Jemez Falls Campground

We stayed here as it was the closest campground open this time of year by Valles Caldera as we wanted to see Longmire's cabin and glad we did.
Usually a reservation area only but this time of year, first come, first serve! We pretty much had our pick of any spot in the 3 loops and choose #28. We knew this site could get foot traffic when busy but since there weren't many campers, it didn't matter. Probably the largest site and right on the trail that could take you Jemez Falls which we did after our time at Valles Caldera. Great hike to the falls and a bit further up river was a great pool which our dogs were gratefully. I added our trip vis GPS in the pics)
The campground overall was excellent. Sites were well spread out, fairly flat, had tables, bbq pedestal and fire ring. They had faulted toilets but didn't use them.
We wound definitely come back again!

We had a wonderful three days of camping among the ponderosa pine. Apparently, though, there was chaos in the campground during the Labor Day weekend. So much so that the hosts quit and moved out. I would avoid the area on summer weekends when a few inconsiderate campers seems to think the rules don't apply to them. During our stay, our follow campers were quiet and polite. The sites are paved, well spaced, and most are fairly level. The trees provide good shade, but there is enough sun for some solar gain. Verizon coverage was variable between 3G and minimal LTE.

There are hot springs nearby and almost endless choices of hiking trails in the national forest and the adjacent Valles Caldera National Preserve. Los Alamos and Bandelier National Monument are easy day trips.

With our Senior Pass, we paid $5 per night plus the ever-present Recreation.gov fee of $8. This is a reservation-only campground. The nearby Redondo Campground is first-come, first-serve.

Last year we drove through the campground to decide if it would be worth staying a couple nights. Many spots looked very tight. Nevertheless we took a chance and made reservations for May.

So glad we did. Temps were already heating up in the high desert of New Mexico, but there in the tall trees, it was cool and pleasant.

We walked to the falls from the campground- big plus for us. Have already made reservations for deep in the hotel summer.

Jemez Falls Campground is located in a stunning Ponderosa Pine 🌲 and forest meadow environment. The campground elevation is 7,880 feet above sea level 🌊. We visited in July and experienced warm days and cool nights.
We were traveling through Santa Fe (which we will review later) and chose Jemez Fall campground to explore Bandelier National Monument (we will review later) and hike the trails in the Santa Fe National Forest. The Valles Caldera National Preserve along the Jemez Mountain Trail National Scenic Byway made this an ideal location to enjoy 😊 New Mexico.
The campground contains 51 overnight tent and RV/trailer campsites. There is paved access from the highway and paved internal roads to individual campsites. There are no RV hook-ups at the campground. Drinking water 💧 is provided from spigots conveniently located throughout the campground. Vault toilets provide basic sanitation needs. A campground host is on duty during the summer camping season and was very helpful to advise about the hikes and visiting the falls.
We have just finished over 12,000 miles camping across the USA. The Campendium App was a necessity in our journey across the country. We want to repay the favor and leave reviews which we hope aid in your choices of campsites. Full review and recommendations at http://travelswithgg.com/jemez-falls-nm/

First things to know: there are no sites with any hookups. And phone connectivity is VERY limited. We had one bar, so we could send some text messages, but forget about surfing or streaming.

It's a beautiful campground, and large. The sites, for the most part, are spread apart nicely, affording a lot of space and reasonable privacy. There are not, however, any sites that will accommodate truly big rigs. We are 29' 3" Class A, and were the ONLY Class A on site (and it was 100% booked). We had a small tow vehicle. We just fit in our space, a pull through of sorts. There are, it seems, a lot of back in spots, but again, not for the largest rigs.

There are TWO Campground hosts...so many spaces here. Our interaction with both was quite limited, but very friendly.

The best things about this site are 1) being here in summer, it's SO much cooler than areas like Albuquerque, where we live, & 2) there is GREAT accessibility to two of the truly most popular trails in NM. Behind campsite 28 is a short (0.4 mile) trail that leads to Trail 137. When you hit that intersection, go left to visit Jemez Falls (beautiful) or right to climb to McCauley Springs (warm springs). Each of those spots has other, much more trafficked trails, so in both cases, you feel like you're sneaking up on the hot spot. Also, we were a short drive to perhaps the mostly LOVELY of all NM trails, the Las Conchas Trailhead, a 3 mile round trip hike through the most lovely pastures around. Wildflowers and chipmunks abounded, and the trail parallels the Jemez River. VERY popular spot; go early or forget about finding parking.

Only drawbacks to the campsite (which is really 4.5 stars): trash bins filled quickly and were overflowing. The vault toilet areas smelled; you could smell them as you walked by. The wonderful trailhead I mentioned by Space 28 is only accessible by walking THROUGH the campsite. The folks staying there were nice, but I felt bad about breaking Rule #1 of camping. The campground is about .3 miles off the main highway. The road between highway and campsite is pretty narrow. Two RVs passing each other would be a FRIGHTFULLY tight fit.

BUT, we highly recommend, and look forward to many return visits.

We would have loved to stay longer. Beautiful long and spacious campgrounds in a pine forest. Lots of site to choose from and access to lots of trails, hot springs, and other sights in Jemez Springs. We checked the website which said it had water but unfortunately after arriving realized the only two water spouts had no water running to them. Since we were low, we had to move on. If you come just come prepared.

We rarely stay in a CG especially if it costs $$. but as we drove through the Jemez Recreation Area we checked out the CGs and this was the nicest one. Back in and pull through spots big enough for a 40' class A. Only one of the 3 loops was open and all services were shut down for the season but all the spots were filled by 6pm. Easy access to a few Trail heads and the falls are walkable from the CG. We never met the host but all the guests were quiet and most were in tents. Brrrrrrr! Near Valles Caldera, Bandelier Natl. Monument and everything Los Alamos has to offer.