USDA Forest Service · New Mexico
Santa Barbara Campground
USDA Forest Service · New Mexico, United States
- Sites
- 21
- Hookups
- 21 with water, 21 no hookups
- Season
- May 22 to September 30
- Max RV length
- 65 ft
- Group sites
- Yes
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Pets
- Yes
- Elevation
- 8,868 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
- SANTA BARBARA (NFSR 116) · crushed aggregate or gravel · moderate degree of user comfort
- Lake
- Carson National Forest
- Phone
- 435-245-6521
- Activities
- Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Viewing
21 numbered sites are mapped one by one - open the site map to pick yours.
About
Overview
Santa Barbara Campground is situated nicely on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness area and next to Rio Santa Barbara, a beautiful and healthy trout stream.
Recreation
This is a great drop off point for hikers and horseback riders seeking close access to the Pecos Wilderness and Jicarita Peak.
Facilities
The campground has 15 single sites, each containing a table and fire ring; two double sites, each containing two tables and a fire ring; one triple site containing three tables and a fire ring; and two quad sites containing four tables and a fire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water from faucets and trash removal are provided. There are no horse facilites within the campground. First-come, first-served sites are available.
Natural Features
Santa Barbara is located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,900 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.
Nearby Attractions
Trail access to Jicarita Peak, with close access to North Truchas Peak, Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco are all nearby. All are within 8-15 miles from the campground. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36° | 17° | 0° | 51° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 39° | 18° | -8° | 55° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 44° | 24° | 9° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 54° | 30° | 10° | 67° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 64° | 40° | 29° | 75° | 3 of 11 |
| June | 75° | 50° | 40° | 84° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 78° | 54° | 46° | 87° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 74° | 52° | 46° | 82° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 70° | 48° | 33° | 80° | 0 of 11 |
| October | 60° | 38° | 27° | 69° | 4 of 10 |
| November | 49° | 30° | -4° | 62° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 41° | 22° | 2° | 53° | 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
- Comales · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Agua Piedra Cg · USDA Forest Service · 5 mi
- Agua Piedra Campground · USDA Forest Service · 6 mi · 46 sites
- Amole Canyon Group Shelter · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi · 1 sites
- La Junta Canyon · USDA Forest Service · 7 mi
All public campgrounds in New Mexico · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-03-11. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.