Coal Mine
Coal Mine Campground is situated in the upper portion of the Cibola National Forest in west-central New Mexico. Visitors can enjoy hiking the Lobo Canyon Trail, as well as picnicking and scenic driving. This campground is located near the Continental Divide Trail as well as Mt. Taylor.
More like this: reservable in New Mexico · big rigs in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| RV, no hookups | 15 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
15 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 002 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 003 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 004 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 005 | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 006 | Pull-through | 35 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 007 | Pull-through | 35 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 008 | Pull-through | 25 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 009 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
| 010 | Back-in | 20 | Gravel | 10 / 1 |
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
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 45 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers |
| Fees | Payment in full will be charged to you credit card upon completion of the reservation. A $10.00 non-refundable on line reservation fee may be charged for some facilities. |
The campground offers more than a dozen sites for tent or RV camping. Each site can accommodate up to 10 people. Utility hookups are not available. Parking spurs are paved. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets are provided.
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. |
| Season | May 15 to October 15 |
| Forest | Cibola National Forest and Grasslands |
| Fees | $10.00/site for overnight camping; $5.00/vehicle for day use (picnic/parking). |
| Rules | There is a 14-day stay limit for this campground; Trailers limited to less than 22 feet in length. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Grants, take New Mexico State Highway 547 for 10 miles to the campground.
| Nearest town | Grants, New Mexico |
| Coordinates | 35.2342° N, 107.7014° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- Drinking water is not available in the campground; visitors must bring their own supply.
Charges and cancellations
A $10.00 service charge will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 23.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Camping World of Albuquerque ↗ | 51.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Coal Mine Campground Aerial
Worth a stop
The El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area can be accessed from various points within a short drive of the campground. Its extensive, ancient lava flow landscape and other scenic features draw tourists year-round. Points of interest within the monument and conservation area include the Northwest New Mexico Visitor Center, Sandstone Bluffs Overlook and La Ventana Natural Arch. A portion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail parallels the Zuni-Acoma Trail as it passes through the monument. The city of Grants is about 12 miles from the campground, offering dining and lodging options. The city also boasts a mining museum with gem and mineral displays and a self-guided tour into an underground world.
- 3.8 miGooseberry Springs Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 5.7 miWater Canyon Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- under 0.1 miCoal Mine Interpretive0.3 mi trail · hiking, bike
- 2.2 miMotorized 4163.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.5 miMotorized 415 ↗5.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 2.8 miMotorized 4170.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 3 miMotorized 4180.3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV and 1 more
- 3.5 miMotorized 4190.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, ATV
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
The campground is located northeast of the town of Grants at an elevation of 7,400 feet. It lies on the top of a hill, with campsites situated on gently sloping ground. A forest of mature pine, juniper and oak trees surrounds the campground.
Recreation
The Lobo Canyon Trail begins in the campground and leads hikers access a network of trails in the area. Visitors also enjoy picnicking in the surrounding area.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
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Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Coal Mine?
Sites at Coal Mine are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Coal Mine?
Payment in full will be charged to you credit card upon completion of the reservation. A $10.00 non-refundable on line reservation fee may be charged for some facilities.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Coal Mine?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
What does it cost to cancel a reservation at Coal Mine?
A $10.00 service charge will apply if you change or cancel your reservation.
Source: Charges and cancellations
Is Coal Mine open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May 15 to October 15.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Coal Mine have?
15 sites, including 15 RV sites without hookups.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Coal Mine?
The longest site here provides 45 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
What is there to do at Coal Mine?
The Lobo Canyon Trail begins in the campground and leads hikers access a network of trails in the area. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Coal Mine?
Grants, New Mexico. The El Malpais National Monument and Conservation Area can be accessed from various points within a short drive of the campground.
Source: Getting there
What if Coal Mine is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Ojo Redondo Campground (23.6 mi, first-come), El Morro Campground (38.4 mi, first-come), and Mcgaffey Campground (47.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby