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A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

Forest Service campground

Capilla Peak

Forest Service campground in Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, Torrance County, New Mexico. 9,245 feet. 15.4 miles from Mountainair.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
Elevation
9,245 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
8 8 standard non-electric
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Torrance County

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.

The description, directions and fees are the Forest Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

The land around Capilla Peak

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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