Somewhere on Albuquerque’s sun-bleached fringe, a faint zig-zag of earth still whispers of spotlights, sirens, and B-29 crews training for war. Less than a 20-minute cruise from your campsite at American RV Resort, this rumored WWII anti-aircraft trench waits—half history, half desert mystery—ready to add a rare footnote to your travel log, family day-trip, or veteran story circle.
Key Takeaways
Pressed for time or traveling with a restless crew? Skim these essentials and you’ll know exactly why, where, and how to add the trench to today’s itinerary before the coffee cools.
Got a few more minutes? Keep scrolling after the bullets for deeper backstories, step-by-step directions, and bonus stops that turn a 45-minute detour into a full-blown history hunt.
• WHAT IT IS – A small, zig-zag dirt trench that soldiers used to practice shooting at enemy planes during World War II.
• WHERE IT HIDES – On public land just outside the fence of Kirtland Air Force Base, about a 20-minute drive from American RV Resort.
• WHY IT MATTERS – Very few of these training trenches still exist, so this one is a rare, real-life piece of home-front history.
• HOW TO FIND IT – Drive east on I-40, exit at Eubank Blvd, then follow GPS to 34.9942, -106.5345; walk a short, flat path from the dirt shoulder.
• WHAT TO LOOK FOR – A shin-high earthen ridge in a half-circle shape; dark south slope, grassy north slope, and maybe rusted metal bits.
• SAFETY FIRST – Wear closed-toe shoes, carry plenty of water, watch for rattlesnakes and ants, and stay on the public side of the base fence.
• LEAVE NO TRACE – Take only photos, pick up modern trash, and leave any old objects where you find them.
• MAKE IT A FULL DAY – Pair the trench visit with the nearby Nuclear Science Museum, a picnic in the mountains, or a ride on the Sandia Peak Tramway.
Need coordinates that won’t put you on the wrong side of a federal fence? Wonder if the path is stroller-friendly, drone-legal, or worth a sunrise hike with the dog? Strap in—our field guide answers it all, from safe access routes and signal strength to kid-level scavenger tips and veteran context. Let’s unearth the past without losing cell service—or the trail.
Separating Rumor From Runway Myth
For decades, locals have swapped stories about earthen gun pits skirting what was once Kirtland Field. Archival maps confirm scattered defensive berms, yet few precise coordinates survive. Construction of Sandia Base in 1945, followed by Cold-War expansion, bulldozed many of the temporary fortifications.
Treat the trench as an archaeological clue rather than a formal attraction. There are no interpretive signs, no velvet ropes, and no guarantees that the depression you find is the same one your neighbor’s uncle guarded in 1943. Instead, think of the landscape itself as the exhibit—subtle, quiet, and authentic precisely because it was never groomed for tourism.
Why Albuquerque Armed the Sky
In 1942, newly built Kirtland Field buzzed with twin-engine trainers and B-24 Liberators lumbering toward distant combat theaters. The base’s wide-open mesa, clear weather, and proximity to the Santa Fe Railway made it a natural bomber-crew school. As the Manhattan Project ramped up only 65 air miles away in Los Alamos, layered defenses became prudent.
Most of these trenches doubled as live-fire classrooms. Trainees practiced setting up 40-mm Bofors guns, scrambling for cover when imaginary raids were called, and coordinating with searchlights that pierced the desert night. After V-J Day, bulldozers reclaimed the pits for airfield expansion, while surrounding subdivisions slowly erased the rest. The few depressions that remain offer a rare look at wartime landscape engineering—an endangered fragment of the home front that once ringed scores of U.S. bases.
Plotting Your Course From American RV Resort
Set out with a full tank and topped-off water jugs; Albuquerque traffic can stay dense even on weekends, and high-desert air dehydrates faster than you realize. From the resort gate, merge east onto I-40 and settle into the right lane for 11 miles. Exit at Eubank Boulevard, angle south, and roll past Central Avenue’s neon ghosts of Route 66 diners.
At 34.9942, ‑106.5345, pull onto the compacted dirt shoulder; longer rigs should unhitch and scout with a toad or tow vehicle. LTE coverage fades south of Gibson Boulevard, so download an offline map before leaving Wi-Fi. Obey every security sign you see. The chain-link perimeter demarcates Kirtland Air Force Base. Everything on the public side of the fence is fair game for photographs and foot travel; everything inside belongs to the Department of Defense. Respect the distinction, and the Military Police will likely return the favor.
Tracking the Earthwork on Foot
Step through the scrub and scan for a crescent-shaped berm no higher than your shin. Desert varnish darkens the south-facing slope; tufted grasses cling to the north. Walk the shallow trench line westward, pausing where rust-flecked metal glints—possibly fragments of pickets or ammunition cans left from training days.
Keep weight off the rim walls; the clay collapses in thin slabs after summer monsoons. A 15-minute loop circles the central depression and returns to the shoulder. Early risers snag golden-hour light that exaggerates contours for photos. Planning a drone shot? Launch north of Gibson Boulevard and stay below 400 ft to avoid restricted airspace; check the FAA’s B4UFLY map before takeoff. Pilots with Part 107 certificates should keep their paperwork handy in case base security inquires.
Safety, Wildlife, and Leave-No-Trace
Even at dawn, sand temperatures can spike. Closed-toe shoes deflect cholla spines, and a liter of water per person keeps headaches at bay. Rattlesnakes favor the warmth radiating from earthen berms, so watch each step and give any coiled visitor six feet of space.
Desert harvester ants mount painful counterattacks when their mounds are disturbed; children should learn to identify the tidy, pebble-lined crater entrances before the adventure begins. Preservation is simple: take nothing, move nothing, leave nothing. That soda-tab ring glinting in the dust might be a 1940s canteen pull; or it might be last month’s litter. Either way, resist the pocket-souvenir urge. Pack a small trash bag for modern debris instead, and snap geo-tagged photos for the New Mexico WWII Defense Sites Project—crowd-sourced images help historians keep track of what’s still out there.
Stitching Together a Full-Day Loop
Once trench curiosity is satisfied, point wheels five minutes north to the Nuclear Museum. Exhibits on Kirtland Field’s role in atomic weapons development give context to the earthwork you just traced. Veterans receive discounted admission; benches line nearly every gallery.
Hungry? Drive east into Cibola National Forest and unroll a picnic blanket at Juan Tabo Picnic Area—tables, shade, and vault toilets await. Afternoon light invites a ride up the Sandia Peak Tramway; phone ahead during Balloon Fiesta week when cabins fill fast. If time allows, swing past Four Hills Petroglyph Site for basalt boulders etched centuries before searchlights ever swept the mesa.
Tips Tailored to Your Travel Style
Road-tripping history buffs often film a quick reel beside the berm, then splice footage with museum archival photos for an Instagram carousel. Mention #AmericanRVResortHistoryHunt in captions so fellow travelers can trace your breadcrumbs. After posting, fire up the camper’s smart TV and rewatch the clip—it’s a handy reference when you reach the Nuclear Museum’s exhibit on Kirtland Field later that afternoon.
Retired veteran snowbirds may prefer the museum’s docent-led WWII tour on Tuesday or Thursday mornings—wheelchairs and folding stools provided. Afterward, return to the resort before dusk when quiet hours begin and stories around the fire ring find their calm. Bring along a favorite photo from your service days; swapping snapshots turns an ordinary evening into an impromptu oral-history session.
Local family explorers can print a Trench Detective worksheet: sketch the berm profile, list three wartime uses, then spot modern threats like erosion or illegal dumping. A short hop to the playground back at the resort seals the deal for restless kids. Finish the night with s’mores and let each child share one fact they uncovered to reinforce the lesson before bed.
Digital nomads will appreciate the trench’s two-bar Verizon signal—enough for voice notes and low-res uploads. Heavy files can wait for the fiber connection in the resort lounge, or a day-pass at the downtown FatPipe coworking hub. Schedule that larger upload window in advance; desert sunsets are more enjoyable when the laptop is already closed.
Adventure hikers should tack on the Arroyo del Oso trail network: add 3.2 miles of rolling singletrack, gain 400 feet, and return in time for a hot shower and pet-wash station. Dogs are welcome on leash; remember the extra water. Mark the outing on your fitness watch and you’ll log an unexpectedly rich mix of cardio and cultural discovery.
Sunset Reset Back at Camp
Slip into the pool as Sandia Crest glows salmon-pink. Dust rinses away, but the day’s discoveries linger. Veterans often pull up folding chairs near the communal fire ring—share your photos, and you might hear firsthand memories that bridge the 80-year gap between trench drills and tonight’s coyote yips.
Families can dim cabin lights at 2100 hours to mimic wartime blackout rules, a hands-on lesson kids remember longer than any textbook excerpt. Follow the drill by shining a single flashlight on a map of the Pacific Theater to explain why blackouts mattered. End the mini-history class with hot cocoa so children associate learning with warmth and comfort.
Peak season around the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta sees resort pads book out six months in advance; off-season monthly rates November through February reward snowbirds with whisper-quiet nights and fiery sunsets. Mid-week stays usually open more space at the spa and laundry, adding convenience to the calm. Just pack layers—high desert evenings dip fast and you’ll want that fleece the moment the sun disappears.
From the low hum of 1940s training flights to tonight’s coyote chorus, Albuquerque’s hidden trench reminds us that history is still underfoot—if you know where to look. Make American RV Resort your launch pad and you can scout relics by day, then unwind in a heated pool, share drone shots on fiber-fast WiFi, and trade stories around the fire ring—all just 20 minutes from this wartime time capsule. Ready to swap scrolling for real-world exploring? Reserve your spacious site now, roll in, and let our friendly crew map out your next heritage hunt under wide Southwestern skies. Book today and keep the adventure—along with the history—alive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How close is the trench to American RV Resort and what’s the quickest way to get there?
A: The earthwork sits about 11 highway miles east of the resort—generally a 15- to 20-minute drive if traffic on I-40 is light—by exiting at Eubank Boulevard, heading south past Central Avenue, and parking on the dirt shoulder near 34.9942, ‑106.5345 just outside the Kirtland Air Force Base fence.
Q: Do I need special permission or a fee to walk the trench?
A: No permit or admission fee is required because the depression lies on public land outside the base perimeter; simply stay on the civilian side of the fence, respect posted security signs, and you are free to explore on foot at no charge.
Q: Is the site safe and enjoyable for kids and pets?
A: Children who can handle uneven ground and mind simple safety rules (watching for cactus, ants, and shallow drop-offs) usually find it fun, and leashed dogs are welcome so long as owners pack water, pick up waste, and keep pets clear of fragile berm edges.
Q: What kind of terrain should visitors with limited mobility expect?
A: The approach is flat hard-packed dirt, but once you leave the shoulder the trench loop is an unpaved, sandy depression with no benches or handrails, so wheelchairs and walkers struggle; those needing seating can bring a lightweight camp stool and plan on short, slow steps.
Q: Are guided tours or interpretive panels available on-site?
A: The trench remains entirely unsigned and unguided—its authenticity comes from being untouched—so anyone seeking deeper context should pair the visit with the Nuclear Museum five minutes north, where docent-led WWII briefings run mid-week.
Q: Can I fly a drone or film for social media?
A: Recreational and Part 107 pilots may launch north of Gibson Boulevard and stay under 400 ft provided they first check the FAA B4UFLY app to confirm the temporary flight status around Kirtland; always keep the aircraft on the civilian side of the fence and be ready to show your certificate if security asks.
Q: How reliable is cell service for uploads or remote work notes?
A: Expect a two-bar Verizon and AT&T LTE signal—adequate for voice, texts, and low-resolution stories—while larger photo or video files usually wait until you’re back on the resort’s fiber Wi-Fi or a downtown coworking space like FatPipe.
Q: When is the best time of day or year to visit?
A: Sunrise and the hour before sunset cast low angled light that sharpens the berm’s contours for photos, and cooler temperatures from November through February make the short hike comfortable, though you’ll want layers for the quick desert chill after dark.
Q: How long does a typical visit take?
A: Most guests spend about 15 minutes tracing the berm, another 15 photographing or hunting for rust specks, and are back at their vehicle in under 45 minutes, leaving plenty of time to add a museum stop, picnic, or tram ride into the same day.
Q: What should I pack for this micro-adventure?
A: Closed-toe shoes, at least one liter of water per person, sun protection, an offline map, a small first-aid kit, and a trash bag for any modern litter usually cover comfort, safety, and leave-no-trace etiquette in the high-desert environment.
Q: Are there any seasonal wildlife or environmental concerns?
A: Summer heat bakes the sand by mid-morning and brings out rattlesnakes that favor the warm berm slopes, so early visits, vigilant footing, and giving any snake a six-foot berth keep encounters peaceful; in monsoon season thin clay rims can crumble after rain, so tread lightly.
Q: What nearby stops deepen the WWII story after I leave the trench?
A: A five-minute drive north lands you at the National Museum of Nuclear Science for exhibits on Kirtland Field’s bomber training and atomic research, while a short hop to the Sandia Peak Tramway or Four Hills Petroglyph Site rounds out the day with sweeping views and far older history.