USFS•Grants, NM•10.5h from Austin

Coal Mine Campground — Cibola NF

mountainsforest

Accessibility baseline: Sites on this platform are reviewed for access with a standard 2WD pickup truck towing a 21-foot travel trailer unless otherwise noted below.

Fee

~$5/nt

Hookups

No hookups

Trailer

Accessible (2WD pickup + trailer)

Cell Signal

Poor

Water

Bring your own

Toilets

Yes

Best Season

May–Oct

Reservations

Recreation.gov

Max Length

22 ft

Highlights

▶ Ponderosa pines at 7,400 ft above Grants — dramatically different from the lava fields below; coolest Grants-area camping
▶ Paved spurs, fire rings, grilled tables, and vault toilets — one of the better-developed cheap USFS sites in the region
▶ Natural two-night circuit: Joe Skeen CG (El Malpais lava) Friday night + Coal Mine (mountain pines) Saturday night

Planning Notes

Max 22 ft per Forest Service guidance due to site geometry. A 16 ft trailer behind a standard truck is within spec — verify individual site clearance on arrival. Summer thunderstorms common above 7,000 ft. Reserve on Recreation.gov.

Contact: (505) 287-8833

Always call ahead to confirm conditions, closures, and road accessibility.