John F Kennedy
Permanently closed. The campground was shut down years ago due to vandalism and is now gated off. The site serves only as a trailhead parking area with no camping permitted.
Cannabis Possession Prohibited
Order 03-00-00-21-002 prohibits possessing, storing, or transporting a cannabis plant, any part of a cannabis plant, or any substance derived from a cannabis plant within the Southwestern Region National Forests in the State of New Mexico and the National Grasslands in the states of Texas and…
Mountainair and Sandia Ranger Districts Stage 1 Fire Restriction Lifted
(Albuquerque, NM – September 17, 2026) — The Cibola National Forest & National Grasslands terminates Stage I Fire Restrictions previously on the Mountainair, and Sandia Ranger Districts.Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551 and Title 36 CFR 261.50(a), the prohibitions listed in Order Number Order…
Mountainair Ranger District - Capilla Temporary Road and Area Closure Order 03-03-04-26-16
The Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands has issued a road and area closure order (Order 03-03-04-26-16) for National Forest Road (NFR) 245, starting at the forest boundary to Capilla Peak Lookout to include New Canyon and Capilla Peak Campground Areas as depicted on the attached map.The…
About
John F Kennedy Campground was a developed Forest Service campground located in Cibola National Forest at the western base of the Manzano Mountains in Valencia County, New Mexico. The campground sat at approximately 6,148 feet elevation and once offered 12 camping units in a setting of pinyon, juniper, and Gambel oak. The facility has been permanently closed for many years due to persistent vandalism issues. The camping area is now gated off and only ruins remain of the former campground infrastructure. The Forest Service no longer lists it among active campgrounds in Cibola National Forest. Today, the site serves only as a trailhead parking area providing access to Trigo Canyon Trail (185), Salas Trail (184), and Comanche Canyon Trail (182). Access requires navigating rough dirt roads best suited for high-clearance 4WD vehicles, particularly after rain when large mud puddles can form. No facilities remain at the site. The Mountainair Ranger District manages the area.
Directions
Located approximately 10 miles northeast of Belen via rough dirt roads from the Tome Hill area. High-clearance 4WD vehicle recommended, especially after rain. Contact Mountainair Ranger District at +1 (505) 847-2990 for current road conditions.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | No |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (505) 847-2990 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | None |
Useful Links
| Trigo Trailhead - Cibola NF | |
| Cibola NF Camping & Cabins |
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