Upper Bench Camp campground
Upper Bench Camp
The campground offers amenities like potable water, vault toilets, and picnic tables. The campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and there are 17 sites available for camping.
An interesting fact about the area is that it is home to the largest herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep in the state of New Mexico. Visitors may be able to spot these magnificent animals while exploring the nearby hiking trails.
The best time of year to visit Upper Bench Campground is from June to September, with average temperatures ranging from 50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and dipping down to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or below at night. It's important to note that the campground is closed during the winter months due to snow and ice. Overall, Upper Bench Campground is a great destination for those who are looking to escape the city and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings of the Carson National Forest.
What's on-site at Upper Bench Camp
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 Upper Bench Camp, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deer Lake Mesa Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Devils Wash Basin Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Ute Park Pass | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Visto Grande Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Martinez Springs Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Upper Bench Camp -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Cimarron River Near Cimarron | 12 cfs | → |
| Ponil Creek Near Cimarron | 0 cfs | → |
| Cimarron River Below Eagle Nest Dam | 19 cfs | → |
| Rayado Creek Near Cimarron | 2 cfs | → |
| Vermejo River Near Dawson | 2 cfs | → |
| Rio Pueblo De Taos Near Taos | 8 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Upper Bench Camp -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tolby | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Tolby | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Eagle Nest | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Palo | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Nohrsc Palo Snotel | 1.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Red River Pass #2 | 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
- Cimarron Canyon State Park
- Eagle Nest Lake State Park
- Vietnam Veterans' Memorial State Park
- Ski Area
- Wilderness Wheeler Peak
- Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
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 Upper Bench Camp as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Upper Bench Camp
Can I make reservations at Upper Bench Camp?
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 Upper Bench Camp?
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 Upper Bench Camp.