Come get lost in the wild, enchanted lands of New Mexico! One of five unearthly National Forests in this great state, Carson National Forest is open for business all year round, and never fails to bring the heat with magnificent mountain scenery and some seriously stunning natural features. If solitude is your muse than look no further! Cold mountain streams, ample trout fishing, and out of sight camping is sure to give you your fix. With over 1.5 million acres laden with high ridges, dense vegetation and some of the cleanest air you’re likely to find west of the Mississippi, Carson is simply the epitome of Southwestern frontier!
Come get lost in the wild, enchanted lands of New Mexico! One of five unearthly National Forests in this great state, Carson National Forest is open for business all year round, and never fails to bring the heat with magnificent mountain scenery and some seriously stunning natural features. If solitude is your muse than look no further! Cold mountain streams, ample trout fishing, and out of sight camping is sure to give you your fix. With over 1.5 million acres laden with high ridges, dense vegetation and some of the cleanest air you’re likely to find west of the Mississippi, Carson is simply the epitome of Southwestern frontier!
Located about eight miles southwest of Questa, is Cebolla Mesa Campground. It puts you about one mile away from fishing on the Rio Grande and Red River, and hiking on the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River Trail #102. For more on the surrounding area, check out this nice website the village of Questa put together, including a short video of the supe Read more...
“Get busy fishing or get busy dying” could be the motto of Hopewell Lake Campground. It’s 19-acre lake is located at an airy 9,800 feet and makes for some solid brook or rainbow trout fishing. Camp itself is partially shaded by a forest of conifer and aspen trees and several trails begin in the campground. They are popular with both hikers and tho Read more...
Set among quiet green forests in the New Mexican landscape, Trout Lake Campground’s beauty only deepens in the autumn to reward hungry eyes. Three lakes provide excellent fishing opportunities of stocked rainbow trout. Cebolla is located 11 miles away for any services you may need, including a post office and a veterinarian. Read more...
Just 13 miles north of Taos is Cuchilla Campground. What it lacks in number of sites it definitely makes up for with fishing access to the Rio Hondo and hiking in the Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area. While you’re here, why not take this tour of labyrinths in the area?Read more...
Cuchillo Del Medio is a small campground located right on the Rio Hondo. That being the case, you’ll want to pack your fishing gear. You can also hike the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Study and Wheeler Peak Wilderness areas. You’re bound to work up a ravenous appetite so treat yo’self using this guide of dining in nearby Taos. It’s got everything fr Read more...
Surrounded by lofty peaks, Cabresto Lake Campground overlooks the 15-acre lake from a level ridge at the trailhead of a four mile path to Heart Lake. This is one of the few places in the entire state of New Mexico where you can catch brook trout. The lake also makes enjoyable recreation for canoers or other small non-motorized boats. Read more...
With a recent makeover, Fawn Lakes Campground is looking better than ever. It features two paved camping loops, each with its own small fishing pond stocked with rainbow trout. We wouldn’t recommend drinking the river water, so be prepared to supply your own hydration. Nearby Red River fancies itself the “Main Street of the Mountains" and has ever Read more...
Fishing and hiking are the activities of choice at El Rito Campground. And once you’re tuckered out, there is plenty of space to grill up a mouthwatering burger or breakfast burrito. The only question is, are you going to top it off with red chile, green chile, or Christmas style (a mix of both)?Read more...
Agua Piedra Campground is a recently renovated site on the Rio Pueblo at a lofty 8,100 feet of elevation. From here you can easily pick up a trailhead to Agua Piedra/Serpent Lake #19 and Cordova Canyon Trail #17. This camp welcomes horseback riding with a corral, and there is also a picnic shelter available by reservation. Read more...
Popular with anglers and motorcyclists, La Junta Canyon Campground is located in high-altitude forest (9,400 feet). It’s adjacent to Rito la Presa fishing trailhead and the La Cueva Lake #8 and Duran/Policarpio #13 Trails. If you can’t be bothered firing up the grill, head on over to the Riverside Cafe at nearby Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort. It’ Read more...
Carson National Forest
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Come get lost in the wild, enchanted lands of New Mexico! One of five unearthly National Forests in this great state, Carson National Forest is open for business all year round, and never fails to bring the heat with magnificent mountain scenery and some seriously stunning natural features. If solitude is your muse than look no further! Cold mountain streams, ample trout fishing, and out of sight camping is sure to give you your fix. With over 1.5 million acres laden with high ridges, dense vegetation and some of the cleanest air you’re likely to find west of the Mississippi, Carson is simply the epitome of Southwestern frontier!
Come get lost in the wild, enchanted lands of New Mexico! One of five unearthly National Forests in this great state, Carson National Forest is open for business all year round, and never fails to bring the heat with magnificent mountain scenery and some seriously stunning natural features. If solitude is your muse than look no further! Cold mountain streams, ample trout fishing, and out of sight camping is sure to give you your fix. With over 1.5 million acres laden with high ridges, dense vegetation and some of the cleanest air you’re likely to find west of the Mississippi, Carson is simply the epitome of Southwestern frontier!
Activities in the park
34 campgrounds in Carson National Forest
Located about eight miles southwest of Questa, is Cebolla Mesa Campground. It puts you about one mile away from fishing on the Rio Grande and Red River, and hiking on the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River Trail #102. For more on the surrounding area, check out this nice website the village of Questa put together, including a short video of the supe Read more...
“Get busy fishing or get busy dying” could be the motto of Hopewell Lake Campground. It’s 19-acre lake is located at an airy 9,800 feet and makes for some solid brook or rainbow trout fishing. Camp itself is partially shaded by a forest of conifer and aspen trees and several trails begin in the campground. They are popular with both hikers and tho Read more...
Set among quiet green forests in the New Mexican landscape, Trout Lake Campground’s beauty only deepens in the autumn to reward hungry eyes. Three lakes provide excellent fishing opportunities of stocked rainbow trout. Cebolla is located 11 miles away for any services you may need, including a post office and a veterinarian. Read more...
Just 13 miles north of Taos is Cuchilla Campground. What it lacks in number of sites it definitely makes up for with fishing access to the Rio Hondo and hiking in the Columbine Hondo Wilderness Study Area. While you’re here, why not take this tour of labyrinths in the area?Read more...
Cuchillo Del Medio is a small campground located right on the Rio Hondo. That being the case, you’ll want to pack your fishing gear. You can also hike the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness Study and Wheeler Peak Wilderness areas. You’re bound to work up a ravenous appetite so treat yo’self using this guide of dining in nearby Taos. It’s got everything fr Read more...
Surrounded by lofty peaks, Cabresto Lake Campground overlooks the 15-acre lake from a level ridge at the trailhead of a four mile path to Heart Lake. This is one of the few places in the entire state of New Mexico where you can catch brook trout. The lake also makes enjoyable recreation for canoers or other small non-motorized boats. Read more...
With a recent makeover, Fawn Lakes Campground is looking better than ever. It features two paved camping loops, each with its own small fishing pond stocked with rainbow trout. We wouldn’t recommend drinking the river water, so be prepared to supply your own hydration. Nearby Red River fancies itself the “Main Street of the Mountains" and has ever Read more...
Fishing and hiking are the activities of choice at El Rito Campground. And once you’re tuckered out, there is plenty of space to grill up a mouthwatering burger or breakfast burrito. The only question is, are you going to top it off with red chile, green chile, or Christmas style (a mix of both)?Read more...
Agua Piedra Campground is a recently renovated site on the Rio Pueblo at a lofty 8,100 feet of elevation. From here you can easily pick up a trailhead to Agua Piedra/Serpent Lake #19 and Cordova Canyon Trail #17. This camp welcomes horseback riding with a corral, and there is also a picnic shelter available by reservation. Read more...
Popular with anglers and motorcyclists, La Junta Canyon Campground is located in high-altitude forest (9,400 feet). It’s adjacent to Rito la Presa fishing trailhead and the La Cueva Lake #8 and Duran/Policarpio #13 Trails. If you can’t be bothered firing up the grill, head on over to the Riverside Cafe at nearby Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort. It’ Read more...