Depends On Your Campsite

This park has some great campsites and some terrible ones. Your experience will depend on what site you get. A lot of the sites are not level. The electric sites are close to the road, but it wasn't a problem when I stayed in one. My main complaint is that there is no water anywhere except down at the visitor center. No cell service except by the visitor center. There is wifi near the visitor center, but it was weak. Bathroom facilities are not great. No showers. The staff are great. Every single one I met. There are lots of great hiking trails and at 8,500 ft it's a lot cooler than in Santa Fe, which is only 8 miles away. Some reviews complained about the diesel generator. That is gone. Replaced by a solar power array, which is up across the road from the yurts.

Water Is Treated As GOLD

Love that this place was way up in the mountains away from the city. GPS (Google Maps) was incorrect. Site backed to the road but was still nice. Obtaining water was like pulling teeth. Every water pump had a lock on it and we had to wait for certain hours to get water-ridiculous. Never have seen this elsewhere. If I want to visit Santa Fe again, I might stay here again.

We spent an evening and it was a wonderful time. We stayed at a site several sites away from the generator. The sound from the generator was not a bother at all. We did have to provide our own water since the one faucet was out of order. But, for the price it was fine.

Big Trees And Hiking Trails

No hookups, no water, no dump, but big trees and hiking trails. The site is not level, but manageable. We got Verizon working, but no ATT. Easy getting into town. We couldn't find a ranger to talk to for 3 days. 10$ per night + reservation free.

State Park - Not Nat'l Forest

MAIN LOOP NOT OPEN. No VZN cell service. Local TV & Radio. Spent $10/n for lone spot up a steep driveway with tent pad, lean-to, fire ring & grill. Sites with elect came from mobile generator on host site in 'RV Campground' shown in pic. Most sites back up to hwy. No WATER or dump avail. USF Nat'l Park was also closed.

Only 9 miles or so to downtown but still feels very remote. Beautiful area! My only complaint would be that the power comes from a large, loud generator that runs 24/7. I’d rather they charged more and fixed the power or just left it as dry camping. I’d still go again, the scenery and proximity to town were worth it.