USDA Forest Service · New Mexico
El Caso I-IV Campground
USDA Forest Service · New Mexico, United States
- Drinking water
- No
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 7,720 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Cell coverage
- T-Mobile none · AT&T none · Verizon none (carriers' 4G LTE filings to the FCC, 2025-12; not measured here)
- Access road
- EL CASO CG (NFSR 4187 L) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Gila National Forest
- Nearest town
- Quemado
- Address
- NM
- Activities
- <p>Largo Trailhead (<a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gila/recreation/recarea/?recid=2003">Trail #14</a>) is at the west side of the campground. Largo Trail connects with other trails in the recreation area.</p> , <p>Take <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gila/recreation/recarea/?recid=2003">Largo Trail #14</a> to the east end of Quemado Lake and the Lakeshore Trail around the lake.</p> , <p>The campground is adjacent to El Caso Throwdown. Horses are not allowed in the Quemado Lake Recreation Area.</p> , <p>The campground is approximately 2 miles from the boat launch and the Quemado Lake spillway. Electric motors only.</p> , <p>There are 22 sites each with a table and fire ring. The tent sites do not have developed tent pads.</p> , <p>There are no RV specific sites but many sites are suitable for self contained RV camping. The nearest dump station is at Piсon Campground (May 1 to September 30). Dump fee is $5.00.</p> , Picnicking
About
This are partially developed, shady campgrounds within hiking distance of the lake.
The El Caso Campgounds are partially developed campgrounds located at the east end of Quemado Lake, approximately .25 miles east of the Piñon CG. They are nestled in a valley stretching alongside an intermittent stream and are surrounded by ponderosa pine and cottonwood trees. The El Caso Campgrounds are popular with hunters, groups, and campers desiring a more primitive camping experience.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41° | 24° | 7° | 58° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 47° | 27° | -2° | 63° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 53° | 30° | 12° | 77° | 9 of 11 |
| April | 63° | 37° | 23° | 77° | 8 of 11 |
| May | 71° | 44° | 31° | 84° | 1 of 11 |
| June | 82° | 56° | 44° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 85° | 59° | 51° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 78° | 55° | 50° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 74° | 52° | 45° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 66° | 42° | 30° | 76° | 1 of 10 |
| November | 57° | 32° | 22° | 68° | 8 of 10 |
| December | 49° | 27° | 9° | 60° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Quemado Lake - El Caso Cg #4 · USDA Forest Service · 0 mi
- Pinon Campground (Quemado Lake) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 25 sites
- Piñon Campground · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Quemado Lake - El Caso Cg #5 · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi
- Juniper Campground (Quemado Lake) · USDA Forest Service · 1 mi · 36 sites
All public campgrounds in New Mexico · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-02-25. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.