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Special Places
Some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.5 million acres covered by the Carson National Forest. Elevations rise from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico. Our objective is to maintain that natural beauty.
Some of the most picturesque and beautiful natural scenery on the Carson National Forest can be seen on the Wilderness Areas of the Carson National Forest.
Highlighted Areas
Hopewell Lake Campground
Hopewell Lake Campground sits next to its scenic namesake lake between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla in northern New Mexico. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, hiking, fishing and canoeing.
Natural Features: Hopewell Lake is a small, man-made lake, set high in the Carson National Forest at an elevation of 9,500 feet. A forest of conifer and aspen trees covers the area and offers partial shade in the campground.
Recreation: The 14-acre lake is perfect for canoeing and is regularly stocked with rainbow and brook trout. Several trails begin in the campground and are popular with horseback riders and hikers.
Facilities: The campground contains a group day-use shelter and overnight campsite, as well as several family overnight sites. Horse corrals and water troughs are on-site.
Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout; Types of fishing available include: Shore, Motorized boat, Float tube, Fly, Spin, Bait.
El Rito Campground
Located near the town of El Rito, this area is often crowded in summer due to its popularity. The campground is situated along the bank of the El Rito Creek. 11 campsites at 7600 feet with excellent hiking and fishing access.
Echo Amphitheater Picnic Site
Echo Amphitheater is a natural amphitheater located on the Carson National Forest in Rio Arriba County, in Northern New Mexico. The sandstone cliff is known for its unique echoing auditory properties. The red vertical stripes down the otherwise horizontally stratified cliff wall are streaks of mineral varnish that provides a colorful contrast to the sandstone cliff. This colorful geological feature combined with its unusual auditory properties no doubt fed the legend of myth associated with the Echo Amphitheater.
Valle Vidal Unit
The Valle Vidal has two campgrounds, McCrystal and Cimarron, and numerous parking areas for those heading into the backcountry. The McCrystal campground sits at 8,100 ft., it has 55 units for camping and can accommodate a trailer 32’ and under.
The Cimarron campground sits at 9,400 ft., it has 32 camping units and can also accommodate a trailer 32’ and under.
Recreational Information on the Valle Vidal Unit
Elliot Barker Trail
In the summer months the trail is popular for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. The trail is open to cross-country skiers and snowshoers.
Summer and fall for hiking, mountain biking and horseback and winter and early spring for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.