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Los Alamos County boasts 58 miles of pedestrian/bicycle/equestrian trails through town and connecting to hundreds of miles of cross-country trails in the surrounding Santa Fe National Forest. Trails west and north of townsite were damaged severely by tree falls and erosion after the catastrophic Cerro Grande forest fire in 2000, but thanks to the hard work of many volunteers, trail damage has been repaired. Since 2006, each spring a 50-mile ultramarathon foot race has been held on these trails. A pleasant (at least until summer heat sets in) set of connecting trails lead into White Rock Canyon from several points around White Rock, they are known as the Red Dot & Blue Dot trails. Beware of rattlesnakes in White Rock Canyon. A good resource for mountain bike riding is the local mountain biking club, The Tuff Riders who know the area inside and out and are always willing to provide information. Free maps are available at the Visitors Center; other maps can be purchased at Otowi Station Bookstore beside the Bradbury Museum and Mesa Public Library has a complete collection of USGS topographic maps of New Mexico.
Explains the principles behind atomic energy and its uses in peace and war. Also presents the historical and social issues surrounding atomic energy.
A small museum on the history of the area, with associated bookstore containing a number of books written by Historical Society members on local culture, history, recreational opportunities, etc., including the one listed below under "References."
An art gallery with regularly changing exhibits, held in an old timber-framed lodge that was once the main building for the Los Alamos Ranch School, before becoming a gathering place for scientists during the Manhattan Project. The art center promotes the development of local and regional artists, and provides art classes and hosts arts & crafts fairs in August on the weekend of the Los Alamos Rodeo, and another in late October. The art center also operates a gift shop that specializes in handmade artworks including jewelry, picture postcards, paintings, ceramics and more.
A nature center that offers exhibits on local amphibians, birds, butterflies, fossils, energy and more. Local critters and demonstration gardens are on display, with friendly volunteers and books to purchase on the local flora, fauna and trails written by local experts. The center is also connected to the regional trail system, with trails leading down into the canyon behind the center.
Contains athletic fields and a wheelchair-accessible scenic overlook of White Rock Canyon, the Rio Grande, and the mountainous country to the east, with a moderately rugged trail leading into the canyon. Pleasant for picnics, particularly in the fall; White Rock's lower elevation compared to Los Alamos proper means that it can be hot in the summer.
Contains many Pueblo dwelling ruins to visit and other hiking opportunities. Don't forget to visit the separate Tsankawi unit of Bandelier, which is equally fascinating, but less visited. The latest hike to be opened at Bandelier is the Cerro Grande hike that rises up to the rim of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The hike climbs 900 feet through beautiful forest and meadow and provides spectacular views of the surrounding area for miles around.