Cowles Campground campground
Cowles Campground
Reservations are not accepted at Cowles Campground, as all sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, it is advisable to arrive early to secure a spot during peak seasons. The best time to visit this campground is during the summer months when the weather is warm and pleasant. However, it is worth noting that this area can be prone to sudden weather changes, so it is recommended to check the forecast and be prepared for changing conditions.
Cowles Campground is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts. The campground is conveniently located near a number of popular trails, including the Cowles Ponds Loop and the Trail 256. These trails offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and provide opportunities for wildlife spotting. Due to the remote location, it is important for campers to be mindful of wildlife, including bears, and take necessary precautions to store food properly. Additionally, campers should be cautious when hiking, as some trails can be steep and slippery, especially after rainfall. Overall, Cowles Campground offers a peaceful and scenic camping experience in the heart of New Mexico's natural splendor.
What's on-site at Cowles Campground
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Cowles Campground, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cowles | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Winsor Ridge Trailhead | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Windsor Creek Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Panchuela | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Panchuela Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Cowles Campground -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Mora Near Terrero | 8 cfs | → |
| Pecos River Near Pecos | 42 cfs | → |
| Santa Fe R Abv Mcclure Res (8 Ft) | 2 cfs | → |
| Rio Nambe Above Nambe Falls Dam Near Nambe | 36 cfs | → |
| Santa Fe River Near Santa Fe | 7 cfs | → |
| Rio Nambe Below Nambe Falls Dam Near Nambe | 5 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Cowles Campground -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Wesner Springs | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Santa Fe | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Wesner Springs | 1.0 in | 1.0 in | → |
| Elk Cabin | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Elk Cabin | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Wilderness Pecos
- Hyde Memorial State Park
- Carson National Forest
- Cerro Gordo Park
- Patrick Smith Park
- Atalaya Park
Boat launches
Fishing spots
- Cowles Ponds Fishing Site
- Cowles Ponds
- Windsor Creek
- Dalton Fishing
- Upper Dalton Fishing Access Fishing Site
- Trampas Lakes Fishing
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Cowles Campground as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Cowles Campground
Can I make reservations at Cowles Campground?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Cowles Campground?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Cowles Campground.