There are many beautiful natural wonders in the Land of Enchantment, and some of the finest are its cascades – and that’s why we’ve curated this list of the best waterfalls in New Mexico. What is it about waterfalls? There’s a reason why white noise machines usually include sounds like “rushing water.” Listening to a waterfall is innately soothing. Seeing one up close is even better! Luckily, New Mexico has plenty of waterfalls, many of them unnamed, hidden in forests, canyons, and other wilderness areas. Here are 10 stunning New Mexico waterfalls.
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- Sitting Bull Falls
USFS NM/Google Sitting Bull Falls is a 150-foot high waterfall that tumbles through a canyon in Lincoln National Forest. It’s located between Carlsbad and the community of Queen and can be reached from the Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area. Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico 88220, USA
- Jemez Falls
Sandoval County/Google Jemez Falls gushes down through the Jemez Mountains. A short hike takes you from the Jemez Falls Campgrounds, through the Santa Fe National Forest, to an overlook of the falls. If you decide to explore further, you can actually take a dip in some of the shallow pools around the falls. Jemez Falls, New Mexico 87025, USA
- Waterfall on the Catwalk Trail
Dean Souglass/Flickr The Catwalk Trail, which begins in the town of Glenwood, is worth visiting in its own right. But the waterfall near the trail’s suspension bridge is truly stunning. Catwalk Recreation Area, Catwalk Road, Glenwood, NM 88039, USA
- Nambe Falls
Wikimedia Commons/kenkopal The Nambé Falls Recreation Area is a gorgeous spot in Nambé Pueblo. There are two ways to reach the waterfall and each trail is only 0.25 mile long. One guides you to the top of the falls, while the low trail, which can be a wet experience, leads to the bottom. Nambe Falls, New Mexico 87506, USA
- Folsom Falls
Ward Shrake/Wikimedia Commons Folsom Falls is a petite waterfall, located four miles northeast of the town of Folsom. The Falls occur just after Pinebeta Creek merges with the Cimarron River. Folsom Falls, New Mexico 88419, USA
- Soda Dam
Flickr/genmaichaita This 300-foot wide and 50-foot high natural dam blocks the Jemez River, forcing the water to cascade over and through this calcium carbonate formation. Soda Dam can be found just north of Jemez Springs. Jemez Soda Dam, 19219 NM-4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USA
- Waterfall in Bar Canyon-Soledad Canyon
Flickr/Patrick Alexander You can access this gorgeous waterfall from the Soledad Canyon-Bar Canyon Day Use Area, located just east of Las Cruces. Bar Canyon, New Mexico 88011, USA
- Waterfall near White Rock Overlook Park
Flickr/Michele This waterfall can be spied from the overlook in White Rock Overlook Park, found in the town of White Rock. Overlook Road, Overlook Rd, White Rock, NM 87547, USA
- Resumidero Falls
Flickr/Derek Velasquez Resumidero Falls is a remote yet pretty waterfall, tucked away in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness Area. San Pedro Parks, New Mexico 87012, USA
If you can’t make it to one of these waterfalls soon, relax with this video of El Salto Falls, located near Arroyo Seco.
USFS NM/Google
Sitting Bull Falls is a 150-foot high waterfall that tumbles through a canyon in Lincoln National Forest. It’s located between Carlsbad and the community of Queen and can be reached from the Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area.
Sitting Bull Falls, New Mexico 88220, USA
Sandoval County/Google
Jemez Falls gushes down through the Jemez Mountains. A short hike takes you from the Jemez Falls Campgrounds, through the Santa Fe National Forest, to an overlook of the falls. If you decide to explore further, you can actually take a dip in some of the shallow pools around the falls.
Jemez Falls, New Mexico 87025, USA
Dean Souglass/Flickr
The Catwalk Trail, which begins in the town of Glenwood, is worth visiting in its own right. But the waterfall near the trail’s suspension bridge is truly stunning.
Catwalk Recreation Area, Catwalk Road, Glenwood, NM 88039, USA
Wikimedia Commons/kenkopal
The Nambé Falls Recreation Area is a gorgeous spot in Nambé Pueblo. There are two ways to reach the waterfall and each trail is only 0.25 mile long. One guides you to the top of the falls, while the low trail, which can be a wet experience, leads to the bottom.
Nambe Falls, New Mexico 87506, USA
Ward Shrake/Wikimedia Commons
Folsom Falls is a petite waterfall, located four miles northeast of the town of Folsom. The Falls occur just after Pinebeta Creek merges with the Cimarron River.
Folsom Falls, New Mexico 88419, USA
Flickr/genmaichaita
This 300-foot wide and 50-foot high natural dam blocks the Jemez River, forcing the water to cascade over and through this calcium carbonate formation. Soda Dam can be found just north of Jemez Springs.
Jemez Soda Dam, 19219 NM-4, Jemez Springs, NM 87025, USA
Flickr/Patrick Alexander
You can access this gorgeous waterfall from the Soledad Canyon-Bar Canyon Day Use Area, located just east of Las Cruces.
Bar Canyon, New Mexico 88011, USA
Flickr/Michele
This waterfall can be spied from the overlook in White Rock Overlook Park, found in the town of White Rock.
Overlook Road, Overlook Rd, White Rock, NM 87547, USA
Flickr/Derek Velasquez
Resumidero Falls is a remote yet pretty waterfall, tucked away in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness Area.
San Pedro Parks, New Mexico 87012, USA
10. El Salto Falls
We think you’ll find these to be some of the best waterfalls in New Mexico, too. Do you have a favorite New Mexico waterfall? If we’ve skipped your favorite, let us know which one brings you a sense of calm. One of these New Mexico waterfalls is also a swimming hole? You should definitely pay it a visit!
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Beautiful Waterfalls In New Mexico April 30, 2020 Leah What are the best waterfall hikes in New Mexico? Experiencing any of the beautiful waterfall hikes in New Mexico will make memories to last a lifetime. These picturesque trails will take you on an adventure to some of the state’s prettiest waterfalls, such as the Grand View Trail which brings you to Bridal Veil Falls. The trail is around 7 miles long and will take you through the Lincoln National Forest with a stunning 45-foot tall waterfall at the end. The Santa Fe River State Park has a shorter, easier trail that will bring you right up to the lovely Rio En Medio Falls. What are the most beautiful places in New Mexico? Waterfalls are just one highlight of many of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. Other absolutely spectacular places that are worth visiting include iconic spots like the White Sands National Monument, where a desert of bright white gypsum sand will take you to another world. Another great example is the Rio Grande Gorge, where you can walk across the stunning, deep river canyon that is a postcard-perfect view of the Land of Enchantment. If you like exploring beautiful cities, try the historic areas of Albuquerque or Santa Fe, or discover some of the pueblos hiding across the state. What are the best outdoor adventures in New Mexico? If you’re looking for more places to hike, explore, and let out your inner adventurer, these are some of the best outdoor adventures in New Mexico. Check out spots like the Bisti Badlands, located near Nageezi, where there are unusually shaped and incredibly colorful geological formations that’ll make you feel like you’re on a different planet. You can trek across lava fields at the El Malpais National Monument if you’re feeling extra adventurous - and the views are a great payoff. If you love caves, the Carlsbad Caverns are the way to go when visiting New Mexico. The huge rooms full of stalactites and stalagmites are breathtaking to see.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Beautiful Waterfalls In New Mexico
April 30, 2020
Leah
What are the best waterfall hikes in New Mexico? Experiencing any of the beautiful waterfall hikes in New Mexico will make memories to last a lifetime. These picturesque trails will take you on an adventure to some of the state’s prettiest waterfalls, such as the Grand View Trail which brings you to Bridal Veil Falls. The trail is around 7 miles long and will take you through the Lincoln National Forest with a stunning 45-foot tall waterfall at the end. The Santa Fe River State Park has a shorter, easier trail that will bring you right up to the lovely Rio En Medio Falls. What are the most beautiful places in New Mexico? Waterfalls are just one highlight of many of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. Other absolutely spectacular places that are worth visiting include iconic spots like the White Sands National Monument, where a desert of bright white gypsum sand will take you to another world. Another great example is the Rio Grande Gorge, where you can walk across the stunning, deep river canyon that is a postcard-perfect view of the Land of Enchantment. If you like exploring beautiful cities, try the historic areas of Albuquerque or Santa Fe, or discover some of the pueblos hiding across the state. What are the best outdoor adventures in New Mexico? If you’re looking for more places to hike, explore, and let out your inner adventurer, these are some of the best outdoor adventures in New Mexico. Check out spots like the Bisti Badlands, located near Nageezi, where there are unusually shaped and incredibly colorful geological formations that’ll make you feel like you’re on a different planet. You can trek across lava fields at the El Malpais National Monument if you’re feeling extra adventurous - and the views are a great payoff. If you love caves, the Carlsbad Caverns are the way to go when visiting New Mexico. The huge rooms full of stalactites and stalagmites are breathtaking to see.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Experiencing any of the beautiful waterfall hikes in New Mexico will make memories to last a lifetime. These picturesque trails will take you on an adventure to some of the state’s prettiest waterfalls, such as the Grand View Trail which brings you to Bridal Veil Falls. The trail is around 7 miles long and will take you through the Lincoln National Forest with a stunning 45-foot tall waterfall at the end. The Santa Fe River State Park has a shorter, easier trail that will bring you right up to the lovely Rio En Medio Falls.
What are the most beautiful places in New Mexico?
Waterfalls are just one highlight of many of the most beautiful places in New Mexico. Other absolutely spectacular places that are worth visiting include iconic spots like the White Sands National Monument, where a desert of bright white gypsum sand will take you to another world. Another great example is the Rio Grande Gorge, where you can walk across the stunning, deep river canyon that is a postcard-perfect view of the Land of Enchantment. If you like exploring beautiful cities, try the historic areas of Albuquerque or Santa Fe, or discover some of the pueblos hiding across the state.
What are the best outdoor adventures in New Mexico?
If you’re looking for more places to hike, explore, and let out your inner adventurer, these are some of the best outdoor adventures in New Mexico. Check out spots like the Bisti Badlands, located near Nageezi, where there are unusually shaped and incredibly colorful geological formations that’ll make you feel like you’re on a different planet. You can trek across lava fields at the El Malpais National Monument if you’re feeling extra adventurous - and the views are a great payoff. If you love caves, the Carlsbad Caverns are the way to go when visiting New Mexico. The huge rooms full of stalactites and stalagmites are breathtaking to see.
