Willow Creek Trail
Willow Creek Trail
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
17 reviews
Excellent
8
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MKWill
Dallas, TX4 contributions
Dec 2022 • Couples
Really nice well maintained flat trial. Beautiful views of mountains and river. Our pup enjoyed the about 3 miles loop walk. We bought our own bags but there were a few owners that were unprepared so watch your step. The entrance is off the main st. You may miss the dirt road that leads to the parking lot.
Written December 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick K
Rio Rancho, NM66 contributions
Aug 2019
Some folks in the general Albuquerque metro area relegate Rio Rancho to a certain lifestyle / demographics / activities category, based on what they've read or heard, or their personal prejudices. Bah, I say to them.
Rio Rancho has many nice parks, but one of the less-known places is the Willow Creek Bosque Open Space (WC) towards the NE end of town near River's Edge III. WC offers some really nice walks / strolls / bike paths through the Rio Grande bosque, and it's not too crowded, ever.
Enter off Willow Creek Road NE, itself off of Hwy 528 at the Idalia stoplight. A short gravel road leads down into the gravel parking lot.
The main trails are gravel paths in a large loop of a couple miles, connected by some cross paths, also gravelled. Parts of the trail are shaded by large cottonwoods, while others are more in the open, and whether this suits you or not largely depends on the season.
There are other trails, most of them ad hoc, in and through or adjacent to the gravel paths. Some provide access to the river, some to adjacent "spaces", and some to the cliffside trail that goes along all the River's Edge developments to the south, along the west side of the Rio Grande (also worth walking).
There are people walking, families, joggers, bike riders (uncommonly courteous as opposed to elsewhere in the area), dog walkers (uncommonly good about picking up after their dogs and not leaving a "forgotten" plastic bag of dog waste for someone else to dispose), and birders / botanists / nature lovers. I'm a birder, and have walked and explored all over the general Albuquerque area, and am impressed by the level of pleasantness and courtesy people here possess. Plus, of course, it's not a bad place for birding, too.
There are wooden benches here and there, trash cans at entry points, as well as plastic bags for dog duty (yes, I know).
The understory has been cleared out mostly, and portions of the preserve are undergoing "revigitation" (ha ha, as signs say), but there is still enough to provide cover for the critters that enjoy or need it. Critters? Porcupines, owls/hawks/other birds (currently 175 different species as per eBird.org), coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, the occasional garter or gopher snake, toads, lizards, beavers and cute little muskrats.
I'll mention bugs, too, but mostly from a positive perspective as a quasi-naturalist, plenty to see and learn about. But not really a problem in terms of mosquitos or flies, even in the seasons when one would expect them.
Theere is an ongoing problem with the river cutting off some banks and eating in to on elf the trails (higher / faster water this year), and sometimes minor flooding with cover the gravel trails with mud deposits in a few areas.
Overall, good area to go wandering, get outside, and kind of a overlooked positive aspect of life in Rio Rancho. I've been here dozens of times and never had a bad experience.
Rio Rancho has many nice parks, but one of the less-known places is the Willow Creek Bosque Open Space (WC) towards the NE end of town near River's Edge III. WC offers some really nice walks / strolls / bike paths through the Rio Grande bosque, and it's not too crowded, ever.
Enter off Willow Creek Road NE, itself off of Hwy 528 at the Idalia stoplight. A short gravel road leads down into the gravel parking lot.
The main trails are gravel paths in a large loop of a couple miles, connected by some cross paths, also gravelled. Parts of the trail are shaded by large cottonwoods, while others are more in the open, and whether this suits you or not largely depends on the season.
There are other trails, most of them ad hoc, in and through or adjacent to the gravel paths. Some provide access to the river, some to adjacent "spaces", and some to the cliffside trail that goes along all the River's Edge developments to the south, along the west side of the Rio Grande (also worth walking).
There are people walking, families, joggers, bike riders (uncommonly courteous as opposed to elsewhere in the area), dog walkers (uncommonly good about picking up after their dogs and not leaving a "forgotten" plastic bag of dog waste for someone else to dispose), and birders / botanists / nature lovers. I'm a birder, and have walked and explored all over the general Albuquerque area, and am impressed by the level of pleasantness and courtesy people here possess. Plus, of course, it's not a bad place for birding, too.
There are wooden benches here and there, trash cans at entry points, as well as plastic bags for dog duty (yes, I know).
The understory has been cleared out mostly, and portions of the preserve are undergoing "revigitation" (ha ha, as signs say), but there is still enough to provide cover for the critters that enjoy or need it. Critters? Porcupines, owls/hawks/other birds (currently 175 different species as per eBird.org), coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, the occasional garter or gopher snake, toads, lizards, beavers and cute little muskrats.
I'll mention bugs, too, but mostly from a positive perspective as a quasi-naturalist, plenty to see and learn about. But not really a problem in terms of mosquitos or flies, even in the seasons when one would expect them.
Theere is an ongoing problem with the river cutting off some banks and eating in to on elf the trails (higher / faster water this year), and sometimes minor flooding with cover the gravel trails with mud deposits in a few areas.
Overall, good area to go wandering, get outside, and kind of a overlooked positive aspect of life in Rio Rancho. I've been here dozens of times and never had a bad experience.
Written August 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Timothy
Placitas, NM59 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Do you enjoy level walks among cottonwoods along the Rio Grande sighting owls and other critters as geese and cranes fly overhead? Easy access and wonder-filled scenery. The humans along the paths are interesting, too.
Written December 5, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Antoinette M
Rio Rancho39 contributions
May 2015
This is a wonderful area to walk and enjoy the Bosque. The area is easy to get to. The parking is good. A walk along the Rio Grande is good for the soul.
Written June 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gene1977
Rio Rancho, NM9 contributions
Sep 2017 • Family
This trail is great... if you like trees and what little natural greenery Rio Rancho has to offer. And there are no hills!
Written May 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
angelaaY8713KM
15 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
A pleasant, level place for a 2 mile walk in the bosque. Lots of geese, coyotes and hawks this time of year. Most responsible dog walkers keep their pets on a leash and most clean up after their pet leaving the trail nice for all.
Written March 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
soldonsolmar
Louisville, KY107 contributions
Dec 2022 • Friends
A dog-walking jewel that fills just about any dog-walking need. You’ve got water, trees, great walking paths and wildlife
Written December 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rsonee
Brooklyn, NY96 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
It's still a good trail even though some of it is closed off because of the river. You can still go down to the river.
Written June 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
donnarO8108FW
Rio Rancho, NM4 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
We walk here in the spring and summer , the trails are accommodating for everyone from singles to groups. It is a joy to walk under the huge cottonwoods, and down to the river . This is never a crowded area in our experience and lots of birds and even a possum once. Trails are well kept and flat as well.
Written June 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle S
Rio Rancho, NM73 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
I like to take my dogs here to walk.
There is a nice large trail that goes all the way around and is under 2 miles.
There are other little trails to take, there is a small river back in there too.
People walk, run or ride bikes there. If you are walking your dog, keep on a leash. Other people are walking their dogs too and coyotes are out there.
When you are driving on Willow, drive slow, not to slow where you will annoy the person behind you lol or you will miss the turn. It is on a small dirt road that will take you to a dirt parking lot. Have a great time!
There is a nice large trail that goes all the way around and is under 2 miles.
There are other little trails to take, there is a small river back in there too.
People walk, run or ride bikes there. If you are walking your dog, keep on a leash. Other people are walking their dogs too and coyotes are out there.
When you are driving on Willow, drive slow, not to slow where you will annoy the person behind you lol or you will miss the turn. It is on a small dirt road that will take you to a dirt parking lot. Have a great time!
Written November 12, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
eyelovetotraveltwo
San Antonio, TX109 contributions
Where do you park? I turned on to Willow Creek/Idalia but could not find where to park. Thanks for any and all info.
Rick K
Rio Rancho, NM66 contributions
Turning off Hwy 528 at the Idalia intersection, going towards the river (and the Sandias), you enter onto Willow Creek Road (it is Idalia ~ west of 528 and Willow Creek to the east).
You will note there are houses on your left, but not on your right. Once you have passed those houses ... there's the turn into the Willow Creek Trail area. You pass three streets on your left, the last being Spruce Mountain Loop.
You'll be curing to the right and headed slightly downhill.
As soon as you've passed that third street, and the last of the houses on the left - that's your turn (to the left).
Go through the gate onto the gravel road, and follow the gravel road down for a few hundred feet to the gravel parking lot.
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Claim your listingWillow Creek Trail - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Willow Creek Trail
- Hotels near Willow Creek Trail:
- (2.40 mi) Santa Ana Star Casino Hotel
- (0.63 mi) Beautiful Custom Quiet Poolside Casita
- (4.27 mi) Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa
- (6.35 mi) Sandia Resort & Casino
- (2.68 mi) Holiday Inn Express Albuquerque N - Bernalillo, an IHG Hotel
- Restaurants near Willow Creek Trail:
- (1.98 mi) Range Cafe
- (6.16 mi) Joe's Pasta House
- (5.26 mi) Hannah & Nate's
- (6.04 mi) Weck's
- (1.54 mi) Dion's
Willow Creek Trail Information
Excellent Reviews | 8 |
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Very Good Reviews | 8 |
Willow Creek Trail Photos | 20 |