Jack's Creek Campground

This is our second time visiting Jack's Creek in a 6 year span.
Let's start with the perks: it's gorgeous. Towering ponderosa pines, spruces and aspen trees, with ample meadow spaces. The camp sites are large and not crammed together. It's remote (I'm counting that as a perk) and really off the grid - there is no cell service whatsoever here. It's peaceful for the most part: hummingbird's galore, deer meandering through camp, birds to watch and a night sky that is lovely and awe inspiring.  Please, for the love, do not feed the stupid chipmunks - they are not afraid of people and it shows.

The downsides: the road is one lane in some places getting up there. Please everyone just slow down and use good sense (i.e. do not crowd someone's tail going up or down the road.)
There is no longer any potable drinking water at Jack's Creek. Haul your own in. I heard other campers lamenting this...but it's just a fact of life that drilling and maintaining a well at nearly 9K feet above sea level is an arduous task.
Another downside: no camp host this time around...means no one to help remind other's of the rules. For example: a dog off leash who was a tad aggressive, running through other sites  - I did NOT want to turn my back to that mutt. And a generator that didn't shut off until 10:30pm at night. But all in all, the pros out weigh the cons for this gem of a spot in New Mexico.

If you are caravaning with two vehicles...or have a small pop up with vehicle and don't mind paying for 2 spots - we absolutely love the 35/36 site shared spot. No one to the South, and the tall trees provide shade for your tent in the morning or chairs in the heat of the afternoon, to the west. Snag it if you can, but note it will not work if you are towing a large 5th wheel.

No electric, no water, sites are in need of work .... but it's beautiful and quiet. Road has 100's of pot holes and very narrow. Bring your trout fishing equipment and go the the Monestary Lake.

This first-come, first served National Forest Service campground has three areas, not including the group area. One area is for horse campers and is right next to the trails that enter into the Pecos Wilderness. Finally, there are lower and upper camping loops. The campground is at the end of the road of the canyon and is up a fairly steep, narrow road. However, it is paved and in fairly good shape and should be passable for most RV’s. Many of the sites are shorter and many of the sites are far from level, so not really a campground suitable for very large RV’s. Several of the sites are set up as double sites for two RV’s. It is a beautiful campground with views of the high peaks in the Pecos Wilderness set among evergreen and aspen trees. At this elevation of around 9,000 feet, it is cooler even on the hottest summer days. There are very clean pit toilets and garbage receptacles, and there are picnic tables and fire rings at each site. There is no potable water and no dump station, nor is there water or a dump anywhere close by, so plan accordingly. There were very polite, helpful and diligent camp hosts during our stay. Since it is non-reservable, plan on getting there early as most sites are taken on the weekend with its proximity to Albuquerque and Santa Fe.