U.S. Forest Service · Santa Fe National Forest · Pecos, NM

Holy Ghost Group Area

Holy Ghost Campground is tucked away in the Santa Fe National Forest, on the cusp of the breathtaking Pecos Wilderness in Holy Ghost Canyon. This group campground sits high in the canyon, with Holy Ghost Creek gently flowing alongside it. A network of trails invites hikers and horseback riders to discover the stunning landscapes of the surrounding wilderness.

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 · big rigs in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico · group sites in New Mexico

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
A ramada next to campfire is surrounded by conifers and aspen in a sunny meadow.Group campfire area.Grill.Trees grow alongside a paved walkway with clear skies overhead and creek nearby.
Photos courtesy of Forest Service · Recreation.gov

Site mix

group standard area nonelectric1
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served. For the first-come sites, arrive early on a weekday and take what is open. The booking page shows which of the reservable sites are open. The first-come playbook

Site guide

Will my RV fit

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.

Have the trailer VIN? It carries the trailer length.

1 site. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFiresAccessibleRating
1Pull-through40PavedPartial40 / 8YesYesPrime

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

HookupsNone
Max vehicle length99 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySite 1 is listed accessible

Recreation staff or a campground host regularly patrols the area and is available to answer any questions campers may have. The campground features one accessible group campsite that can accommodate up to 40 people. This site includes a vaulted toilet, bear-proof trash bins, a covered pavilion, picnic tables, a large grill, and a spacious fire pit, making it ideal for gatherings. Located at the far end of Holy Ghost Campground, this group site offers privacy and convenience. Individual campsites in the main campground below are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each are equipped with a grassy tent pad, picnic table, and campfire ring with grill. Accessible vault toilets and trash collection are provided for your convenience. The road leading to the campground can be narrow in some areas, drive with caution.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Season & status

StatusClosed for the season. Forest Service sites close for the season; check the official page for the reopening date.
SeasonMay
ForestSanta Fe National Forest
BookingThis site can be reserved by calling Toll Free 1-877-444-6777 (International 518-885-3639 or TDD 877-833-6777) or online at Recreation.gov.
Fees$50.00 per night
RulesNo horse trailers or horses allowed, no ATV's allowed, quiet hours from 10pm to 7am.

Santa Fe National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Holy Ghost Group Area30°40°50°60°70°January: 0.68 inches of precipitation, 6.3 inches of snowFebruary: 0.62 inches of precipitation, 4.4 inches of snowMarch: 0.74 inches of precipitation, 3.0 inches of snowApril: 0.72 inches of precipitation, 1.0 inches of snowMay: 1.01 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 1.23 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 3.23 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.03 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 1.71 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 1.20 inches of precipitation, 0.6 inches of snowNovember: 1.03 inches of precipitation, 3.7 inches of snowDecember: 0.97 inches of precipitation, 7.3 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 32.3°F averageFebruary: 35.5°F averageMarch: 41.3°F averageApril: 47.7°F averageMay: 56.3°F averageJune: 65.9°F averageJuly: 69.4°F averageAugust: 67.5°F averageSeptember: 61.3°F averageOctober: 50.6°F averageNovember: 39.8°F averageDecember: 32.2°F average0 in2 in4 in6 in8 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Pecos NM, 16 miles from the campground at 6,878 feet, station USC00296676 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 16 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 26 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From Santa Fe, take I-25 east approximately 18 miles to the Glorieta/Pecos Exit. Take NM Highway 50 to Pecos, approximately 5 miles. At the 4-way stop, turn left onto NM Highway 63 and travel approximately 14 miles north to Forest Road 122. Take Forest Road 122 approximately 4 miles to the campground.

Nearest townPecos, New Mexico
Coordinates35.7778° N, 105.7042° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Please note that there are no hookups available, so be sure to bring your own water or a filter for stream water.

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Frijoles

    12 mi from the campground · 15,956 acres · 90% contained

Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearSierra ↗15 mi
RV sales & serviceLand of Enchantment RV ↗23.8 mi
Dump stationJuniper Campground Dump Station ↗32.3 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Worth a stop

There are many hiking and fishing areas along the Pecos River, offering great opportunities for anglers and hikers alike. Just 50 minutes away, Pecos National Historical Park features prehistoric archaeological ruins, 19th-century ranches, and a Civil War battlefield, providing a rich glimpse into the area’s history. The town of Pecos is located about 22 miles south of the campground. 46 miles to Santa Fe.

  • 0.8 mi
    Holy Ghost
    4.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 2.7 mi
    Las Trampas ↗
    11.6 mi trail · hiking, horse
  • 3.4 mi
    Cowles Pond ↗
    0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3.4 mi
    Sky Line ↗
    63.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
  • 3.5 mi
    Winsor ↗
    24.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike · national_recreation_or_other
  • 3.7 mi
    Lake Katherine
    1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse

Trailheads within three miles

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

On Wilderness Atlas →

This campground sits inside Pecos Wilderness.

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.

Natural features

Holy Ghost Campground is nestled among a lush ponderosa pine and fir forest, right where aspen trees begin to flourish, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico. During the summer, the area bursts into color with vibrant wildflowers, creating a stunning backdrop for outdoor adventures. The campground is bordered by Holy Ghost Creek, offering scenic views of both the forest and the majestic mountains. Nature lovers will delight in the diverse wildlife and variety of bird species that inhabit the surrounding area, making this a perfect spot for hiking, horseback riding, and simply taking in the beauty of the great outdoors.

Recreation

Hiking and horseback riding are the most popular activities at Holy Ghost Campground. Holy Ghost Trail #283 runs along Holy Ghost Creek for 4.2 miles and connects with Winsor Trail #254, which accesses a 350-mile network of trails within the Pecos Wilderness. This includes Skyline Trail and 4 beautiful lakes (Katherine, Stewart, Johnson, and Spirit Lake). Anglers enjoy fishing along Holy Ghost Creek. Supports Rainbow and Brown Trout. Stocked regularly by New Mexico Game and Fish.

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 Holy Ghost Group Area?

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 Holy Ghost Group Area?

$50.00 per night

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Holy Ghost Group Area?

Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Holy Ghost Group Area open right now?

Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026. Season May.

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Holy Ghost Group Area have?

1 site, including 1 group standard area nonelectric.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Holy Ghost Group Area?

Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Are pets allowed at Holy Ghost Group Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Holy Ghost Group Area. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Holy Ghost Group Area?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. No horse trailers or horses allowed, no ATV's allowed, quiet hours from 10pm to 7am.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Holy Ghost Group Area?

Site 1 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What is there to do at Holy Ghost Group Area?

Hiking and horseback riding are the most popular activities at Holy Ghost Campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Holy Ghost Group Area?

Pecos, New Mexico. There are many hiking and fishing areas along the Pecos River, offering great opportunities for anglers and hikers alike.

Source: Getting there

What if Holy Ghost Group Area is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Links Tract Campground (2.8 mi, first-come), Cowles Campground (3.3 mi, first-come), and Panchuela (4.2 mi, partly first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby