New Mexico · Hiking

Pecos River

3.0 mi
round trip
526 ft
climb
8,826 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Pecos River open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 3 alerts for Santa Fe National Forest.

As of · Source: USFS · Santa Fe National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

The Pecos River hike in New Mexico is an out-and-back route of about 3 miles on a natural-surface trail in the Pecos-Las Vegas Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. It is an easy walk with an elevation gain of about 526 feet, starting at roughly 8,300 feet and reaching a high point near 8,826 feet. The trail is open to horses, and it makes an easy pairing with other outings in the area. Cave Creek and the Panchuela campground both sit about 0.1 mile away, and Winsor Ridge is about 0.4 mile off. For something different, the Jacks Creek Group Area fishing spot lies about a mile away. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Gascon show May highs around 65°F and September highs near 69°F, with July and August bringing the most wet days. Winter is cold, with January highs in the mid-40s and lows in the teens.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Pecos River

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      44° / 18°

      5 wet · 5 snow

    2. Feb

      45° / 20°

      5 wet · 5 snow

    3. Mar

      51° / 24°

      6 wet · 5 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 29°

      6 wet · 3 snow

    5. May

      65° / 36°

      6 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      75° / 43°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 47°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 46°

      12 wet

    9. Sep

      69° / 41°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      61° / 32°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      52° / 24°

      4 wet · 3 snow

    12. Dec

      44° / 18°

      4 wet · 4 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Gascon, NM, 12.9 mi away at 8,250 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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