Fall is prime hiking season in New Mexico. The cottonwoods along the Rio Grande turn gold, the Sandias glow pink at sunset, and the summer heat finally backs off. If you’ve ever wondered how many hikers bring cannabis into the picture, a new national poll has an answer: more than a third of them. Here’s what the survey found, what New Mexico law says about cannabis on the trail, and a favorite hike near each of our dispensaries in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Hobbs.

The poll: 1,008 hikers, one honest question

The survey was run by Climbing Kilimanjaro, a Tanzanian trekking company, and first reported by Marijuana Moment in October 2026. The company asked 1,008 U.S. adults who hike what, if anything, they use on the trail. It was fielded September 1 to 3, 2026 through CloudResearch Connect, and respondents were screened for having hiking or camping as a hobby.

35% have hiked high on cannabis, making it the most common trail substance by a wide margin. Among hikers who use anything on the trail, 80% choose cannabis.
44% have hiked under the influence of something, including alcohol (23%), nicotine (21%) and psilocybin (15%). Another 7% have hiked after using CBD.
56% have never used anything on the trail. Most hikers keep it clear-headed.
Millennials led the way: 51% have hiked under the influence, compared with 43% of Gen Z and 37% of Gen X.

Why hikers say they do it

The reasons were mostly about the experience. Among hikers who use something on the trail, 48% said it helps them take in the scenery, 45% said it helps them feel more connected to nature, and 23% said it calms their nerves or helps them push past a fear like heights.

The most interesting finding is how careful those hikers are. 51% stick to short, easy trails close to home, and just 5% use anything on steep or technical climbs. Nine in ten said there’s at least one situation where they’d never use: steep or exposed terrain (57%), driving home afterward (54%) and high altitude (51%) topped the list. Still, about 1 in 5 admitted they’d done something on the trail they wouldn’t have tried sober, most often going farther than planned or taking a harder trail than usual.

Research on cannabis and exercise points the same way. In a study published in the journal Sports Medicine, University of Colorado Boulder researchers had 42 regular cannabis users exercise in a lab twice: once without cannabis, and once after using legal-market flower that was either THC-dominant or CBD-dominant. After using cannabis, people reported more enjoyment, a better mood and more “runner’s high” feelings, but they also said the exercise felt harder. Feeling good and performing well aren’t the same thing, which is why the hikers in this poll save the big climbs for a clear head.

Know the rules before you hit the trail in New Mexico

New Mexico’s cannabis law has limits that matter for hikers. This is general information, not legal advice:

No smoking or vaping in public places. Under the Cannabis Regulation Act (NMSA 26-2C-26), smoking cannabis in a public place outside a licensed consumption area carries a $50 civil penalty, and “smoke” includes vaping. Parks, trailheads and open space count as public. Cities and land managers can have their own rules too.
Federal land is a different story. Cannabis is still illegal under federal law, and New Mexico’s law doesn’t change that on national forests and national monuments. Several of the hikes below are on federal land, including the Cibola and Santa Fe National Forests and Petroglyph National Monument, where possessing cannabis is prohibited.
Don’t drive high. Driving under the influence of cannabis is a DWI in New Mexico, and the drive home from the trailhead counts.
21 and over only, and keep your possession within legal limits.

Our take: hike clear-headed, then celebrate at home. A post-hike pre-roll on your own patio while the sun sets over the West Mesa is hard to beat, and it keeps you on the right side of every ranger.

A favorite hike near every HDR store

Some of these are easy strolls and some are serious climbs. Check current conditions, closures and hours with the land manager before you go, and pack more water than you think you’ll need.

Albuquerque Westside (Alameda): the Rio Grande bosque at Alameda Open Space

Just minutes from our Alameda dispensary on NM-528, the Alameda/Rio Grande Open Space trailhead drops you into the bosque, the cottonwood forest along the Rio Grande. Flat dirt paths and the paved Paseo del Bosque Trail run south through Rio Grande Valley State Park, and in November the leaves turn bright gold. It’s easy, shaded and great for an afternoon walk. Watch for sandhill cranes in late fall.

Albuquerque Coors: Rinconada Canyon at Petroglyph National Monument

A short drive west of our Coors Blvd dispensary, the Rinconada Canyon trail is about 2.2 miles round trip on sandy ground along the base of the West Mesa escarpment, past hundreds of petroglyphs carved by Ancestral Puebloan people and early Spanish settlers. It’s one of the most visited trails in the monument. This is federal land and a sacred cultural landscape, so leave cannabis at home and stay on the trail.

Albuquerque Pan Am: La Luz Trail in the Sandia Mountains

From our Pan Am dispensary off I-25 and Jefferson, it’s a quick drive up Tramway to Albuquerque’s most famous climb. The La Luz Trail runs about 7.5 miles one way from the foothills to near the top of the Sandia Peak Tramway, gaining well over 3,000 feet and topping out above 10,000 feet. Many hikers ride the tram down. It’s long, steep and high, exactly the kind of hike the poll’s respondents save for a clear head. Start early and turn around if the weather turns.

Bernalillo: Sandia Man Cave Trail in Las Huertas Canyon

Head east from our Bernalillo dispensary on US-550 on NM-165 through Placitas into Las Huertas Canyon in the Cibola National Forest. The Sandia Man Cave Trail is short, about half a mile each way, but it ends with a climb up a metal spiral staircase to a cave that’s a National Historic Landmark, with big views of the canyon. The road is unpaved and bumpy for part of the way, and upper NM-165 usually closes in winter, so check before you go.

Santa Fe: Atalaya Mountain

Atalaya is Santa Fe’s classic leg-burner. From the trailhead at St. John’s College, the trail climbs about 1,800 feet through piñon, juniper and ponderosa pine in the Santa Fe National Forest to a summit above 9,100 feet, with views over the city toward the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains. Plan on roughly 6 to 7 miles round trip depending on your route. Our Santa Fe dispensary on Main St near Cerrillos Rd is on your way back across town. Santa Fe already sits around 7,000 feet, so give yourself time to adjust if you’re visiting.

Hobbs: Harry McAdams Park

Southeast New Mexico is flat high plains, so hiking around Hobbs means easy walking rather than summits. About 5 miles northwest of town on NM-18, Harry McAdams Park sits on the old Hobbs Army Airfield site with grassy lawns, shade trees and two ponds that are popular for fishing. It’s a relaxed spot for a loop around the water and a picnic. In town, the perimeter trail at Rockwind Community Links is another favorite for walkers. Stop by our Hobbs dispensary on N Central Ave on the way home.

What this means at the HDR counter

Our budtenders in Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Santa Fe and Hobbs talk with plenty of hikers, bikers and climbers. Here’s what we tell them:

Plan your post-hike session for home. Pick up before the trip, then enjoy after you’re back. Ordering ahead from your nearest HDR menu makes it a quick stop.
Hydrate twice. High desert air and altitude dry you out fast, and cannabis can add dry mouth. THC can also raise your heart rate, which you’ll feel more at elevation. Our potential side effects page covers what to watch for.
Go easy on dose after a big day. Tired legs, an empty stomach and a little dehydration can make a familiar dose feel stronger. If you’re reaching for an edible, our edibles dosage chart is a good refresher, and remember edibles can take up to 2 hours to kick in.
Curious about CBD? Some people like non-intoxicating CBD products after a workout. Ask about our CBD options.
Find your trail-day strain. Browse our New Mexico-grown flower and strain library or our edibles, and ask a budtender what people like for winding down.

Ready to plan your next trail day? Browse the menu and order ahead at your nearest HDR: Albuquerque Westside (Alameda), Albuquerque Coors, Albuquerque Pan Am, Bernalillo, Santa Fe or Hobbs.

FAQ

How many hikers use cannabis on the trail?

In a September 2026 poll of 1,008 U.S. adult hikers, 35% said they have hiked high on cannabis. 56% said they have never used any substance on the trail.

Can I smoke cannabis on hiking trails in New Mexico?

New Mexico law doesn’t allow smoking or vaping cannabis in public places outside a licensed consumption area, with a $50 civil penalty. On federal land, like national forests and national monuments, cannabis is illegal to possess at all.

Is cannabis allowed in the Sandia Mountains or Petroglyph National Monument?

No. The Sandias are part of the Cibola National Forest and Petroglyph is a national monument. Both are federal land, where cannabis remains illegal under federal law even though it’s legal in New Mexico.

What’s a good easy hike near Albuquerque?

The Rio Grande bosque trails at Alameda Open Space are flat and shaded, and the Rinconada Canyon trail at Petroglyph National Monument is about 2.2 miles round trip. For a challenge, the La Luz Trail climbs the Sandia Mountains.

Does altitude change how cannabis feels?

Many people say they feel cannabis more at altitude, especially when they’re tired or dehydrated. If you’ve just come up from lower ground, take a smaller amount than usual and drink plenty of water.

Sources

Climbing Kilimanjaro. “Hiking While High: How Elevation and Enhancement Mix on the Trail.” Survey of 1,008 U.S. adult hikers, fielded September 1 to 3, 2026. climbing-kilimanjaro.com/hiking-while-high
Angell T. “More Than A Third Of Hikers Use Marijuana To Enhance Their Experience On The Trail, Poll Shows.” Marijuana Moment, October 9, 2026. marijuanamoment.net
Gibson LP, Giordano GR, Bidwell LC, Hutchison KE, Bryan AD. “Acute Effects of Ad Libitum Use of Commercially Available Cannabis Products on the Subjective Experience of Aerobic Exercise: A Crossover Study.” Sports Medicine, vol. 54, pages 1051-1066, 2024 (published online December 2023). doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01980-4
New Mexico Cannabis Regulation Act, NMSA 1978 § 26-2C-26, “Limits on personal use; penalties.” law.justia.com
National Park Service, Petroglyph National Monument. “Rinconada Canyon.” nps.gov/petr
USDA Forest Service, Cibola National Forest. “La Luz Trailhead and La Luz Trail #137” and “Sandia Man Cave Trailhead, Trail #72.” La Luz, Sandia Man Cave
City of Albuquerque Open Space. “Paseo del Bosque Trail.” cabq.gov
Featured photo: La Luz Trail trailhead, Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, Sandia Ranger District. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

This article is for general information only and isn’t legal or medical advice. Cannabis is for adults 21 and older. Don’t consume on federal land, and don’t drive high. Trail details change, so check with the land manager before you go.