Guides/Overland routes/New Mexico
Overland route23 mi3,200 ft gaindifficulty: easy

Forest Road 376 (Jemez to Gilman Tunnels)

RegionNew MexicoAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Forest Road 376 (Jemez to Gilman Tunnels) — overland route near Jemez Springs, New Mexico, New Mexico
Photo by Skarz, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trail vitals7 facts
Length
23mi
Elev gain
3,200ft
Technical difficulty
Easy
Direction
Point to point
Vehicle
High-clearance recommended; the road is graded gravel suitable for most 2WD vehicles in dry conditions. Wet weather can rut the upper sections.
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Cell coverage
Spotty. Service drops in the canyon and partially returns at higher elevations.
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Forest Road 376 is a 23-mile dirt route on Santa Fe National Forest's Jemez Ranger District that follows the Rio Guadalupe through the Gilman Tunnels and climbs into the high meadows below San Antonio Mountain. The road begins on NM 485 north of Jemez Pueblo, threads three tunnels blasted in 1922 for the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway, and continues north through aspen and ponderosa to its terminus at the San Antonio Hot Springs Trailhead near NM 126.

The road is graded for two-wheel-drive access most of the year, but the Forest Service implements a seasonal closure on the upper section to protect wildlife from late winter through early summer. Outside the closure window, most drivers run it as a one-way route between NM 485 and NM 126, taking three to four hours with stops at the tunnels and the swimming holes along the Rio Guadalupe.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Seasonal closure. The upper section closes annually from approximately March 3 through July 1 for wildlife protection. Confirm dates before driving.
  • One-lane tunnels. The Gilman Tunnels are short, dark, and single-lane. Slow before entering and watch for oncoming vehicles.
  • Wet-weather ruts. Monsoon rains can rut the upper sections. Drive cautiously after storms.
  • Riparian erosion. Camping pressure on the Rio Guadalupe has damaged the bank in places. Camp away from the water.
  • Cell service gaps. Carry an offline map.
  • Fire restrictions. Common in summer. Check current status with the ranger district.

Location

23 mi · Overland route

Approx. location 35.755, -106.771

Trail facts

5 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townJemez Springs, New Mexico
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r03/santafe
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Approx. location35.755, -106.771

Getting there

Directions

From the south (NM 485). From San Ysidro on US 550, drive north on NM 4 to Jemez Pueblo, then north on NM 485. The pavement ends at the Gilman Tunnels access. FR 376 continues north from the tunnels.

From the north (NM 126). From Cuba on US 550, drive east on NM 126 toward Fenton Lake. FR 376 turns south off NM 126 west of the lake (when the seasonal closure is open).

Photos

2 photos

Photos · 2

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The Jemez Mountains form a volcanic dome west of Los Alamos, with the Valles Caldera at the center and the Rio Guadalupe and Jemez River draining the western slope. Santa Fe National Forest's Jemez Ranger District (575-829-3535) manages the road. The Gilman Tunnels are roughly 25 miles north of San Ysidro and 6 miles north of Jemez Pueblo on NM 485.

Trail Overview

The road runs 23 miles end to end. The southern half follows the Rio Guadalupe through a canyon with three short railway tunnels (the Gilman Tunnels) blasted for the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway in 1922. The route then climbs out of the canyon, gains roughly 3,200 feet to its terminus near San Antonio Hot Springs Trailhead, and meets NM 126 (the unpaved highway that crosses the western Jemez to Cuba).

Surface is graded dirt and packed gravel, suitable for two-wheel-drive in dry conditions. Heavy monsoon rains can rut the upper sections. The Forest Service closes the upper road from approximately March 3 through July 1 each year for wildlife protection, including the segment from NM 126 north to the San Antonio Hot Springs Trailhead. Always confirm the current closure with the Jemez Ranger District before driving.

Points of Interest

  • Gilman Tunnels. Three short tunnels blasted through volcanic rock in 1922 for the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway. The road still threads them on the original alignment.
  • Rio Guadalupe. A small clear-water stream alongside the lower road, with deep pools that draw summer swimmers and trout fishers.
  • San Antonio Hot Springs. A primitive hot-springs site reachable by foot from the upper road, on the south slope of San Antonio Mountain. The 6-mile round-trip foot trail starts where the road closes.
  • Stable Mesa. A volcanic mesa visible to the east, with the Jemez fault system running along its base.

Where to Camp

Dispersed camping is allowed on Santa Fe NF land along the road with the standard 14-day stay limit. Several pull-offs along the Rio Guadalupe see heavy use and should be avoided in favor of less-impacted sites further from the water. Developed USFS sites in the area include San Antonio Campground (off NM 126) and Redondo Campground (off NM 4 in the Valles Caldera vicinity).

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Check the seasonal closure. The upper road closes annually from approximately March 3 through July 1 for wildlife protection. The Jemez Ranger District (575-829-3535) confirms current dates.
  • Drive slowly through the tunnels. They are short, single-lane, and unlit; oncoming vehicles are not visible until the entrance.
  • Avoid camping directly on the river. Heavy use has eroded riparian sites; better dispersed sites sit further up the slope.
  • Hot springs are foot access only from the road's upper end. The 3-mile one-way trail leaves from the closure gate.
  • Carry a printed map. Cell service drops in the canyon.
  • Fire restrictions are common in summer. Check the Jemez Ranger District for current fire status before camping.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Forest Road 376 (Jemez to Gilman Tunnels)?
Forest Road 376 (Jemez to Gilman Tunnels) is rated easy. The route runs 23 miles with 3,200 feet of elevation gain.
What kind of vehicle do you need for Forest Road 376 (Jemez to Gilman Tunnels)?
High-clearance recommended; the road is graded gravel suitable for most 2WD vehicles in dry conditions. Wet weather can rut the upper sections.
When is the best time to visit Forest Road 376 (Jemez to Gilman Tunnels)?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Is there cell service at Forest Road 376 (Jemez to Gilman Tunnels)?
Spotty. Service drops in the canyon and partially returns at higher elevations.