Gilman Tunnels

The Gilman Tunnels are two historic tunnels carved directly through the rocky walls of Guadalupe Canyon in the Jemez Mountains.

Built in the 1920s for the Santa Fe Northwestern Railway, the tunnels once allowed trains to haul timber out of the mountains. After the railroad disappeared, the old rail route was converted into a road that can still be driven today.

Visiting the Gilman Tunnels

The drive to the tunnels follows the Rio Guadalupe through an increasingly narrow canyon before passing directly through the two openings.

Both tunnels are narrow and single-lane, so watch for approaching vehicles before entering. Small pullouts around the area provide opportunities to stop and take in the steep cliffs of the Guadalupe Box. There is a small spring that can be visited with a short scramble down the rocks to the canyon floor.

Beyond the tunnels, Forest Road 376 continues 20 miles into the Jemez Mountains before terminating around Fenton Lake. Conditions and seasonal closures can affect this portion of the road, so check current Forest Service conditions before continuing.