LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Difficulty
Hard
Trail Length
6.0 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Rio Quemado Falls
Rio Quemado Falls is a roughly 60-foot stair-stepped waterfall at about 11,100 feet on Rio Quemado in the Santa Fe National Forest, below the Truchas Peaks in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains east of Truchas. It is reached by Rio Quemado Trail #153, with a short spur to the base of the falls about 3 miles from the trailhead. In winter the falls freeze and are climbed as an ice route.
The Setting
Rio Quemado Falls sits at 11,135 feet within Santa Fe National Forest, in the high alpine of New Mexico. The falls drop 60 feet.
Height: 60 feet
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The hard hike follows Rio Quemado (#153), a 6.0-mile out-and-back trail over natural surface. The trail is moderately developed (Class 2).
USFS Trail
RIO QUEMADO #153
Trail Class
Moderately Developed
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
9.34 miTrail Description
Rio Quemado Trail #153 starts at Forest Road 435 and climbs east through dense forest toward the cirque below Truchas Peak, 10.8 miles in all. A spur trail leads to the base of the falls about 3 miles in, for a round trip of about 6 miles. The Forest Service describes the trail as steep with much deadfall.
What to Expect
The falls drop 60 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Rio Quemado Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed on Santa Fe National Forest trails; keep them under control on the trail.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Rio Quemado Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and early summer are the best times to visit, as the waterfall is likely to have the most water flow during these seasons.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Watch for flash flood warnings during monsoon season (July through September). Check with Santa Fe National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
Visitors should be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall and be prepared for changing weather conditions. Carry a map or GPS device, as trails in the area may not be well-marked.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Truchas hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Rio Quemado Falls Frozen?
Updated about 8 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded 1 more freezing day forecast
Rio Quemado Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 52°F to 30°F. 1 freezing day are forecast, so ice may start to form.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 1 of the next 7
- Flow
- no gauge
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar measures about 257 feet of descent through Rio Quemado Falls, a steep tiered drop rather than a single free fall. That is more than the listed 60 feet because the gorge keeps dropping below the falls themselves. The brink sits at about 11,130 feet above sea level.
The whole reach is steep: about 81 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the falls and another 119 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face northwest and stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 11,130 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 257 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From Truchas, drive east on dirt roads (NM 75/Forest Road 639 for about 3 miles to a fork, then stay right) up the Rio Quemado valley on the north side of the creek to the trailhead on Forest Road 435. The road network is confusing and rough, and a high-clearance or 4WD vehicle is recommended. The Forest Service advises against reaching the trail through the Truchas Land Grant.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Park at the Rio Quemado trailhead at the end of the forest road. The area has a history of vehicle break-ins, so leave nothing of value in your car.
Elevation
11,135 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.983774° N, -105.652167° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Bring plenty of water, as the trail can be moderately challenging. Check weather conditions before your visit, as rain can make the trail slippery. Cell service may be limited in the area, so plan accordingly.
This trail sits at 11,135 ft — roughly 30% less oxygen than sea level
Extreme AltitudeAt this elevation, altitude sickness is a real concern. Monitor how you feel, take frequent rest breaks, and descend if symptoms worsen. Visitors arriving from lower elevations should allow time to acclimatize.
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Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen
UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.
Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)
Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.
Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets
You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.
ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses
High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.
Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)
Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.
Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex
Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.
Fingertip Pulse Oximeter
Monitor blood oxygen in real time — SpO2 commonly drops to 85–90% above 10,000 ft.
Where to Stay
Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder
Serenity
Rexies Place
Walkable Adobe-Style Abode w/ Community Amenities!
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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SANTA BARBARA CAMPGROUND
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Nearby Attractions
Rio Quemado Trail continues past the falls to the alpine cirque below the Truchas Peaks in the Pecos Wilderness. The village of Truchas sits on the High Road to Taos.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, birds, and small mammals. Visitors should be aware of the potential presence of bears and take appropriate precautions.
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