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Nine Mile Picnic Site
FSU.S. Forest Service — TIJERAS · New Mexico · Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Cibola National Forest and Grasslands |
| Location | TIJERAS · New Mexico · Cibola National Forest and Grasslands · 35.21417, -106.42278 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group picnic area |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Contact recreation.gov or 877-444-6777 |
| Check-in / out | In 11:00 AM · Out 10:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Accessible sites | 1 marked accessible in the listing |
| Accessibility | N |
| Phone | 505-281-3304 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
Overview Situated along the Sandia Crest Scenic Byway 536, at a cool 9,200 ft of elevation, is the large and often shaded Nine Mile Picnic Ground. Newly renovated to address maintenance needs, the picnic area now offers a combination of single, double, and group picnic sites, vault toilets, hardened walkways, grills, serving tables, information boards, and access to near by trails. Surrounded by aspen, spruce, and fir trees, this forested site offers rest and relaxation conveniently along the Byway. Parking at Nine Mile Picnic Ground is subject to the standard amenity fee. All picnic sites are first come, first served. Follow all rules and regulations. Please remember to take extra care to "Leave no trace" when you visit your public lands. There is no overnight camping at Nine Mile.
Recreation Nine Mile Picnic Ground is perfect for a relaxing picnic, with wildlife viewing opportunities, or access to a number of near by trails, including the popular Challenge Trail #233.
Facilities Each picnic site has tables and a grill. There is a combination of single, double, and group picnic sites all available on a first come, first served basis.
Nine Mile Picnic Ground includes two vault toilets, information boards, bear safe trash receptacles, hardened walkways, and accessible parking.
Natural Features The area is heavily wooded with aspen, spruce, and fir, with a mixture of level and hilly ground.
Nearby Attractions Nine Mile Picnic Ground is located along the 536 Sandia Crest Scenic Byway. Also along the Scenic Byway are a number of Forest Service picnic grounds and trailheads as well as the Sandia Crest area which includes the Sandia Peak aerial tramway. Below, along the Byway, is also the Sandia Peak Ski Area.
Directions, from the listing
From Albuquerque, drive east on I-40 to Exit 175. Proceed north on State Highway N-14 about 7 miles to State Road 536. Turn left or west, onto 536 and drive about 9 miles up to the picnic site and look for signage on your left. It is easy to miss, as the gate is set back from the road. A land mark to help you is, Capulin Picnic Site. Nine Mile Picnic Site is approximately a mile past Capulin, on the left.
Nearest federal campgrounds
0 mi straight-line · TIJERAS New MexicoFSU.S. Forest ServiceBalsam Glade Picnic Site
1 mi straight-line · TIJERAS New MexicoFSU.S. Forest ServiceLas Huertas Picnic Site
2 mi straight-line · TIJERAS New MexicoFSU.S. Forest ServiceDOC LONG PICNIC SITES - A and B
4 mi straight-line · TIJERAS New MexicoFSU.S. Forest ServiceCienega Picnic Site
4 mi straight-line · TIJERAS New Mexico
Trip Card — Nine Mile Picnic Site
TIJERAS · New Mexico · Cibola National Forest and Grasslands
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | TIJERAS · New Mexico · Cibola National Forest and Grasslands |
| Fees | Contact recreation.gov or 877-444-6777 |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234492 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.