Juniper Campground

Juniper Campground has great memories for me. It is a great home base for me to park the camper several days and to go in different directions looking for something new and invigorating. Located near Los Alamos, New Mexico, I have always enjoyed coming back to this ponderosa pine forest.

There are no hookups or conveniences here; just plain ol' picnic tables, restrooms (no showers), and a dump station nearby.

I met new friends here. A wife and husband about my age that are on a long vacation from California.  I only spent a little time with them during this trip but I have great memories of our time together.

One day, I took a nice long hike from the top of the rim from my campsite, down into Frijoles Canyon to a nice tourist cafe. It started behind the little amphitheater on top of a volcanic rim rock.

Morning sun begins to shine down into the canyon. Workers are still excavating historic sites. Can you see their blue work tent?

Another trail leads down into the canyon. I would like to take that trail some day.

Souvenirs and food

A happy trail.

Cottonwoods line the bottom of the canyon. 

The trail was well established and scenic. I saw only a couple other hikers on this hike.

The visitor center had a nice cafe where I enjoyed a burger to help me  energize my hike back up the canyon.

Frijoles Canyon

Home sweet home. Nap time.

The area was raked by wildfires last year and closed much of the summer and into winter. All is open now but the wildfires have done their damage in the area. The campground has gone through nice improvements and upgrades but it has not lost its quiet and rustic charm that makes it a great place to make home for a few days.