Overview

Hopewell Lake Campground sits next to its scenic namesake lake between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla in northern New Mexico. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, hiking, fishing and canoeing.
Recreation

The 14-acre lake is perfect for canoeing and is regularly stocked with rainbow and brook trout. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail goes through the campgound, and is popular with horseback riders and hikers.

Facilities

The campground has 31 camping sites. There is also a group day-use shelter and group overnight campsite, both available by reservation. Horse corrals and water troughs are available at two campsites. Vault toilets are provided. Currently (May 2024) there is NO water. Please bring your own water. First-come, first-served sites are available.

Natural Features

Hopewell Lake is a small, man-made lake, set high in the Carson National Forest at an elevation of 9,500 feet. A forest of conifer and aspen trees covers the area and offers partial shade in the campground.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

<h2>Overview</h2>
Hopewell Lake Campground sits next to its scenic namesake lake between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla in northern New Mexico. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, hiking, fishing and canoeing.<h2>Recreation</h2>
<p>The 14-acre lake is perfect for canoeing and is regularly stocked with rainbow and brook trout. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail goes through the campgound, and is popular with horseback riders and hikers.</p>
<h2>Facilities</h2>
<p>The campground has 31 camping sites. There is also a group day-use shelter and group overnight campsite, both available by reservation. Horse corrals and water troughs are available at two campsites. Vault toilets are provided. Currently (May 2024) there is NO water. Please bring your own water. First-come, first-served sites are available.</p>
<h2>Natural Features</h2>
Hopewell Lake is a small, man-made lake, set high in the Carson National Forest at an elevation of 9,500 feet. A forest of conifer and aspen trees covers the area and offers partial shade in the campground.
<h2>Contact Info</h2>
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

Hopewell Lake view

Hopewell lake trailhead

Hopewell lake forest trail

Hopewell Lake Campground

HOPEWELL LAKE water tub

HOPEWELL LAKE CAMPGROUND

Aldo Leopold House

Hopewell Campground will be closing on August 17th, 2026 for major renovations including water systems, campground and Day use areas. Will reopen mid May 2027!

<p>Hopewell Campground will be closing on August 17th, 2026 for major renovations including water systems, campground and Day use areas.  Will reopen mid May 2027!</p>

Rebabilitation of Hopewell Lake recreation facilities will prompt a closure beginning August 17, 2026. The following will be closed:

Hopewell Lake Campground

Hopewell Lake Day Use Area

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail between Hopewell Lake Campground and Highway 64

Forest Service Roads 356 and 356A

Faciliites are expected to reopen as late as mid-August 2027, but could be earlier.

The work will:

Replace the potable water system, which is currently broken

Redesign select campsites

Create a single point of access to the campground and day use area (campers and day use visitors will both use Forest Road 356 in the future)

Replace outdated fire rings and picnic tables

Enhance signage and parking at the Continental Divide National Scenic Trailhead.

Download a PDF copy of this forest order and map.

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and Hopewell Lake Campground/Day Use Area Closures

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) roads, trail, and developed recreation site in the Tres Piedras Ranger District, Carson National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Road, Trail, and Sites”):

Being on a road. C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

Being on a trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Owners or lessees of land accessible by Forest Service Road 356.

Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED ROADS, TRAIL, AND SITES

Forest Service Roads 356 and 356A1 are closed from their intersection with Forest Road 91B to their terminuses.

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail No. 11) is closed between its intersection with the south end of Hopewell Campground and Highway 64.

Hopewell Campground, Hopewell Fishing Site, and Hopewell Picnic Site are closed in their entirety.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is for public health and safety during rehabilitation and construction work of Hopewell Lake recreation area.

IMPLEMENTATION

This Order shall be in effect from August 17, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. through August 16, 2027, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.

A map identifying the Described Roads, Trail, and Sites is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/alerts.&nbsp;

Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.

A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Contact the Carson National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Taos, N.M., (575) 758- 6200, for more information about this Order.

This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts at the same Described Roads, Trail, and Sites.

<p>Rebabilitation of Hopewell Lake recreation facilities will prompt a closure beginning August 17, 2026. The following will be closed:</p><ul><li>Hopewell Lake Campground</li><li>Hopewell Lake Day Use Area</li><li>Continental Divide National Scenic Trail between Hopewell Lake Campground and Highway 64</li><li>Forest Service Roads 356 and 356A</li></ul><p>Faciliites are expected to reopen as late as mid-August 2027, but could be earlier.</p><p>The work will:</p><ul><li>Replace the potable water system, which is currently broken</li><li>Redesign select campsites</li><li>Create a single point of access to the campground and day use area (campers and day use visitors will both use Forest Road 356 in the future)</li><li>Replace outdated fire rings and picnic tables</li><li>Enhance signage and parking at the Continental Divide National Scenic Trailhead.</li></ul>
<p>Download a PDF copy of this <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r03/carson/publication/Hopewell_Lake_Closures-final-version.pdf">forest order</a> and <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/nfs/files/r03/carson/publication/HopewellGAOA_Closure_Map.pdf">map</a>.</p><h3 class="text-align-center">Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and Hopewell Lake Campground/Day Use Area Closures</h3><h4>PROHIBITIONS</h4><p>Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) roads, trail, and developed recreation site in the Tres Piedras Ranger District, Carson National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Road, Trail, and Sites”):</p><ol><li>Being on a road. C.F.R. § 261.54(e).</li><li>Being on a trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).</li><li>Going into or being upon the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b).</li></ol><h4>EXEMPTIONS</h4><p>Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:</p><ol><li>Owners or lessees of land accessible by Forest Service Road 356.</li><li>Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).</li><li>Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.</li></ol><h4>DESCRIBED ROADS, TRAIL, AND SITES</h4><p>Forest Service Roads 356 and 356A1 are closed from their intersection with Forest Road 91B to their terminuses.</p><p>The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (Trail No. 11) is closed between its intersection with the south end of Hopewell Campground and Highway 64.</p><p>Hopewell Campground, Hopewell Fishing Site, and Hopewell Picnic Site are closed in their entirety.</p><h4>PURPOSE</h4><p>The purpose of this Order is for public health and safety during rehabilitation and construction work of Hopewell Lake recreation area.</p><h4>IMPLEMENTATION</h4><ol><li>This Order shall be in effect from August 17, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. through August 16, 2027, at 11:59 p.m., unless rescinded.</li><li>A map identifying the Described Roads, Trail, and Sites is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/alerts.&amp;nbsp">https://www.fs.usda.gov/r03/carson/alerts.&amp;nbsp</a>;</li><li>Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.</li><li>A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.</li><li>Contact the Carson National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Taos, N.M., (575) 758- 6200, for more information about this Order.</li><li>This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts at the same Described Roads, Trail, and Sites.</li></ol>

Closure of Hopewell Lake Campground/Day Use Area, Portion of Continental Divide Trail

The following recreation site water systems are currently offline. Visitors should bring their own water.

Site

Status

Online By Date

Cimarron Campground

Water system repairs needed

To be determined

Echo Campground, Picnic Area, Trailhead

Water system repairs needed

Expected by mid-August 2026

Hopewell Lake Campground and Day Use Area

Water system repairs needed

Expected by late spring 2027

McCrystal Campground (non-potable for horses only)

Awaiting supplies, significant rainfall

Unknown (McCrystal Creek is dry)

<p>The following recreation site water systems are currently offline. Visitors should bring their own water.</p><table><thead><tr><th>Site</th><th>Status</th><th>Online By Date</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Cimarron Campground</td><td>Water system repairs needed</td><td>To be determined</td></tr><tr><td>Echo Campground, Picnic Area, Trailhead</td><td>Water system repairs needed</td><td>Expected by mid-August 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Hopewell Lake Campground and Day Use Area</td><td>Water system repairs needed</td><td>Expected by late spring 2027</td></tr><tr><td>McCrystal Campground (non-potable for horses only)</td><td>Awaiting supplies, significant rainfall</td><td>Unknown (McCrystal Creek is dry)</td></tr></tbody></table>

Hopewell Lake Campground

Overview

Recreation

Facilities

Natural Features

Contact Info

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Aldo Leopold House