Twining Campground

Star4.03
49 reviews
184 State Highway 38, Questa, NM 87556

Quick Facts

9,500 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

4 campsites

Season

Spring - Fall

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Carson National Forest site

Official Website
Get Directions
Twining Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fees are explicitly listed for Twining Campground. It appears to be a free campground.
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
(575) 586-0520.
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What Campers Say

4.03

Satisfactory

Based on 49 reviews

45 Google reviews

"User reviews highlight the convenience of the campground's location for hiking, as well as its lack of amenities and privacy. Some users found it difficult to locate the sites due to poor signage."

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Campground Map

184 State Highway 38, Questa, NM 87556

Twining Campground

184 State Highway 38, Questa, NM 87556

Driving directionsTake Highway 150 to its terminus at the Twining Road.
The campground is accessible via Highway 150 and Twining Road. During winter, road access is affected as bathrooms are locked and parking lots are often full due to skiing season.
Nearby places
Taos Ski Valley (0 miles), Questa (approximately 15 miles), Taos (approximately 20 miles)
Nearby supplies
Supplies available in Taos Ski Valley village, including groceries, fuel, and camping essentials
larger options in Taos (20 miles away).

Best Time to Camp at Twining Campground

The high-altitude climate here tells a story of dramatic seasonal transformation. Winter blankets the campground in deep snow, with temperatures plunging well below freezing—a time when only the hardiest souls venture forth. As spring arrives, the landscape awakens with crisp, dry days perfect for early-season hiking. But autumn steals the show, when the surrounding aspen grove erupts in a symphony of gold and amber, creating one of New Mexico's most spectacular natural displays. Summer brings warm days and cool nights, with afternoon thunderstorms that roll through the peaks like clockwork.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer offers cool high-country escape and trail access; reviews note summer convenience.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 13% in NM

Peak season late Sep–Oct for spectacular fall foliage in the aspen groves (leaf peeping).

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Open in spring but high-elevation conditions and snowmelt may limit access/comfort.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Campground closed/limited in winter; facilities locked and heavy snow noted.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Late September - October, noted for peak fall foliage.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Spring - Fall
  • Current Alerts: During winter, bathrooms are locked, and parking lots are often full due to skiing season.

About Twining Campground

Nestled within a serene aspen grove at 9,500 feet, Twining Campground offers an intimate tent-only escape for those seeking solitude in the high country. This hidden gem serves as the perfect basecamp for adventurers heading to the Bull of the Woods Trailhead, while the nearby Taos Ski Valley resort village provides a taste of mountain culture just minutes away. With its dispersed camping sites tucked between whispering aspens, this small campground delivers an authentic wilderness experience without sacrificing convenience.
Twining Campground is a small, primitive facility catering primarily to tent campers. Additional dispersed camping sites are located nearby, and RVs can park in an adjacent lot.
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Reserving a campsite

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Amenities available

Picnic tables

Activities you can enjoy

Twining Campground offers easy access to a variety of recreational activities, primarily centered around hiking and fishing. The nearby Wheeler Peak Trail and others provide opportunities for scenic adventures, while the Rio Hondo offers fishing options.
HikingThe campground is just a few hundred feet from the Bull of the Woods Trailhead, which leads to Wheeler Peak and connects with other trails like Long Canyon, Gold Hill, and Lost Lake. Nearby trails include Williams Lake Trail and canyon trails like Gavilan, Italianos, Manzanita, and Yerba. User reviews emphasize the convenience of hiking access, with one camper stating, 'The trail leads to the eponymous peak.'
FishingThe Rio Hondo, located near the campground, is popular for fishing. Stream access is available both upstream and downstream, though campers should be aware of private property in some areas.
Wildlife viewingThe surrounding aspen groves and wilderness provide opportunities for wildlife observation, particularly during the fall leaf-peeping season.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include high-altitude exposure, wildlife encounters, and seasonal snow and cold temperatures.
Active AlertsDuring winter, bathrooms are locked, and parking lots are often full due to skiing season.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at Twining Campground

Reviews

4.0
49 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Twining Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews highlight the convenience of the campground's location for hiking, as well as its lack of amenities and privacy. Some users found it difficult to locate the sites due to poor signage.
Review Summaries
Based on 49 reviews

What Campers Love

Convenient access to trails, particularly the Bull of the Woods Trailhead. Several users appreciate the scenic aspen grove setting and the proximity to Taos Ski Valley amenities.
Based on 49 reviews

Common Concerns

Lack of amenities (no water or restrooms), poor signage, steep access trail from parking lot, sites close together with little privacy, and construction noise during the day.
Based on 49 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring all necessary water and supplies due to lack of amenities. Plan to arrive early to secure a site, as it is first-come-first-served. Avoid arriving after dark as the sites are hard to locate....
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Based on 49 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Fall is popular for 'leaf peeping' in the aspen groves. Winter presents challenges due to locked bathrooms and full parking areas. Summer reviews frequently mention the convenience of escaping the...
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Based on 49 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'It's literally between condos and a parking lot and there are no amenities.' - T C. 2. 'The tent walk-in area is a great option in the summer months to beat the heat with a small stream nearby.'...
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Based on 49 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific complaints include difficulty finding the official four sites and the proximity to the busy parking lot. One user notes, 'The board says four official campsites, but we could only find...
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Based on 49 reviews

Accessibility Features

The steep trail from the parking lot to the campsites and the lack of clear signage were highlighted as potential challenges for users with disabilities.
Based on 49 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews regarding pets were found.
Based on 49 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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