Jemez Mountain Trail (FR 376)

The Jemez Mountain Trail cuts through some of New Mexico’s most diverse volcanic landscape, where ponderosa pine gives way to aspen groves and ancient caldera walls tell stories of massive eruptions. This forest service road connects Jemez Springs to Los Alamos via a network of maintained dirt roads, passing the Battleship Rock formation and several natural hot springs including the popular Spence Hot Springs. The route crosses multiple creek beds and climbs through elevation zones that showcase everything from high desert scrub to alpine meadows.

Moderate difficulty with some rocky sections and seasonal creek crossings that require attention but nothing a stock 4WD can’t handle. Summer and early fall offer the best conditions, though snow can close higher elevations from December through March. No permits required for the main route, but dispersed camping is available throughout the Santa Fe National Forest sections. Fuel up in Jemez Springs or Los Alamos – there’s nothing between. The payoff is solitude, thermal springs, and some of the most accessible volcanic geology in the Southwest.