Jack's Creek
Jack's Creek campground is high in the Sangre de Cristo mountains, up
in amongst the aspen and fir. It has lots of open space for children to
run, along with wilderness access for hiking and backpacking. The
campsites are a mixture of some in the sun (nicer for cooler weather)
and shade (for the summer). In the fall, the aspen turning are
beautiful. This campground also has some of the nicest views of the
surrounding mountains of all the campgrounds in the area.
This campground has several double sites which would work well if you
are camping with friends. Otherwise, the sites are nicely separated.
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Campground data:
Maps:
Getting to the campground:
From the town of Pecos, NM, take New Mexico 63 north. Cross the
river near a sign pointing to the Holy
Ghost campground (do not take the road to the Holy Ghost
campground). Near the Terrero General Store (which offers showers for
$5.00), the road makes a
sharp right turn, but there is really no other place to go. At
Cowles, you want to take forest road 555 (which is really a
continuation of NM 63). Do not cross the river at Cowles. The
road ends at the campground.
Note that the road from Pecos is narrow and it has many sharp turns.
Expect to take at least an hour to get from Pecos to the campground.
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The campground:
 | To the left, you can see our truck parked in site 33. This campground
is laid out in three parts. An upper and lower horse-free camp, as well
as a horse camp with eight campsites and parking for the trailhead into
the Pecos Wilderness.
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To the right, you can see Penitente Peak. I took this photo just
above the turnoff for the lower camping loop (which you can see in
the foreground).
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 | To the left is Round Mountain and another of the campsites. This
campsite is at the beginning of the upper loop.
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Reader comments about this campground:
On Thu Jun 12 14:17:20 2003 Anonymous from Moriarty NM said:
Just camped there this past weekend early June. Was beautiful!
Aspen groves were beautiful and a great view of the high mountain
peaks topped with snow. Likely one of the best camping in the Pecos
although not on the river. Campsite was clean. Lots of wooded
areas for the children to play and a short drive to Cowles for
fishing.
On Sat Jun 28 18:38:55 2003 Carolyn Meehan from Albuquerque NM said:
Arrived Thursday 6/26 to an unfilled campground. Gorgeous place and
quiet until Friday when it started filling up with RVs and few
tenters. Some had the music going to where they must have been deaf
because I could feel the vibrations in my bones. Saturday morning
8 am and I was the first one up. Restroom had Tecate empties and
toilet paper on the floors. On the way out there were ATVs riding
on the center stripe and cars passing me with a double solid yellow
line despite going 5 mph over the limit. What a gorgeous place to
be squandered on those who know nothing about enjoying nature at
the expense of those who appreciate it. I think I was the only
person to hike down to the creek and I did it twice. The road back
to Pecos was filled beyond the capacity with more of the same so I
may have had the best experience of all. What a shame that a few
heathens are allowed to infringe upon us all in the name of seeking
pleasure.
On Mon Aug 25 18:03:14 2003 HARRY AND SUZI BOGGUS from MORIARTYNEW MEXICO said:
JUNE 2003. WE HAVE VISITED JACKS CAMPGROUND TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH.
WE HAVE NOT CAMPED AS OF YET BUT PLAN TO IN THE NEAR FUTURE. IT IS
A BEAUTIFUL AREA. ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN THE PARTS OF NEW
MEXICO WE HAVE SEEN SINCE MOVING HERE FROM GEORGIA.
WE LOVE TO JUST TAKE A DAY OFF AND RIDE THROUGH AND SEE THE SCENERY.
WE HAVE FISHED SOME IN THE RIVER. EVEN IF WE DONT CATCH ANYTHING IT DOESNT MATTER TO US. ITS THE BEING OUT IN ONE OF OUR STATES MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES. THE SCENERY IS THE MOST MAGNIFICENT WE HAVE EVER SEEN.
WE STOP IN AT THE GENERAL STORE IN COWLES NOT REALLY TO PURCHASE ANYTHING BUT TO CHAT WITH THE PEOPLE THAT RUN IT. THEY ARE SO FRIENDLY.
AND TO WATCH ALL THE HUMMINGBIRDS FLYING AROUND OUTSIDE.
JACKS CAMPGROUND IS VERY CLEAN AND SPACIOUS.
WE WILL BE GOING BACK AGAIN!
On Wed Oct 6 07:27:13 2004 Kevin Powell from Branson Missouri said:
Your site is very informational. We are Planning to Camp Jack's Creek
1st week in June 2005 with our Horses. And yip were bringin our
house. Photos are great and really has us excited about the trip.
KP
On Wed Dec 8 15:37:17 2004 John from Louisiana said:
Been there twice now and look forward to many more trips. It is at the end of the road so receives a little less traffic noise. Beautiful scenery and only three of four other campers when I was there in the middle of May in the middle of the week. Lots of hiking in the area.
On Tue May 17 10:46:23 2005 Daniel from Albq , NM said:
As of 05/17/05, Jack's Creek will be inaccessble because of the
road to Jack's Creek washing out. They hope to have it open by the
end of summer, that is quote from the Albq Journal.
On Fri Jun 24 13:13:59 2005 Alan from Rio Rancho NM said:
The road to Jack's Creek is open as of 10 Jun 2005. I camp there
several times a year, with the best time being in the fall. The
Aspens change color and at night you can hear the Elk calling out
to each other. Probably the best camp ground in New Mexico.
On Thu Aug 11 02:33:39 2005 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
The campers that have inhabited the campgrounds do not take care
of the pecos wilderness. There have been cabins that have been in
that area that have taken care of the wilderness better and New
Mexio is kicking out these people. My mothers family built a cabin
where Jack's creek meets the pecos river and she was 12years old
when it was built. Around five years ago the state of New Mexico
did not renew our lease. I feel the State of New Mexico made a bad
dission and the pecos wilderness is having to pay for this bad
dission.
On Sat Aug 20 21:31:12 2005 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
WE HAVE A CABIN ON THE PECOS JUST BELOW COW CREEK, LUCKLY WE HAVE
A 99 YEAR LEASE
On Mon Oct 10 08:20:20 2005 Glen from somewhere said:
We stayed at Jack's Creek campground October 7, 8 and 9, 2005. The
weather was clear until the evening of the 8th when it rained some,
and the rain was mixed with snow. Otherwise the days were crystal
clear and cool 60s. The campground was about half full. The
campsites are rather close together, and the group camping section
was closed. In all, it was a great weekend, and we look forward
to returning.
On Sun Mar 26 14:04:37 2006 Linda D from Comanche, TX said:
We are thinking about bringing our horses and our house and camping
here in the near future. Has anyone camped or ridden here recently?
How are the roads getting to the camping area? Are the trails well
marked? Are there maps of the trails available? Any other horse
friendly areas that you might recommend? Thanks for the info.
On Fri Apr 14 13:34:45 2006 jim judd from indiana said:
My grown son and I have camped at Jacks three successive years in
a row a few days after the Labor Day weekend. Everything about our
experiences was superb! It is one of my two favorite campgrounds
in the country. The other is Elkmont in Great Smoky Mountains
national park. I highly recommend both.
On Mon Jul 17 11:09:43 2006 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
This used to be a great place to camp. Now it is filled with Yahoos
that are up past midnight making noise and being inconsiderate of
others, cannot pull their vehicles off the road. Just too many
people crowded together with noise and lights. Bahh. We left after
the first night and found a serene place.
On Sun Aug 6 20:16:36 2006 Cyndy and Rodney Jackson from Bryan, TX said:
We recently camped at this site and it was a wonderful place very
very clean, it was a wonderful trip!
thank you
On Thu Aug 31 12:54:29 2006 Daniel from Las Vegas, NM said:
What type of experience you have at Jack's Creek will all depend
upon when you go and what you plan on doing. Lots of people drive
through the campground who are not camped there for two main reasons.
(1) Because it is the end of the road and lots of people just drive
the road to the see what they can see and (2) Because this is a
very popular starting point for day hikers and overnight hikers
going up to Betty's Flats and Pecos Falls and sometimes beyond.
It is simply not reasonable to expect a peaceful camp here during
summer weekends and even into mid-sept. This has been the case as
long as I can remember (many years.) Mid-week is iffy. Sometimes
it is good and sometimes not. During the off-season until the camp
closes this can be a great place to camp, although I personally
prefer Holy Ghost.
I just want to stress that most people who camp at Jack's Creek at
not people who are seeking an isolated wilderness expereince. That
doesn't mean you won't find it that way, but that is more luck of
the draw than anything else.
If you want to have a more peaceful experience stay away from the
campgrounds near Santa Fe and instead go the campgrounds near Las
Vegas or Española.
On Mon Apr 30 14:42:02 2007 Knut from Santa Fe said:
Jack's Creek is a great campground, and we who live in Santa Fe
like to use it to get away. For all you "horse people" that are
looking for "horse friendly" places, do not come to the Santa Fe
area. There is nothing I despise more than horses, the noise,
smell, flies, etc. when I am going to camp. Keep your fricking
horse at home...he is not welcome. In addition, I get sick and
tired of all the complaints about noise and beer cans, etc. Many
of us are escaping the doldrums of Albuquerque/Santa Fe, and are
going out to drink a few beers and unwind. You should perhaps
expect to hear some music and perhaps see a little drinking if you
are going to a campsite within an hour's drive of a city. I agree
that this can get unreasonable if it is really late at night, but
don't expect to be surrounded by nature's quiet and have some kind
of wilderness experience in a campground within shouting distance
of a city. And once again, keep your horse at home on the ranch,
I don't wan't to smell it.
On Thu Jun 14 11:56:34 2007 Chris from Somewhere said:
My horse is better behaved than drunks who happen to be camping.
He doesn't stay up all night playing loud music & howling
at the moon. I dare say he is alot cleaner & smells better than
the drunks also. Looking forward to meeting up with you at the
campground & listening to your whining...NOT!
On Fri Jun 22 07:15:12 2007 Al from NM said:
I agree with Chris, you want to get drunk and scream and play loud
music stay at home. People go out to campsites to get away from
all that stuff. Have some respect and self dignity. I'll take
the smell of a horses over loud music and drunks any day!
Al
On Fri Jun 22 15:34:33 2007 Seth from Las Cruces, NM said:
Wouldn't escaping the city mean leaving music and drinking like
teenagers behind? And aren't horses and their smell more natural
than guys named Knut listening to the radio? Maybe not as natural
as the inevitable mullet of a rockin' drinkin' Knut, but
still mighty natural and outdoorsy. I was going to camp here, but
maybe not.
On Wed Jun 27 10:17:26 2007 Anonymous from OKC, OK said:
WE HAVE BEEN MAKING 500+ MILE TRIP TO PECOS FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW
TO CAMP WITH OUR HORSES AND RIDE. EACH YEAR IT SEEMS THERE ARE MORE
PEOPLE CAMPING IN THE HORSE CAMPGROUND THAT DON'T HAVE HORSES
AND WE THAT DO ARE LEFT TO SCROUNGE FOR A PLACE TO PARK AND TETHER
OUR HORSES. SINCE WE CAN'T GO UP AND USE THE CAMPERS ONLY
CAMPGROUND I DON'T SEE HOW IT'S FAIR FOR CAMPERS ONLY TO
USE THE HORSE CAMPGROUND. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE IS GREAT IF THEY
ARE GOING TO UTILIZE THE FACILITIES AND NOT JUST TAKE UP SPACE SO
OTHERS CAN'T. WHAT'S THE POINT OF HAVING A HORSE CAMPGROUND?
LAST YEAR THERE WERE 3 CAMPS TAKEN UP FOR PEOPLE JUST CAMPING. 3
OUT OF 8 DOESN'T LEAVE MUCH FOR THE EQUINE CROWD.
On Sun Jul 1 09:50:56 2007 Juan De Vargus from Pecos, NM said:
Locals only PLEASE! I take the horse campgrounds first to keep the
Texans out and leave beautiful NM for us. Peace.
On Fri Aug 31 10:02:42 2007 creed from pinion, nm said:
what would new mex do without revenues from texans visiting through
out the year. are you willing to pay the difference in higher taxes?
think before you type. as a new mex resident i welcome the texans
spending money here. i have had more problems with new mexicans
from albuquerque than texans. take care and have a good day.
On Wed Sep 19 21:25:11 2007 rm from albnm said:
my goodness, now i'm not sure i'll go to jack's creek
this weekend after all. between the smell of horses, the people
driving around and people like knut, doesn't seem like there
is much to look forward to.
On Fri Sep 21 12:51:23 2007 Chris from Somewhere said:
Juan, guess you failed to read the sign, it's a "NATIONAL"
Forest. The federal government owns & maintains it, so I guess
everybody is free to use it.
On Sun Sep 23 14:56:20 2007 Anonymous from Somewhere said:
WHY DOES KNUT HAVE TO BE SUCH A HORSES REAR....I DON'T KNOW HOW
ANYONE LIKE THIS COULD POSSIBLY GIVE A RIP ABOUT NATURE WITH THIS
KIND OF ATTITUDE.
On Mon Oct 8 09:39:35 2007 MegCamps from Albuquerque, NM said:
We just came back from our first visit to Jack's Creek and it
was fantastic. Granted, it was the 1st week of October but the
grounds were quiet even though they were filled. A great group of
neighbors like you imagine it should be. The views were untouchable
as the Aspens were changing. We loved it and will definitely be
back.
On Fri Feb 15 23:58:41 2008 Debbie from Albuquerque said:
My husband and I are both in the R.V. industry. He is a Tech and I
am a Service Manager. So...our camping is limited to the "off"
season (winter). We look for nice, quiet places to go on the week-end
during the summer within an hour drive of ABQ....that allows us to
actually spend a day enjoying the experience, rather than in the
truck traveling to a destination for a couple of hours. For that
reason we go to Cochiti a lot. We are looking for another
"favorite". I do agree with several of the comments about
being loud and inconsiderate. And I can also understand getting
away from it all and letting go. Jack's Creek sounds like a
place I would like to camp at in 2008...but from the comments I
read it seems to me that there are a lot of inconsiderate people
that like to camp there, on both ends of the scale. Those of you
that have been there several times...should I check it out???
Thanks!! I would like to.
On Tue May 6 13:41:18 2008 Jezba from Somewhere said:
Jacks Creek is a very nice spot in the mountains. Yes- DURING THE SUMMER THIS PLACE WILL BE FULL. We spent a few days there last season (in early June) and it was pleasant. A hike down to the creek reveals a beautiful view. It gets very cold up here and often rains/hails, so be prepared.
As for the negative comments posted here, i will say this-
I have camped in NM probably 50 times in the past 10 years. If you want a truly wild experience you should find a spot that is seculded and off the beaten path. Jacks Creek is beautiful, but expect to deal with other people. Usually people are friendly in NM. If you are intolerant of other people's music, horses, etc., you should find a spot that is secluded, and avoid sites likethe Jemez, Cowles, Holy Ghost and Jacks Ceek. If you do make it to Jacks Creek please try to be tolerant and respectful to other people.
In my experience NM camping is almost always excellent. Unfortunately you may at some point have to deal with the 11-fingered drooling Gangsta Rap retards... but remember they are not smart enough to know any better.
On Mon Jun 9 08:02:54 2008 CA from Sandia Park, NM said:
We stayed at Jack's Creek the weekend of June 6, 2008 and it was a fantastic experience. The campground is gorgeous - plenty of both sunny and shady campsites. The campground was not full but seemed to get more busy in the late evening, after about 5 pm. Everyone was very quiet and respectful the entire time. By noon the following day, the campground had pretty much cleared out but by early evening, campers started to arrive again and the grounds became more occupied. However, everyone was very quiet. It seems that the upper loop is frequented by larger RVs (and with that, more kids) while the lower loop is used more by tent campers. The camp host is very friendly and also, which is key, closes the gate from dusk until dawn, thereby preventing any drive-throughs by non-campers. Overall, it was a great experience. The Pecos is a gorgeous area and Jack's Creek is a perfect spot from which to explore it. One final note - the creek is not close to the campground so it you want to camp close to water, you cannot do it here.
On Sun Jun 29 17:48:06 2008 KGar from Albuquerque, NM said:
We have been staying at Jacks for 15 years and it is rare, even in the summer to have rude and loud people up there. If you want loud past midnight music, go to Iron Gate. We stay at Iron Gate if we're backpacking but if we just want to camp and dayhike, Jacks is great. We cook our meals, have a few drinks but are in bed by 10 pm, usually quiet. Get up early the next morning and hike all day, come back and do the same as evening before. Great place for kids, let em' go and have some fun.
On Wed Jul 2 16:05:00 2008 debra from texas said:
We have been going to Jacks Creek every year for the last 7 years. We have had no problems untill this year. Everyone there was from out of state, everyone was friendly, respectfull of others. Kids were all playing together it was great untell the weekend. A bunch of people from New Mexico showed up. Drunken fights, bad language, loud, rude to people camping there, running around naked etc. Two days and nights of it. The police showed up on Sunday and started hauling them off. I guess it doesnt matter where you are its still against the law. Thank God for all the out of towners, we all pitched in and cleaned up their mess. Next time something happens like this I'm going to make the phone call. We take our childern to learn of nature not to learn of wildlife from the city.
On Mon Jul 7 21:38:58 2008 Roy Lee from Weatherford, OK said:
Arrived at Jackscreek on July 1, 2008 after traveling 500 miles aand enduring $4.00 + gas. Very beautiful place and enjoyed company of many out of staters. Then on July 3rd Pecos Locals arrived and played LOUD music All night. When a polite lady from Texas asked them to show some respect and turn their music down she was told "These are our mountains and our home and if she did not like it she could leave!" Thanks to camp host the rangers were called and the Pecos Locals were directed to leave. The Pecos Locals bragged to us that they get in trouble every year. It was a shame we had to travel 500 miles to put up with this. After all, these are Federal lands and they belong to all US citizens not Pecos Locals! I would like to go back if the Pecos Locals will stay home to drink and act stupid!!!
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