Camp May remains closed on weekdays

Published on May 28, 2025

Photo of Camp May Road lined with Aspens and other fall foliage

Campers, hikers, bikers and other recreators are reminded that Camp May is closed to the public Mondays through Thursdays until further notice due to road construction occurring on Camp May Road under the regional Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project (JMFPP).

Camping at Camp May is limited to Friday and Saturday nights on a first-come, first-served basis this year to allow for full work capacity on the project. The entrance/exit to Camp May is closed from midday Sundays until Friday mornings. Access to Camp May from nearby trails is not permitted when the campgrounds are closed.

Reservations are not necessary for camping this year while the JMFPP work is in progress. Campers must extinguish campfires, pack up belongings and leave the area no later than noon on Sundays.

“As we’ve moved into warmer temperatures, we’re seeing more and more people try to access these areas when they’re closed,” said Ernesto Gallegos, project manager from the Los Alamos Dept. of Public Utilities (DPU). “For the safety of the public and the contractor conducting the work on Camp May Road, we can’t allow anyone to hike or bike on Camp May Road, or enter or remain at Camp May, when construction is occurring.”

Managed by the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the project has four primary objectives:

  • Provide a connection between Los Alamos County’s water supply system and the water storage tank at Pajarito Mountain. This connection is necessary for fire suppression capabilities at Pajarito and surrounding National Forest Service (NFS) and non-NFS lands.
  • Provide the means for a reliable, supplemental snowmaking water supply for consistent snow coverage at Pajarito Mountain, especially during the early and late parts of the season and years of below-average snowfall. Winter snowpack can potentially reduce wildfire risk later in the year as it keeps vegetation damp and can delay the onset of dry conditions that fuel wildfires.
  • Provide Pajarito Mountain and Camp May Park facilities with an improved domestic water supply.
  • Provide both areas with improvements to electric utilities.

A project web page can be found at ladpu.com/JMFPP. Questions about this project may be directed to Gallegos, 505-662-8147, er.gallegos@lacnm.us.

 

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