Map showing campground location near Quemado, New Mexico

El Caso

Within Apache National Forest, El Caso operates as a US Forest Service campground that sits past Quemado Lake with notably large, well-spaced campsites. The campground divides into five distinct camping areas, with dirt pad surfaces and scattered Ponderosa pine coverage providing some shade. Sites accommodate RVs up to 35 feet, though the campground lacks numbered sites and operates on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The facility provides vault toilets and large fire rings, but campers should pack their own toilet paper and picnic tables. No potable water is available on-site, and the dump station requires a trip to nearby Piñon Campground with a $5 fee. "Most sites I noticed were trashy," notes Roger W., indicating campers may need to clean up upon arrival. The campground tends to stay relatively uncrowded even during peak weekends.

A gravel access road runs alongside the campground, potentially creating dust during dry periods for sites positioned near this route. Cell service is limited, and generators are permitted. Several hiking trails branch out from the area, with a creek meandering through meadows toward the lake below.

For campers wanting developed amenities, Piñon Campground offers additional services nearby.

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Location

Public Campground

El Caso is located in New Mexico

Coordinates

34.13800079 N
108.47100067 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile
No Coverage
Verizon
No Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Firewood Available
Drinking Water
Toilets
Pets

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 36 min from Albuquerque, NM
3 hrs 25 min from Santa Fe, NM
3 hrs 53 min from Farmington, NM
4 hrs 3 min from Las Cruces, NM

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

4.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted the spacious, well-spaced sites under ponderosa pines with excellent privacy and peaceful atmosphere. Basic facilities include vault toilets and fire rings, though cleanliness varies.

Roger W.

Legend

Reviewed May. 4, 2024

Only CG at Rec Area Open in April

El Casi CG in Rec Area: Past the lake with large campsites. This is the only campground open in the rec area during our April visit.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

Overall Rating: 4 for large sites. However, our site was trashy . Toilets are only moderately clean. Warnings are posted that no OHV allowed . A large group has camped at one end of the campground using Senegal sites. . Looks like it works out well. Price 2023: Free Security: None Usage during visit: 1/4 full Site Privacy: No Site Spacing: Large sites, well spaced. Pad surface: dirt SITE CLEANLINESS: most sites I noticed were trashy. We needed to pick up trash at our site upon arrival. Reservations: First come first serve Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: Gravel access road along side of the campground. Some sites near this access road may get a little dusty, I suppose, during dryer times of the year Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: At Pynon campground, which is not open until May. Charge for dog thing is going up for five dollars to $15 in. Potable Water Available: not at the campground. Generators: yes Bathroom: pit toilets. Not as clean as they should be. Supplied. Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes Cell Service (AT&T): no Setting: under scattered trees. Recent Weather: very cool nights Solar: yes Insects: no Host: no Rig Size: any size Sites: sites are not numbered

SiteSites not numbered

Month of VisitApril

(9) View All

Brad P.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 23, 2023

Great spring time camping.

There are 5 camping areas within this campground. We stayed in the 4th area and were the only campers. This area had two sites that could accommodate a travel trailer or motorhome. There are also two tent camping sites within this area. There is a toilet which was clean but not well stocked. Make sure to bring toilet paper. There is a dump and water station a mile away. 5.00 charge to dump. Quemado Lake is a short drive down the mountain. Several hiking trails in the area.

SiteCamp 4

Month of VisitMarch

(4) View All

Santino

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 19, 2021

El Caso 2…Don’t mind if I do!

Love this site. We end up here a few times a year. This was a special occasion to celebrate life and enjoy family. It was spring break and we drove through a blizzard to find ourselves under clear skies at Quemado Lake. El Caso camp ground is a few miles into the canyon. The camp sites are spread out well, and the roads and trails are solid. The weather caught up to us and we had about four to five inches of snow fall on us overnight. It was beautiful. The slash-pit had plenty of wood to burn, and we were the only fools in the snow and on the lake. It was perfect.

Site2

Month of VisitMarch

(4) View All

Travis D.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 22, 2017

Worth Being Further From The Lake

This is a pretty sweet spot. Great little meadows between camp areas under Ponderosa pines. There is a vault toilet and big camp fire rings but no picnic tables. I'm not sure if it's the lack of picnic tables or the distance from the lake but there were very few people here on a beautiful weekend in mid May. We hiked towards the lake right from camp and it was gorgeous - a little creek meandering through trees and meadows. Skip the developed campgrounds near the lake a stay here for a bit more peace.

SiteWe stayed at the first spot on the right as you drive in - they are not numbered.

Month of VisitMay