Extension Project: Belen to Bernalillo

The trail is used by bicycles, horses, joggers, and others for commuting and recreation

The Rio Grande Trail concept is poised to become one of the most popular multi-use trails in the region, and it's easy to understand why.  On any given day on the existing 16-mile Paseo del Rio, you can see parents with strollers, teenagers rollerskating, and a number of bicyclists using the trail for commuting. The trail follows the Rio Grande and trail users can enjoy cottonwoods and other native vegetation, in addition to water fowl and other wildlife.

Governor Richardson announced the Rio Grande Trail project in late 2004 and the Legislature provided $4 million in 2005 for the first phases of the project. During the 2007 session, the Legislature passed Memorials in both the House and Senate to endorse the completion of the Rio Grande Trail in New Mexico. Additionally, a key piece of legislation passed during the 2007 state legislative session provides added liability protection to irrigation and conservancy districts authorizing trail use on portions of their property, thus increasing opportunities for trail access.

Trail Will Connect Communities 

The Mid-Region Council of Governments is working on the stretch of Rio Grande Trail between Bernalillo and Belen.  The completed project will result in 40 miles of multi-use trail and bikeway facilities, including the existing 16 miles of trail along the bosque in the Albuquerque Metropolitan area, resulting in a continuous and integrated trail-bikeway system along the river between the towns of Bernalillo and Belen.

This regional system will provide recreation and alternative transportation opportunities to the smaller communities along the middle Rio Grande, connecting communities, as well as supporting environmental education and conservation efforts, increasing opportunities for healthy physical activity, and introducing tourists to the Rio Grande Valley.

The Design

The trail design may vary as it passes through different communities to reflect the particular character and needs of the adjacent community. One of the biggest challenges will be to develop management and funding strategies for this multi-jurisdictional trail. Opportunities for collaboration and potential benefits for adjacent communities are great.

The Mid-Region Council of Governments is working with local governments and agencies to refine a preferred alignment (see maps below) for the trail between Belen and Bernalillo and to package several pilot projects for construction.

•  Northern Portion of Rio Grande Trail 707.34 Kb
•  Southern Portion of Rio Grande Trail 356.12 Kb

A pilot project may include selecting, designing and building segments of the trail and related facilities, such as parking lots, trail heads, signage and bridges. Additional funding will be sought to complete the trail.   Trail work will be coordinated with bosque restoration in the project areas.

This project is managed by the Mid-Region Council of Governments in close coordination with MRCOG members, especially the Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District (MRGCD), local governments and flood control authorities, and with other stakeholders, such as the US Army Corps of Engineers and the NM Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources State Parks Division.

New Mexico State Parks is currently leading planning efforts to develop the statewide vision of the Rio Grande Trail, focusing on a Rio Grande Corridor Study in southern New Mexico.  Completing a multi-use trail along the Rio Grande would be truly visionary and would give New Mexico one of the longest (and flattest) multi-use trails in the United States.  Development of the trail will require tremendous public-private partnerships and multi-year effort.

Contact:  Jessica Terrell, State Trails Coordinator, NM State Parks, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) (505) 827-1476