The Sandia Mountains are located in Bernalillo and Sandoval counties, immediately to the Northeast of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Sandia Range is largely within Cibola National Forest . The highest point is Sandia Crest (10,678 ft/3,255m). South Sandia Peak is 9,702ft/2957m in elevation.

Sandia means watermelon in Spanish, and is a reference to the red color of the mountains at sunset. The spanish also noted that the many trees, being green in the winter time, made the peak look like the rind of a watermeleon, hence part of the name.

The Sandia Peak Tramway goes to the top of the Sandia Mountains and provides access to the Sandia Peak Ski Area and recreation areas on the East side of the mountains.