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Clear Creek Campground in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico sits less than two hours from Albuquerque, offering hiking and fishing in the shade of ponderosa pines. Reservations are required 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.
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.
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.
Fenton Lake in Sandoval County is a high-country stocked trout lake ringed by ponderosa pine in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, managed by New Mexico State Parks. Rainbow trout are regularly stocked; fishing, paddling, and non-motorized boating are the permitted uses — no boat ramp is present, and only non-motorized watercraft and electric trolling motors are allowed. Winter ice fishing is accessible in cold years. A New Mexico fishing license and a State Parks day-use fee are required. Photography is permitted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Battleship Rock Trailhead in north-central New Mexico provides parking and hiking access to the East Fork Trail (FT 137), situated off NM 4 approximately five miles north of Jemez Springs and just north of Battleship Rock Picnic Area. Photography is permitted. Trail length, elevation, and difficulty are not listed; consult the recreation.gov listing for current conditions.
Game Management Unit 6A in Sandoval County covers the western Jemez Mountains, San Pedro Mountains, and Sierra Nacimiento foothills in central New Mexico, from approximately 5,050 to 10,601 feet elevation; the unit is heavily forested above 7,500 feet with sage and pinyon/juniper in the lower foothills. Huntable species include elk, mule deer, black bear, cougar, Merriam's turkey, and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, with most big-game tags through the NMDGF draw. About 48% is public land via the Santa Fe National Forest; private land on the western edge and Jemez Pueblo lands in the south restrict access in some areas. A valid New Mexico hunting license is required. Consult NMDGF for current season dates and deadlines.
NM-4 through the Jemez: red-rock canyons, Jemez Springs and its historic bathhouse, Battleship Rock, the travertine arc of Soda Dam, and the vast green bowl of the Valles Caldera. Roadside hot springs and Bandelier make easy add-ons.
Jemez Falls Campground in north-central New Mexico is set in a ponderosa pine and meadow environment at approximately 7,880 feet elevation, where warm days and cool nights are typical. Reservations are required and available through Recreation.gov. The standard nonelectric rate is approximately $20 per night for the 2025 season. Photography is permitted. Check Recreation.gov for current availability and the latest fee schedule.
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