Capilla Peak
With great views of Manzano Mountains, Rio Grande and Estancia Valleys, and unique camping structures, this 8-unit site at 9200 ft is a popular destination. Capilla Peak has access to Manzano Mountain Wilderness and Hawkwatch's raptor counting station. Note that none of the campsites have designated parking spurs and are NOT suitable for large trailers or RVs. This campground is a mix of first-come, first-served and reservation sites. An additional day use picnic pavilion is available for reservation and located at this site.
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
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 9 |
| Host/management | 3 |
Site guide
1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site |
|---|
| Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
A separate day use picnic pavilion is also located on site.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | April to November |
| Forest | Cibola National Forest and Grasslands |
| Booking | No reservation required at this site. |
| Fees | Overnight Use: $10 per campsite per night Day-use at Pavillion Group Picnic Area: $45 per day for groups of up to 50 people |
Weather by month
Getting there
| Coordinates | 34.6995° N, 106.4027° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedLower Kirtland Rx
21 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 7.1 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Outdoor Recreation and Supply ↗ | 25.6 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 26.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Capilla Peak campground and environs
Worth a stop
- 0.1 miManzano Crest South Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 2.1 miManzano Crest North Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 9.4 miQuarai Visitor Center ↗Visitor center
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miGavilan1.4 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2 miNew Canyon2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.6 miOsha3.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miComanche Canyon ↗7 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.8 miTrail Canyon1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 4.1 miSalas ↗7.8 mi trail · hiking, horse
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.1 miManzano Crest South Trailhead ↗Cibola National Forest and Grasslands · Season April to November
- 2.1 miManzano Crest North Trailhead ↗Cibola National Forest and Grasslands · Season April to November
- 2.6 miTrail Canyon Trailhead ↗Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
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
This campground sits inside Manzano Mountain Wilderness.
- inManzano Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 36,764 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
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Great views of the Manzano Mountain Wilderness and Wilderness access. Note that all campsites are very exposed, and inclement weather is common at this high elevation.
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 Capilla Peak?
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 Capilla Peak?
Overnight Use: $10 per campsite per night Day-use at Pavillion Group Picnic Area: $45 per day for groups of up to 50 people
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Capilla Peak?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Capilla Peak open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season April to November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Capilla Peak have?
12 sites, including 9 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Capilla Peak?
Yes, pets are allowed at Capilla Peak. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
What if Capilla Peak is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bosque Campground (4.4 mi, first-come), Red Canyon (5.7 mi), and Fourth Of July Campground (6.5 mi, partly first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby