USDA Forest Service · New Mexico
Capilla Peak
USDA Forest Service · New Mexico, United States
- Sites
- 12
- Hookups
- 9 no hookups
- Season
- May 1 to October 31
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 9,255 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- AT&T weak · Verizon weak · T-Mobile good (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- CAPILLA PEAK C.G. (NFSR 408) · native material · suitable for passenger cars
- Lake
- Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
- Nearest town
- Mountainair
- Phone
- N/A
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one - the site map below shows each with its facts and pictures.
Site map
1 numbered sites are mapped one by one on the imagery, with the operator's own facts and pictures for each site where it publishes them. Tap a site to rate it, keep a note and add your own photos; press and hold the map for a pin of your own. Your ratings, notes, pins and photos are kept with the campground on your Saved list, the same list the camping map and the drive page keep.
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About
Overview
With great views of Manzano Mountains, Rio Grande and Estancia Valleys, and unique camping structures, this 8-unit site at 9200 ft is a popular destination. Capilla Peak has access to Manzano Mountain Wilderness and Hawkwatch's raptor counting station. Note that none of the campsites have designated parking spurs and are NOT suitable for large trailers or RVs. This campground is a mix of first-come, first-served and reservation sites. An additional day use picnic pavilion is available for reservation and located at this site.
Mobile payment may be available at this location, but you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service.
Facilities
A separate day use picnic pavilion is also located on site. This site is available for reservation on Recreation.gov.
Natural Features
Great views of the Manzano Mountain Wilderness and Wilderness access. Note that all campsites are very exposed, and inclement weather is common at this high elevation.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (505) 847-2990.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34° | 18° | 1° | 46° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 40° | 20° | -13° | 57° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 47° | 25° | 15° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 57° | 33° | 14° | 69° | 10 of 11 |
| May | 65° | 42° | 28° | 77° | 4 of 11 |
| June | 76° | 51° | 41° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 77° | 55° | 46° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 74° | 52° | 45° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 48° | 30° | 77° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 58° | 36° | 23° | 70° | 8 of 10 |
| November | 47° | 27° | 12° | 58° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 39° | 21° | 11° | 49° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Trails nearby
- Manzano Crest South Trailhead · 0.1 mi as the crow flies
Manzano Crest 23 mi Hike · Drive there - Manzano Crest North Trailhead · 2.1 mi as the crow flies · Drive there
- Trail Canyon Trailhead · 2.6 mi as the crow flies
Trail Canyon 1.6 mi Hike · Drive there - Trigo Trailhead · 4.1 mi as the crow flies
Salas 7.9 mi Hike · Drive there - Comanche Trailhead · 4.3 mi as the crow flies
Salas 7.9 mi Hike · Drive there
All 311 trails in Cibola National Forest
Trailheads the Park Service and the Forest Service map, within 10 miles as the crow flies; each trail's page has its length, climbing and the Service's description.
Nearby campgrounds
- New Canyon · USDA Forest Service · 2 mi
- John F Kennedy · USDA Forest Service · 4 mi
- Bosque Campground · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Red Canyon (NM) · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 42 sites
- Tajique · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi
All public campgrounds in New Mexico · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.