How much does camping cost at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds?

Camping fees at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds first-come first-served or reservation?

Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is primarily dispersed, and walk-up availability is inferred from descriptions.

What is the best time to visit Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds?

Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds is open Spring through Fall, weather dependent. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds?

Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds have?

Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds has 12 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds?

Pets are not allowed at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

What activities can I do at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds?

Popular activities at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds include Hiking, Fishing, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds

3.92

12 reviews

22280 U.S. Highway 64, Tres Piedras, NM 87577

Scenic ViewsGreat HikingSummer Destination

Quick Facts

10,400 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

10,400 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

12 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The site does not mention any fees for camping.

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

(575) 758-8678null

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

22280 U.S. Highway 64, Tres Piedras, NM 87577

Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds

22280 U.S. Highway 64, Tres Piedras, NM 87577

Nearby places

Tres Piedras - 26 miles, approximately 40-45 minutes

Nearby supplies

Tres Piedras, 26 miles away, offers general supplies and fuel options.

Weather at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds

Current alert: Know Before You Go: Roads are not plowed in the winter.

Best Time to Camp at Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds

Summer is the main season here. Daytime temps run 50-70°F with nights dropping to 25-40°F, so pack for cold mornings even in July. Afternoon thunderstorms roll through during the monsoon months of July and August. Start hikes early and carry rain gear. The high elevation means thin air and sudden weather shifts. Roads close with snow, making winter access difficult to impossible without snowshoes or skis.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Main season: pleasant days (50–70°F) and popular for camping/hiking, though afternoon storms occur.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Spring through Fall, weather dependent. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: This campground partially stays open year-round: The upper campground is available all year. The lower campground and all restooms closes seasonally. Spring - Fall (Specific dates are weather dependent)

About Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds

Upper and Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds sit at 10,400 feet in Carson National Forest near Tres Piedras, New Mexico, offering 12 primitive tent sites that serve as a base camp for the Cruces Basin Wilderness. The campgrounds have no amenities and require packing in your own water. Access roads aren't plowed in winter.

The campground offers dispersed camping in a natural setting with 12 campsites located in Upper and Lower Lagunitas.

Weather and SeasonsSummer is the main season here. Daytime temps run 50-70°F with nights dropping to 25-40°F, so pack for cold mornings even in July. Afternoon thunderstorms roll through during the monsoon months of July and August. Start hikes early and carry rain gear. The high elevation means thin air and sudden weather shifts. Roads close with snow, making winter access difficult to impossible without snowshoes or skis.

ElevationAt 10,400 feet above sea level, these campgrounds place you firmly in Colorado's alpine zone, where the air is crisp, pure, and noticeably thinner. This lofty perch rewards visitors with cooler temperatures even on summer's warmest days, though it demands respect—every trail becomes a more deliberate journey as your body adjusts to the altitude. The elevation creates a natural sanctuary where subalpine forests give way to sweeping vistas that seem to stretch forever.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campgrounds border the Cruces Basin Wilderness, where glacially carved basins hold alpine lakes and volcanic peaks rise above the tree line. At this elevation, you're camping in high-altitude forest with views across rugged valleys. Emily Benson called the scenery "exquisite, majestic, stunning." Elk graze in clearings, and summer brings alpine wildflower displays. The landscape is remote and largely untouched, with the kind of silence broken only by wind in the pines.

Geological RegionThe Cruces Basin Wilderness represents one of Colorado's most stunning high-altitude ecosystems, where geological forces have sculpted a landscape of dramatic beauty. Ancient glaciers carved the basins that now cradle jewel-like lakes, while volcanic activity and millions of years of erosion created the rugged peaks and valleys that define this backcountry paradise. This is wilderness in its purest form—untamed, unspoiled, and utterly magnificent.

Scenic ViewsScenic views encompass the lakes and Cruces Basin Wilderness terrain. Sunrise and sunset views were specifically noted by users as being spectacular.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo information about hotel-style accommodations is available.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe 12 sites spread between Upper and Lower Lagunitas with dispersed spacing. Reviews describe them as clean and well-separated, though trash left by previous visitors has been a recurring complaint.

Reservation Platformsnull

Walk-in AvailabilityCamping is primarily dispersed, and walk-up availability is inferred from descriptions.

Site SizeNo specific details about the size of the campsites are provided.

PrivacyThe campsites are reported to be well-spaced apart, providing a degree of privacy" (user review by Kevin Brannon).

Total Campsites12 campsites

Recommended SitesI counted 4 sites spaced well apart." Users recommend Upper Lagunitas for spaced-out sites and cleaner conditions.

Best CampsitesReviews mention Upper Lagunitas has well-spaced sites that provide privacy. Kevin Brannon noted the spacing creates a degree of separation between campers. No specific site numbers are called out in the feedback.

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site.

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a range of outdoor activities suitable for nature enthusiasts, including day hiking, fishing, and picnicking. The Cruces Basin Wilderness offers opportunities for breathtaking views and wildlife observation.

Hiking

Fishing

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsAltitude-related challenges include strenuous hiking and potential for altitude sickness. Seasonal hazards include cold temperatures and snow.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.9

12 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Upper Lagunitas / Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews highlight the natural beauty of the campground as its main attraction. However, some reviewers expressed concerns about trash left by other visitors. The campsites are described as clean, spacious, and well-separated.

Review Summaries

Based on 12 reviews

What Campers Love

"Exquisite, majestic, stunning" - Emily Benson. The campground offers breathtaking views, proximity to the Cruces Basin Wilderness, and excellent opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing...

Based on 12 reviews

Common Concerns

Multiple users mentioned the presence of trash at the campground, with one reviewer imploring others to "pack out what you pack in."

Based on 12 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Kevin Brannon mentioned seeing '4 sites spaced well apart,' although the official count is 12 campsites. Specific site numbers or details about individual sites are not available.

Based on 12 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers are advised to bring their own drinking water and be prepared for high altitudes, as the area is located at 10,400'. Roads are not plowed in winter, making access difficult in snowy...

Based on 12 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is particularly popular during the warmer seasons, as noted by one user who stated, 'Would definitely return to camp again in the warmer season.'

Based on 12 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Exquisite, majestic, stunning. FULL of trash. If you come here, for the love of all things sacred, pack out what you pack in.' - Emily Benson. 2. 'Beautiful spot. I counted 4 sites, spaced well...

Based on 12 reviews

Accessibility Features

No user reviews specifically address accessibility features.

Based on 12 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No user reviews specifically address pet-related experiences or policies.

Based on 12 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Anglers and wilderness hikers who can pack in all their water will find the lake trail gentle enough on the way down, with reportedly solid fishing once you're there. Summer mornings here are cool and quiet, and the well-spaced sites fill up without a reservation system, so arriv

Skip if

No potable water anywhere on-site is a real logistical problem if you underpack, and previous campers have left enough trash that it's become a recurring complaint. The altitude hits harder than most visitors expect on the return climb, and winter access is simply not plowed.

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