Cienega Picnic Site

Beautiful, shady, cool and green are just a few words that recreationists have used to describe the Cienega Group Picnic site. It is fairly flat, accessible and semi-private, and accommodates up to fifty people. A stream, which draws birds and other wildlife, runs through the area and has created a wet meadow: "La Cienega" means wet meadow. There is no overnight camping at Cienega. There is no shelter other than the surrounding shade trees. Picnic tables, grills, accessible vault toilets and bear proof trash containers are provided. Water, electricity and firewood or charcoal are not available at the site. Bears frequent the area; please use appropriate containers for food and garbage. Cienega's accessible interpretive trail and sidewalk winds around the picnic site and provides a great learning experience for those who take the time to check it out. There is an accessible patio near the beginning of the trail that is suitable for a picnic. The trail leads along the nearby stream and meadow, and was built cooperatively by the New Mexico Association for the Blind and the Forest Service for persons with a disability or otherwise limited physical mobility. The larger Cienega Picnic Area provides additional dispersed picnicking opportunities and access to a number of trail systems, and is a popular area for horse riders and mountain bikers. A variety of biking, hiking and horseback riding trails are available from within the picnic area, including one leading to the mountain crest: a nearly 10-mile round trip that winds through a fir forest abundant with wildflowers. Much of the hike is in the shade, although the terrain can be rough, and day hikes are available along the route. In non-drought times, the trails follow a mountain stream with a beautiful travertine waterfall. Make sure to bring a detailed trail map such as the Sandia Mountain Wilderness map or the Sandia Mountain Trails Guide. The picnic site is located approximately a half mile off the 536 Scenic Byway, a popular route to explore with access to many hiking, biking and horse riding trails along the way; the Sandia Mountain Wilderness is accessed from a number of them. There are privately owned businesses and restaurants all along NM State Road 14, and a museum on the way up the byway.