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Camping

Established Camping

Agua Piedra Campground

Agua Piedra Campground, near Tres Ritos, New Mexico, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. Set within the beautiful Carson National Forest, this campground offers a peaceful retreat with stunning views and a serene atmosphere.

The campground features spacious sites that allow for tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, making it versatile for different camping styles. Visitors rave about the nearby creek, which is easily accessible and perfect for relaxing or fishing. As one camper put it, “The creek is very close and accessible, which is probably the highlight.”

For those who enjoy hiking, there are trails leading into the Pecos Wilderness right from the campground. You can also find a historic cabin and picnic tables scattered throughout the area, providing great spots for meals or just soaking in the scenery. While the facilities include clean pit toilets, some campers recommend bringing your own water due to the sulfur smell of the onsite supply.

If you’re looking for a quiet escape, this campground is a great choice. It’s remote enough to feel like you’re truly in the wilderness, yet close enough to Sipapu Ski Resort for a quick bite or a Wi-Fi fix. Whether you’re stargazing at night or enjoying the vibrant fall colors, Agua Piedra Campground is a place where you can unwind and connect with nature.

Description

National Forest

Carson National Forest

Overview

Agua Piedra, located in the Carson National Forest, is nestled near the Rio Pueblo and Agua Piedra Creek. The campground contains many shaded areas to camp, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

Recreation

Visitors to the Agua Piedra campground and group shelters can also enjoy fishing in the Rio Pueblo River, which is a tributary of the mighty Rio Grande. The river is stocked with rainbow trout and there is a small pier in the day use area.Hiking to Serpent Lake and Cordova Canyon, which are both within seven miles of the campground and group shelters, are also favorite activities for visitors. Also popular is further exploration of points of interest in the Pecos Wilderness, as well as within the Sangre De Cristos Mountains, the southernmost Rocky Mountain range.

Natural Features

Agua Piedra campground and group shelters are located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,100 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

Nearby Attractions

Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco is within 3 - 17 miles from the campground and group shelter. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.

Fee Info

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Location

Agua Piedra Campground is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Las Vegas, New Mexico, take State Highway 518 approximately 51 miles to the Agua Piera Campground. From Penasco, New Mexico, travel east on State Route 75 about 5 miles, to an intersection. Turn right, onto State Route 518 (unmarked) and continue about 7 miles to campground entrance. From Taos, head south on NM-68. Turn Left onto NM-518 and stay on it for 23 miles. Agua Piedra Campground will be on your right.

Address

5012 State Hwy 518
Tres Ritos, NM 87579

Coordinates

36.1352778 N
105.5291667 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Fair
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Cabins
  • Equestrian

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time


Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

9 Reviews

Reviewed Jan. 17, 2021

One of my favorite spots in NM

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS :) beautiful scenery and very clean! i liked the set up of the camp ground, very spacious but still felt like a nice community. 10/10 must see.

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2020

A really nice spot

We enjoyed our weekend. The creek is very close and accessible, which is probably the highlight. There are plenty of hammock and shade trees. Sipapu resort is very close, so I was able to take my kid for a break from camping to get some “real food” ;) at the cafe. The pit toilets were really clean. My kid mentioned that specifically.

The negatives: Our site was really close to another site, which was not awesome. I prefer campgrounds where the sites are a bit farther apart. The road was not well maintained, but it wasn’t really a problem.

Reviewed Aug. 12, 2020

Did not Disappoint

Overall the campsite was great. I think we saw the host but maybe not, however, everything was still very well maintained. At night, when everyone is settling, with a clear sky, you get an amazing view of the stars. The only downside is that you can kind of hear the road traffic in the morning. Not too bad but it’s noticeable. I’ll be coming back for sure though.

  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Marcela R., August 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Marcela R., August 12, 2020
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Marcela R., August 12, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 10, 2020

Enjoy hiking , camping look nice

just went hiking in the surrounding area. But drove around and looked at the campsite looks like a nice place to go camping definitely willing to try it.

  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Shanna B., August 10, 2020
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Shanna B., August 10, 2020
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Shanna B., August 10, 2020
Reviewed Jul. 26, 2020

Beautiful location, in the forest, my new favorite!

This campground is a hidden jewel in the mountains on the north end of the Pecos Wilderness.  It is near NOTHING.  It has no cell/wifi service.  BUT what it does have is quiet, and peacefulness, and charm, and views views views.  It is just what WE want when we go camping.

You can drive 10 minutes away to Sipapu ski resort to use free wifi at the cafe (which is open, but you must wear a mask!)  So if you really must check your e-mail or social media, it is a quick drive and you can grab a burger and beer.

Hiking - great hiking trail leads into Pecos wilderness, another trail leads up to Indian lake.  Trailhead is right in the campground, so hike right from your campsite.  Perfect.

The campground has only Pit toilets, and roads have some potholes...  but we enjoyed our visit so much this past June that we just booked again for Labor Day weekend.  We liked it that much.  You really feel remote and IN nature there.  Loved it.

Site#28
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Robin T., July 26, 2020
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Robin T., July 26, 2020
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Robin T., July 26, 2020
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2019

Great Northern New Mexico Camp

We stayed at this site on the way back to Texas from our Colorado trip this summer. This is a great National Forest Campground south of Taos in the Carson Forest. The campground is just off the highway and situated in a beautiful mountain pine forest and next to a great trout stream. You have great shade during the hotter summer months. It’s far enough away from the highway that you don’t hear the traffic. It has a huge meadow and group camp site which look fantastic. The individual sites have some privacy between the sites and come equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. We made a reservation but the camp had a number of open sites in the peak summer season. The highlight here is the proximity of great hiking to nearby lakes and fishing in the trout stream. They had great facilities including clean pit toilets and some historic log cabins. They have a camp host and the sites accommodate tents and smaller vans and campers. I would give this another visit on our next trip to NM.

  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Steve & Ashley  G., August 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Steve & Ashley  G., August 16, 2019
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Steve & Ashley  G., August 16, 2019
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2019

Quiet at 8000’

Tent camped at this location in the middle of September (a week before closing). Very beautiful place to watch the leaves change, trailheads close by and picnic tables at each site. The site didn’t have an actual tent pad but we easily found a spot to pitch a tent. Will definitely be back!

  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Megan  E., August 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Megan  E., August 4, 2019
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Megan  E., August 4, 2019
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2018

Beautiful group camping!

Great spot for group camping of 20-40 campers. Nice shaded/wooded area for primitive tent camping with plenty of space to spread out. Gorgeous open meadow at base of camp area perfect for group games, sports. 1930s cabin with tables for meals and cooking under shelter. Campfire ring and outdoor table. Vault toilet. Beautiful views of Sangre de Cristos and Carson National Forest. Trail to Indian Lake is an easy hike of 2.5 Miles each way and perfect for families or hikers with the need for low-impact trails. There is an awesome swimming hole just a few miles west on Hwy 518 past Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort—worth the short drive!

Only a few cons—water onsite is listed as potable but smells and tastes so strongly of sulphur that it cannot be tolerated for drinking or cooking. Make sure to haul in water. Also tent camping area in woods is not level so there will be some incline. Important for those with circulatory issues.

SiteGroup Camp Shelter A
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Rebecca A., August 7, 2018
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Rebecca A., August 7, 2018
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Rebecca A., August 7, 2018
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Aug. 21, 2017

Excellent campground!

There is a trail head with 2 trails, one atv accessible and one hiking/horse that goes up to Indian Lake. Beautiful views and about 1200' elevation change.

Potable water available at camp host's location. It has sulfer but the smell cleared after half a day sitting in the sun. We brought our own to drink though.

Some campsites were more separated and others were close together if you were with a group. River runs along the camp for fishing, and they were catching fish.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Tammy V., August 21, 2017
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Tammy V., August 21, 2017
  • Review photo of Agua Piedra Campground by Tammy V., August 21, 2017
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the max vehicle length at Agua Piedra Campground?

    Agua Piedra Campground allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Agua Piedra Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Agua Piedra Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Agua Piedra Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is fair, and T-Mobile is unknown.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Agua Piedra Campground?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Agua Piedra Campground. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Agua Piedra Campground, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Agua Piedra Campground?

    There are 46 campsites at Agua Piedra Campground and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts