Agua Piedra Campground
Agua Piedra, located in the Carson National Forest, is nestled near the Rio Pueblo and Agua Piedra Creek. The campground contains many shaded areas to camp, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.
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 ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 44 |
| group shelter nonelectric | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
46 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter A | Group Shelter | Group Shelter Nonelectric | Back-in | 250 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 50 / 30 | Yes | Yes | Prime |
| Shelter B | Group Shelter | Group Shelter Nonelectric | Back-in | 250 | Gravel | Partial | Riverfront | 100 / 40 | Yes | Yes | Prime |
| 001 | Host | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 002 | Host | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | |||
| 012 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 25 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 013 | Loop A | Standard | Pull-through | 40 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 014 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 015 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 016 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic | ||
| 017 | Loop A | Standard | Back-in | 30 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Basic |
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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 40 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites Shelter A, Shelter B are listed accessible |
The campground includes 40 single sites each with a table and fire ring, two double sites each with two tables and a fire ring, and two group shelters located west of the campground. Vault toilets, drinking water from faucets, and trash removal are provided. Firewood is available to purchase from the host. The group shelters (A and B), which are accessible, are located west of the campground and are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Trash service is provided in the campground. The accessible group shelter "A" can accommodate up to 50 people for overnight camping. Group shelter "B" can accommodate up to 100 people for overnight camping. Both group shelters are available by reservation.
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 | Carson National Forest |
| Booking | (A reservation fee will be added to the price). |
| Fees | Campsite (includes parking for one vehicle) $24/night. Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $12/night. Extra vehicle $12/night. Group Shelter A (Up to 50 people) $125/night. Group Shelter B (Up to 100 People) $150/night. Day use parking $12/day |
| Rules | 14 day stay limit. Restricted to Trailers under 36'. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Las Vegas, New Mexico, take State Highway 518 approximately 51 miles to the Agua Piera Campground. From Penasco, New Mexico, travel east on State Route 75 about 5 miles, to an intersection. Turn right, onto State Route 518 (unmarked) and continue about 7 miles to campground entrance. From Taos, head south on NM-68.
| Coordinates | 36.1353° N, 105.5292° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- WildfireFrijoles
24 mi from the campground · 15,956 acres · 90% contained
- PrescribedStone Angel Fall Rx
44 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMartinez Fall Rx
49 mi from the campground
- PrescribedComanche Powderhouse 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 gear | Taos Mountain Outfitters ↗ | 19 mi |
| RV sales & service | Seco Bubble ↗ | 26.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Agua Piedra campground - 5 Reasons we LOVE it and you should too! Carson National Forest
Worth a stop
Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco is within 3 - 17 miles from the campground and group shelter. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.
- 1.2 miFlechado Picnic Site ↗Day use
- 9.8 miRito De La Olla Fishing ↗Fishing site
- 10.2 miRio Trampas Fishing ↗Fishing site
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miAgua Piedra Barrier Free ↗0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.1 miCordova Canyon3.4 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, snowshoe
- 0.3 miAgua Piedra ↗6.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 0.6 miIndian Lake2.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miLa Cueva Canyon ↗5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.2 miFlechado Canyon2.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
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
Pecos Wilderness begins about 7.3 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.3 miPecos Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 221,796 acres
- 10.2 miCarson National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,592,477 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
.jpg/960px-Kit_Carson_House%2C_Kit_Carson_Avenue%2C_Taos_(Taos_County%2C_New_Mexico).jpg)
Natural features
Agua Piedra campground and group shelters are located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,100 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.
Recreation
Visitors to the Agua Piedra campground and group shelters can also enjoy fishing in the Rio Pueblo River, which is a tributary of the mighty Rio Grande. The river is stocked with rainbow trout and there is a small pier in the day use area. Hiking to Serpent Lake and Cordova Canyon, which are both within seven miles of the campground and group shelters, are also favorite activities for visitors. Also popular is further exploration of points of interest in the Pecos Wilderness, as well as within the Sangre De Cristos Mountains, the southernmost Rocky Mountain range.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Agua Piedra 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 Agua Piedra Campground?
Campsite (includes parking for one vehicle) $24/night. Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $12/night. Extra vehicle $12/night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Agua Piedra Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Agua Piedra Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Agua Piedra Campground have?
46 sites, including 44 standard sites without power and 2 group shelter nonelectric.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Agua Piedra Campground?
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 Agua Piedra Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Agua Piedra Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Agua Piedra Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 4 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. 14 day stay limit.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Agua Piedra Campground?
Sites Shelter A and Shelter B 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 Agua Piedra Campground?
Visitors to the Agua Piedra campground and group shelters can also enjoy fishing in the Rio Pueblo River, which is a tributary of the mighty Rio Grande. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Agua Piedra Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Santa Barbara Campground (5.5 mi, partly first-come), La Sombra Campground (16.5 mi, first-come), and Las Petacas Campground (17.1 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby