Playground

Right on the edge of Hyde Memorial State Park, this spot is one of those places locals know about but don’t always share. The forest backdrop does a lot of the work — kids end up less interested in structured play and more interested in poking around the trees and dirt, which honestly is the point. It’s a solid stop if you’re already heading up the mountain or hiking the trails nearby. Bring layers because the elevation at that end of Santa Fe County means it’s cooler than you’d expect, even in summer.