Three Adventures You Have to Go On Near Santa Fe

Santa Fe is an incredibly beautiful place. Spanish architecture older than America, the mountains dwarfing the town like a skyline. But Sometimes even a small city like Santa Fe can get a little claustrophobic.

The area around Santa Fe is the most rugged and adventurous section of New Mexico's 121,000 square miles of land. Hot springs, ski slopes, and mountain trails are ripe for exploring. Why not get out there and get lost?

Here are three must do adventures near Santa Fe, New Mexico.

1. Jeep Tours

Let's start with one of the safest ways to adventure near New Mexico. Every year nearly 40 million people have to seek medical attention due to injuries. Why not avoid the possible injuries the wilderness might inflict and see the wild things from the comfort of a jeep?

Thousands of trails and dirt roads crisscross the New Mexico desert. Road runners, coyotes, mountain lions, gazelle are among the many animals you might see as you tumble across the landscape in your 4WD vehicle.

Santa Fe Jeep Tours offers 3, 4, and 6-hour tours. You could even glamp overnight and take a stargazing tour. Bring a guide or just rent a Jeep. It's up to you.

2. Rafting the Rio Grande

Or the Rio Chama. New Mexico's rivers are perfect for white water rafting. Here you can raft anything from a mild class II to a raucous class IV during high water.

Take a full day and ride along the Rio Grand Gorge. Take a lunch stop and laze by the river watching birds and other wildlife take advantage of the water. Then paddle through some rougher waters with your guide keeping you safe the entire way down.

You can take longer trips along the Rio Chama. New Mexico River Adventures offers a three-day adventure. See landscapes that inspired Georgia O'Keeffe and vistas featured in Ansel Adams' photos.

You'll ride about 10 miles a day and stop where you want. Food is included and the guides keep you well fed and warm. The guides are also knowledgeable in both the natural and cultural history of the area.

3. Hot Springs Hikes

If you're the kind of person who likes to adventure solo, then a hot springs hike might be your thing. The Sangre De Cristos are volcanic in their origin and still today they heat hot springs around the area.

Most of the hot springs in New Mexico are free to use if you can find them. The ones that are worth finding are at the end of a trail somewhere.

The Santa Fe National Forest features two decent hikes that terminate in hot springs. The McCauley Hot Springs sits about 3.5 miles back. It features a waterfall and the hike itself is moderate with 800 feet of climb.

If you're looking for an even more mild hike, check out Spence Hot Springs. The trail is only .5 miles and only climbs 120 feet. It's near the Jemez Pueblo and easy for children and adults alike.