El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve offers trails, rules for hikers

El Cerro de Los Lunas Open Space Preserve covers 1,700 acres and has more than 9 miles of trail. It is a public preserve with a daily opening window and rules that shape how people can use it without damaging the land or creating safety problems.

This is a managed system, not a blank patch of open space. Some trail segments are meant to be easier for casual hikers, while others climb into steep, rugged terrain better suited to endurance athletes and people who know what they are getting into. A short outing can still become a demanding one if you choose a rough segment, and a training run can go badly if you assume the whole preserve follows the same grade and footing.

What the preserve is built for

The preserve functions as one of Los Lunas’ organized open-space assets, with a defined schedule and a defined trail network. The Open Space Division’s mission is to support educational, recreational and safety needs while preserving natural and cultural resources and helping residents connect with the outdoors. Public access is meant to stay compatible with conservation, not override it.

The preserve is large enough to support a neighborhood hike, but it is also serious enough to attract people looking for a harder workout. If you are planning a quick outing, the easier segments are the better place to start. If you are heading into the steeper terrain, treat it as a more demanding backcountry-style outing and plan accordingly.

Know the access window before you leave

The preserve is open daily from 6 a.m. until half an hour past sunset, which means there is no overnight access and no freedom to drift late into the evening. A visit that starts too close to sunset can turn into an unnecessary race against darkness, especially on the rougher routes.

That schedule also makes the preserve useful for early-morning walkers, after-school hikes and evening conditioning runs, as long as the outing fits inside daylight. Because the closure is tied to sunset rather than a fixed evening time, the usable window shifts with the season. On shorter winter days, that can make a big difference in how much time you actually have on the trail.

Rules that most often affect hikers

The preserve allows only hiking and horseback riding. Motorized vehicles are prohibited, overnight camping is not allowed, and dogs must remain on a leash at all times. Alcohol is prohibited, and firearm discharge is also prohibited.

The leash rule is especially important for people who assume a quiet trail means an off-leash trail. It does not. Dogs need to stay under control throughout the visit, which helps protect other users, wildlife and the preserve itself. The ban on motorized vehicles also means the preserve is not a place to bring ATVs, dirt bikes or other powered transport into the trail network.

If the outing is anything other than walking or hiking, the village requires a permit for recreational activity at El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve.

Permits matter for group use and special events

Any recreational activity other than walking or hiking requires a permit, and special events involving 200 or more people must have a permit submitted 60 days in advance. The preserve is managed not just for individual visitors, but also for organized use that could affect traffic, safety, and the condition of the trails.

That requirement has real consequences for trail clubs, school groups, race organizers and families planning large gatherings. A group that shows up without the right approval can waste a day, disrupt others and create avoidable conflict with village rules. If an outing involves more than ordinary walking or hiking, the permit should be part of the planning from the start, not something checked at the trailhead.

For anyone considering a larger event, the 60-day timeline is the key number. It is long enough to matter for calendars, volunteers and logistics, and it signals that the village wants organized use reviewed well before the event date.

How to avoid a wasted trip

A little planning goes a long way at El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve. Start by matching your route to the trail type you want, because the preserve includes both easier segments and steep, rugged terrain. Then check the daylight window before heading out, since access ends half an hour after sunset and the usable time changes through the year.

It also helps to go in with the preserve’s use rules in mind:

• Hiking and horseback riding are allowed.
• Motorized vehicles are not allowed.
• Overnight camping is not allowed.
• Dogs must stay on a leash.
• Alcohol and firearm discharge are prohibited.
• Any recreational activity other than walking or hiking needs a permit.
• Special events with 200 or more people need a permit filed 60 days ahead.