State guide

Waterfalls in New Mexico

14 waterfalls across 10 counties, ranked 34th nationally. The main waterfall regions are Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Guadalupe Mountains and the Pecos Valley, and Northeastern Plains and Western Plateaus.

Source: USGS Geographic Names Information System, with visitor ratings from Google Maps listings.

Best Waterfalls

Photo of Sitting Bull Falls in Eddy County, New Mexico
Pictured: Sitting Bull Falls, NM

Towns

Where New Mexico's Waterfalls Are

New Mexico's waterfalls are scattered thinly across a dry, high landscape, and nearly every one owes its existence to mountains that wring moisture from passing storms. The southern Rocky Mountains extend into the north-central part of the state as the Sangre de Cristo Range and the volcanic Jemez Mountains, and these ranges receive enough winter snow and summer rain to keep streams flowing for at least part of the year. Our directory lists 14 named waterfalls in New Mexico, ranking it 34th nationally, with Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties in the north holding the largest share.

Geology adds variety. In the Jemez Mountains, streams cut through layers of volcanic tuff and lava left by the eruptions that formed the Valles Caldera, creating canyon falls over soft, pale rock and harder flows. In the Sangre de Cristos, falls drop over granite and older metamorphic rock. In the southeast, the Guadalupe Mountains are a vast fossil reef of limestone, and spring-fed streams there deposit travertine, building terraces and pools. Across the rest of the state, desert plains and mesas leave little room for falling water outside rare canyons and spring sites.

New Mexico Waterfall Regions

Jemez and Sangre de Cristo Mountains

8 waterfalls · Sandoval County, Rio Arriba County, Santa Fe County, and Mora County

The mountains of north-central New Mexico hold most of the state's falls. In Sandoval County, Jemez Falls is a popular stop in the Santa Fe National Forest, and Upper Frijoles Falls lies in Frijoles Canyon in the Bandelier area, cut into volcanic tuff. Nambe Falls in Santa Fe County is on Nambe Pueblo land, where access is controlled by the Pueblo. Petrero Waterfall and Rio Quemado Falls in Rio Arriba County lie in the high country of the north, and Pecos Falls in Mora County is deep in the Pecos Wilderness, reached only by a long backcountry trip.

Start with: Nambe Falls, Jemez Falls, Upper Frijoles Falls, Petrero Waterfall, Pecos Falls

Guadalupe Mountains and the Pecos Valley

2 waterfalls · Eddy County and Guadalupe County

Southeastern New Mexico is limestone country. Sitting Bull Falls in Eddy County, in the Lincoln National Forest west of Carlsbad, is the most reviewed waterfall in the state. A spring-fed creek pours over a travertine-coated cliff into clear pools, with a picnic area and trails above. The Guadalupe Mountains are an ancient reef, the same formation that hosts Carlsbad Caverns. Guadalupe County, centered on Santa Rosa, a town known for karst springs and sinkhole lakes such as the Blue Hole, holds one more listed fall along the Pecos River country.

Start with: Sitting Bull Falls, Catfish Falls (historical)

Northeastern Plains and Western Plateaus

4 waterfalls · Union County, McKinley County, Cibola County, and Socorro County

Beyond the mountain core, falls are isolated features. Folsom Falls in Union County, in the northeast, lies in a region of volcanic cones and lava flows, the Raton-Clayton volcanic field. In the west, McKinley and Cibola counties sit on the Colorado Plateau with sandstone mesas and lava fields, where small falls appear after rain or snowmelt. Socorro County includes one listed fall in the central Rio Grande region. These sites are best treated as seasonal and occasional, and they can look very different from one visit to the next.

Start with: Folsom Falls, The Falls, Big Falls, Garcia Falls

All 14 Waterfalls in New Mexico

Ordered by Google rating and review volume, then by documented USGS history.

  1. Sitting Bull Falls

    Carlsbad, NM · Eddy County
    4.7 (450 reviews)

    Peaceful spot around a series of waterfalls & natural pools, popular for hikes, swims & picnics.

    Rating
    4.7 (450 Google reviews)
    Address
    Eddy County, NM 88220 (GPS 32.2433, -104.6974)
    Known for
    walk to the falls, leeches, peaceful atmosphere, oasis, covered pavilions
    Nearest town
    Carlsbad, NM (30 mi)
    USGS topo
    Queen quad
    View details Directions

  2. Nambe Falls

    Nambe, NM · Santa Fe County
    4.5 (187 reviews)

    Nambe Falls is a waterfall in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, about 5.4 miles southeast of Nambe. It appears on the USGS Tesuque topographic map.

    Rating
    4.5 (187 Google reviews)
    Address
    Santa Fe County, NM 87506 (GPS 35.8456, -105.9064)
    Known for
    awesome ranger, cash only, hike to the falls, lower trail, slippery rocks
    Nearest town
    Nambe, NM (5.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Tesuque quad
    View details Directions

  3. Jemez Falls

    Jemez Pueblo, NM · Sandoval County
    4.8 (93 reviews)

    Jemez Falls is a waterfall in Sandoval County, New Mexico, about 15 miles northeast of Jemez Pueblo. It appears on the USGS Redondo Peak topographic map.

    Rating
    4.8 (93 Google reviews)
    Address
    Sandoval County, NM 87025 (GPS 35.8127, -106.6065)
    Nearest town
    Jemez Pueblo, NM (15 mi)
    USGS topo
    Redondo Peak quad
    View details Directions

  4. Upper Frijoles Falls

    White Rock, NM · Sandoval County
    5.0 (7 reviews)

    Upper Frijoles Falls is a waterfall in Sandoval County, New Mexico, about 5.4 miles southwest of White Rock. It appears on the USGS Frijoles topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (7 Google reviews)
    Address
    Sandoval County, NM 87547 (GPS 35.7634, -106.2597)
    Nearest town
    White Rock, NM (5.4 mi)
    USGS topo
    Frijoles quad
    View details Directions

  5. Folsom Falls

    Raton, NM · Union County
    3.4 (12 reviews)

    Folsom Falls is a waterfall in Union County, New Mexico, about 31 miles east of Raton. It appears on the USGS Folsom topographic map.

    Rating
    3.4 (12 Google reviews)
    Address
    Union County, NM 88419 (GPS 36.8727, -103.8809)
    Known for
    spot to see, private property
    Nearest town
    Raton, NM (31 mi)
    USGS topo
    Folsom quad
    View details Directions

  6. Petrero Waterfall

    Ohkay Owingeh, NM · Rio Arriba County
    5.0 (4 reviews)

    Petrero Waterfall is a waterfall in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, about 26 miles north of Ohkay Owingeh. It appears on the USGS Valle Grande Peak topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (4 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rio Arriba County, NM 87530 (GPS 36.4070, -106.2059)
    Nearest town
    Ohkay Owingeh, NM (26 mi)
    USGS topo
    Valle Grande Peak quad
    View details Directions

  7. Pecos Falls

    Mora, NM · Mora County
    4.3 (3 reviews)

    Pecos Falls is a waterfall in Mora County, New Mexico, about 13 miles west of Mora. It appears on the USGS Pecos Falls topographic map.

    Rating
    4.3 (3 Google reviews)
    Address
    Mora County, NM 87732 (GPS 35.9368, -105.5582)
    Nearest town
    Mora, NM (13 mi)
    USGS topo
    Pecos Falls quad
    View details Directions

  8. Rio Quemado Falls

    Chimayo, NM · Rio Arriba County
    5.0 (1 reviews)

    Rio Quemado Falls is a waterfall in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, about 17 miles east of Chimayo. It appears on the USGS Truchas Peak topographic map.

    Rating
    5.0 (1 Google reviews)
    Address
    Rio Arriba County, NM 87521 (GPS 35.9838, -105.6522)
    Nearest town
    Chimayo, NM (17 mi)
    USGS topo
    Truchas Peak quad
    View details Directions

  9. Catfish Falls (historical)

    Santa Rosa, NM · Guadalupe County

    Catfish Falls (historical) is a waterfall in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, about 8.1 miles north of Santa Rosa. inundated by Santa Rosa Lake

    Address
    Guadalupe County, NM 88435 (GPS 35.0564, -104.6889)
    Nearest town
    Santa Rosa, NM (8.1 mi)
    USGS topo
    Santa Rosa Lake quad
    View details Directions

  10. The Falls

    Thoreau, NM · Cibola County

    The Falls is a waterfall in Cibola County, New Mexico, about 18 miles southwest of Thoreau. It appears on the USGS Ramah topographic map.

    Address
    Cibola County, NM 87321 (GPS 35.2078, -108.4431)
    Nearest town
    Thoreau, NM (18 mi)
    USGS topo
    Ramah quad
    View details Directions

  11. Big Falls

    Gallup, NM · McKinley County

    Big Falls is a waterfall in McKinley County, New Mexico, about 14 miles southwest of Gallup. It appears on the USGS Vanderwagen topographic map.

    Address
    McKinley County, NM 87319 (GPS 35.3508, -108.8717)
    Nearest town
    Gallup, NM (14 mi)
    USGS topo
    Vanderwagen quad
    View details Directions

  12. Chamisa Vega Spring Falls

    Jemez Pueblo, NM · Sandoval County

    Chamisa Vega Spring Falls is a waterfall in Sandoval County, New Mexico, about 13 miles west of Jemez Pueblo. It appears on the USGS Holy Ghost Spring topographic map.

    Address
    Sandoval County, NM (GPS 35.6762, -106.9412)
    Nearest town
    Jemez Pueblo, NM (13 mi)
    USGS topo
    Holy Ghost Spring quad
    View details Directions

  13. Garcia Falls

    Truth or Consequences, NM · Socorro County

    Garcia Falls is a waterfall in Socorro County, New Mexico, about 28 miles northwest of Truth or Consequences. It appears on the USGS Monticello topographic map.

    Address
    Socorro County, NM 87943 (GPS 33.4926, -107.4521)
    Nearest town
    Truth or Consequences, NM (28 mi)
    USGS topo
    Monticello quad
    View details Directions

  14. Lower Frijoles Falls

    White Rock, NM · Sandoval County

    Lower Frijoles Falls is a waterfall in Sandoval County, New Mexico, about 5.5 miles southwest of White Rock. It appears on the USGS Frijoles topographic map.

    Address
    Sandoval County, NM 87547 (GPS 35.7609, -106.2589)
    Nearest town
    White Rock, NM (5.5 mi)
    USGS topo
    Frijoles quad
    View details Directions

Highest Rated in New Mexico

  1. Jemez Falls 4.8 from 93 reviews · Jemez Pueblo
  2. Sitting Bull Falls 4.7 from 450 reviews · Carlsbad
  3. Nambe Falls 4.5 from 187 reviews · Nambe

Waterfalls with at least 25 Google reviews.

New Mexico Waterfalls by the Compass

The farthest-apart named falls in New Mexico are about 323 miles apart.

Names and History

2 waterfalls have alternate historical names on record, such as Nambe Falls (also Potshuk'aetabege *) and Upper Frijoles Falls (also Poqwigepojemuge *).

Best Time to See Waterfalls in New Mexico

Two seasons matter in New Mexico. Snowmelt from the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountains usually brings peak flow from roughly April to June, with higher-elevation falls like Pecos Falls peaking later and access trails sometimes holding snow into late spring. The North American monsoon then arrives, typically in early July and lasting into September, bringing afternoon thunderstorms that can revive streams but also create dangerous flash floods and lightning above treeline. Autumn is often dry and clear, with golden aspens in the northern mountains from late September into early October, though flows are low. Sitting Bull Falls is spring-fed and runs year-round, but summer heat in the Guadalupe foothills can be intense. Winter brings cold and snow in the mountains and closures of some forest roads.

Planning a Waterfall Trip in New Mexico

New Mexico's falls are managed by a patchwork of agencies and communities. Jemez and Pecos falls are in the Santa Fe National Forest, Sitting Bull Falls is a Lincoln National Forest day-use area with a fee, and Frijoles Canyon is in Bandelier National Monument. Nambe Falls is on Nambe Pueblo land; access and hours are set by the Pueblo and may change, so confirm before visiting and follow tribal rules, including any restrictions on photography. Hazards include altitude, intense sun and dehydration, monsoon flash floods in narrow canyons, lightning on exposed ridges, and slick volcanic tuff or travertine near falls. Many forest roads are unpaved and can become impassable after heavy rain. Wildfire seasons occasionally bring forest closures in late spring and early summer.

More: waterfall safety · packing list

Find Waterfalls Near a New Mexico Town

Waterfalls by County

CountyWaterfallsShareMost visited
Sandoval429%Jemez Falls
Rio Arriba214%Petrero Waterfall
Cibola17%The Falls
Eddy17%Sitting Bull Falls
Guadalupe17%Catfish Falls (historical)
McKinley17%Big Falls
Mora17%Pecos Falls
Santa Fe17%Nambe Falls
Socorro17%Garcia Falls
Union17%Folsom Falls

All New Mexico Waterfalls A to Z

New Mexico Waterfalls: FAQs

How many waterfalls are in New Mexico?

Our directory lists 14 waterfalls in New Mexico, all officially named in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, 34th among the 50 jurisdictions in our directory and 0.5% of the national total. 50% of them are in just three counties: Sandoval, Rio Arriba, and Cibola.

What is the most visited waterfall in New Mexico?

By Google review count, Sitting Bull Falls in Eddy County leads with 450 reviews and a 4.7 rating. Nambe Falls is next.

What is the most popular waterfall in New Mexico?

Sitting Bull Falls in Eddy County, in the Lincoln National Forest west of Carlsbad, has the most reviews in our directory. It is a spring-fed fall with pools and picnic areas.

Can visitors go to Nambe Falls?

Nambe Falls is on Nambe Pueblo land, and access is controlled by the Pueblo. Hours and availability can change, so check with the Pueblo before planning a visit.

Which New Mexico town has the most waterfalls nearby?

Ohkay Owingeh has 6 named waterfalls within 30 miles, the most of any town in our New Mexico directory.