Pinon Campground
Pinon Campground is a mix of first come, first served campsites and reservable group sites. The campground is located across from Juniper Campground and is less than 2 miles from Quemado Lake.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in New Mexico · reservable in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico · group sites in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Tent-only | 15 |
| RV, no hookups | 8 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 25 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
25 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinon Groupsite A | Group Shelter Nonelectric | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes |
| Pinon Groupsite B | Group Shelter Nonelectric | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes |
| 37 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes | |
| 38 | RV | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes |
| 39 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes | |
| 40 | RV | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes |
| 41 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes | |
| 42 | RV | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes |
| 43 | Tent only | Back-in | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes | |
| 44 | RV | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | Payments made for first come, first served sites must be made using cash or check. Exact change is required. There is a self-pay fee station at the entrance of the campground. |
Tent Camping/ Trailer/RV Camping / Picnic Tables / Vault Toilets / Grills / Campfire Rings
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Closed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date. |
| Forest | Gila National Forest |
| Booking | This campground is first-come/first-serve, except group site A and group site B. Group site A & B are reservable on Recreation.gov, typically from mid-May through the end of season. |
| Fees | Site fees will increase at Pinon Campground on May 10, 2024, to $15.00 fee per night, per site, and the dump fee will increase to $15 per use. "America the Beautiful" Interagency Senior and Access Passes are honored for the tent site area only for 50% discount off standard amenity fees. |
| Rules | There is a 14 day stay limit for all campgrounds on the Gila National Forest. Fires permitted only in fire rings provided. All pets must be on leash at all times in the campground. |
Weather by month
Getting there
The campground is located 14.2 miles south of Quemado. Take NM 32 south to Quemado Lake/NM 103 sign. Turn left onto NM 103 and drive 4 miles to Quemado Lake/Forest Road 13. NM103 ends when the paved road turns to gravel. The gravel road is an indication that you are now driving on Forest Road 13.
| Coordinates | 34.1381° N, 108.4836° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedD6 - Luna Rx
40 mi from the campground · 2,156 acres
- PrescribedRanch Supply Rx
47 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Pinon Flats Campground Tour - INSIDE Great Sand Dunes National Park
Worth a stop
- El Caso I-3 Campgrounds
- El Caso 4 & 5 Campgrounds
- Juniper Campground
- Quemado Lake and Day Use Area
- Boat Ramp at Quemado Lake
- 0.6 miLargo #14 Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 0.7 miQuemado Lake Boat Launch ↗Boat launch
- 8.1 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miPinon - Lake Access0.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.3 miJuniper - Lake Access0.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miCove Access0.07 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.4 miLakeshore Access0.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miFishing Trail2.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.6 miLargo Canyon Trail ↗4.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.6 miLargo #14 Trailhead ↗Gila National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Gila National Forest begins about 9.2 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 9.2 miGila National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,389,394 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- El Caso Lookout ComplexStructure · El Caso Lake · 2.5 mi
- Mangas Mountain Lookout ComplexStructure · Mangas · 11.7 mi
Natural features
Forested / Unrestricted Night Sky Views
Recreation
Recreational opportunities include fishing and boating on Quemado Lake, hiking forest and lakeside trails, and RV and tent camping.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Pinon Campground?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Pinon Campground?
Payments made for first come, first served sites must be made using cash or check. Exact change is required. There is a self-pay fee station at the entrance of the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Pinon Campground?
Check-in 3:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Pinon Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Pinon Campground have?
25 sites, including 15 tent-only sites, 8 RV sites without hookups, and 2 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I bring an RV to Pinon Campground?
Pinon Campground is listed for tents only.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Pinon Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Pinon Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Pinon Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. There is a 14 day stay limit for all campgrounds on the Gila National Forest.
Source: Fire nearby
What if Pinon Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Juniper Campground (0.3 mi, partly first-come), El Caso I-IV Campground (0.8 mi, first-come), and Armijo Springs Campground (5.7 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby