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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Forest Service campground

Columbine Campground

Forest Service campground in Carson National Forest, Taos County, New Mexico. About 7,900 feet. 5.2 miles from Questa.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Forest Service Carson National Forest
Elevation
About 7,900 ft As the Forest Service states
Sites
27 25 standard non-electric, 2 tent only non-electric
Longest rig
70 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Taos County

Overview

Columbine Campground is located between Questa and Red River, New Mexico. The Red River flows past the campground and a trailhead leads into the Columbine-Hondo Wilderness area. Columbine Campground sits at 7,900 feet in elevation.

Recreation

The Columbine Twining hiking trail can be found at the south end of the campground and gives access to 14 miles of hiking trails, and leads into the Columbin-Hondo Wilderness area. The Red River runs near the campground and can be accessed near the first loop.

Facilities

This campground offers 26 single sites, potable water, and vault toilets. Each site is has a fire ring, picnic table, and tent pad. Please note that no water can be filled directly into a trailer, rv, or motorhome anywhere in this campground - the potable water is only for filling containers you bring back to your site.

Natural Features

The campground is composed of two loops. One small loop at the campground entrance, has all open sites and views of the towering mountains. The other is a long loop up the canyon along the fast-flowing Columbine Creek. The campsites in this loop are tucked in among pine, spruce and some aspen providing ample shade and good privacy between campsites.

Nearby Attractions

Be sure to explore Red River, Questa, and the Enchanted Circle while in the area.

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

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • fishing
  • hiking
  • whitewater rafting
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Columbine Campground

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 March 11, 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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