One of the countless attractions to Northern New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains, the Guadalupe River box canyon and Gilman tunnels should be on every lobo’s bucket list.  The tunnels themselves were part of the former Santa Fe Northwestern Railway through the canyon which was used to haul lumber from the Jemez Mountains, used in the early 1900s to haul lumber from the Jemez. The railway was eventually retired which allowed the tunnels to be converted into one of New Mexico’s most photogenic and interesting stretches of road. The tunnels and canyon have been the filming locations of several Holywood hits – between the beauty of the box canyon and the visual history the tunnels represent, it’s an iconic setting. So next time you’re headed on a weekend trip to the Jemez for some hiking or hot springs, stop by the tunnels en route, it’s well worth the detour.

The Gilman Tunnels