Photo: NMMIMAJ · CC BY-SA 3.0Jemez Falls
One for the list
Is it plungeworthy?
A waterfall on East Fork Jemez River.
The details
- Watercourse
- East Fork Jemez River
- Coordinates
- 35.81267, -106.60655
About Jemez Falls
Jemez Falls is a waterfall in New Mexico, on East Fork Jemez River.
Fed largely by snowmelt, it runs hardest in late spring and early summer and can thin to a trickle by late season.
Plungeworthy rates Jemez Falls 3/10 — one for the list. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.
What you'll find
The tallest waterfall in the Jemez Mountains — 70 feet on the East Fork Jemez River, a quarter-mile walk from the trailhead, with smaller cascades visible upstream from the overlook.
Closed as we write this: the trailhead, campground, and surrounding East Fork trails sit inside the McCauley Springs Fire closure order issued July 7, 2026. The order's latest extension was set to run through August 11, 2026, but check the Santa Fe National Forest alerts page or call the Jemez Ranger District (575-829-3535) before driving — fire closures get extended.
Getting there
- Trailhead
- Jemez Falls Trailhead off NM-4, next to Jemez Falls Campground — when the closure lifts
- Parking
- Trailhead lot
- Road
- Paved
- Hike
- 0.5 mi round trip (Easy — short walk to the overlook)
- Heads up
- Verify the closure has lifted before going: fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe/alerts
When to go
Normally spring through fall, biggest right after snowmelt — once the fire closure lifts.
Rules & fees
- Fee / pass
- $5 day-use fee
- Dogs
- On leash
- Camping
- Jemez Falls Campground adjacent; no camping within a quarter mile of the trailhead
- Warnings
- Closed under the McCauley Springs Fire order at publish time — confirm current status before you go.
Researched from Santa Fe National Forest — Jemez Falls Trailhead · Santa Fe National Forest — Alerts & Closures · Wikipedia — Jemez Falls. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Jemez Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.
Where it is
Before you go
The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.
Common questions
Where is Jemez Falls?
Jemez Falls is a waterfall in New Mexico, at 35.81267, -106.60655.
Is Jemez Falls worth visiting?
One for the list — Plungeworthy rates it 3/10.
Gear for the trip
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