Winters in Farmington have a distinct mix of weather that’s crisp but relatively mild, beautiful landscapes, and nearby snow and alpine adventures.
With the surrounding nature, recreation opportunities at every turn, and plenty of lodging and dining, Farmington is a fantastic winter destination. Here are some of the activities you’ll find — both in town and in the outdoors all around us:
Biking trails and winter-friendly riding
While Farmington’s well-known for its bike trails during the warmer months, there are also some trails that remain accessible year-round.
This includes paved or dirt paths like the Animas River trail that follows the water for five miles out-and-back (and has eight miles of trail in the whole system) as well as mountain biking trails like Glade Run just north of town.
When it comes to winter biking, be sure to come prepared! That starts with layers and warm gloves, but also recognizing potential hazards and how to approach different conditions. For example, in shaded areas, keep in mind that ice can stay for much longer than the outside temperatures would suggest, and adjust your riding accordingly. For similar reasons, it’s recommended to avoid riding trails when they’re wet.
Also remember to check tires routinely — colder temperatures can lower tire pressures faster than normal.
Winter walks, scenic hikes, and unique landscapes
Our surrounding landscapes bring many visitors to this corner of New Mexico, and the winter’s a great time of year for that!
Nearby Farmington, we have destinations such as Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness Area, the Bisti Badlands, and the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. You’ll find completely unique natural and human history in these parts — there are hoodoos and other rock formations in these areas that you won’t see anywhere else on Earth, like the famous Alien Throne.
Going through town, you also have the Animas River Trail close by with views of the river and landscapes.
With our open, clear skies, these strolls aren’t just for the day either; the nighttime stargazing is awe-inspiring this time of year.
Winter fishing
With the river systems in this part of New Mexico, fishing is a huge draw.
In particular, the salmon snagging season at Navajo Lake is a can’t-miss for many anglers. This is October 1st to December 31st, and is centered around the annual kokanee run.
The San Juan River, which itself flows into and from Navajo Lake, offers year-round fishing opportunities and is well-known for its quality and quantity of fish. In particular, its Special Trout Waters are carefully managed at the intersection of ecology and angling opportunities to provide year-round, quality trout fishing.
Off-road adventures
With all those aforementioned rock formations and terrain, Farmington is one of the Four Corners’ major off-roading hubs.
The cooler temperatures of the winter make for great conditions specifically for exploring the surrounding high desert terrain. In particular, Glade Run Recreation Area and Dunes Vehicle Recreation Areas are popular. Dunes starts just south of Farmington — although extends further out into quite a remote area, so come prepared — while Glade Run is around a 15-minute drive north of town.
Winter golfing and disc golf
Most people don’t think of golf (or even disc golf) as an especially wintery sport, for good reason. In Farmington, though, our combination of courses and complimentary weather conditions actually means you can play year-round! 
Two favorites in particular are the municipal courses Civitan Golf Course and Pinon Hills Golf Course. The former is a par three that’s popular with locals, while the latter is frequently ranked as one of the top municipal courses in the US.
We should also mention that while these courses are open all year long and the weather is usually quite favorable even in the winter, they can occasionally see snow, so we recommend calling ahead of time to make sure they haven’t been impacted.
Beyond traditional golf, Farmington also has your pick of disc golf courses too. In fact, the aforementioned Civitan course includes a separate disc golf course on the premises. Beyond that, the Lions Wilderness Disc Golf Course is about 15 minutes outside the city — it’s 27 holes amidst the high desert terrain, where you’ll get not just a sprawling course through which to explore New Mexico’s nature, but beautiful landscapes as the backdrop.
Museums and culture stops for cold days
Even with all these outdoor activities at your fingertips, sometimes the weather or just the mood calls for a more mellow day for learning about the local history and nature, indoors or out.
Luckily, Farmington has tons of museums, cultural spaces, and nearby historic sites.
This includes the Farmington Museum, Museum of Navajo Art and Culture, and Bolack Museum of Fish and Wildlife, all in Farmington proper. If you want to venture a bit out of town, the Ancestral Puebloan site at Aztec Ruins National Monument is a half an hour east, while Salmon Ruins Museum is about 20 minutes south of there and east of Farmington.
As you can see, Farmington has a bunch of activities no matter your interests — and they don’t stop for any season! Even in the winter, the recreational and cultural offerings in this part of New Mexico are outstanding, whether you want to experience world-class fishing, get your heart pumping on the mountain bike, or learn more about our unique culture and history.
We hope you’ll join us!