After breakfast you may find yourself with a whole day to yourself! We're on "mountain time" at the Desert Willow, so you just may feel that a day our here in the Jemez feels like two at home.

Your choices for local day trips or outings are numerous. You'll find hiking, fishing, bird and wildlife watching, and mushrooming just outside the door in the Jemez Mountains. Close by are archeological ruins, Indian pueblos, our local Ponderosa Valley Vineyards & Winery and a few charming, country restaurants, such as the Laughing Lizard Cafe and Consetta's Green Restaurant in the village of Jemez Springs.

Take a driving tour through the area to see many cultural and geological wonders, such as the Jemez State Monument, preserving the ruins of a 17th century Spanish mission and 13th century Indian pueblo. Past volcanic activity has created many natural hot springs, sulfurous vents and the caldera in the nearby Valle Grande. After a long hike or a day on the slopes, you may indulge yourself in a massage and a soak at our local Jemez Springs Bath House fed by natural hot springs. Or enjoy an outdoor soak at the Giggling Springs Hot Spring in downtown Jemez Springs.

Be sure to visit Soda Dam where the river drops 15 feet through an interesting formation of mineral deposits from nearby thermal springs. A short drive away, Bandelier National Monument has some of the best examples of pueblo cliff dwellings you'll find (allow a whole day). In less than an hour you can drive to Los Alamos with the famous Los Alamos National Laboratory to explore the town with the highest number of Phd's per capita of any city in the US. Or travel to Albuquerque where the museums, amusement parks, restaurants and movies will give you every convenience of a big city. A cultural experience awaits you in Santa Fe, with pueblo architecture, the Santa Fe Opera and many excellent art galleries, museums, shops and restaurants. Not much further is Taos, famous for its skiing and art galleries. Christ in the Desert Monastery is a fascinating and beautiful place; near the homeland of Georgia O'Keefe in northern New Mexico.

As you can tell, there is no shortage of things to do while visiting Jemez Springs. If you'd like even more choices, follow some of the links below!

New Mexico, USA
GORP (Great Outdoor Recreation Page)- New Mexico
New Mexico Guide

Other Businesses in Jemez Springs:

Canon del Rio Bed and Breakfast Inn
Jemez Springs Community Library

Village of Jemez Springs

The Laughing Lizard Restaurant and Inn

Jemez Mountain Inn

Art Jemez

My Essence of Yoga