Cañoncito Spring, Cedar Crest, NM 87008

## Overview Cañoncito Spring is a reliable natural spring nestled in the Sandia Mountains east of Albuquerque, near the community of Cedar Crest in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. It is one of the few springs in the Sandias that reportedly flows year-round, making it a notable water source in an otherwise arid landscape. Situated along the popular Cañoncito Trail within the Cibola National Forest, the spring offers hikers a rewarding backcountry destination surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Sandia foothills — piñon-juniper woodland, Ponderosa pine, and dramatic granite outcroppings. The spring emerges naturally into a small pool rather than through a pipe, so water must be collected directly from the pool. Visitors have historically used this spring as a drinking water source, though the water has not been formally tested or verified for quality. ## Directions 1. From Albuquerque, take **I-40 East** toward Tijeras. 2. Exit onto **NM-14 North** (the Turquoise Trail) toward Cedar Crest. 3. Turn left (west) onto **Cole Springs Road (FR 299)**. This road heads into the Sandia foothills. 4. Drive along Cole Springs Road until you reach the **Cañoncito Trailhead** parking area at the bottom of the Cañoncito Trail. This is the nearest vehicle-accessible point — the spring itself cannot be reached by car. 5. Hike the **Cañoncito Trail** into the canyon. At the intersection of the **Faulty Trail** and the **Cañoncito Trail**, head approximately **100 feet east** to reach the spring. *Note: FR 299 is a forest road and conditions may vary seasonally. A high-clearance vehicle may be helpful depending on recent weather.* ## What to Expect Cañoncito Spring is a backcountry spring accessible only on foot. The hike in follows the Cañoncito Trail, a well-known route in the Sandia Mountains that winds through a scenic canyon. The trail is moderately trafficked by hikers and trail runners, especially on weekends. The spring itself is a natural pool with no pipe or spout — visitors who wish to collect water will need to bring a container and carefully gather it from the pool. Because the spring is unimproved and untested, the water quality has not been formally verified. It has been historically used as a drinking water source by hikers in the area. The surrounding terrain is typical of the eastern Sandia slopes: rocky, semi-arid, and beautiful. Expect elevation around 7,000 feet, with cooler temperatures than the Albuquerque valley floor. The trail junction with the Faulty Trail serves as your landmark — from there, the spring is a very short walk to the east. Bring sturdy footwear, sun protection, and plenty of your own water for the hike. Cell service can be spotty in the canyon. The area falls within the Cibola National Forest, so standard forest regulations apply.