Cienega Picnic Site
Cienega Picnic Site is a national forest campground in New Mexico. Hookups: no hookups.
- Type
- National forest campground
- Location
- New Mexico
- Coordinates
- 35.16972, -106.38417
- Hookups
- No hookups
- Activities
- Biking, Climbing, Day Use Area, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Scenic Drive, Wildlife Viewing
- Map
- Open in OpenStreetMap
- Phone
- 505-281-3304
Amenities
- Reservable sites
Only amenities a source confirms are listed; an amenity missing here is unknown, not absent.
About Cienega Picnic Site
Overview Beautiful, shady, cool and green are just a few words that recreationists have used to describe the Cienega Group Picnic site. It is fairly flat, accessible, semi-private and accommodates up to fifty people. There are grills, bear proof trash containers and vault toilets provided and no shelter other than the surrounding shade trees. A stream, which draws birds and other wildlife, runs through the area. There is no overnight camping at Cienega. Cienega's accessible interpretive trail/sidewalk winds around the picnic site and provides a great learning experience for those who take the time to check it out. There is an accessible patio near the beginning of the interpretive trail that is suitable for a picnic. The larger Cienega Picnic Area provides additional dispersed picnicking opportunities and access to a number of trail systems. This is a popular area for horse riders and mountain bikers. Recreation A variety of biking, hiking, and horseback riding trails are available from within the picnic area, including one leading to the mountain crest. The nearly 10-mile round-trip trail winds through a fir forest, abundant with wildflowers. Much of the hike is in the shade, although the terrain can be rough. Day hikes are available along the route. In non-drought times, the trails follow a mountain stream with a beautiful travertine waterfall. Make sure to bring a detailed trail map such as the Sandia Mountain Wilderness map, or the Sandia Mountain Trails Guide. An acce
Cell coverage
No coverage data for this location yet.
Nearby RV services
- Dump station
- Juniper Campground Dump Station · 44 mi
- Water fill
- Santa Fe Public Library · 44 mi
- Propane
- Pioneer Ace Hardware · 3.3 mi
- Low clearances
- None mapped within 10 mi
- Off-road routes
- 72 designated routes (89 mi) within 10 mi
Other places to stay nearby
| Name | Type | Distance | Fee | Hookups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOC LONG PICNIC SITES - A and B | National forest campground | 0.6 mi | — | No hookups |
| Campbell Scout Ranch | Private campground | 0.9 mi | — | — |
| Turquoise Trail Campground | RV park | 2.1 mi | — | — |
| Balsam Glade Picnic Site | National forest campground | 3.3 mi | — | No hookups |
| Capulin Spring Picnic Site | National forest campground | 3.7 mi | — | No hookups |
| Nine Mile Picnic Site | National forest campground | 3.8 mi | — | No hookups |
Open Cienega Picnic Site in DryRig
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Sources. Recreation.gov (RIDB). Updated June 2026. Facility facts only; DryRig does not publish ratings or reviews on this page.