Overview
Cedar Crest is a small settlement in Central New Mexico, situated on the eastern side of the Sandia Mountains, opposite Albuquerque. Scattered along the base of the mountains alongside the village of Tijeras directly to the south and the tiny settlement of Sandia Park directly to the north, Cedar Crest serves as a primary gateway into the Sandia Mountains and to the Turquoise Trail scenic roadway north to Santa Fe.
1 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cedar Crest
Tinkertown Museum
A folk art museum featuring thousands of miniature, wood-carved creations including animated figures, instruments, animals and objects, miniature Western towns, carnivals, Old West memorabilia, old-fashioned arcade machi…
Sandia Peak Ski Area
During the winter, you can ski or snowboard at Sandia Peak. The ski season is typically mid-December to mid-March, depending on the seasonal amount of snowfall. There are 30 trails with four chairlifts and two surface li…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 26°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jul and Aug. (climate data from nearby Albuquerque)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ABQ Albuquerque International Sunport, Albuquerque — 14 mi away (major hub). Directions
- SAF Santa Fe Municipal Airport, Santa Fe — 39 mi away. Directions
The town is located a few miles east of Albuquerque, at the junction of I-40 and NM State Road 14 (the "Turquoise Trail", a scenic route heading north through the town of Madrid to Santa Fe). From Albuquerque, I-40 passes through the narrow Tijeras Canyon. Running alongside I-40 through the canyon is NM 333, a winding two-lane road that follows the route of old Route 66.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Tinkertown Museum
- Lunch Ribs BBQ
- Afternoon Sandia Peak Ski Area
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
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Photos
Map
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Get in
The town is located a few miles east of Albuquerque, at the junction of I-40 and NM State Road 14 (the "Turquoise Trail", a scenic route heading north through the town of Madrid to Santa Fe). From Albuquerque, I-40 passes through the narrow Tijeras Canyon. Running alongside I-40 through the canyon is NM 333, a winding two-lane road that follows the route of old Route 66.
See
- Cedar Crest serves as the primary gateway to the Sandia Crest, the ridge that tops the Sandia Mountains. You can drive up to the crest for a spectacular view over Albuquerque and the surrounding countryside; just drive north on NM 14, turn left on NM 536, and follow the winding road up into the Sandia Mountains to the crest.
Do
Do Sandia Peak Ski Area
During the winter, you can ski or snowboard at Sandia Peak. The ski season is typically mid-December to mid-March, depending on the seasonal amount of snowfall. There are 30 trails with four chairlifts and two surface lifts, and a terrain park. Most of the facilities are at the bottom of the slope (which is accessible by road), including a cafeteria, ski school, the equipment rental shop, and a sports equipment shop. At the top of the hill is access to the Sandia Peak Tramway from Albuquerque (see the "See" section on that guide). Presuming there's enough snow at the top, you can take the tramway (skiers get a discount on tramway tickets, but you have to bring your own equipment); otherwise, you have to drive.
- The Cibola National Forest, which encompasses the Sandia Mountains, offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Sandia District Ranger Station is located just south of Cedar Crest in the village of Tijeras, at 11776 Highway 337 south of I-40, where you can purchase trail maps and get information about conditions in the forest. NM 536 above Cedar Crest is lined with trailheads and picnic areas, as well as a sledding hill at Capulin Spring in the winter months; a daily amenity fee of $3 is required for all vehicles parking in designated areas.
Eat
Eat Ribs BBQ
One of the better ribs joints in the state.
Nearby
Edgewood
City / town · 6 listings · 11 mi away
Albuquerque
City / town · 167 listings · 16 mi away
Bernalillo
City / town · 6 listings · 17 mi away
Moriarty
City / town · 8 listings · 20 mi away
Madrid
City / town · 5 listings · 24 mi away
Los Lunas
City / town · 4 listings · 29 mi away
Belen
City / town · 7 listings · 38 mi away
Mountainair
City / town · 5 listings · 41 mi away
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