Jemez National Recreation Area

The Jemez National Recreation Area is a large protected landscape in the New Mexico mountains featuring thick pine forests, cold-water streams, and a network of trails. The terrain spans across diverse elevations where visitors find themselves immersed in dense woodland and water features carved by mountain runoff.

The area was home to Native American tribes for centuries, with remnants and rock carvings marking their long presence in these mountains. These traces form the foundation of human settlement in the region.

The land holds deep connections to the Jemez Pueblo, who have called this region home and continue to carry on their way of life in these mountains. Walking through the area, you sense the presence of this community and their long relationship with the land.

Some campgrounds accept reservations while others operate on a walk-in basis, so check ahead to find what works for your plans. Bring layers for changing mountain weather and be ready for variable conditions throughout your stay.

The landscape was shaped by volcanic forces roughly a million years ago, leaving behind a massive basin formation that defines the terrain. This geological origin makes the place structurally different from typical mountain ranges and gives it unusual depth and contours.

Location: New Mexico

GPS coordinates: 35.77780,-106.68800

Latest update: December 12, 2025 14:21