New Mexico isn’t known for its large waterfalls but the advantage of having many smaller cascades is that in winter some of them freeze. Frozen falls are a magical sight that certainly rivals the fast-flowing water of warmer months. Check out these 7 waterfalls and admire them for yourself.
- Jemez Falls
Flickr/echoroo Jemez Falls are located in the Jemez Mountains and are one of New Mexico’s most visually impressive waterfalls at any time of year. However, this shot of the waterfall frozen in its cascade between the pine trees is bewitching.
- Sitting Bull Falls
Flickr/Bob Schoenherr Sitting Bull Falls are nestled in a portion of the Lincoln National Forest, near Carlsbad. When flowing freely, these falls tumble 150 feet off a rock face into a pool below. In cold weather, the water forms small icicles instead.
- Santa Fe River
Flickr/kevinkarnsfamily Take a stroll along the paths that line the Santa Fe River in winter and you’ll often see frozen sections like this. Sometimes you can even spy fish swimming below the ice.
- Soda Dam
Flickr/kara brugman Water gushes through this natural dam at a rapid pace (by New Mexico standards) but sections of it do sometimes freeze into icicles. This is probably the easiest waterfall to reach in the state - no hiking required! For more info.
- Soledad Canyon
Tripadvisor/Mexichacho Soledad Canyon Day Use Area near Las Cruces is a stunning place to hike. Here you’ll find a waterfall that occasionally freezes when the temperatures dip.
- Waterfall in the Santa Fe Area
Flickr/Benson Kalahar A perfectly clear stream begins to freeze in the forest.
- Lower Falls
Flickr/Bandelier National Monument, NPS photo by Sally King There are two significant waterfalls inside the boundaries of Bandelier National Monument: Lower Falls and Upper Falls. The former creates the effect of a bridal train once Frijoles Creek turns to ice.
Have you ever witnessed one of New Mexico’s frozen waterfalls?
Flickr/echoroo
Jemez Falls are located in the Jemez Mountains and are one of New Mexico’s most visually impressive waterfalls at any time of year. However, this shot of the waterfall frozen in its cascade between the pine trees is bewitching.
Flickr/Bob Schoenherr
Sitting Bull Falls are nestled in a portion of the Lincoln National Forest, near Carlsbad. When flowing freely, these falls tumble 150 feet off a rock face into a pool below. In cold weather, the water forms small icicles instead.
Flickr/kevinkarnsfamily
Take a stroll along the paths that line the Santa Fe River in winter and you’ll often see frozen sections like this. Sometimes you can even spy fish swimming below the ice.
Flickr/kara brugman
Water gushes through this natural dam at a rapid pace (by New Mexico standards) but sections of it do sometimes freeze into icicles. This is probably the easiest waterfall to reach in the state - no hiking required! For more info.
Tripadvisor/Mexichacho
Soledad Canyon Day Use Area near Las Cruces is a stunning place to hike. Here you’ll find a waterfall that occasionally freezes when the temperatures dip.
Flickr/Benson Kalahar
A perfectly clear stream begins to freeze in the forest.
Flickr/Bandelier National Monument, NPS photo by Sally King
There are two significant waterfalls inside the boundaries of Bandelier National Monument: Lower Falls and Upper Falls. The former creates the effect of a bridal train once Frijoles Creek turns to ice.
For more spectacular winter images, read our previous article: “15 Times Snow Transformed New Mexico Into The Most Beautiful Scenery.”
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