The Sandia Mountains, the eastern landmark of Alburquerque, beckon outdoor enthusiasts with camper van rentals. The setting sun in the evening creates a colorful pink hued background. The high desert landscape offers many different hiking options with challenging trails to the top of Sandia Peak, walking paths through the foothills, and even historical trails at Petroglyph National Monument.

Considered to be the hot air ballooning capital of the world. Clear blue skies, calm winds, and mild temperatures are the norm in Albuquerque. Albuquerque hosts the International Balloon Fiesta, the world’s largest hot air balloon festival held each October where you’ll see hundreds of balloons in the sky at a time. This magical event draws an international crowd of balloonists and spectators and is considered to be the most photographed event in the world.

Rent a camper van and head to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, an almost three mile ascent to the 10,378 foot peak of the Sandia Mountains. What more thrilling way to see Albuquerque and the surrounding landscape can you think of? The tramway offers excellent access to a variety of hikes and wildlife experiences, and from the top, panoramic views of more than 11,000 square miles. 

Albuquerque is one of the sunniest cities in the country but the high temperature only gets to 100 degrees once or twice a year.

The skyline of Albuquerque is dominated by two geologic features. The Sandia Mountains to the east, which rise a mile above an already mile-high city, and at dusk they look a little like sandias, Spanish for watermelon. The Albuquerque Volcanoes are to the west and are dormant.

The Sandia Peak Tramway is one of the longest aerial trams in the world, it travels almost three miles to the 10,378 foot peak. Anyone hoping to get more of a workout in can also hike to the top.