roadtripper941571

Wonderful access to one of my preferred National Parks. Campground is basically a parking lot without any hookups. Bathroom are clean without showers. If needed, there is a water faucet to fill your jugs and a sink to wash dishes. But it is right at the head of some really exciting trails. Do not miss this park if you are in the area. It is only about 30 miles from Carlsbad Caverns.

Well, we were going to stay one night but stayed an extra day because we did like this place. Site had water & electric hookups and a covered table. Our RV was facing the lake and we experienced very beautiful sunsets. The campground was quiet and remote yet we had full 4G reception (ATT & Verizon) and I was able to connect and do my work - another reason why we stayed the extra night.
There is a trail that starts next to the East Campground where we were staying and goes about half way around the lake (3-4 miles). We also rode our bikes and visited the Pecos River below the dam. It felt like an oasis.
There is a dump station at the west side of the lake and we took advantage before we left.
Weather in May was rather mild although very windy.
This campground was a nice surprise.

Pilar Campground was the first of a string of campgrounds along the river-side access road. Maybe not our favorite but a great place to stay anyway, and it was the last spot available in the whole area right before Memorial Day. A few miles South of Taos, turn right on Highway 570 into the National Monument area and the Pilar Campground is about one mile away. The problem was dust as the campground loop is not paved and every car driving by was raising a cloud of dust. At least we were somewhat upwind in our spot (furthest south of this campground) and that helped a lot.
Campgrounds in the area have clean restrooms without showers and our site had electric and water hookups.
A noteworthy event, we were hit by a dust devil twister. Thank god, our awning was mostly retracted and it was not damaged but the RV next to us had theirs just blown away. After just a few seconds everything was covered with dust.
All of the Orilla Verde campgrounds are set just off the highway and there is quite a bit of traffic during the day. In the evening things quiet down and overall it was not really a problem.
We rode out bikes to Taos Junctions (about 10 miles round-trip) and walked the trails. Picuris Trail was most interesting, from Taos Junctions at the bottom of the gorge to the top of the rim and you will have your breath taken away by the amazing sights. A special treat: we were surprised to see an Indian petroglyph carved on a rock right by the trail. We did not put our kayak in the water and I will long regret it, but the level was high and I am more of a lake boater!
Overall a great experience and fondest memories!