Facility Details - CAPULIN PICNIC AREA GROUP SITE, NM

Overview

Capulin Picnic Area is a perfect location for birthday parties and family gatherings. It is located along the Sandia Crest section of the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway. Visitors enjoy picnicking, bird watching and escaping from the sun in the shade of Capulin's evergreen forest canopy.

Natural Features:

The picnic area is located near the base of Sandia Peak Ski Area, about 23 miles from Albuquerque at an approximate elevation of 8,600 feet. The Sandias are home to Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, mule deer, black bear and many other species of wildlife and birds, including golden eagles often seen soaring overhead.

Recreation:

The Capulin Peak Trail leaves from the Capulin Snow Play Area parking lot and is a short 0.6-mile hike to the summit. Capulin Spring is also just a short walk down the hill on the service road, and is a popular location for bird watching.

Facilities:

Capulin Picnic Area was reconstructed in 2011 to include a reservable group picnic shelter with six accessible picnic tables, a food prep/serving table and two large pedestal charcoal grills.

Two new accessible vault toilets have been placed in convenient locations. Bear resistant trash cans are also provided. The picnic pad, pathways are parking area are paved.

Nearby Attractions:

Continue up the highway to the top of the Sandia Crest for a magnificent view of Albuquerque. Sandia Crest Recreation site, overlook, hiking trails and gift shop are nearby. Sandia Peak Ski Area and Tram are just southeast of the picnic area. Numerous trailheads and hiking opportunities are in the area.

Several additional picnic areas are located nearby, including Doc Long, Sulpher, Cienega, Balsam Glade, Nine Mile and Las Huertas.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
Accessible Grills Accessible Parking Accessible Picnic Shelters Accessible Vault Toilets Accessible Walkways Birding Hiking	Paved Parking Paved Pathways Paved Roads Paved Sites Scenic Overlooks Shade Trailhead Parking
Within 10 Miles
Scenic Drive

Know Before You Go

Day use area only; area is closed nightly from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
No water available at the picnic area
Recreation passes must be displayed in each vehicle
Six passes come with each reservation and must be picked up at the Sandia Ranger District office before driving to the picnic site; if more passes are needed, they may be purchased at the site
Local and Inter-agency passes are honored, including annual, senior, access and volunteer passes
Click here to learn more about Cibola National Forest

Getting There:

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
35.21694, -106.41611
35°13'1"N, 106°24'58"W

From Albuquerque, drive east on I-40 for approximately 7 miles to exit 175. Proceed north on Highway 14 and continue 7 miles to Highway 536. Go west on Highway 536 for approximately 9.5 miles to Capulin Picnic Ground on the right. Proceed along the service road to the shelter parking spaces immediately adjacent to the shelter.