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

Jacks Creek Group Area

Jack's Creek Group Area is a picturesque, high-elevation campground situated just 50 miles from Santa Fe. Set at an altitude of approximately 8,000 feet within the Santa Fe National Forest, visitors can enjoy moderate temperatures and invigorating mountain breezes. Perfect for family reunions, recreational events, and large gatherings, it features 2 spacious group units to rent (Group A and Group B), each accommodating up to 40 guests. Open from mid-April to mid-November, this campground provides stunning views of the surrounding wilderness, making it an ideal retreat for outdoor enthusiasts.

More like this: reservable in New Mexico · big rigs in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico · group sites in New Mexico

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Jacks Creek Group AreaJacks Creek Group AreaGroup A Campsite next to Vault Toilet and Private Parking LotJacks Creek Group Area
Photos courtesy of Share the Experience, Rowdy Winters, Forest Service · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Group sites2
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

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.

2 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteLoopEntryFits, ftSurfaceWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresAccessible
001GRPABack-in40PavedNo / –40 / 8YesYes
001GRPBBack-in30PavedNo / –30 / 6YesYes

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 length40 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions
AccessibilitySites 001, 001 are listed accessible

Recreation staff or a campground host regularly patrols the area and is available to answer any questions campers may have. For added security, groups can lock the gate after settling into the site if they choose. One of the sites, Group B, is accessible, ensuring convenience for all visitors. All roads leading to the campground are paved, making it accessible for low-clearance vehicles as well.

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 per group per night
RulesNo horses or horse trailers allowed. No ATVs allowed. Quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am

Santa Fe National Forest recreation page ↗

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Jacks Creek Group Area30°40°50°60°70°January: 0.96 inches of precipitation, 14.5 inches of snowFebruary: 1.46 inches of precipitation, 16.9 inches of snowMarch: 1.92 inches of precipitation, 22.9 inches of snowApril: 1.91 inches of precipitation, 15.8 inches of snowMay: 1.88 inches of precipitation, 2.3 inches of snowJune: 1.79 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 4.68 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 3.87 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 2.26 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 1.63 inches of precipitation, 7.0 inches of snowNovember: 1.30 inches of precipitation, 11.0 inches of snowDecember: 1.28 inches of precipitation, 17.9 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 31.3°F averageFebruary: 32.6°F averageMarch: 37.7°F averageApril: 42.9°F averageMay: 50.6°F averageJune: 59.2°F averageJuly: 61.7°F averageAugust: 60.2°F averageSeptember: 55.1°F averageOctober: 46.9°F averageNovember: 37.8°F averageDecember: 31.1°F average0 in5 in10 in15 in20 in25 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Gascon, 12 miles from the campground at 8,250 feet, station USC00293488 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 25 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 108 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

Take I-25 east from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and travel approximately 18 miles. Take the Glorieta/Pecos exit. Take State Highway 50 approximately five miles to Pecos. At the four-way stop, turn left onto State Highway 63. Travel north on 63 to the Jack's Creek Campground area. The campground is about 21 miles north of Pecos.

Nearest townPecos, New Mexico
Coordinates35.8417° N, 105.6556° W · Directions ↗

Good to know

  • Although Jacks creek is not regularly stocked, you can visit New Mexico Department of Game and Fish for weekly stocking reports and fishing regulations.

Fire nearby

  • Wildfire
    Frijoles

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

  • Prescribed
    Stone Angel Fall Rx

    50 mi from the campground

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

Supplies & services

Outdoor gearSierra ↗19.5 mi
RV sales & serviceLand of Enchantment RV ↗28.6 mi
Dump stationJuniper Campground Dump Station ↗35.1 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 21 miles south of the campground. The City of Santa Fe is just over an hour drive away.

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

Nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Jack's Creek Group Campground is located on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness, which encompasses 160,000 acres of mountain landscapes, high-altitude lakes, and the Pecos River. The campground is richly forested, featuring a mix of firs and aspens that showcase golden foliage in the fall. Down the road from to the group campground, Jack's Creek enhances the area’s natural beauty, creating a serene atmosphere ideal for relaxation and great trout fishing. The region teems with diverse wildlife, including elk, mule deer, and migratory birds. In winter, bald eagles and other raptors can be spotted, making Jack's Creek a great destination for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

Recreation

The campground's close proximity to the popular Jacks Creek Trail is an added bonus. Jacks Creek Trail #257 is 14.3 miles long, starting at Trail 25 and ending at Trail 251. This trail is best for experienced hikers and horseback riders, making it a great option for those seeking a challenge. The trail is open for hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. A common route leads to Pecos Baldy Lake, where overnight camping is allowed, with campfires permitted 200 feet from the water. Fishermen can enjoy catching rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout in Jacks Creek.

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 Jacks Creek Group Area?

Sites at Jacks Creek Group Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. This 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. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

How much does it cost to camp at Jacks Creek Group Area?

$50 per group per night

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Jacks Creek Group Area?

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

Source: Recreation.gov

Is Jacks Creek Group Area open right now?

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

Source: Forest Service status

How many sites does Jacks Creek Group Area have?

2 sites, including 2 group sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Jacks Creek Group Area?

The longest site here provides 40 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

Are pets allowed at Jacks Creek Group Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Jacks Creek Group Area. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Jacks Creek Group Area?

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. No horses or horse trailers allowed.

Source: Fire nearby

Are there accessible sites at Jacks Creek Group Area?

Sites 001 and 001 are 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 Jacks Creek Group Area?

The campground's close proximity to the popular Jacks Creek Trail is an added bonus. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Jacks Creek 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 Jacks Creek Group Area is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Jacks Creek Horse Camp (0.5 mi, first-come), Panchuela (1 mi, partly first-come), and Iron Gate Campground (2 mi, first-come).

Source: Campgrounds nearby