro · Arizona · 165+ trails · $25 / vehicle295 mi · ~6 hr drive
- 10 Arches · Utah · 12+ trails · $35 / vehicle296 mi · ~6 hr drive
Planning a trip from Albuquerque
White Sands, Petrified Forest, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Canyonlands, Saguaro, Arches are realistic for a long weekend. Leave early Friday, and reserve campsites or lodging ahead in peak season.
Each park page covers popular trails, camping, entrance fees, and the best time to visit. In ParkAtlas, the home screen shows unvisited parks within reach of your current location and lets you log the one you pick.
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Albuquerque?
White Sands National Park, about 161 miles away (~3.5 hr drive).
Which national parks near Albuquerque work for a weekend trip?
Within roughly a six-hour drive: White Sands, Petrified Forest, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Canyonlands, Saguaro, Arches.
How many national parks are within 500 miles of Albuquerque?
10 of the 63 U.S. national parks are within 500 miles of Albuquerque.