Elephant Rock Campground
Elephant Rock Campground has excellent fishing access to the well-stocked Red River, nearby Eagle Rock Lake and hiking into the surrounding high country. This campground is close to the highway with plenty of large pine trees. The campground rests at 8,400 feet above sea level.
More like this: reservable in New Mexico · big rigs in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 19 |
| Tent-only | 2 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 44 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
21 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Standard | Back-in | 38 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 002 | Tent only | 20 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | ||
| 003 | Standard | Back-in | 44 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 004 | Standard | Back-in | 35 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 005 | Tent only | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 006 | Standard | Back-in | 24 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 007 | Standard | Back-in | 39 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 008 | Standard | Back-in | 41 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 009 | Standard | Back-in | 37 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | Standard | |
| 010 | Standard | Back-in | 28 | Paved | Partial | 8 / 1 | Yes | 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 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 44 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 016, 017, 019 are listed accessible |
This campground offers 20 single sites, potable water, and vault toilets. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad.
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) $22/night. Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $11/night. Extra vehicle $11/night. Day use parking $11/day |
Weather by month
Getting there
The campground is located 12 miles east of Questa, New Mexico via NM highway 38 or 3 miles west of Red River, New Mexico via NM highway 38.
| Coordinates | 36.7084° N, 105.4493° W · Directions ↗ |
Good to know
- The Red River is across the road from the campground but is not accessible.
Fire nearby
- PrescribedComanche Powderhouse Fall Rx
13 mi from the campground
- PrescribedMartinez Fall Rx
32 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 | Outdoor gear ↗ | 2.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Seco Bubble ↗ | 14.9 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Tour of Elephant Rock Campground | Carson National Forest NM
Worth a stop
Visitors to the area can explore the town of Red River, Questa, and the Enchanted Circle.
- 2.2 miRed River Fishing ↗Fishing site
- 4.1 miColumbine Creek Fishing ↗Fishing site
- 13 mi
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miElephant Rock South ↗5.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.3 miElephant Rock North ↗9.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 0.9 miElephant Rock Washout0.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle
- 1.1 miElephant Rock Connector2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.3 miElephant Rock Middle1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
- 1.3 miElephant Rock Mill3.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 1 more
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
Columbine-Hondo Wilderness begins about 1.6 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 1.6 miColumbine-Hondo Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 44,372 acres
- 2.4 miLatir Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 20,420 acres
- 5.6 miWheeler Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 19,154 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
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Natural features
Elephant Rock Campground is a single loop that meanders up a hillside with several sites featuring stone terracing. The campsites are tucked in among a mixture of ponderosa pine, aspen, fir and spruce. The Red River flows near this campground.
Recreation
The nearest hiking trail, Fawn Lakes Trail, is located.3 miles east of Elephant Rock Campground, near Fawn Lakes Campground. This trail meets accessibility guidelines. Elephant Rock offers convenient access to State Rt. 38 and is well situated for day trips on the Enchanted Circle and to the town of Red River.
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 Elephant Rock Campground?
Sites at Elephant Rock Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. A reservation fee will be added to the price. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Elephant Rock Campground?
Campsite (includes parking for one vehicle) $22/night. Campsite for Senior or Access pass holders $11/night. Extra vehicle $11/night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Elephant Rock Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Elephant Rock Campground open right now?
Closed for the season as of Oct 16, 2026.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Elephant Rock Campground have?
21 sites, including 19 standard sites without power and 2 tent-only sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Elephant Rock Campground?
The longest site here provides 44 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 Elephant Rock Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Elephant Rock Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Elephant Rock Campground?
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.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Elephant Rock Campground?
Sites 016, 017, and 019 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 Elephant Rock Campground?
The nearest hiking trail, Fawn Lakes Trail, is located.3 miles east of Elephant Rock Campground, near Fawn Lakes Campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Elephant Rock Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Junebug Campground (0.8 mi, first-come), Fawn Lakes Campground (1 mi), and La Bobita Campground (1.8 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby