Nambé Falls & Lake Recreation Area

Santa Fe Region


Two lovely 20-minute hikes, each ½ mile one-way, start from the Ramada Area 5 miles off Hwy 50 and lead to the biggest attraction on Nambé lands, Nambé Falls. The steep upper hike has a photogenic overlook of the falls, while the easier, lower hike along the river takes in ancient petroglyphs and ends at a small beach. Expect to get wet. You can rent kayaks at the nearby lake ($30 per hour). Fees are cash only.

The nearby Lake Nambé, created by the federal damming of the Rio Nambé in 1974, has re-opened to visitors; it had been closed because its fish were killed by contaminated run-off following a 2011 forest fire.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Santa Fe Region attractions

1. Tesuque Pueblo

4.31 MILES

Nine miles north of Santa Fe along Hwy 84/285 is Tesuque Pueblo, whose members played an important role in the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, and later suffered…

2. Nambé Pueblo

4.36 MILES

Thanks perhaps to its isolated location (or inspirational geology), Nambé Pueblo has long been a spiritual center for the Tewa-speaking tribes, a…

3. Shidoni Galleries & Sculpture Garden

6.25 MILES

Five miles north of Santa Fe, the grassy sculpture garden at Shidoni is a great place for a picnic, or for kids to run around the funky artwork. There's…

4. Pojoaque Pueblo

6.41 MILES

Although the history of Pojoaque Pueblo predates the Spaniards, a smallpox epidemic in the late 19th century killed most of its inhabitants, and forced…

5. Poeh Cultural Center & Museum

6.41 MILES

Set up by the Pojoaque Pueblo’s former governor, artist George Rivera, this center features simple but powerful displays on the history and culture of the…

6. Hyde Memorial State Park

8.87 MILES

Up the road to the ski area, this small park is a popular spot for hiking, camping ($10 to $14) and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter…

7. El Santuario de Chimayó

9.99 MILES

Often called the Lourdes of America, the chapel was built in 1816, over a spot of earth said to have miraculous healing properties. The faithful come to…

8. Harrell House Bug Museum

10.82 MILES

Sure to be a hit with younger kids, who will get a kick out of spotting live scorpions, tarantulas and other creepy-crawlies (some of which you can touch)…