Quemado Lake - Pinon Cg

About

Piñon Campground sits at 7,899 feet in the Gila National Forest, offering a quiet retreat among piñon and juniper trees less than 2 miles from Quemado Lake. The campground is divided into a family camping loop on the east side with first-come, first-served sites, and a group camping loop on the west side with reservable group shelters. Several sites provide views of the lake, making this a tranquil destination that remains relatively undiscovered. The campground provides basic forest service amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables at each site, and campfire rings. A dump station is available for $15 per use when the campground is open. Potable water is typically available from mid-May through September 30, though campers should check current conditions as well maintenance may affect availability. All Gila National Forest campgrounds have a 14-day stay limit. Quemado Lake Recreation Area prohibits hunting, target shooting, horses, and OHV/ATV use. Pets are welcome but must remain leashed. The area operates under Stage 1 fire restrictions from late March through September, meaning fires are only permitted in the provided fire rings at designated sites.

Directions

From Quemado, NM: Take NM 32 south for approximately 14 miles to the Quemado Lake/NM 103 sign. Turn left onto NM 103 and drive 4 miles to Quemado Lake/Forest Road 13. Continue on Forest Road 13 for 1.4 miles to reach Piñon Campground.