Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary

Nature preserve · Santa Fe County

Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary

Nature preserve · Santa Fe County

1800 Upper Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Highlights

Escape to the Randall Davey Audubon Center, where scenic hiking trails, captivating wildlife, and a charming historic home invite nature lovers of all ages.

1800 Upper Canyon Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505 Get directions

randalldavey.audubon.org

@cntraveler

"From the gentle loop of the Dorothy Stewart Trail to the more strenuous 6.2-mile climb up Atalaya Mountain, Santa Fe offers a wealth of hiking options. For an easygoing nature stroll, Randall Davey Audbon Center (home to the National Audubon Society’s education center) is set on 135 acres at the end of Upper Canyon Road. A relaxed morning option, you’ll find free guided bird walks (with 190 species such as hummingbirds, scrub-jays and mountain chickadees) alongside garden tours (hello, cholla cacti) and a short Haiku Trail walk where Christy Hengst’s ceramic-etched poems hang from tree branches. At the heart of the property is a peach-colored homesteader, the spot where Davey, an American painter and who as part of the Santa Fe Art Colony, lived from the 1920s up until his death in 1964. Inside his old house, you’ll find antique furnishings, mural paintings and memorabilia including his beloved cello and a hidden, prohibition-era bar on display." - Kate Donnelly

12 Best Things to Do in Santa Fe

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@afar

"Hiking, Nature, History and Art The artist Randall Davey (part of the Santa Fe Art Colony) painted and worked at this former studio turned National Audubon Society on Upper Canyon Road. The land is now a preserved wildlife sanctuary (with a vast variety of birds like the goldfinch) with several trails and a cultural, educational and historical center. Take a hike with stellar views and later tour Davey's home and art studio with various personal effects. Closed in the winter. And, make sure to call ahead for times when the house is open."

New Mexico's Dramatic Natural Scenery

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@afar

The Best Trails and Hikes Around Santa Fe

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@afar

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A Perfect Weekend in Santa Fe

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Terry Rostro

Google

The Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary provided a wonderful escape this late fall. We visited after a snowstorm had dusted the grounds with a fresh layer of white, making the already beautiful scenery even more breathtaking. With the crowds thinned and the historic buildings closed for the season, a sense of peace and solitude permeated the air. While we missed touring the house and studio, the natural beauty of the sanctuary more than made up for it. We were incredibly lucky to encounter a family of deer calmly grazing near the trail, seemingly oblivious to our presence. Capturing photos of them in that serene setting was a true highlight of our visit. We also enjoyed a leisurely walk along the trails, spotting different types of birds flitting among the snow-dusted trees. It was the perfect way to connect with nature and enjoy the tranquility of the season. Even though the buildings were closed, the open trails and the captivating wildlife made our visit to the Randall Davey Audubon Center a truly memorable experience.

C Rolfe

Google

Pretty little spot for a gentle hike in the foothills among pinions. The gardens are full of birds, stately cottonwoods, and flowers. We went on Friday so we could join the Davey home tour. Very interesting story about the artist who made his home there. The house is filled with unique paintings, murals, and shows how life used to be when Santa Fe was between its role as a westward outpost and its boom during WWII.

Riann Martinez

Google

We just went for the first time. The weather was really bad so the play area was mostly closed as was the visitor center. However we did explore outside, saw some wild turkey, and look forward to going back on a nicer day to take advantage of the kids play area and the walking paths. Lots of sweet touches in the garden like quotes from birders on ceramic tiles hanging from the trees.

Christie Ervin

Google

This was our first visit here and we loved it. My young grandsons particularly enjoyed the treehouse and finding pretty rocks. I loved hiking with them. The volunteers are friendly and helpful and there’s a wealth of information available. Definitely worth a visit! We’ll be back again.

Jette Thomassen

Google

The buildings are beautiful and trail are great and peaceful. Would highly recommend.

Vermithrax Pejorative

Google

The trail was closed due to fire danger, but I was able to view the garden path and the house. It was well worth visiting for those aspects alone. The grounds are well-kept, and the volunteers were very helpful and friendly. I will definitely make a repeat visit once the fire issue is resolved.

Jim Fatzinger

Google

The history of the Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary, located at the terminus of an unpaved portion of Upper Canyon Road leading away from the city, is as interesting as its mission is important. Originally the site of a sawmill built to support the construction of fortifications during the Mexican-American War, it was acquired in 1920 by the modern realist artist from New York, Randall Davey, who said of this property, ““I wouldn’t trade my life here where I can hunt, shoot, ride, for all the committee-going and boot-licking you’ve got to do in a city for anything. An artist might starve for food here, but he’ll starve spiritually in a place like New York.” Docent-led tours of Davey’s house and studio are offered at 2pm every Friday ($5). Guided bird walks take place on Saturdays @ 8:30am (free, donations accepted, binoculars available to borrow). An unexpected feature is the Nature Discovery Center (free, donations accepted) which includes a giant pinecone, an oversized acorn, a treehouse, and rope tunnels for families to explore. 190 bird species have been spotted on the trails that crisscross the 135-acre property. A “Haiku Trail,” featuring poems in a 5-7-5 syllable pattern, stamped into ceramic plaques, opened in May 2022. Open Monday-Saturday (except holidays), 8am-4pm.

Byron Jab

Google

We saw a lot of birds. The staff was very helpful and informative. We enjoyed walking the grounds.