Sandia Mountain Wilderness | |
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Location | Bernalillo – Sandoval counties, New Mexico, United States |
Nearest city | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
Coordinates | 35°12′0″N 106°27′0″W / 35.20000°N 106.45000°W |
Area | 37,877 acres (15,328 ha) |
Established | 1978 |
Visitors | 2 million[1] (in 2000?) |
Governing body | United States Forest Service |
Sandia Mountain Wilderness, part of Cibola National Forest, is located east of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and comprises much of Sandia Mountains. It became part of the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1978 by an act of the United States Congress and has a total of 37,877 acres (15,328 ha).[2][1]
The wilderness is under the authority of the United States Forest Service.[3] Because of its proximity to Albuquerque, it has one of the most used trail systems in the state. Most tourists access the wilderness area either by way of the Sandia Aerial Tramway or by driving by way of the Sandia Crest National Scenic Byway.