5 Activities to do in the Jemez National Recreation Area

Just an hour and a half Northwest of Albuquerque is the Jemez National Recreation Area.  If you are traveling through New Mexico and looking to get off the beaten path and experience a truly magical place the Jemez is not to be missed.  There are really endless opportunities here for outdoor enthusiasts.  

Hot Springs

There are 6 Hot Springs in total in the Jemez Mountains.  I’m only going to share my personal favorite although all of them are worth visiting.  

San Antonio Hot Springs - This is one of my all-time favorite hot natural hot springs.  When FR 376 road is open you can drive up to a parking lot about a mile away from the springs.  If the road is close then it’s about a 6-mile hike into the springs.   The springs are a series of rock pools built along San Diego Canyon.  The hottest pool is around 104 degrees at the source and as the water cascades down into the other pools it becomes gradually colder so on warm summer days you can always find a temperature that’s perfect.  

Climbing

On Hwy 4 just a few miles West of the Valles Caldera is Las Conchas Climbing Area.  Here there is some amazing climbing in a serene setting along the East Fork Jemez River.  While a good amount of climbing here is a bit on the more difficult side there are some great opportunities for moderate leaders to climb quite a few routes in one day.  A great place to start for all climbers in all levels is the Cattle Wall.  This crag has a little something for everyone and offers sport climbs ranging from 5.6 - 5.12.  Another great crag for the moderate leader is Gateway Rock.  With climbs ranging from 5.6 to 5.11 it’s also a great place to start.  

There is something for everyone at Las Conchas it’s in a really magical setting.  

Fishing

While I never claimed to be an angler I had an amazing time fishing the waters of the Jemez.  I had some success fishing the Upper and Lower Rio Cebolla as well as the East Fork of the Jemez.  We mainly caught brown trout and a few rainbows.  We also had success fishing at Fenton Lake State Park in the Upper Rio Cebolla.  We really enjoyed the Fenton Lake State Park it has a really cool campground and we took our SUP out a few times and fished.   

Hiking

There is a lot of options for hiking here in Jemez.  There are a lot of trails located in the Valles Caldera National Monument one of our favorite trails in the Caldera is Cerro Grande Trail.  This is a 4.5-mile climb up 1200 feet to the summit of Cerro Grande Peak overlooking the Valle Grande.  The summit is at 10,190 feet and is one of the higher peaks in the area.  This was a pretty easy hike to get to a summit so we felt obligated to do it and were rewarded with incredible views of the land of enchantment from the top of the summit.  

Another scenic and easier hike is along the East Fork starting at Las Conchas and making your way as far as you feel comfortable.  This is a very scenic and relatively flat trail that will end at some point and then will require creek crossings and some bush waking but it will take you through a beautiful lush canyon that you never would expect in New Mexico.   

Cheap Campgrounds

While there is plenty of Dispersed camping along FR 376 and other Forest Roads in the Jemez Mountains there are some incredibly affordable camping options at the National Forest Campgrounds and even at Fenton Lake State Park.  If you have a national park pass you can pay 1/2 the price for these campgrounds which in 2022 was only $5 per night!  That’s the cheapest I think I’ve ever paid for camping.

5 Best Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

5 Best Day Hikes in Grand Teton National Park

Wow!  What more can you say when you first lay your eyeballs on the Grand Tetons?  This jaw-dropping mountain range juts straight up to the heavens at 13,775 Feet and is the second tallest mountain range in Wyoming.  You’ll also notice that the mountains here are incredibly steep and rocky.  Hiking and climbing here are not for the faint of heart.  Most trails in this park have big vertical climbs that vary from never-ending switchbacks to rocky scrambles, but every step is worth its weight when you reach your destinations amongst craggy peaks teeming with wildlife.  We spent a lot of time at this park, and it was hard to leave, not only because it’s so beautiful but also because our bodies were so beat from hiking over 50+ miles of some of the steepest terrain we've encountered.  If you have never been to the Tetons and want to know the best hikes, here are a few of our favorites.  

****You will want to carry Bear Mace. We encountered more bears in the Tetons than anywhere else we have ever been!! 

***Jenny Lake shuttle hot tip

***On a few of these hikes, you will want to take the Jenny Lake shuttle to the Cascade Canyon trailhead.  While this is not required, it will save you about 5 miles (roundtrip) of hiking around Jenny Lake.  The pro tip here is to catch the first boat shuttle at 7 in the morning for $5 per person; otherwise, it’s around $18! 

Lake Solitude (16 Miles, Hard)

Lake Solitude starts from the Cascade Canyon trail, a moderate trail up a canyon that ends at a split.  Most people hike up Cascade Canyon 4 miles to the end and back down to the boat dock.  Cascade Canyon is a beautiful hike on its own, and you can expect to come across plenty of wildlife along the way. We saw Moose, Marmots, and Bears.  If you are up to the challenge, you can continue the hike up to Lake Solitude, which adds another 8 miles round trip and the journey.  From the boat dock at Jenny Lake, you will climb 2,640 feet to the lake.  We did this hike in late June, and there was still plenty of snow at the lake, so bring proper footwear.  You do get some pretty spectacular views of the Grand Teton from the lake.  There’s also plenty of overnight backpacking opportunities on this trail, and you can get a permit here for a small fee (https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/bcres.htm)

Lake of the Crags (4.5 Miles, Hard) 

Although this has shorter mileage and seems like it would be an easier option, don’t be fooled. This is a challenging hike up to an amazing alpine lake surrounded by jagged peaks.  Be prepared to scramble up rocky terrain at an alarming rate as this hike climbs 2,885 feet in 2.2 miles!  Bring plenty of water, sunscreen, sunhat, and sunglasses as you are very exposed to the sun and heat on this hike.  Although it’s challenging, the climb is actually very scenic. You’ll scramble up boulders along waterfalls, and at any given moment, you can turn around for amazing views of Jenny Lake.  Once you make it to the lower lake, be prepared to hike up a few snowfields.  If you aren't experienced in traversing snowfields or don't have the proper equipment, we recommend you don't go any further as a slip could be fatal.  We witnessed a helicopter emergency rescue at the lake.  A climber slid down a snowfield and collided with a boulder, and had to be airlifted out.  This National Park can kill you in many ways, so always be prepared!  Once we got to the lake, we celebrated with a small breakfast, caught our breath, and relaxed amongst the crags.  We started early (7 am), and we were the first people to the lake.  On the way down, we saw many hikers sweating it out on the climb in the heat of the day.  You don't want to be doing this.  

Surprise and Amphitheater Lake  (8.9 Miles - Hard) 

The next hikes don't require the Jenny Lake shuttle, and all start from the Lupine Meadows Trail Head.  Once again, be prepared with Bear Spray. We saw two bears on this trail.  This is a hectic trail so start early!  We started before dawn, hiked in the dark for a bit, and caught the sunrise from the trail.  Once again, we were the only ones at the lake.  This hike climbs 2,942 Feet to two beautiful alpine lakes.  Amphitheater Lake is the higher of the two lakes and only an additional climb from Surprise Lake, so don't cut yourself short here. You got this!  Upon reaching Surprise lake, we were planning on hiking to Disappointment Peak, but there was just too much snow and ice, and we weren't prepared for the conditions to make it to the peak.  So we scrambled and climbed around some of the rocks around Amphitheater Lake to get a view from above.  There is a really nice view from the ridge to the north of the lake, and it is easy and safe to climb up.  We headed down to an overflowing parking lot where we cooked lunch and relaxed.  

Delta Lake (8.8 Miles - Hard)

The shortest way to start this trail is from the Lupine Meadows Trail Head.  Once again, the key to having most of these hikes to yourself is to start very early!  This is an overly busy National Park, and it gets hectic out there.  This was easily one of our favorite hikes.  You can do Delta hike as an out and back, ascending 2,330 feet.  We actually combined this hike with the Amphitheater Lake Hike to make it an 11.5 Miles, 3670 Foot climb that included all three lakes (Surprise, Amphitheater, and Delta, Highly Recommended).  Delta Lake was our favorite of all the Teton Alpine Lakes!  Delta has an amazing teal hue, and the Grand Teton looms high above the lake, reflecting her glory across its glassy glacial waters.  It’s that beautiful. I had to get poetic.

Taggart Lake Loop (4.1 Miles, Easy) 

Taggart Lake is a nice hike for the less adventurous type that still wants to experience some Teton magic.  This is a very scenic and mellow hike to a large lake with great views of the peaks.  We even went for a swim in the lake it was very refreshing.  We did this hike later in the afternoon, and it wasn’t hectic.  However, we will note that the sun is better earlier in the day, and it was hard to take good photos of the lake at sunset.  The mountains are too big, and they block the sun out.  

We hope this is helpful to you!  We have more Grand Teton National Park Tips here! 

Planning Your Grand Teton National Park Trip - Five Activities to do in the park.

Are you planning a trip to Jackson to visit Grand Teton National Park and wonder what to plan to do inside the park?  Well, luckily for you, this National Park is packed full of activities that wear out any outdoor enthusiast.  

Hike the Tetons

Hiking and climbing in the Tetons is not for the faint of heart.  Most trails in this park have big vertical climbs that vary from never-ending switchbacks to rocky scrambles, but every step is worth its weight when you reach your destinations amongst craggy peaks teeming with wildlife.  There are tons of trails in this park, and they range from easy to difficult.  We have compiled a list of the 5 Best Hikes in Teton National Park here.  You can also plan a multi-day or overnight backpacking journey here.  Just remember to be prepared when heading out into the backcountry or on any trail at this park. We encountered plenty of bears and hazards; so, be prepared and make sure to stay sun-safe, as many of the hikes are exposed.  

Paddle the Tetons

There are plenty of options to take your watercraft out onto the lakes in this park.  We highly recommend getting up for a sunrise paddle on String Lake.  You may find you’re the only person on the lake as you glide across glassy reflections of the Tetons glaciated peaks.  This is a magical experience, and we couldn't recommend it more.  If you get up that early, you can find the best place to park for the day.  There are nice picnic tables and plenty of beaches on the lake to relax and spend the day reading and taking in the splendor of mother nature.  

Bike the Tetons

There’s a pretty nice bike trail through the park that even extends all the way to Jackson, WY.  While there is no mountain biking trails, this is one of the most scenic bike trails we’ve ever been on.  All ages can handle this paved bike path, and it’s very convenient to bring your bicycle if you are camping within the park.  The bike trail goes right through the campsites and you could bike to most Trail Heads if you don't want to lose your spot.  

See Wildlife in the Tetons

This park is teeming with wildlife!  There’s almost some sort of critter at every bend in the trail.  We saw plenty of moose, bear, dear, birds, and marmots, to name a few.  The hotspots to see wildlife is on the Cascade Canyon trail, and Lupine Meadows.  We also saw a bear at the Jenny Lake ferry.  Make sure to follow proper wildlife guidelines provided by the park and carry bear spray, once again.  

Photograph the Tetons

It’s no coincidence that one of Ansel Adams most famous photographs is of the Teton Range form the Snake River Overlook.  These mountains are so beautiful that they take the picture for you.  You could be blindfolded and still take good photos here.  Some of our favorite photo spots are.  String Lake, Snake River Overlook, Taggert Lake, Delta Lake, and Form Shadow Mountain Across the valley.  Don't forget to charge and bring extra camera batteries; you'll thank us later.  

We hope this was helpful if you are looking for more Teton tips and tricks we have more articles with our favorite hikes and campsites!