The Pecos area is situated at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, creating distinct camping seasons and cooler temperatures even in summer months. Forest roads accessing several campgrounds can be challenging, particularly after rain or snow melt. Camping options include established sites with vault toilets and dispersed camping along forest roads.
What to do
Creek fishing opportunities: Holy Ghost Campground provides direct access to productive fishing spots along the Pecos River. "Amazing campground right next to the Pecos river! Get there early, Friday or even Thursday, it does get filled fast. Beautiful hiking trail nearby. No water though, but toilets are clean and campgrounds are nice," notes one Holy Ghost Campground visitor.
Hiking trail access: Multiple trailheads connect to extensive wilderness trails from campgrounds in the area. "Great place in a beautiful wooded hillside southwest of Santa Fe about 15 mins or so. They have a pool, a small dog park and a great little hiking trail with good views of the surrounding mountains," shares a camper at Rancheros de Santa Fe.
Waterfall exploration: Several campgrounds feature short waterfall hikes accessible directly from campsites. "The waterfall trail was beautiful, the vault toilet was clean, the views were incredible. Very peaceful," notes a visitor at Hyde Memorial State Park.
What campers like
Secluded forest sites: Glamping in Pecos National Forest offers seclusion without being too far from amenities. A visitor to Iron Gate Campground shares: "We camp here as often as possible! Often we use it as a base camp to start over night backpacking trips in the Pecos. It's tucked away, so there are usually few other campers."
River proximity: Campsites along waterways provide natural white noise and recreation. "We had lots of fun in the creek and hiking the trails," notes a camper at Villanueva State Park Campground.
Stargazing conditions: The remote location creates excellent night sky viewing opportunities. "Every worry/fear/anxiety I had about this trip diminished along with day to day life crap. I've never felt so at peace. The sites were so clean, vaulted toilets clean. And the hikes.. was it even real??" shares a visitor to Aspen Basin Campground.
What you should know
Site availability challenges: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak season from June to August. "There were a lot more spots to camp (with a tent) than they advertise!" notes one visitor about Holy Ghost Group Area.
Road conditions: Forest service roads require careful driving and sometimes 4WD capability. "Worst road ever! So many holes and large bumps that you will bottom out your vehicle - forget about a RV," warns one camper about Holy Ghost Group Area.
Limited services: Many campgrounds lack potable water sources and electrical hookups. "No water or showers available. It is a very beautiful place, with a lot to see and explore," comments a visitor to Holy Ghost Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds feature play areas for younger campers. "This is a great little state park with nice hikes, friendly staff and great fishing. Our kids loved the playground and we enjoyed how quiet and beautiful the area is," shares a visitor to Villanueva State Park.
Sheltered sites: Look for campgrounds with covered picnic areas for protection from afternoon storms. "The adobe picnic shelters were wonderful. No phone signals in the park, but hiking up to the mesa will catch you a decent number of bars (as joyfully discovered by my teen)," notes another Villanueva camper.
Wildlife awareness: Keep food secured against local wildlife. "While this campsite is not particularly visited by bears, etc., please be advised to keep your food OUT OF your tent. The squirrels and chipmunks are particularly good at finding food and did cut a hole through our neighbors tent to get to it!" warns a family at Villanueva.
Tips from RVers
Site access limitations: Many forest campgrounds have tight access roads unsuitable for larger rigs. "We had to navigate through old Santa Fe to get to the entrance to the park. Narrow streets+a big 5th wheel+a huge F250= unfun drive which took well over an hour to get through just a few miles of roads," cautions an RV camper at Hyde Memorial State Park Campground.
Electric hookup options: Only select campgrounds offer electrical connections. "The spaces are fairly close together, but the property is hilly and treesy affording us some privacy. If you have a big rig or tow a car, you can drive around the loop instead of trying to make the turn to go back out by the front of the office," advises an RVer at Rancheros de Santa Fe.
Leveling requirements: RV sites often require significant leveling equipment. "Site was good, could have used leveling and more gravel (some sites better than ours). Privacy was good with trees and bushes between sites," notes a visitor to Rancheros de Santa Fe.
