Road Trip to Jemez Mountains in New Mexico

Every year since I was little, my family has taken a camping trip to one of New Mexico's great outdoor camping sites such as in the mountains, at a river, at a lake or other places of desert beauty. The location we frequent the most is in the Jémez Mountains, just two hours outside of Albuquerque. We like to camp at Fenton Lake.

What I really like about the drive up to Jémez is the beautiful nature that surrounds you on the drive. You'll come across dirt as red as lava, an inactive volcano, beautifully colored rock structures and a hint of the Río Grande river here and there. You'll pass through small New Mexican towns and Native pueblos. It's a good idea to stop at a vendor stand to purchase a tamale or pueblo bread.

One of my favorite places of interest to stop is the rock tunnels. They cut a tunnel through the mountain which you can drive through to get to the other side. There you'll find magnificent waterfalls, a spectacular mountainside of rock and below is a river full of large rocks. This can be a dangerous place so use caution while viewing.

About a half an hour before Jémez, you'll want to stop by Soda Dams. It's quite an exquisite site that always reminds me of "melting ice cream." You'll want to be aware, though, that the sulfur and water from the upcoming hot springs smell pretty bad. Aside from the scent, the view is nice. If you choose to swim a little in the brook underneath Soda Dam, be sure you are careful as the water is rapid and the rocks can be sharp.

The next stop you'll want to take part in is the hot springs. There are natural pools of water that feels like a hot tub. You have to hike down the mountain in order to get there, but once you are there, it is a secluded and free area you'll enjoy.

At the Jémez campgrounds, the best place, in my opinion, to camp out at is at Fenton Lake. It is located right in the middle of the mountains and the lake is surrounded by a natural and serene beauty of evergreens. We choose to stay in the area where you can hook up electricity and water, however there are more rural campsites as well. Book at least a week or two ahead of time to ensure you get the best spot. You can even reserve online at http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/PRD/Fenton.htm