Capulin Spring Picnic Site
Cibola National Forest and Grasslands — hiking
Location: TIJERAS, NM, NM
Price: From $90 per night
Rating: 5 out of 5 (1 reviews)
Season: Year-round
Capulin Spring is a well-loved recreation spot. This picnic site is surrounded by heavily wooded land that affords shade to escape the heat of the day. The spring at Capulin Spring runs year-round and is a much visited spot by birders, especially in the dry season because thirsty birds flock to this area for a nice, cool drink of water.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Vault Toilets, Electric Hookups, Boat Launch, Firewood for Sale
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/capulin-spring-picnic-site to be notified when sites open up.
Capulin Spring is a heavily wooded picnic site with year-round running spring water that attracts diverse bird species, making it excellent for birding and wildlife viewing. The shaded forest setting provides escape from heat while offering hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing opportunities.
Wildlife alert: Notable birds include Western Tanager, Brown-capped Rosy-Finch, Greater Roadrunner, and Rosy-Finches. Mammals include Abert's Squirrel and Ringtail. Greater Short-horned Lizard also present.
Insider tips for Capulin Spring Picnic Site: Look for the big log to find concentrations of beautiful birds Bring a camera for bird photography opportunities Book early as this is a federal campground with limited sites
Skip Capulin Spring Picnic Site if: Expecting hookups - no hookups available. Need more than 1 tent site - only 1 site total. Prefer overnight camping with full amenities - this is primarily a picnic/day-use area.
Best time to visit Capulin Spring Picnic Site: Dry season — RIDB notes thirsty birds flock to the spring during dry season, especially good for birding. Winter — Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing available year-round per RIDB activities.
Nearby campgrounds: Nine Mile Picnic Site (TIJERAS, NM), Balsam Glade Picnic Site (TIJERAS, NM), Las Huertas Picnic Site (TIJERAS, NM), Doc Long Picnic Sites - A And B (TIJERAS, NM).
Cell Phone Coverage at Capulin Spring Picnic Site
Cell signal at Capulin Spring Picnic Site (TIJERAS, NM): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Capulin Spring is a well-loved recreation spot. This picnic site is surrounded by heavily wooded land that affords shade to escape the heat of the day. The spring at Capulin Spring runs year-round and is a much visited spot by birders, especially in the dry season because thirsty birds flock to this area for a nice, cool drink of water.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryLook for the big log to find concentrations of beautiful birds
Bring a camera for bird photography opportunities
Book early as this is a federal campground with limited sites
RIDB notes thirsty birds flock to the spring during dry season, especially good for birding
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing available year-round per RIDB activities
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From Albuquerque, drive east on I-40 to Exit 175. Proceed north toward Cedar Crest on State Road 14, about 6 miles to State Road 536. Drive 8 miles up State Road 536. Look for signs on your right. Capulin is located about 2 miles past the Sandia Peak Ski area.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Cibola National Forest and Grasslands fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Cibola National Forest and Grasslands before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Capulin Spring Picnic Site cost per night?+
What season is Capulin Spring Picnic Site open?+
Does Capulin Spring Picnic Site have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Capulin Spring Picnic Site?+
How do I make reservations at Capulin Spring Picnic Site?+
What is the cell service like at Capulin Spring Picnic Site?+
What season is Capulin Spring Picnic Site open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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