Amole Canyon Group Shelter
The Amole Group Shelter is located immediately adjacent to the popular wooded Amole Canyon Day Use Area at 8,400 feet in elevation. The group shelter accommodates up to 100 people with plenty of solitude since this is the only group facility in this location.
This location provides gated access, twin barbecue grills, picnic tables and a group-sized fire ring. In addition, accessible twin vault toilets with a paved path to the shelter are provided. There is no water at this facility and no trash service. Please bring all the water you will need for your stay and pack out your trash.
There is group camping for up to 100 people with 4 paved single vehicle parking spots, and gravel spots for passenger vehicles or camper trailers/RVs. All designated parking is surfaced with gravel or pavement. The pull-thrus can either be used for passenger vehicles or RVs and camp trailers. All parking, regardless of vehicle type, must be on surfaced parking areas.
Need to Know
A combination code will be provided to you by Recreation.gov to open the gate to the group shelter. If you have questions regarding your reservation please contact Recreation.gov at (877)444-6777 or (877)833-6777 for TDD devices. If you have questions about the Carson National Forest in general, please contact the Camino Real Ranger District at 575-587-2255 during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00-4:30) .
There is no cellphone service at Amole Canyon Group Shelter. The nearest cell phone recetion for most providers is at Sipapu Ski Resort or along the highway in front of Southern Methodist University.
Be Bear Aware - Keep a clean camp, store all food items in closed containers.
There is no water service at the group shelter so bring your own water or fill up in Taos or Penasco.
- Click here for more information on the Carson National Forest
- For more information on the Camino Real Ranger District call (575) 587-2255
- No more than twenty vehicles are allowed in this facility.
- Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CarsonNF/
- Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
No trash service is provided, please pack out your trash.
Natural Features
The group camping area has been constructed within a stand of tall ponderosa pine trees. The shelter has been constructed on a small hill overlooking a pristine meadow.
Nearby Attractions
Amole Canyon Group Shelter is located approximately seven miles away from the unincorporated community of Penasco with art galleries, some restaurants, fuel and automotive services, and a small hardware store; seven miles from Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort with a resturant and a nationally ranked disc golf course; eight miles from the Taos Campus of Southern Methodist University and the Pot Creek Cultural Site; 11 miles from Picuris Pueblo; 15 miles from Taos which has a hospital and most services; 15 miles from access to the Pecos Wilderness and world class fly fishing at the Santa Barbara Trailhead; 20 miles from the Serpent Lake Trailhead which accesses the Pecos Wilderness and Jicarita Peak (12,800 feet); 20 miles to Taos Pueblo with events and pueblo tours; and 30 miles from the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument with word class rafting, kayaking and flying fishing.
Recreation
There are approximately 11 miles of non-motorized trails located in the Amole Canyon Day Use Area. Here, visitors can enjoy sections of the nearby South Loop Trail, with views of the Rio Pueblo Valley, and nearby Bear Mountain and Penasco Mountain. Along the Upper Cutoff Trail, views of Picuris Mountain are readily available. The trails are popular for hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing and are rated easy to more difficult. The Amole Canyon Trailhead also provides access to the Forest's Motorized Trail System via Trail 182, the Tio Maes Trail.
Contact Information
Mailing
Camino Real Ranger District 15160 State Road 75 Penasco NM 87553
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 575-587-2255
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
From State Road 68 in Ranchos de Taos, go south on 518 14.2 miles to the junction with National Forest System Road 703, go southeast on FSR703 approximately 0.4 mile to a gate locked with a coded padlock. The code will be provided to you in an email. Unlock the gate and proceed south into the group shelter parking area.
