Jemez Mountain Trail
Visitor Services

Visitor services are located all along the byway corridor in Los Alamos, White Rock, San Ysidro, Jemez Pueblo, Jemez Springs, La Cueva, and Cuba.

Service Description Service Description
Fees

Fees

There may be area-use or special attraction fees along the byway.

 Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities

Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities

Highway 4 is used heavily by cyclists and pedestrians. The other roads making up this byway are not safe for cyclists.
Camping

Camping

There are several campgrounds available along the byway. Some of these include: * **Paliza Campground:** Located four miles north of Ponderosa on SR 290 * **Vista Linda Campground:** Located... More information on Camping 		Food

Food

Food is available all along the byway. Visitors may purchase Native American foods in Jemez Pueblo. Just up the road, Jemez springs has several restaurants. La Cueva and Cuba also offer eating... More information on Food
Gasoline

Gasoline

Gasoline is available in Los Alamos, White Rock, San Ysidro, Jemez Pueblo, and Cuba.

 Information

Information

Information is available in a number of locations along the byway, including in Los Alamos and White Rock. Jemez Pueblo operates an information/interpretive center called Walatowa. The pueblo also... More information on Information
Lodging

Lodging

Visitors can find lodging in Jemez Springs, La Cueva, and Cuba.

 Retail

Retail

There are a number of shops along the byway. San Ysidro features about a dozen art-related retail shops. Major art fairs are held at Jemez Pueblo from spring through fall. Jemez Springs houses... More information on Retail

NOTE: The America's Byways® website is federally funded and cannot promote commercial businesses. This data may not be complete or up to date. The National Scenic Byways Program is not responsible for the quality of your travel experience. See the right column on the Byway Overview page for local contact information.

Special Considerations

There are several special considerations associated with this byway:

  • NM-126 is not paved and is generally closed in the winter due to snow.

  • Bicycles, pedestrians, and passenger vehicles are accommodated according to the various types of roadways. Different sections of the trail have various accessibility and safety issues. Old NM-44 is now US-550, a 4-lane divided highway with a speed limit of 70 mph, except through towns. NM-4 winds through the mountains and is traveled at lower speeds around 35 mph. Highway 126 is maintained in the summer by the Forest Service and can accommodate all traffic except commercial truck traffic.

  • Fire is part of the natural environment along the byway. Please be a responsible camper. Extinguish all fires completely, and be aware of official fire hazard warnings. Call any U.S. Forest Service Office for hazard updates. If a particular national forest is closed to camping or hiking for a few days or weeks, visitors can still have a wonderful time in any of the byway communities.

Restrictions

Most roads along the byway are cleared after a snowfall, but Highway 126 is not paved and is generally closed in the winter due to snow.

Seasons

Best Time to Drive

Because it is located in the high desert, the byway's climate is delightful year round. While it is wonderful during the spring and summer, it is also fabulous to drive through snow-blanketed mountains. Wild Turkey, deer, and elk are frequent sights.

Fall

In the autumn, color along the byway flourishes. Aspens turn brilliant yellow against the deep green of the pines.

High Season

Summer is the busiest time to drive the byway.

Winter

The weather is mild enough, especially with warm sunny days, that nearly everyone can enjoy the drive during the winter. Many visitors enjoy snowshoeing, skiing (cross-country and downhill), and sledding.

Road Conditions

To find up to date information about the road conditions along Jemez Mountain Trail, please visit the FHWA listing of web sites for more information.
New Mexico