4.4833 reviewsSeasonal ranking by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
Price
$6/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
9 campsites
Season
May - October
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
Price
$6/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
9 campsites
Season
May - October
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Elevation by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
Cowles Campground
35.8127, -105.6644
Anglers and hikers who book early and don't mind elbow-to-elbow neighbors. The Winsor Ridge Trailhead is steps away, the Pecos River fishing is right there, and at $6/night with an America the Beautiful pass discount, the price is hard to argue with.
Solitude seekers will be disappointed. Nine sites packed together, no potable water, no showers, and the two covered shelters are currently closed for safety assessments. Bring all your water and don't expect a quiet corner to yourself on a Friday night.
Reference information about Cowles Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →
<p>Cowles Campground sits at the base of the Winsor Canyon where it meets the Pecos Canyon and is near Cowles Ponds, Winsor Creek, Pecos River, and Winsor Ridge Trailhead.</p><p><strong>Note: campground shelters are currently closed while safety assessments are performed.</strong></p><p><strong>Uses: </strong>tent camping, picnicking, fishing, & hiking.</p><p><strong>Facilities: </strong>1 vault toilet, 9 camping units with tables, fire rings, grills, 2 covered three-sided shelters with fireplaces, and trash bins. No potable water, utility hook-ups, dump stations or showers. </p><p><strong>Special Instructions:</strong> Users are encouraged to recycle and pack out trash. Please visit the <a href="http://www.lnt.org">Leave No Trace website</a> for more information about frontcountry and backcountry outdoor ethics.</p>
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Summer delivers the most reliable access, with warm days (65–80°F) and cool nights (mid-30s to mid-40s°F). Streams and ponds hold good water for fishing. July and early August weekends see the heaviest crowds, though traffic stays moderate overall compared to lower-elevation campgrounds. Snow closes the facilities in winter, though some visitors ski or snowshoe the trails.
Summer is peak season: reliable access, warm days, good fishing; campsite demand is highest.
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com, licensed under CC BY 4.0, processed by Outdoorithm.
Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.
Cowles Campground sits at the base of Winsor Canyon and offers a range of facilities for campers including 9 camping units with tables, fire rings, and grills. The campground also features 2 covered three-sided shelters with fireplaces and trash bins. However, the shelters are temporarily closed for safety assessments. There is one vault toilet available, but potable water, utility hookups, dump stations, and showers are not provided. Visitors are encouraged to recycle and pack out trash, adhering to Leave No Trace principles.
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