Drive Through Santa Fe National Forest, Then Hike To Jemez Falls For A Real New Mexico Adventure

Santa Fe National Forest is one of New Mexico's best-kept secrets - a massive nature preserve holding more than a million and a half acres of protected land. Home to ancient ruins, protected wildlife, and beautiful scenic views, it's also the place to find the best New Mexico waterfall trail in the whole state. An easy out-and-back trail of under a mile, this is one of the most popular spots to see that beautiful rushing water in the entire state. But don't just make it a simple hike - the forest has more than enough to make a full day of it, starting with a beautiful drive against the state's best scenery.

The Santa Fe National Forest is home to some of the state's most scenic byways, perfect for a drive.

Along the way, you'll see amazing sights of rock formations that have been shaped long before humans roamed the Land of Enchantment.

Admission to the forest and other areas in the region can be had for a small annual fee, and there is so much to explore here!

The forest is home to wide swaths of cattle grazeland, and you can watch the impressive beasts roam.

Another resident is much smaller but no less significant - the New Mexico Meadow Jumping mouse, an endangered species that is protected here.

The gem of this park is the Jemez Falls trail, an easy .7-mile out-and-back trail that takes you past some impressive tree formations...

All the way to Jemez Falls, New Mexico's most impressive waterfall and one of the best sights in the entire forest.

This 70-foot waterfall is one of the state's tallest and looks stunning no matter the time of year, including in its frozen form in the winter.

After your hike, the Santa Fe National Forest is an amazing place to camp and marvel at the beauty of the New Mexico sky.

Have you taken the Jemez Falls trail and explored Santa Fe National Forest? Let us know your thoughts on this New Mexico waterfall trail in the comments. If you're interested in paying a visit, make sure to visit the official government website for more information. If you're looking for another New Mexico adventure, consider hiking these ancient ruins.