Plan your New Mexico adventure

Todo Nuevo México

Trail · North Central NM
La Cienequilla Petroglyphs
La Cieneguilla Petroglyphs is a Bureau of Land Management cultural and recreation area in Santa Fe County, north-central New Mexico, featuring hundreds of petroglyphs created by Keresan-speaking pueblo peoples between the 13th and 17th centuries. The site sits on basalt cliffs above the Santa Fe River and is known for abundant hump-backed flute player and bird imagery. The one-mile loop trail starts as a dirt path and transitions to rock scrambling. Petroglyphs are protected under the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, Antiquities Act, and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act and must not be touched, chalked, or rubbed; visitors should observe respectfully and maintain the integrity of this cultural resource.
1.0 mi · Moderate · Hiking · Fee
Trail · North Central NM
La Lena Wilderness Study Area
La Lena Wilderness Study Area is located in Sandoval County, New Mexico, approximately 18 miles north of San Ysidro along Highway 550. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management's Rio Puerco Field Office, this landscape features deep arroyos, sculpted mesas, canyons, and sandstone/shale outcrops. Access is via the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, which crosses the area and is marked by cairns rather than a formal trailhead. The terrain is described as easily traveled by horseback, with a 14-day maximum stay.
Hiking, Equestrian
Campsite · North Central NM
La Sombra Campground
La Sombra Campground is a popular Taos Canyon site in north-central New Mexico, located near Capulin Campground and Shady Brook and adjacent to the Rio Fernando de Taos for fishing. No drinking water is available on-site. Sites are first-come, first-served. Photography is permitted. Site count, fees, and seasonal dates are not listed; contact the managing agency for current conditions.
Trail · North Central NM
Las Conchas Trailhead
Las Conchas Trailhead sits along NM 4 in north-central New Mexico, approximately three-quarters of a mile south of Las Conchas Picnic Area, serving as the eastern terminus of the East Fork Trail (FT 137). Open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty for FT 137 are not listed in this record; consult the recreation.gov listing for current conditions.
Hiking
Campsite · North Central NM
Las Petacas Campground
Las Petacas Campground in north-central New Mexico is nestled in a scenic canyon near Taos, with convenient access to the Rio Fernando de Taos for fishing. Sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Photography is permitted. Site count, amenities, fees, and seasonal dates are not specified; contact the managing agency for current conditions.
Campsite · North Central NM
Links Tract Campground
Links Tract Campground offers primitive dispersed camping in north-central New Mexico, approximately 16 miles north of Pecos on NM 63, then 1 mile on Forest Road 646. Basic amenities include a pit toilet, tables, and a few fire pits; no potable water is available and no fees are charged. Sites are first-come, first-served. Photography is permitted.
Place · North Central NM
Loretto Chapel & the Miraculous Staircase
A Gothic Revival chapel (1878) housing the 'Miraculous Staircase' — two full helix turns with no center support and, as the story goes, no nails and an unknown carpenter who vanished without pay. Now a museum and wedding chapel; small admission.
Hidden Gem
Farmers market · North Central NM
Los Alamos Farmers Market
A summer market on Mesa Public Library's lot with mountain-grown produce, baked goods, and prepared food.
No fee
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Nabor Creek
Nabor Creek flows through the Edward Sargent Wildlife Management Area in north-central New Mexico and holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile), supporting Rio Grande cutthroat trout. The segment is catch-and-release only; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Nabor Lake
Nabor Lake is a Special Trout Water (Red chile designation) within the Sargent Wildlife Area in north-central New Mexico, supporting Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Strict catch-and-release-only regulations apply; only an artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A New Mexico fishing license is required. Photography is permitted.
Trail · North Central NM
Nambe Badlands Trail
The Nambe Badlands Trail is a two-loop hiking route managed by the BLM's Taos Field Office, located 4.5 miles north of Nambe Pueblo Road on NM 503 in Rio Arriba County, north-central New Mexico. The ~5-mile trail traverses rolling terrain with several steep rocky pitches and delivers excellent views of colorfully eroded badlands. The route crosses natural contours and uneven dirt trails with rocky scrambling sections; narrow trail segments intersect several social trails, requiring route-finding attention. Two parking areas serve the trailhead (one larger, one holding 4-5 vehicles); no water or restrooms are available.
5.0 mi · Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Norski Trailhead
Norski Trailhead in north-central New Mexico serves as a winter nordic ski starting point and a summer hiking and picnicking destination near the Santa Fe Ski Basin. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not listed; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current seasonal conditions.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Ojito Wilderness Area
Ojito Wilderness Area, managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office, encompasses 11,823 acres of rugged high desert in Sandoval County, New Mexico, southwest of San Ysidro. The landscape features steep mesas, box canyons, hoodoos, and multicolored sandstone formations shaped by erosion. Two marked hiking trails depart from the same parking area: the Seismosaurus Trail and Hoodoo Trail, each approximately 2 miles round trip. The area is designated wilderness, so motorized and mechanical travel are prohibited. Visitors must bring all water; no potable water, toilets, or cell service are available. Ancient cultural sites and vertebrate fossils are present and protected by law—collection or disturbance without a research permit is prohibited.
Hiking
Campsite · North Central NM
Ojito Wilderness Area
The Ojito Wilderness is a desert landscape of steep-sided mesas, rocky terraces, box canyons, deep meandering arroyos, and austere badlands. Occasional badland settings with unusual hoodoos accent the landscape; piñon and juniper are dotted throughout, with rare stands of ponderosa pine in shady recesses.
Trail · North Central NM
Ojito Wilderness Study Area
Ojito Wilderness Study Area in north-central New Mexico sits adjacent to the Ojito Wilderness and is under consideration for addition to it, managed by the BLM Ojito Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The area is open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty details are not specified; contact the BLM for current access conditions.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
Old Spanish Trail National Historic Trail
The Old Spanish National Historic Trail is a congressionally designated National Historic Trail spanning 2,700 miles from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Los Angeles, California, across six states. It commemorates the 1829 trade route pioneered by merchant Antonio Armijo, who transported textiles northward and livestock southbound, building on earlier Spanish colonial exploration paths. The trail is jointly managed by the Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies. It traverses diverse southwestern terrain including red rock mesas, mountain peaks, and river valleys.
2699.9 mi · Hiking
Campsite · North Central NM
Old Spanish Trail National Historic Trail
The Old Spanish National Historic Trail links Santa Fe and Los Angeles across six states and 2,700 miles, taking its name from the Spanish colonies in northern New Mexico and southern California. Designated by Congress as a National Historic Trail in 2002 and jointly administered by the BLM and NPS.
Trail · North Central NM
Orilla Verde Recreation Area
Orilla Verde Recreation Area lies within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in north-central New Mexico, where campgrounds provide direct river access in the Rio Grande Gorge. Managed by the BLM Taos Field Office, the area supports camping, backpacking, hiking, fishing, boating, kayaking, whitewater rafting, swimming, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and photography; a visitor center is also available. Contact the BLM Taos Field Office for current fees and conditions.
Hiking
Campsite · North Central NM
Orilla Verde Recreation Area
Orilla Verde Recreation Area lies within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument along the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River in north-central New Mexico. Campgrounds provide direct access to the steep-walled Rio Grande Gorge, where gentle waters with occasional small rapids support a wide range of recreational activities. Photography is permitted. Contact the BLM Taos Field Office or check the BLM listing for current fees, site availability, and conditions.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Palociento Creek
Palociento Creek in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from its confluence with Rito de las Olla upstream to its headwaters. The creek supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Camino Real Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Trail · North Central NM
Panchuela Trailhead
Panchuela Trailhead in north-central New Mexico sits at the end of Forest Road 305 off NM 63, approximately 22 miles north of Pecos. The trailhead is equipped with drinking water and a vault toilet, and accommodates hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Photography is permitted. Specific trail length, elevation, and difficulty are not listed; consult the recreation.gov listing or the managing agency for current conditions.
Hiking, Equestrian
Place · North Central NM
Pecos National Historical Park
Ruins of Pecos Pueblo and a Spanish colonial mission church, plus the Glorieta Pass Civil War battlefield, where Plains and Pueblo worlds met along the Santa Fe Trail.
National Historical Park
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Pecos National Historical Park Fishing Reservations
Pecos National Historical Park Fishing Reservations in north-central New Mexico offer fishing opportunities set amid the pinon, juniper, and ponderosa pine woodlands of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Santa Fe. The park preserves significant Indian pueblo ruins and is managed by the National Park Service. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Check the NPS website or the recreation.gov listing for current reservation procedures and access details. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Pecos River
The box canyon 0.5 miles above the confluence fo the Mora and Pecos upstream 1.0 miles to 0.25 miles below Cowles bridge Special Trout Water designation: Green chile. Regulations: 2 trout any length, artificial fly or lure with single barbless hook.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Pecos River
The Pecos River above Pecos Falls in north-central New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness carries a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile), protecting native Rio Grande cutthroat trout habitat. The segment is catch-and-release only; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Trail · North Central NM
Perea Nature Trail
Perea Nature Trail is a one-mile loop in the Jemez Mountain Range foothills just outside San Ysidro, Sandoval County, in northwest New Mexico, managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The trail offers views of mountain peaks, the Rio Salado riverbed, Blanco Mesa, and Nacimiento Mountain formations. Located within a migratory bird pathway, it provides birdwatching and photography opportunities with a bench and cottonwood tree for rest.
1.0 mi · Easy · Hiking · Fee
Trail · North Central NM
Posi-Ouinge
Posi-Ouinge, also known as the Greenness Pueblo, is a large prehistoric village in north-central New Mexico within the BLM's Ojo Caliente Area of Critical Environmental Concern. The settlement was occupied from the 13th through the 16th centuries AD, and the site is open for hiking and cultural exploration; photography is permitted. Managed by the BLM Ojo Caliente ACEC — contact them for current access details.
Hiking
Farmers market · North Central NM
Railyard Artisan Market
A Sunday market in the Santa Fe Farmers' Market Pavilion at the Railyard, dedicated to local artisans and small creative businesses — jewelry, textiles, ceramics, art, and other handmade goods from more than 60 northern New Mexico makers. Run by the Santa Fe Farmers' Market Institute; distinct from the Saturday/Tuesday growers' market at the same Railyard site.
No fee
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Red River
The Red River in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water designation (Green chile) from the confluence of Goose Creek upstream for 1 mile as posted. The reach supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, and brown trout; anglers may keep up to 2 trout of any length using artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Red River
The Red River in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water designation (X-mas chile) from the walking bridge immediately downstream of the Red River State Hatchery to the confluence with the Rio Grande. The reach supports rainbow trout and brown trout; anglers may keep up to 2 trout of any length using any legal bait and tackle. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the BLM Rio Grande National Wild and Scenic River and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Trail · North Central NM
Red River Wild and Scenic River
The Red River Wild and Scenic River in north-central New Mexico holds its protected designation for its lower 4 miles before joining the Río Grande within the national monument. Managed by the BLM Taos Field Office, the corridor supports hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, water access, and photography. A fee applies; contact the BLM Taos Field Office for current fee details and access information.
Hiking · Fee
Trail · North Central NM
Rinconada Loop Trail
Rinconada Loop Trail is a 5-mile beginner-level loop on a gravel surface managed by the BLM Taos Field Office within Wild Rivers Recreation Area in Taos County, New Mexico, 3 miles north of Questa. The mostly level trail with mild hills passes through multiple campgrounds with interpretive signs, restroom facilities, and rest areas. Located within Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, the trail crosses NM-378 at multiple signed locations.
5.0 mi · Easy · Hiking
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Cebolla
From Seven Springs Day Use Area upstream to its headwaters. Unlimited take of brown trout allowed for McKinney Pond upstream to its headwaters Special Trout Water designation: Red chile, non-native suppression. Regulations: Catch-and-release (Native), unlimited (NN), artificial fly or lure with single barbless hook.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Chama
The Rio Chama below El Vado Lake Dam in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile) for the reach from the USGS gaging station 1.3 miles below the dam downstream approximately 3 miles to the Rio Nutrias. The river supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, and brown trout and is strictly catch-and-release; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the BLM Rio Chama National Wild and Scenic River and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Chama
The Rio Chama within the Rio Chama Wildlife and Fishing Area in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water designation (Green chile) for a posted 2.9-mile reach. The river supports rainbow trout and brown trout; anglers may keep up to 2 trout of any length using artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by New Mexico State Parks at Heron Lake State Park and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Chama
The Rio Chama below Abiquiu Dam in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water designation (X-mas chile) for the 7-mile reach downstream to the US Highway 84 bridge at Abiquiu. The river supports rainbow trout and brown trout; anglers may keep up to 2 trout of any length using any legal bait and tackle. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Española Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Trail · North Central NM
Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River
The Rio Chama is a major tributary of the Río Grande flowing through a multi-colored sandstone canyon in northern New Mexico, in Rio Arriba County. The Congressionally designated 24.6-mile Wild and Scenic River section features canyon walls rising up to 1,500 feet, towering cliffs, and heavily wooded side canyons. Co-managed by the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service, it is a premier destination for boating, fishing, hiking, and camping. Boating requires advanced skill due to dangerous rapids and cold water conditions.
24.6 mi · Strenuous · Hiking · Fee
Trail · North Central NM
Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area
The Rio Chama Wilderness Study Area is a scenic landscape in northern New Mexico managed by the BLM's Taos Field Office, consisting of gently rolling sagebrush plains and a 900-foot-deep canyon carved by the Rio Chama with colorful siltstone and sandstone walls. The area features pinon woodlands on hillsides and ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests on north-facing slopes, providing diverse wildlife habitat. The Rio Chama is designated as a Wild and Scenic River, offering excellent opportunities for river rafting, and the area is adjacent to the Chama River Canyon Wilderness managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Hiking
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Costilla
Rio Costilla in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile) for the 2.4-mile reach from the Valle Vidal boundary downstream to Latir Creek. The river supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout, brook trout, and brown trout and is strictly catch-and-release; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. River management is listed as private; contact the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for current access and conditions. Photography is permitted.
Campsite · North Central NM
Rio de las Vacas Campground
Rio de las Vacas Campground in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico offers a cool retreat among ponderosa pines, less than two hours from Albuquerque, with hiking and fishing nearby. Reservations are required and available through Recreation.gov. Photography is permitted. Specific site count, amenities, fees, and seasonal dates are not listed; check Recreation.gov for current availability and conditions.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio De Los Pinos
Rio de los Pinos in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water designation (Green chile) for the 2.5-mile reach from USFS Roads 284 and 87A upstream to the private land boundary. The river supports rainbow trout and brown trout; anglers may keep up to 2 trout of any length using artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Tres Piedras Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio del Las Vacas
Rio de las Vacas in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from the fish migration barrier approximately 0.2 miles upstream of NM Road 70 to its headwaters. The river supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Cuba Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Grande
The Rio Grande in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water designation (X-mas chile) from the Colorado state line downstream to the Taos Junction Bridge. The reach supports rainbow trout and brown trout, and anglers may keep up to 2 trout of any length using any legal bait and tackle. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the BLM Taos Field Office and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Campsite · North Central NM
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
Rugged, wide-open plains at an average elevation of 7,000 feet, dotted by volcanic cones and cut by steep canyons. The Rio Grande carves an 800-foot-deep gorge. Whitewater rafting, hunting, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and camping are among the activities. Some access requires a New Mexico State Land Office recreational access permit. Stay limit: 14 Days.
Fee
Trail · North Central NM
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument
Rio Grande del Norte National Monument is a 243,000-acre protected area in northern New Mexico managed by the BLM's Taos Field Office. Located at roughly 7,000 feet elevation on the Taos Plateau, it features the Rio Grande plunging through an 800-foot gorge, three extinct volcanic cones (Cerro de la Olla, Cerro San Antonio, Cerro del Yuta), and over 50 miles of Wild and Scenic River including two congressionally designated wilderness areas. The landscape encompasses sagebrush plains, steep canyons, wild rivers, and native grasslands supporting diverse wildlife and unique geological resources.
Hiking · Fee
Trail · North Central NM
Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River
The Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River designates a 68.2-mile corridor in northern New Mexico (Taos and Rio Arriba Counties) where the river flows through an 800-foot-deep gorge within the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management (Taos Field Office), it was designated on October 2, 1968, as one of the first eight rivers in the National Wild and Scenic River System. The river supports diverse wildlife including bighorn sheep, river otters, and Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, whitewater boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing, birding, photography, picnicking, dispersed camping, and stargazing across two developed recreation areas (Wild Rivers and Orilla Verde).
68.2 mi · Strenuous · Hiking · Fee
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Guadalupe
Rio Guadalupe in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water (Green chile) designation from the Deer Creek confluence upstream to the Stable Creek confluence, managed by the USFS Jemez Ranger District. The river supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout; anglers may keep up to 2 trout of any length, using only an artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A New Mexico fishing license is required. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio San Antonio
Rio San Antonio in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Green chile) for the 2-mile reach from the Valles Caldera Preserve boundary downstream. The segment supports brown trout and allows up to 2 trout of any length using artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Jemez Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Santa Barbara
Rio Santa Barbara in north-central New Mexico holds a Special Trout Water designation (Red chile, non-native suppression) from the West Fork and Middle Fork confluence upstream to the headwaters, including the East Fork. The watershed supports Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout under split regulations: native cutthroat are catch-and-release only, while non-native trout may be kept without limit; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Camino Real Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rio Valdez
Rio Valdez is a river in north-central New Mexico's Pecos Wilderness designated as Special Trout Water (Red chile), accessible from 0.25 miles below Smith Cabin upstream to its headwaters. The segment is managed for Rio Grande cutthroat trout under strict catch-and-release rules; only artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook is permitted. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the USFS Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Rito del Padre
From fish migration barrier located about 0.3 miles above confluence with Rito Sebadilloses upstream to headwaters including Rito de los Chimayosos Special Trout Water designation: Red chile, non-native suppression. Regulations: Catch-and-release (Native), unlimited (NN), artificial fly or lure with single barbless hook.
Trail · North Central NM
San Antonio Wilderness Study Area
The San Antonio Wilderness Study Area is located in northern New Mexico at approximately 8,400 feet elevation, managed by the BLM's Taos Field Office. A flat, grass and shrub-covered plain contains a gorge about 100 feet deep carved by the Rio San Antonio. Due to upstream diversions, the lower stretches of the river often dry in summer. The gorge includes sections with Douglas fir and spruce forest coverage. No established trails exist; visitors navigate uneven roads, flat plains, and old cow trails. The area is open year-round but the access road becomes impassable during inclement weather and heavy rains.
Hiking
Trail · North Central NM
San Ysidro Trials Area
San Ysidro Trials Area is a technical recreation destination in Sandoval County, New Mexico, managed by the BLM Rio Puerco Field Office. Located approximately 1 mile west of San Ysidro village on Highway 550, the area features distinctive stone badland topography with tinajas (naturally formed stone water bowls) that fill during monsoon season. The site supports hiking, mountain biking, and trials riding on mixed terrain of silty dirt and slick rock. Visitors must respect cultural resources and avoid riding through tinajas with water or riparian vegetation. No fees or facilities are available on-site.
Hiking, Mountain Bike · Fee
Trail · North Central NM
Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area
Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area, managed by the BLM Taos Field Office, sits at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Chimayó in north-central New Mexico. The site supports boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing; it also holds historic and cultural significance, and photography is permitted throughout. Contact the BLM Taos Field Office for current fee and access information.
Hiking
Campsite · North Central NM
Santa Cruz Lake Recreation Area
Thirty miles north of Santa Fe, the snow-fed waters of the Rio del Medio and the Rio Frijoles gather at Santa Cruz Lake at the base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains near Chimayo, behind the 125-foot Santa Cruz Dam. The lake covers 121 surface acres and offers boating, fishing, hiking and camping.
Place · North Central NM
Santa Fe Plaza
The 400-year-old heart of Santa Fe — adobe portals, the Palace of the Governors, galleries, and year-round festivals on New Mexico's most storied square.
Historic Site
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Sargent Wildlife Management Area
Sargent Wildlife Management Area in north-central New Mexico offers fishing access to all waters within the WMA — including the Rio Chama, Rio Chamita, and Sexton Creek — under a Special Trout Water designation (Green chile). Nabor Creek and Nabor Lake are excluded from this designation. The waters support Rio Grande cutthroat trout and brown trout; anglers may keep up to 2 trout of any length using artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A valid New Mexico fishing license is required. Managed by the Edward Sargent Wildlife Management Area and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Photography is permitted.
Fishing & water · North Central NM
South Fork Rio Hondo
South Fork Rio Hondo in north-central New Mexico carries a Special Trout Water (Red chile) designation from its confluence with the Rio Hondo upstream to its headwaters, managed by the USFS Questa Ranger District. Non-native suppression is in effect; catch-and-release applies to native fish, with unlimited harvest of non-native fish, using only an artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A New Mexico fishing license is required. Photography is permitted.
Trail · North Central NM
Spence Hot Spring Trailhead
Spence Hot Spring Trailhead in north-central New Mexico lies approximately five miles north of the Jemez Ranger District office and is the starting point for a short hike to the hot spring. Parking accommodates up to seven vehicles; note that there is no on-site signage. Open for hiking; photography is permitted. Trail distance and difficulty are not specified; check the recreation.gov listing for current conditions.
Hiking
Fishing & water · North Central NM
Tanques Creek
Tanques Creek in north-central New Mexico is a Special Trout Water (Red chile designation) from the USFS Road 93 crossing upstream to its headwaters, managed by the USFS Tres Piedras Ranger District. Non-native suppression is active; catch-and-release applies to native fish, with unlimited harvest of non-native fish allowed, using only an artificial fly or lure with a single barbless hook. A New Mexico fishing license is required. Photography is permitted.

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