Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park park
Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park
Some good reasons to visit the Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park include the opportunity to try hang gliding for the first time or to improve your skills, the stunning views of the New Mexico landscape, and the chance to meet other hang gliding enthusiasts.
Specific points of interest to see at the park include the nearby Sandia Mountains, which offer opportunities for hiking and camping, as well as the Rio Grande River, which runs through the valley below the park.
Interesting facts about the area include that it was once the site of a NASA training facility for astronauts, and that the park is named in honor of Harrison H. Schmitt, a former astronaut and U.S. Senator from New Mexico.
The best time of year to visit the Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the winds are favorable for hang gliding. Visitors should also be aware that hang gliding is a dangerous sport and should only be attempted with proper training and equipment.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
- State Park
- Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
- Local Park
- Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
- Wilderness Area
- The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized motorized access permitted.
- National Recreation Area
- Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing, often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes); may allow more development.
- National Conservation Area (BLM)
- BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
- State Forest
- State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
- Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
- Vast federal lands managed for mixed use -- recreation, grazing, mining, conservation -- with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campbell Scout Ranch | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Kirtland Afb Military | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Coronado State Monument | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Coronado | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Cedro Peak Group Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Cedro Group Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Other parks
- Ben Greiner Soccer Field
- Patricia Cassidy Park
- North Domingo Baca Tennis Courts
- Vista Sandia Equestrian Park
- Wl Jackson Park
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park
What can I do at Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Harrison H. Schmitt Big Sky Hang Glider Park.