The Amole Group Shelter is located immediately adjacent to the popular wooded Amole Canyon Day Use Area at 8.4 ft in elevation. The group shelter accommodates up to 100 people with plenty of solitude since this is the only group facility in this location.
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Operating hours and availability for the current season.
Upcoming seasons
Planned operating dates for future seasons to help you plan ahead.
Past seasons
Historical operating dates from previous years for reference.
Closed periods
View dates when this campground is temporarily closed during the season.
The Amole Canyon Group Shelter offers a beautiful, private location with ample space for camping in a meadow. While some guests noted the presence of fallen logs and branches, the vault toilets were clean and well-maintained. Overall, it's a nice, mostly secluded spot, though occasional hikers may pass through the area.
Beautiful private location but we actually swung by a couple weeks before our reservation to check it out and when we got there for the reservation, there was a mess of felled logs and branches, we had to be careful not to roll an ankle even just walking on the gravel paths. It was not like that on the first visit. We were a bit disappointed on the mess made to clear some trees
The Amole Canyon Group Shelter is not really in a canyon but it’s a fine shelter with ample space in the beautiful meadow immediately adjacent for pitching tents. The vault toilets were clean and appeared equally new.
Beautiful campground. Absolutely loved it. Bathrooms were in good condition. No water, no cell reception, no lights in the pavilion, but it was a great place for our group to spend a couple of nights. Nice short loop hike nearby.
Very private. Beautiful. Clean restrooms. Men's toilet had one seat hinge broken. Split rail fence had a small section damaged where a tree had fallen across it. Plenty of dead wood for fires. Charcoal grills were clean. Great place for a scout or church camp.
Helpful
Location & Directions for Amole Canyon Group Shelter
Camino Real Ranger District, Penasco, NM 87553 United States
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 mi to a gate locked with a coded padlock. The code will be provided to you in an email...
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 mi 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.
The nearest major road is State Road 68, located approximately 14.2 miles from the Amole Canyon Group Shelter. State Road 518 provides access south from State Road 68.
Policies & Rules
General
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.