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Census-designated place in New Mexico, United States
Photo: Bill Johnson, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Los Alamos is a small town in northern New Mexico, about an hour northwest of Santa Fe. Its claim to fame is the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), where Oppenheimer and other physicists created the world's first atomic bomb during World War II, concluding the Golden Age of Modern Physics and heralding the Atomic Age. Many of Los Alamos's 12,000 residents work at the laboratory. White Rock, with about 6,000, is a part of Los Alamos, but is separated from the main town by LANL. Nearly all of LANL is closed to the public, but the town has a couple of museums which are good places to learn about the history of the town.
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Explains the principles behind atomic energy and its uses in peace and war. Also presents the historical and social issues surrounding atomic energy.
A small museum on the history of the area, with associated bookstore containing a number of books written by Historical Society members on local culture, history, recreational opportunities, etc., including the one listed below under "References."
An art gallery with regularly changing exhibits, held in an old timber-framed lodge that was once the main building for the Los Alamos Ranch School, before becoming a gathering place for scientists during the Manhattan Project. The art center promotes the development of local and regional artists, and provides art classes and hosts arts & crafts fairs in August on the weekend of the Los Alamos Rodeo, and another in late October. The art center also operates a gift shop that specializes in handmade artworks including jewelry, picture postcards, paintings, ceramics and more.
A nature center that offers exhibits on local amphibians, birds, butterflies, fossils, energy and more. Local critters and demonstration gardens are on display, with friendly volunteers and books to purchase on the local flora, fauna and trails written by local experts. The center is also connected to the regional trail system, with trails leading down into the canyon behind the center.
Contains athletic fields and a wheelchair-accessible scenic overlook of White Rock Canyon, the Rio Grande, and the mountainous country to the east, with a moderately rugged trail leading into the canyon. Pleasant for picnics, particularly in the fall; White Rock's lower elevation compared to Los Alamos proper means that it can be hot in the summer.
Contains many Pueblo dwelling ruins to visit and other hiking opportunities. Don't forget to visit the separate Tsankawi unit of Bandelier, which is equally fascinating, but less visited. The latest hike to be opened at Bandelier is the Cerro Grande hike that rises up to the rim of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The hike climbs 900 feet through beautiful forest and meadow and provides spectacular views of the surrounding area for miles around.
A unit of the national park system in the Jemez Mountains. Recreational opportunities at the Preserve are still being developed; inquire locally. When driving up to the Jemez Mountains from Los Alamos on HWY 501/W. Jemez Rd., you will encounter what is locally known as "Bodman's Blocked Colon," a kink in the road with a "toll booth" like structure that provides security for the Los Alamos National Laboratory . Do not fear proceeding through the security entrance as it is open to the public unless security warning levels rise to most extreme levels. You will be able to continue on 501 unhindered; no stop is required under normal security conditions. How many places can you go and drive through a high security National Nuclear Research Laboratory site?
A very good and surprisingly challenging downhill ski area. Snow conditions can be marginal (indeed, during the drought years at the end of the 20th century, there were seasons when the area didn't open for months, or even at all), but when the snow is good, it's excellent value for dollar, with very small crowds. Rentals are available and a good lunch can be had. Cross-country ski trails are accessible from the same parking lot as services the downhill area; however, snow conditions are more likely to be marginal or not skiable than on the higher downhill runs. The area often runs its lifts during the summer to allow hikers, mountain bikers, etc., access to the top of the mountain. Camp May is a county park just beyond the ski area that is nice for picnics during the height of early summer heat, but skip it if you're prone to respiratory problems, as it's at very high altitude.
Los Alamos County boasts 58 miles of pedestrian/bicycle/equestrian trails through town and connecting to hundreds of miles of cross-country trails in the surrounding Santa Fe National Forest. Trails west and north of townsite were damaged severely by tree falls and erosion after the catastrophic Cerro Grande forest fire in 2000, but thanks to the hard work of many volunteers, trail damage has been repaired. Since 2006, each spring a 50-mile ultramarathon foot race has been held on these trails. A pleasant (at least until summer heat sets in) set of connecting trails lead into White Rock Canyon from several points around White Rock, they are known as the Red Dot & Blue Dot trails. Beware of rattlesnakes in White Rock Canyon. A good resource for mountain bike riding is the local mountain biking club, The Tuff Riders who know the area inside and out and are always willing to provide information. Free maps are available at the Visitors Center; other maps can be purchased at Otowi Station Bookstore beside the Bradbury Museum and Mesa Public Library has a complete collection of USGS topographic maps of New Mexico.
Soak in the hot therapy pool or swim in the indoor swimming pool. On Wacky Wednesdays, Freaky Fridays, and Warm Water Weekends, the aquatic center has special recreational programs featuring pool toys and floating obstacle course. The therapy pool water is cholorinated; to soak without chorine travel to one of the undeveloped hot springs on the mountain above town, to developed hot springs in Jemez Springs or Ojo Caliente, or to Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe.
An exceptional golfing experience at an altitude of 7,400 ft. Operated by the Los Alamos County Recreation Division the golf course offers a full driving range, passes and daily fees, carts, a full concession, and is able to host any and all tournaments.
A seasonal outdoor NHL regulation size ice skating facility. Operated by the Los Alamos County Recreation Division the Rink offers youth and adult hockey, public skating, skating lessons, holiday events, and a full concession stand.
On the second weekend of August (Friday-Sunday), Los Alamos holds its annual festival, fair and rodeo. Musical and rodeo events happen each day. On Saturday, an arts & crafts fair can be found on the east lawn of Fuller Lodge, sponsored by the Art Center at Fuller Lodge. A hometown parade goes down Central Avenue on Saturday.
Check this calendar for current or future events.
Founded in 1952 the club is devoted to Mountain Climbing, Hiking, Travel and Hut Trips. The Mountaineers' monthly meetings are at Fuller Lodge generally on the third Wednesday of every month, at 7:30PM. The meetings provide information on recent club trips and on new trips coming up on the schedule. They also feature a slide show program on an outdoor activity by club members or invited speakers. Members of the public are welcome to attend these meetings. The Mountaineers run a top notch climbing school program each spring. If you are looking for climbs in the region, these are the folks to contact.
A non-profit community-based recreation club which owns and operates the Pajarito Mountain Ski Area of Los Alamos.
Based in Los Alamos, they hold Orienteering Meets regularly from March to October. Winter meets are occasionally held.
Provides instruction and a place to safely enjoy all shooting activities.
A multisport and triathlon club. Organizers of the Atomic Man Duathlon which is held the last Sunday in April.
A county-run recreation division that offers a world class Aquatic Center, outdoor regulation NHL size ice skating rink, and a competitive golf course. Additionally the Los Alamos County Recreation Division hosts the longest continuously running triathlon the Los Alamos Triathlon held the third Saturday in August. They also host the Los Alamos Kids Triathlon held the third Sunday in August.
Encourage and participate in responsible mountain biking while working to preserve access to recreational trails. Don't let the name fool you, they welcome all new members, including beginners. If you're trying to get a handle on the regions plethora of mountain biking trails, these are the folks to talk to.
A grassroots effort to create a system of interconnected trails around the rim of the Valles Caldera National Preserve.
Or "Friends of the Valles Caldera", it is devoted to supporting the Valles Caldera National Preserve through fundraising and volunteer programs. The group is preparing for an environmental restoration project on the Preserve as well as other projects. Activities and outings into the Valles Caldera are scheduled periodically.
The organization fosters active citizen participation in the restoration, protection, and appreciation of the Valles Caldera National Preserve, for the long-term benefit of the place, the American public, and visitors from around the world. The group keeps its membership appraised of any proposed activities and action of the Valles Caldera Trust Board and provides opportunities for input into the public decision making processes of the Trust, including those based on National Environmental Policy Act (or NEPA) process activities.
Devoted to long distance running. The following events are planned: Jemez Mountain Trail Runs 50 mi, 50 km, Half-marathon on May 25, 2013, the Pajarito Trail Runs Festival TBA 2013, Run the Caldera! (in the Valles Caldera National Preserve) date TBA 2013.
The purpose of the club is to encourage involvement in recreational and racing cross country skiing. They accomplish this by holding clinics and races, maintaining a trail system, and providing information on the XC ski scene in Northern New Mexico.
A non-profit organization that presents five concerts per season in the Duane Smith Auditorium on the Los Alamos High School campus.
A wind ensemble made up of members of the Los Alamos community. They are comprised of both amateur and professional musicians of all ages and backgrounds from middle and high school students to retirees in our area.
Frequent hiking opportunities can be found on their calendar.
A citizens' group supporting pedestrian safety, accessibility, convenience, and comfort throughout the community.
The Pajarito Environmental Education Center offers classes for all ages, books, local & regional hiking maps, activities, lectures, events and more. If caring for the environment is your thing, this is the place for you.
Launch rockets 3rd Sunday each month except December.
Hold public observing sessions (Dark Nights), where you can observe selected solar-system objects, colorful double stars, galaxies, gaseous nebulae, open star clusters, and globular star clusters.
Gives you the run down on recreation and sports related activities in the area.
Holds car races year round in White Rock.
A take-out joint that looks like (indeed, used to be) an old used-car lot. Open for breakfast and lunch only, closed on Sunday and Monday. Lunches respectable, and the breakfast burritos are excellent; you'll have to wait in line with commuters and students heading for high school who flock here to start their days. Although it's mainly take-out, a few outside tables are available.
Standard New Mexican fare in a busy diner-like setting, run by a long-standing Los Alamos restaurateur family. Very good service with very fast turnaround. Excellent breakfast, good enchiladas and sopapillas. Open for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Saturday.
Bagels, bagel sandwiches, soups, salads, breakfast bagels, coffee, smoothies and other goodies. Indoor/outdoor seating. Very tasty! Open early serving breakfast and lunch till mid afternoon.
Tasty tamales and tacos, regular & breakfast burritos, chips & salsa, green chile stew and other Mexican fast food dishes. A Lab lunchtime favorite.
This tiny hole-in-the-wall sushi bar offers some of the best sushi in the state, the fish always remarkably fresh (considering it is 1000 miles inland) and expertly prepared. Located in the same out-of-the-way strip mall as Bob's BBQ, above. Open M-F for lunch and dinner. Seating is scarce and that the hours for this mom-and-pop operation can be rather arbitrary, particularly for dinner: they close as soon as the day's ration of fish and rice is exhausted, which often can be as early as 6:45PM, so go early.
One of several surprisingly good Chinese restaurants in town. This one is subpar for dinner, but the lunch buffet (open M-F) is very good value for dollar. Come here for lunch, but for dinner, instead try
The best Chinese dinners in town, with pleasant service. The various clay-pot dishes are excellent. Take-out is available. So-so for lunch (M-F), but strongly recommended for dinner (7 days).
The only eating place on the "Laboratory," as opposed to "town," side of the bridge separating LANL from the community (other than the lab's own cafeteria, where the public is only grudgingly accepted), and hence convenient if you're driving into the mountains, although parking is a headache. A reasonable mixed bag of lunches, again with edible quiche, but usually very busy as it serves the LANL workforce. Breakfast and lunch M-F only.
Excellent sushi and other dishes.
Spin-off of a Santa Fe restaurant with the same name; slightly more formal atmosphere but similar menu of Greek and Mediterranean choices.
American-meets-Continental fare with some creativity. Lunch M-F, dinner M-Saturday. Decor is unique, homey and eclectic, with great pieces of Santa Fe inspired artwork adorning every wall. The Pork Adobo and Fillet Mignon are outstanding. Plan to relax (you'll have to for dinner whether you intend it or not, as service then can be glacially slow) and stay for the dessert, which is out of this world.
The national forest has primitive camping. The forest is big, the people are few, and the campsites are great. Explore back on the dirt roads until you find a fire ring. Seasonal closures due to fire hazard are common (see under "Stay safe"). Call for information on current closures/restrictions. Horses are welcome.
An undeveloped campground. Horses are welcome here and at the transient pens at the County Rodeo Ground on North Mesa. At both locations, permits are required for any overnight use. Closed in winter.
There are two campgrounds: Juniper Campground, catering to families and small groups, and Ponderosa Campground, which serves large groups (by reservation).
An interesting "local color" business. It doubles as a second-hand store and repository for the townsfolk's odds and ends, some of them very odd indeed. Proceeds from sales support a group home for girls from difficult domestic environments.
By bus
Los Alamos is served by public commuter bus and commercial shuttle from several other cities in northern New Mexico.
By bike
If you don't want to make the 2000-foot climb from the Rio Grande up the "big hill", you can hitch a ride on the commuter coach buses that serve Los Alamos.
By horse
Horse friendly trails abound in and around Los Alamos. Travel through Santa Clara Pueblo requires a permit; the permit is easy to obtain but must be obtained in advance.
By plane
Los Alamos has a municipal airport, with daily service to Albuquerque via Boutique Air.
The downtown area is compact, and the museums and most restaurants are within easy walking distance of the main hotels and many of the B&Bs.
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