Camino Real Ranger District
District Office Information
15160 State Road 75
Mail to: P.O. Box 68
Penasco, NM 87553
Phone: (575) 587-2255
Hours: Office hours - closed on Federal holidays
The Camino Real Ranger District is the area closest to Taos and serves 32 unincorporated communities and 2 Native American Pueblos that depend on the district for wood and other forest products. The smaller communities such as Ojo Sarco, Truchas, Vadito, and Trampas rely heavily on timber to use for building materials or to burn in woodstoves.
The Camino Real Ranger District is managed for many multi-use purposes; hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, camping and personal firewood cutting are among the activities. The District manages many acres of the Carson National Forest. The district has more than 252 miles of trail, offering diverse terrain and dramatic landscapes for the skilled hiker. Some of the best and easiest hiking trails are in this district. The Devisadero Loop trail is a 6-mile loop that is just outside of the town of Taos. This trail offers a moderate 1,100-foot elevation gain. There are great views of the town of Taos, Wheeler Peak, and Taos Pueblo lands. The trek takes hikers through various habitats along the trail from pinon and juniper on the south to pine and spruce on the north side of the loop.
The district is also home to one of the nation's premier mountain biking opportunities. The South Boundary Trail offers 22 miles of sweet downhill single and double track, cruising through deep and dark evergreen forest, aspen glades, and meadows. The terrain provides great views and some technical challenges at the end to give you a dose of adrenaline to finish the ride. The occasional break in greenery reveals gorgeous panoramas of Taos Canyon and Wheeler Peak Wilderness Area.
Sipapu Ski Area is one of New Mexico's oldest ski areas, opening in 1952. Located off of U.S. 518, the area is family friendly, offering a wide variety of terrain for both the experienced and inexperienced skier or snowboarder.
Activities
Mountain Biking
Areas for Mountain Biking at Camino Real Ranger District
- 70 Moto Trail
- Agua Piedra Trail 19A
- Agua Sarca Trail #16
- Amole Canyon Trail 10
- Angostura Cutoff Trail 19A
- Angostura Trail 493
- Apache Trail 70B
- Bear Mountain Trail #28
- Buena Suerte Trail 170
- Camino Real Trail #3
- Capulin Trail 494
- Centennial Trail 100
- Cerro Vista Trail 124
- Comales Canyon Trail 22
- Cordova Canyon Trail 17
- Cortado Trail 162
- Devisadero Loop Trail 108
- El Nogal Trail 181
- El Valle Largo Trail 70
- Elliot Barker Trail
- Flechado Canyon Trail 7
- Gallegos Canyon Trail 4
- Gallegos Peak Trail 182
- La Cueva Canyon Trail #492
- La Jara Canyon Trail FR #5
- Mondragon Canyon Trail 660
- North Boundary Trail 495
- Ojitos Canyon Trail 166
- Osha Canyon Trail #20
- Picuris Peak Trail #114
- Policarpio Trail #13
- Pot Creek Interpretive Trail 2
- Rio Chiquito Trail #121
- Rio Grande Del Rancho Trail 18
- Rito De La Olla Trail 438
- Sardinas Canyon Trail #12
- South Boundry Trail #164
- Telephone Canyon Trail 3
- Tienditas Trail 70A
- Tio Maes Trail 5
- Valle De Los Romero Trail 13A
Campground Camping
Areas for Campground Camping at Camino Real Ranger District
- Agua Piedra Campground and Group Shelters
- Capulin Campground
- Comales Campground
- Duran Canyon Campground
- La Junta Canyon
- La Sombra Campground
- Las Petacas Campground
- Santa Barbara Campground
- Upper La Junta Campground
RV Camping
Areas for RV Camping at Camino Real Ranger District
Group Camping
Areas for Group Camping at Camino Real Ranger District
Lake and Pond Fishing
Areas for Lake and Pond Fishing at Camino Real Ranger District
River and Stream Fishing
Areas for River and Stream Fishing at Camino Real Ranger District
- Alamitos Creek Fishing
- Angostura Fishing
- Capulin Campground
- Duran Canyon Campground
- La Junta Canyon
- La Sombra Campground
- Little Rio Grande Fishing
- Rio Chiquito Fishing
- Rio Fernando Fishing
- Rio Pueblo Fishing
- Rio Trampas Fishing
- Rito De La Olla Fishing
- Santa Barbara Campground
- Upper La Junta Campground
Day Hiking
Areas for Day Hiking at Camino Real Ranger District
- 70 Moto Trail
- Agua Piedra Campground and Group Shelters
- Agua Piedra Handicap Trail 6
- Agua Piedra Trail 19A
- Agua Sarca Trail #16
- Amole Canyon Trail 10
- Angostura Cutoff Trail 19A
- Angostura Trail 493
- Apache Trail 70B
- Bear Mountain Trail #28
- Buena Suerte Trail 170
- Camino Real Trail #3
- Capulin Campground
- Capulin Ice Caves Trail 109
- Capulin Trail 494
- Centennial Trail 100
- Cerro Vista Trail 124
- Comales Campground
- Comales Canyon Trail 22
- Cordova Canyon Trail 17
- Cortado Trail 162
- Devisadero Loop Trail 108
- Divide Trail 36
- Duran Canyon Campground
- East Fork Santa Barbara Trail 26
- El Nogal Trail 181
- El Valle Largo Trail 70
- Elliot Barker Trail
- Flechado Canyon Trail 7
- Gallegos Canyon Trail 4
- Gallegos Peak Trail 182
- Hidden Lakes Trail
- Indian Creek Trail #27
- Indian Lake Trail 19C
- La Cueva Canyon Trail #492
- La Cueva Lake Trail
- La Jara Canyon Trail FR #5
- La Junta Canyon
- Middle Fork Trail 24
- Mondragon Canyon Trail 660
- North Boundary Trail 495
- OK Canyon Trail
- Ojitos Canyon Trail 166
- Osha Canyon Trail #20
- Picuris Peak Trail #114
- Policarpio Trail #13
- Pot Creek Interpretive Trail 2
- Rio Chiquito Trail #121
- Rio Grande Del Rancho Trail 18
- Rito De La Olla Trail 438
- San Leonardo Trail #30
- Santa Barbara Campground
- Sardinas Canyon Trail #12
- Serpent Lake Cutoff Trail 19B
- Serpent Lake Trail 19
- South Boundry Trail #164
- Telephone Canyon Trail 3
- Tienditas Trail 70A
- Tio Maes Trail 5
- Trampas Lakes Trail 31
- Upper La Junta Campground
- Valle De Los Romero Trail 13A
- West Fork Santa Barbara Trail 25
Backpacking
Areas for Backpacking at Camino Real Ranger District
Horse Riding
Areas for Horse Riding at Camino Real Ranger District
- 70 Moto Trail
- Agua Piedra Campground and Group Shelters
- Agua Piedra Trail 19A
- Agua Sarca Trail #16
- Amole Canyon Trail 10
- Angostura Cutoff Trail 19A
- Angostura Trail 493
- Apache Trail 70B
- Bear Mountain Trail #28
- Buena Suerte Trail 170
- Camino Real Trail #3
- Capulin Trail 494
- Centennial Trail 100
- Cerro Vista Trail 124
- Comales Canyon Trail 22
- Comales Cutoff Trail
- Cordova Canyon Trail 17
- Cortado Trail 162
- Devisadero Loop Trail 108
- Divide Trail 36
- Drake Canyon Loop Trail
- East Fork Santa Barbara Trail 26
- El Nogal Trail 181
- El Valle Largo Trail 70
- Elliot Barker Trail
- Flechado Canyon Trail 7
- Gallegos Canyon Trail 4
- Gallegos Peak Trail 182
- Hidden Lakes Trail
- Indian Creek Trail #27
- Indian Lake Trail 19C
- La Cueva Canyon Trail #492
- La Cueva Cutoff Trail
- La Cueva Lake Trail
- La Jara Canyon Trail FR #5
- Middle Fork Trail 24
- Mondragon Canyon Trail 660
- North Boundary Trail 495
- OK Canyon Trail
- Ojitos Canyon Trail 166
- Osha Canyon Trail #20
- Picuris Peak Trail #114
- Policarpio Trail #13
- Pot Creek Interpretive Trail 2
- Rio Chiquito Trail #121
- Rio Grande Del Rancho Trail 18
- Rito De La Olla Trail 438
- San Leonardo Trail #30
- Santa Barbara Campground
- Sardinas Canyon Trail #12
- Serpent Lake Cutoff Trail 19B
- Serpent Lake Trail 19
- South Boundry Trail #164
- Telephone Canyon Trail 3
- Tienditas Trail 70A
- Tio Maes Trail 5
- Trampas Lakes Trail 31
- Valle De Los Romero Trail 13A
- West Fork Santa Barbara Trail 25
OHV Road Riding
Areas for OHV Road Riding at Camino Real Ranger District
OHV Trail Riding
Areas for OHV Trail Riding at Camino Real Ranger District
Picnicking
Areas for Picnicking at Camino Real Ranger District
- Agua Piedra Campground and Group Shelters
- Capulin Campground
- Comales Campground
- Duran Canyon Campground
- Flechado Picnic Site
- Las Petacas Campground
- Santa Barbara Campground
- Upper La Junta Campground
Group Picnicking
Areas for Group Picnicking at Camino Real Ranger District
Sledding/Tubing
Areas for Sledding/Tubing at Camino Real Ranger District
Skiing/Snowboarding
Areas for Skiing/Snowboarding at Camino Real Ranger District
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing
Areas for XC Skiing/Snowshoeing at Camino Real Ranger District
- 70 Moto Trail
- Agua Piedra Trail 19A
- Agua Sarca Trail #16
- Amole Canyon Trail 10
- Angostura Trail 493
- Apache Trail 70B
- Capulin Ice Caves Trail 109
- Capulin Trail 494
- Capulin/La Sombra Trail
- Comales Canyon Trail 22
- Cordova Canyon Trail 17
- Devisadero Loop Trail 108
- East Fork Santa Barbara Trail 26
- Elliot Barker Trail
- Flechado Canyon Trail 7
- Gallegos Canyon Trail 4
- Gallegos Peak Trail 182
- Garcia Park Trail
- La Cueva Canyon Trail #492
- La Jara Canyon Trail FR #5
- Middle Fork Trail 24
- Mondragon Canyon Trail 660
- North Boundary Trail 495
- OK Canyon Trail
- Osha Canyon Trail #20
- Picuris Peak Trail #114
- Policarpio Trail #13
- Pot Creek Interpretive Trail 2
- Rio Chiquito Trail #121
- Rio Grande Del Rancho Trail 18
- San Leonardo Trail #30
- Sardinas Canyon Trail #12
- Serpent Lake Trail 19
- South Boundry Trail #164
- Tio Maes Trail 5
- Trampas Lakes Trail 31
- West Fork Santa Barbara Trail 25
Snowmobiling
Areas for Snowmobiling at Camino Real Ranger District