by Celeste Lipford and Terry Lipford - last updated on 5/12/2024
Nambe Falls is a picturesque waterfall located just 16 miles north of Santa Fe, New Mexico located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The waterfall is about 120 ft tall and cascades gracefully over rugged cliffs.
The Nambe Pueblo is one of the six Tewa-speaking Pueblos located in northern New Mexico. Nambe Falls is considered a sacred site by the Nambe Pueblo. It is part of the traditional lands that hold spiritual and cultural importance for the community. The Nambe Pueblo people have historically used the area around the falls for ceremonial purposes and as a natural resource. The Nambe Pueblo manages and protects Nambe Falls to preserve its natural beauty and cultural significance. They oversee visitor access and conservation efforts to ensure that the site remains a respected and cherished part of their heritage
We visited during our stay in Santa Fe while doing a roadtrip in New Mexico and Arizona. It was fun to get out of town and take a hike off of the beaten path.
WARNING: The per-carload entrance fee is $20 in cash only. If you plan to fish, the fee is $18 per person with a 5 fish bag limit. You should visit the Nambe Recreation Area Website for more information.
There are two distinct hiking trails leading to different perspectives of the falls, visitors can choose to experience the powerful rush from the bottom or enjoy a panoramic view from the top.
The hike to the top of Nambe Falls is about 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) round-trip. The elevation change is approximately 800 feet (244 meters) from the trailhead to the top of the falls. The trail can be steep and rugged, so it’s recommended for those with a moderate level of fitness and hiking experience. Take it slow and you will be fine. It’s not ideal for those with a fear of heights.
The trail to the bottom of Nambe Falls is about 0.75 miles (1.2 kilometers) round-trip. This trail provides a closer view of the falls and is generally considered easier than the hike to the top, though it can still be somewhat challenging due to the terrain. When we visited in May the water was high and there were spots where you had to wade in the water which was rushing pretty quickly or climb over rocks to avoid the water. We weren’t able to complete the lower trail due to this but many young people and families plotted their path and tackled the challenge.
Hiking Trail Steps
Our First View of Nambe Falls
Nambe Rio
Nambe Falls Trail
Nambe Falls Trail
Nambe Falls Dam Southside
Nambe Rio
Namebe Falls Trail Starting Point
Parking Lot Bridge to Trail StartAs you can see above in image # 4, the 56 acre Nambe Recreation Lake sits behind the dam and is stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout and seems to be a popular fishing spot as we saw a lot of people there fishing. After we finished our hike up to the dam, we drove up to the lake area and explored for a few minutes. There were quite a few people fishing, but there is a number of good places to park.
Nambe Lake is located a short distance from Nambe Falls and is part of the Nambe Pueblo lands. It lies in a scenic area surrounded by the rugged terrain of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. It is an artificial lake created by the Nambe Falls Dam and is fed by the Rio Nambe.
Nambe Lake Entrance
First View of the Lake from Entrance
Nambe Lake surrounded by High DesertThursday through Monday from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Check their website for more info, other information and/or changes in hours.
It costs $20 per day per car. They only accept CASH!. They have other fees for fishing and renting watercraft, etc when visiting the lake area. Check their website for up to date rates.
The Ranger Station has water, soda, snacks and ice for sale, there is nothing else, so you should bring your own water and food.
Yes, you can swim in the Nambe Falls Reservoir in New Mexico. There are numerous accounts of people swimming there on Google, and there is no restriction listed on the Nambe Pueblo Website.
Park in the parking lot and walk up the trail to the top where the views are very good. This trail is 0.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 144 ft. Check their website for information regarding what trails are open or closed..
In the trip menu list below, a "dark filled circle" represents a destination where we stayed, and the "dark filled arrow" items below that circle location, represent the destinations we visited while in that city or location. A circle icon that is not filled represents a city that we visited or stayed in, but did not necessarily explore.
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Alamogordo, NM
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, NM
Grand Canyon, AZ
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