Although New Mexico has quite a few waterfalls, reaching them often involves a lengthy hike. That’s not the case with Jemez Falls, a 70-foot-high waterfall hidden in the Jemez Mountains. The overlook is only a short jaunt away from the road and nearby waterfall campground in New Mexico.
Google Maps The campground makes a perfect base for exploring this spectacular area. This is also one of the few spots in New Mexico where you can camp, admire a waterfall, and then wade in the clear natural pools surrounding it. Talk about a unique place to spend the night!
Flickr/Andy Langager Jemez Falls Campground is situated just off NM-4, which is part of a scenic byway called the Jemez Mountain Trail. It’s between Los Alamos and Jemez Springs (significantly closer to the latter).
Tripadvisor/lovesthesun Ponderosa pine trees tower over the Jemez Falls Campground, providing shade to the 52 mixed-use sites (which can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length). Each spot is equipped with a grill, fire ring, and picnic table.
Tripadvisor/M J After you’ve set up camp, grab your hiking or wading shoes and take the 0.7-mile, out and back trail to the falls overlook.
Flickr/ Andy Langager The path meanders through a cool forest and emerges opposite Jemez Falls, providing a great photo op.
The pools at the top of the falls are shallower…
Wikimedia Commons/NMMIMAJ …While those downstream are quite a bit deeper.
Wikimedia Commons/NMMIMAJ If you’re feeling energetic, add on a hike to one of the hot springs in the area, such as McCauley Hot Springs (its temperature is warm rather than toasty, making it pleasant in summer).
Yelp/Cherie O.
While we don’t recommend cliff jumping – it’s really dangerous – this clip gives you a glimpse of the beauty surrounding Jemez Falls.
Google Maps
The campground makes a perfect base for exploring this spectacular area. This is also one of the few spots in New Mexico where you can camp, admire a waterfall, and then wade in the clear natural pools surrounding it. Talk about a unique place to spend the night!
Flickr/Andy Langager
Jemez Falls Campground is situated just off NM-4, which is part of a scenic byway called the Jemez Mountain Trail. It’s between Los Alamos and Jemez Springs (significantly closer to the latter).
Tripadvisor/lovesthesun
Ponderosa pine trees tower over the Jemez Falls Campground, providing shade to the 52 mixed-use sites (which can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet in length). Each spot is equipped with a grill, fire ring, and picnic table.
Tripadvisor/M J
After you’ve set up camp, grab your hiking or wading shoes and take the 0.7-mile, out and back trail to the falls overlook.
Flickr/ Andy Langager
The path meanders through a cool forest and emerges opposite Jemez Falls, providing a great photo op.
The pools at the top of the falls are shallower…
Wikimedia Commons/NMMIMAJ
…While those downstream are quite a bit deeper.
If you’re feeling energetic, add on a hike to one of the hot springs in the area, such as McCauley Hot Springs (its temperature is warm rather than toasty, making it pleasant in summer).
Yelp/Cherie O.
The small town of Jemez Springs is nearby and it offers a surprising amount of attractions, given its diminutive size. If you continue along the scenic byway in that direction, be sure to pause at Soda Dam and also the Gilman Tunnels.
Have you ever stayed at Jemez Falls Campground or visited this waterfall? Learn more about how to camp there by clicking here.
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Address: Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfall Campground In New Mexico July 08, 2020 Leah Can I camp right on the water in New Mexico? A waterfall campground is certainly a unique campground in New Mexico, but it’s not the only place you can camp next to the water in the Land of Enchantment. The Cochiti Recreation Area has 80 campsites around the lake with stunning views. Caballo Lake State Park has nearly double that and you can even camp right on the beach. For a campground sitting above the lake overlooking its majestic sights, try the Riana Campground next to the Abiquiu Lake. What are the best outdoor activities in New Mexico? After checking out the most beautiful campground in New Mexico, you can take on some other adventures in the state’s most unique and most fun places. Some must-sees include places like the White Sands National Monument. The strikingly white gypsum sands of the park are fun to explore or even sled down the dunes. A trip to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks will mesmerize you as you hike through the hoodoos and other odd geological formations. You can take a tram to the top of Sandia Peak and admire the incredible view from the mountains, too. What is the most beautiful waterfall in New Mexico? Jemez Falls in New Mexico is just one of many stunning waterfalls in the state. There are many to list off, all of which could be considered the most beautiful in their own right. Sitting Bull Falls is popular for good reason - other than the lovely look of the place, it’s also a waterfall swimming hole that’s perfect for a refreshing summer dip. Nambe Falls cascades down the rocks in a dazzling way, and there are multiple trails to experience it. One that will take you to an overlook of the falls, the other where you’ll most certainly get wet while experiencing the lower part where the water falls down into.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfall Campground In New Mexico
July 08, 2020
Leah
Can I camp right on the water in New Mexico? A waterfall campground is certainly a unique campground in New Mexico, but it’s not the only place you can camp next to the water in the Land of Enchantment. The Cochiti Recreation Area has 80 campsites around the lake with stunning views. Caballo Lake State Park has nearly double that and you can even camp right on the beach. For a campground sitting above the lake overlooking its majestic sights, try the Riana Campground next to the Abiquiu Lake. What are the best outdoor activities in New Mexico? After checking out the most beautiful campground in New Mexico, you can take on some other adventures in the state’s most unique and most fun places. Some must-sees include places like the White Sands National Monument. The strikingly white gypsum sands of the park are fun to explore or even sled down the dunes. A trip to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks will mesmerize you as you hike through the hoodoos and other odd geological formations. You can take a tram to the top of Sandia Peak and admire the incredible view from the mountains, too. What is the most beautiful waterfall in New Mexico? Jemez Falls in New Mexico is just one of many stunning waterfalls in the state. There are many to list off, all of which could be considered the most beautiful in their own right. Sitting Bull Falls is popular for good reason - other than the lovely look of the place, it’s also a waterfall swimming hole that’s perfect for a refreshing summer dip. Nambe Falls cascades down the rocks in a dazzling way, and there are multiple trails to experience it. One that will take you to an overlook of the falls, the other where you’ll most certainly get wet while experiencing the lower part where the water falls down into.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
A waterfall campground is certainly a unique campground in New Mexico, but it’s not the only place you can camp next to the water in the Land of Enchantment. The Cochiti Recreation Area has 80 campsites around the lake with stunning views. Caballo Lake State Park has nearly double that and you can even camp right on the beach. For a campground sitting above the lake overlooking its majestic sights, try the Riana Campground next to the Abiquiu Lake.
What are the best outdoor activities in New Mexico?
After checking out the most beautiful campground in New Mexico, you can take on some other adventures in the state’s most unique and most fun places. Some must-sees include places like the White Sands National Monument. The strikingly white gypsum sands of the park are fun to explore or even sled down the dunes. A trip to the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks will mesmerize you as you hike through the hoodoos and other odd geological formations. You can take a tram to the top of Sandia Peak and admire the incredible view from the mountains, too.
What is the most beautiful waterfall in New Mexico?
Jemez Falls in New Mexico is just one of many stunning waterfalls in the state. There are many to list off, all of which could be considered the most beautiful in their own right. Sitting Bull Falls is popular for good reason - other than the lovely look of the place, it’s also a waterfall swimming hole that’s perfect for a refreshing summer dip. Nambe Falls cascades down the rocks in a dazzling way, and there are multiple trails to experience it. One that will take you to an overlook of the falls, the other where you’ll most certainly get wet while experiencing the lower part where the water falls down into.
