Get Fit and Experience Farmingtons Rustic Charm at These Top Exercise Spots

When it comes to combining a love of exercise with an appreciation for the rustic charm of the American Southwest, look no further than Farmington, NM. This scenic city offers plenty of opportunities to break a sweat while immersing oneself in its arid, historic, diverse and friendly surroundings.

For those who enjoy hiking or trail running, the Animas River Trail (1601 San Juan Blvd) is an ideal spot. Nestled along the Animas River, this 7mile paved path winds through towering cottonwoods and stunning red rock formations. It also boasts great views of nearby Shiprock Peak sacred to the Navajo people and one of New Mexicos most iconic landmarks.

Mountain bikers should check out Lions Wilderness Park (5800 College Blvd), which features over 30 miles of trails that wind through rugged terrain dotted with junipers and pinions. For those looking for more technical biking challenges, theres also Alien Run Trail System (County Road 2775 off Highway 550), named after rumors about UFO sightings in the area. This network has multiple loops ranging from beginnerfriendly to grueling inclines that will test even seasoned riders.

If organized team sports are your thing head down to SunRay Park & Casino Sports Complex (39 County Road 5568). This stateoftheart facility hosts soccer games on immaculately maintained fields tucked among sagebrushdotted mesas.

For gym enthusiasts looking for something beyond traditional weight lifting equipment or treadmills visit CrossFit Blaze(Pinon Hills Drive #1227), where they offer highintensity functional fitness classes designed around everyday movements such as squatting and carrying heavy objects. Thrive! Fitness Studio(125 W Main St Suite C2) provides a wide range of workouts including Pilates Reformer training sessions using machines featuring resistance springs for extra challenge.

For water sports fans, nearby Navajo Lake State Park offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, and boating on its 15milelong reservoir surrounded by red sandstone cliffs. And the San Juan River(Farmington NM) offers some of New Mexicos best fly fishing opportunities with a mix of brown and rainbow trout in crystal clear waters.

With so many great exercise options available all around Farmington, theres no excuse not to enjoy both a good workout and the Southwest scenery that surrounds it.

Historical Facts:

Farmington was first settled by Ancestral Puebloans over 2,000 years ago who constructed phenomenal cliff dwellings throughout what is now called Chaco Canyon. The city grew up as an agricultural community during Spanish colonial rule in the late 1700s before becoming an important hub for trading blankets produced by local Navajos beginning in the mid1800s. In later history uranium mining brought economic prosperity to this area but at significant cost to workers health.

Technical Facts:

Animas River Trail paved

Lions Wilderness Park Single track trails easy/intermediate level; Alien Run Trails Single Track trails intermediate/expert level

SunRay Park & Casino Sports Complex soccer fields

CrossFit Blaze functional fitness classes

Thrive! Fitness StudioPilates Reformer training sessions using machines with resistance springs.

Navajo Lake state park has five fullservice marinas with fuel docks rented houseboat slips RV sites tent camping sites shower facilities and fish cleaning stations.

Twitter Names:

@nmstateparks

@FarmNM

@shiprocknews