The Las Vegas side has trails that also extend into the Pecos Wilderness. No ATVs allowed. Come and stay in historic log cabins and getaway retreats located on the road to the Pecos Wilderness at 7,000 feet in the Santa Fe National Forest. Open Season: May: Usage: Heavy: Restrictions: No horses or horse trailers allowed. The Santa Fe National Forest is a protected national forest in northern New Mexico in the Southwestern United States. Jodi Thornton-O'Connell, Leaf Group Updated March 15, 2018. All in all, it appealed to me a whole lot. This high-elevation, forested park situated near Santa Fe, NM, offers prime mountain camping and world-class trout fishing on the Pecos River and its tributaries. Santa Fe, NM 87508, Phone: (505) 438-5300 For more information, contact Santa Fe National Forest (505-438-5300) When to Climb Mid-June through October is considered the best time to climb. The Pecos Wilderness lies within the Camino Real Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, and the Pecos Ranger District and Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. It is also a favorite for bird watchers due to the great diversity of bird species. Take advantage of the hiking trails when RV camping in the Pecos Wilderness Area. For more information about camping and other permits from the Forest Service, contact: Pecos District Ranger Station, Box 429, Pecos, NM 87552 or call (505) 757-6121. Either campground can accommodate car, tent, recreational vehicle (RV) and motorhome camping enthusiasts. The Cuba Ranger District is located in the western part of the Santa Fe National Forest and shares the San Pedro Parks Wilderness with the Coyote Ranger District. A visit to the district will leave you enchanted by the land that the people of the Jemez Pueblo have lived in for generations. Cedro Peak Camping Sites - Robin and Jay. It is also an entry point for hunting, fishing, hiking and camping in the Pecos Wilderness. These fully furnished accommodations all have river access. Although camping is not allowed on the grounds at Pecos National Historical Park, campgrounds are located in the Santa Fe National Forest just north of the park on NM highway 63. 3 car per site limit. Wilderness Camping in Texas. Not sure about the Pecos Wilderness but you may want to consider the Gila National Forest. This is a weeklong trek in the Pecos Wilderness that goes by several of the lakes in this Wilderness, and will cover approximately 56 miles. Cibola National Forest and Grasslands. Take a long hike, do some rock climbing, horseback riding, biking, fish for fresh mountain trout, or simply curl up with a good book. These are the Forest lands South of Abiquiu, the Forest lands around Los Alamos, the Forest Lands West of Santa Fe known as the Caja del Rio, and the Forest Land North of Santa Fe within the Sangre de Cristo Range. Hiking off the demarcated trails should be avoided, as you should stick to the hiking plan you’ve established before your trip. Hiding thereabouts is the Pecos Wilderness, one of the premier backpacking destinations in New Mexico-and perhaps all of the West. Española Ranger District contains the western segment of the iconic Pecos Wilderness, the Caja Del Rio Plateau, and many more scenic areas. During the hike we would descend nearly 900 feet only to go back up another 1500 feet. Little warm during the day, high 80s and high 40s at night. The Pecos Wilderness lies within the Camino Real Ranger District of the Carson National Forest, and the Pecos Ranger District and Espanola Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. Proposed itinerary --Day 1 - June 21: Depart early and drive from home base to a camping area in the Pecos Wilderness. The Truchas Peaks border the Pecos/Las Vegas and Española ranger district boundaries and are a popular hiking destination. Both are available from the New Mexico Public Lands Information Center, 1474 Rodeo Rd., Santa Fe, NM 87505; (505) 438-7542. Her articles appear on various websites. Jack’s Creek Horse Camp, located 21 miles north of Pecos, New Mexico, is set in a beautiful plateau overlooking the valley and surrounded by mountains above in the Pecos Wilderness. Sep 27, 2013 - The beauty of the Pecos Wilderness from my personal photographs. Sure enough, I looked up and there, about 100 yards upstream, I could see the paddock fence. For generations it has been a favorite of fly fishermen questing after rainbow and brown trout. This could be done as a demanding day hike, but it's best when you have some time to … Camping is not permitted anywhere in Pecos National Historical Park. Trails lead to hot springs and waterfalls, glimpses of the Valles Caldera, and majestic views of the mountains. In the Pecos, more than 400 miles of trail climb in and out of canyons, run along the rugged ridges, and crest the sky-soaked summits within this … They were doing movie filming in three different spaces around town. We found out that was a common occurrence. Those of you that read my blog regularly know that I frequently hike in the Sangres in Colorado and live at the base of the northern Sangres, 200 some miles north of the Pecos Wilderness. If you are looking for a place to camp, there are several options nearby in the Santa Fe National Forest. Visitors delight in floating the Wild and Scenic Rio Chama or hiking in the San Pedro Parks to escape the summer heat. Cedro Peak Camping Sites is a favorite area in the southern portion of the Sandia Ranger District. Cibola National Forest and Grasslands. Multiple campgrounds like Jack’s Creek, Iron Gate and Panchuela make great base camps for those exploring the wilderness. Red rock canyons, round peaks, colorful mesas and clear blue skies provide an inspiring backdrop. According to GreatOutdoors.com, if you wish to take advantage of the trails in the Pecos Wilderness Area, it’s recommended that you familiarize yourself with the maps and trails before your trip and write down your intended route of travel, leaving a copy with family or friends or with a ranger. One trail head for the wilderness is only 15 miles by road from Santa Fe, the state capital. I’m here in a holding pattern at a private campground, waiting for the public campgrounds to open, hopefully, on the 15th. The Pecos Wilderness includes the southernmost extension of the Rocky Mountains in the sub-range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of north central New Mexico. The trouble was not only getting there, but also, what to bring on such a trip. However, you can visit the Pecos Wilderness in the winter or early spring and camp in your RV in nearby Santa Fe, about 25 minutes away. Pecos is a village in San Miguel County, New Mexico, United States. According to GreatOutdoors.com, there are some “Don’ts” that Pecos Wilderness hikers should make sure to keep in mind. Santa Fe National Forest Headquarters The Pecos Wilderness includes the southernmost extension of the Rocky Mountains in the sub-range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of north central New Mexico. From either of these campgrounds visitors will find easy access to a network of trails criscrossing the Pecos Wilderness (foot and horse only). The Rio De Las Vacas and Clear Creek Campgrounds provide visitors with scenic views of the surrounding mountains. Near Tijeras, New Mexico. Lake Katharine – Pecos Wilderness NM That morning we broke camp and left Lake Johnson behind. It only took me a year to go for it. Based in Florida, Anne Boynton has been writing nonfiction articles since 2008. Come and stay in historic log cabins and getaway retreats located on the road to the Pecos Wilderness at 7,000 feet in the Santa Fe National Forest. Cottonwood gallery forests dot the lower recreation sites and provide shade for anglers in the summer, turning brilliant hues of gold and yellow in the fall. Please visit recreation.gov for reservations. The Pecos Ranger Station of the Santa Fe National Forest is located just down the road on Highway 63 less than 1 mile south of the town of Pecos, NM. © 2020 USATODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, Inc. 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