The Zuni Mountains near Pinehill, New Mexico rise to elevations of 8,000+ feet, creating a pine forest environment that contrasts sharply with the surrounding desert landscape. Summer temperatures typically remain 10-15 degrees cooler than lower elevations, with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 40s even during peak season. The volcanic geology of the region forms unusual landscapes with lava flows, extinct cinder cones, and sandstone formations within driving distance of most camping options.
What to do
Hiking at El Malpais National Monument: Just across from Lavaland RV Campgrounds, explore unusual volcanic landscapes with accessible trails ranging from 0.5-7 miles in length. "It's not scenic by any means but, it is close to Mal Pais National Monument (across the street) and the people that work here are super nice," notes a camper at Lavaland.
Mountain biking the Continental Divide Trail: Access sections of this famous long-distance route from Coal Mine Campground, where the trail passes directly through. "I ran into two mountain biker's here from Ireland that were riding the Continental Divide trail from The Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Montana. They were staying here since the Trail goes through here," shares one visitor.
Wildlife viewing in the Zuni Mountains: Quaking Aspen Campground serves as a base for spotting large mammals in their natural habitat. "We saw abundant wildlife while working in the Zunis, including several brown bears, deer, and elk. While we didn't have any run ins with these guy in camp, be aware that large animals are present in the area."
What campers like
Cooler temperatures: Coal Mine Campground sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, providing relief from summer heat. "Some trees, some spots have some shade, elevation ~7000' or so (estimate). Some spots had nice space for multiple tents/sun shades," notes a recent visitor.
Clean facilities: Despite being primitive camping options, many sites maintain well-kept bathrooms. At Coal Mine Campground, "Mens/womens restrooms look new, 2 of each, side by side," and at Quaking Aspen, visitors appreciate the "clean vault toilets, well maintained campground."
Spacious sites: Unlike cramped commercial campgrounds, the Forest Service sites offer ample space. "Small campground with massive campsites. This campground could easily squeeze double, if not triple, the sites out of these woods, but someone decided to let everyone breath a little here, and we should thank that someone," reports a Quaking Aspen camper.
What you should know
Limited connectivity: Cell service is spotty throughout the region. At Coal Mine Campground, expect "Sporadic 4g Verizon network (was VERY slow when it was up), sometimes no service."
Water availability: Most forest service campgrounds lack water sources. "PRIMITIVE campground with trails and fishing but NO WATER," warns a Quaking Aspen visitor, while another notes, "No water available, no hook-ups, no dump station" at Coal Mine.
Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds accept advance reservations while others don't. At USA RV Park in Gallup, reservations are recommended as it's "A heavily used campground," while at Quaking Aspen, one camper notes, "Friday night, late May, and we barely got the last spot. No reservations makes this gem a tricky quest when you're running a bit late."
Tips for camping with families
Choose glamping close to Pinehill, New Mexico for comfort: For families seeking more amenities, El Morro RV Park and Cabins offers comfortable options beyond basic camping. "The place has a very laid back vibe. The little cafe is fun and tasty. Decent clean shower house. Full camper hookups. It is just minutes from El Morro Nat'l Monument and close to Mal Pais Volcano flows," reports one visitor.
Consider delivery options: Some campgrounds allow food delivery, making meal planning easier. At USA RV Park, "We were able to get pizza delivered to our RV site which was a big hit with the kids."
Look for recreation amenities: Some parks offer additional activities for children. USA RV Park includes "a nice heated pool" and "a big dog park for the puppers to do their business," making it suitable for family stays.
Tips from RVers
Luxury camping options near Pinehill: For RVers seeking full amenities, several parks offer complete hookups. At USA RV Park, visitors appreciate that "They had all of the amenities I wanted, showers clean bathrooms, lots of pull through sites, and a pool. Just a mile off of I-40."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the volcanic terrain require leveling equipment. At Lavaland, campers note issues with "dirt and not level at all" sites, so bring appropriate leveling blocks.
Check for big rig accessibility: While many campgrounds accommodate RVs, size restrictions apply. At Coal Mine Campground, "Some pull through spots for smaller camping units. I would not recommend this campground for large RVs."
