campgrounds.fyiIndependent · federal campgrounds · no paid placements
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USFSCibola National Forest and Grasslands · New Mexico

Mcgaffey Campground

This campground is situated in what was once the historic railroad logging and sawmill town of McGaffey.
Sites0all reservable
Elev.7,779ft
Comf.Apr-Oct7 months
Max rigtents
Electricnonesites
From Albuquerque2h34real road time
The honest read
Synthesized from
RIDB · Open-Meteo
OSM · OSRM
Updated 2026-05-27

At 7,779 ft, Mcgaffey Campground has a 7-month comfortable window (Apr-Oct). Winter nights average around 19°F, so the shoulder seasons turn cold fast. Within about 4 miles: lake or river access.

The campground at a glance

01 · CHARACTER
QuietCoolRoomyShadeRV-fitReserv.

Reads strongest on cool nights and quiet. Softest on quiet.

Six axes, each scored relative to every other federal campground in the region: quiet (miles to a major road), cool (elevation), roomy (average site spacing), shade, RV-fit (longest rig), and how reservable it is. All six come from data, nothing hand-tuned.

When to go

02 · CLIMATE
JFMAMJJASOND
avg highavg lowfrost-freedriest · May
Apr-Oct
Comfortable window: nights stay above 35°F, days below 90°F.
85%
Of summer weekend-days are dry.
Apr 30
Last spring frost; first fall frost Oct 17.
60°F
Average July low. Bring a fleece.

Getting there

03 · ACCESS
01
Albuquerque
137 mi
2h34
02
Santa Fe
198 mi
3h38
By drive time
Albuquerque · 2h34Santa Fe · 3h38Camp

Routed road time (OSRM). Nearest major highway 8.6 mi away.

What's within four miles

05 · TRAILS · PEAKS · WATER

Trails & Peaks

Trail segments
36

Water & Access

Lake / river access
yes
To nearest major road
8.6 mi
Method

We synthesize public data layers: RIDB and Recreation.gov facility and site records, Open-Meteo climate normals, OpenStreetMap roads, trails, and water, OSRM drive times, and USGS elevation. We take no bookings, no ads, and no paid placements. Independence is the entire point.

Check availability on Recreation.gov →