Best Places To Go Camping In New Mexico
New Mexico is home to some of the best camping in the UnitedStates, bar none.
With diverse terrain , an abundance of wildlife, and unimaginablyclear views of the Milky Way at night, its not crazy to think that New Mexicowas made for camping.
The Land of Enchantment has a huge range of campingopportunities from primitive tent camping to amenities-filled RV camping tofree remote camping and so much more. You can even comfortably camp all winterlong if you know where to look!
Here are 30 of the best places to go camping in New Mexico.
Aguirre Spring Recreation Area Organ Mountainsdesert Peaks National Monument
Season: November through April
The Organ MountainsDesert Peaks National Monument preserves nearly half a million acres of rocky peaks and narrow canyons, much of it in Las Crucess backyard. Aguirre Spring Campground has the convenience of being close to the states second-largest city, yet its location on the east side of the mountains makes the site feel remote. Here the Organs stunning panorama of needle-like spires rises just outside your tent. The mountains seem to hug the campground, protecting the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem of yucca, juniper, and sage. Its some of the best desert camping in the state. Two trails depart from the site: The six-mile Baylor Pass Trail climbs to a saddle with views of the Mesilla Valley, while the four-mile Pine Tree Trail forms a loop at the base of the mountains.
Getting there: 23 miles east of Las Cruces, via US 70 to Aquirre Springs Road. Info:Bureau of Land Management Las Cruces District, 575-525-4300. Fee: $7 per night
White Sands National Park offers miles of trails, boardwalk viewing areas, and ten primitive camping sites. Photograph by NMTD.
B059 Blm Land Free Camping
GPS Coordinates: 32.21013705590772, -106.61473041202322
Another site on the more than 5.4 million acres managed by the BLMs LC District Office in New Mexico, this site is accessed via Exit 151 off Interstate 10. The road is roughly six miles from the interstate to the campground.
According to users, the road condition is broken down as such:
- First 2 miles = blacktop
- Next 2 miles = gravel road about 2.5 vehicles wide
- Final 2 miles = gravel road about 1 vehicle wide
The initial four sites are accessible to lower clearance vehicles, but youll need a 4×4 vehicle with higher clearance if you want to camp further back. In terms of location, this site is about 35 minutes south of the Sierra Vista free campsite.
Due to that close proximity to large cities in New Mexico and Texas, dont be surprised if you find several sites with big rigs and side-by-sides to explore rougher roads. That said, there are plenty of campsite options, so you shouldnt have a tough time finding a spot.
From here, youll also be able to access hiking trails up into the mountains of southern New Mexico. In terms of wildlife, dont be surprised if you see quail, doves, cattle, and much more. This area is one of the most biologically and recreationally diverse regions for boondocking in New Mexico.
GPS Coordinates: 32.3913, -106.614
Don’t Miss: Camping Near Mt Princeton Hot Springs
Navajo Lake State Park Cottonwood Campground
Navajo Lake State Park is made up of three recreation areas, including the well-developed Pine River area, which features a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, several campgrounds, a day-use area, and a full-service marina. The Cottonwood Campground can be found in the San Juan River area below the dam, which is world-renowned for excellent trout fishing and boasts seven day-use areas and several hiking trails. The Cottonwood Campground features individual sites for RV or tent camping, full restrooms with flushing toilets and potable water, electricity, and cable hookups, and a dump station. Pets are allowed, and activities in the area include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, swimming, and kayaking on the San Juan River.
Navajo Dam, NM 87419, Phone: 505-632-2278
25 Best Campgrounds in New Mexico for Locals & Tourists Restaurants, HotelsBack to Top or Beautiful places near me, what to do, restaurants for breakfast, travel guide, nearest beach
What to do near my location downtown at night in fall, winter, spring, spa near me, summer, places to go, wedding venues near me, beach, wedding venues, open parks, hotels near me, burger, nature park, nice restaurants near me: UT, Indianapolis, From Kansas City, Mackinac Island, Chattanooga, RI, From Chicago, Sacramento, Nantucket, Girls Getaways, Santa Barbara, PA, Michigan beaches
West Mesa Road Dispersed Camping Near Ruidoso
Located just southeast of Albuquerque, West Mesa Road dispersed camping is another gem. Its not far off of the highway, but far enough that it still feels private.
What really makes West Mesa one of the best free campsites in New Mexico, however, is easy access to nearby mountain biking and hiking trails.
There is also an equestrian campground just down the road where you can fill up with water and dump your tanks.
If that isnt enough, how about the fact that youre only about an hour away from Roswell, home of the International UFO Museum and Research Center. Get your space case on!
GPS coordinates: 33.517, -105.5153
Free Camping in New Mexico Vibes Score: 8.2/10 A great option near Albuquerque.
Read Also: Camping World In Asheville North Carolina
Why Youll Love Santa Fe Skies Rv Park
Santa Fe Skies RV Park offers full-service Santa Fe campsites. It has everything you need for a comfortable stay in a spectacular location with views of the valley, mountains, and amazing sunsets. The park is also close to two major shopping malls as well as the historic villages of Cerrillos and Madrid.
Monticello Point Road Near Truth Or Consequences
This is really a great stop just off of Interstate 25 if you are traveling across New Mexico. Again managed by the BLM, Monticello Point Road is one of the best free campsites in New Mexico because of its convenience.
More of that wide-open desert-like terrain, Monticello Point Road has plenty of space for any size rig and the sunshine you need for solar. Its a great place to hunker down or a good jumping-off point if you want to explore some quirky New Mexico towns.
Located just north of Truth or Consequences, dont forget to take advantage of the Hot Springs around the area.
GPS coordinates: 33.3275, -107.2699
Free Camping in New Mexico Vibes Score: 9.1/10
Recommended Reading: Dog Friendly Camping Northern California
Fenton Lake State Park
Youll enjoy the campgrounds modest environment. Fenton Lake State Park doesnt seem to be interesting from the outside.
However, as you pull in, its pretty enormous. Although there is occasional traffic noise, it becomes calmer as you get farther into the campgrounds.
The breathtaking canyon view is spectacular, but owing to fallen trees, camping is inaccessible occasionally. Also, even in a non-roaring vehicle, the road is steep and washed out right now, so drive carefully.
Why Youll Love Rancheros De Santa Fe Campground
Why Youll Love Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground Rancheros de Santa Fe Campground is a highly rated Good Sam RV park in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It offers nightly movies during the summer and access to hiking trails all year long. The staff is knowledgeable about the area and will help you arrange activities and tours to the local sites.
Read Also: Camping World Rv Technician Training
Best Free Camping In New Mexico
Free camping might as well be New Mexicos middle name. Itstruly amazing just how many opportunities there are for free camping in this southwestern state, including many free campsites nearmajor tourist attractions!
Here are 5 of the best places for free camping in NewMexico:
- Big TesuqueCampgroundThis free campground is located in a scenic strand ofaspen just north of Santa Fe. All campsites are walk-in, so theyre suitablefor tent camping only.
- CowCreek CampgroundIf you can brave the often-rough access road, thiscampground is one of the best places for free camping in New Mexico. Itslocated near Santa Fe and is ideal for fishing, hiking, and more.
- Rio ChamaCampgroundPart of the Santa Fe National Forest in the northern partof the state, this free New Mexico campground has 9 total campsites and can accommodateRVs up to 20.
- Angel Peak Scenic AreaAn expansive section of BLM land near Farmington, this free camping areais popular among RV campers. It can fit RVs of all sizes plus it has plenty ofprivate tent camping areas. The scenic beauty of the badlands-esque canyons areworth a visit for the views alone.
- Ojo RedondoCampgroundLocated near towering Mount Sedgwick, Ojo Redondo is oneof the best free campgrounds in New Mexico thanks to its forested setting, spacioussites, and all-around tranquil atmosphere. It has 15 campsites suitable fortents and small RVs. The road in can be rough, especially after rain.
What People Are Saying About Bandelier National Monument Juniper Campground
The site is pretty nice. Lots of people doing one night stays. It never got too full. You cant make reservations, but there is a kiosk that lets you pay for your site using a credit card. The bathrooms are nice, but the one in black bear loop is the nicest. I get 3G on Sprint towers near the check in kiosk and LTE on T-Mobile in the same spot. Erik, Google review
Location
Read Also: Camping World Near San Antonio
Camping Near Santa Fe
Home » Articles » Camping Near Santa Fe | The Santa Fe National Forest
The Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial launch of the summer recreation season on the 1.6-million-acre Santa Fe National Forest . The SFNF offers a multitude of recreational opportunities to its visitors. Developed sites for camping and picnicking are among the most popular, offering scenic vistas, access to fishing and hiking, and perhaps even a little peace and quiet.
Forest visitors are asked to follow campfire safety guidelines and adhere to the Leave No Trace principles of outdoor ethics. Maps are available at all SFNF offices and online that designate roads and trails that are open to motor vehicle traffic. Unless otherwise noted below, the Santa Fe National Forests campgrounds and picnic areas are open. Additional information on each site is available on the SFNF websites Recreation page. Reservation sites may be booked at Recreation.gov.
Best Winter Camping In New Mexico
New Mexico is undoubtedly one of the best states for wintercamping. Theres plenty of options to choose from whether you prefer to roughit hunkered down in a four-seasontent and cold-weathersleeping bag while snow piles up outside or keep cozy in your RV at one ofthe states many state park campgrounds that stay open year-round.
Here are 5 of the best places for winter camping in NewMexico:
- Ponil RV ParkSet atthe foot of the Rocky Mountains, this campground and RV park is open year-roundand is the perfect place to camp during the winter in northern New Mexico. FullRV hookups as well as an array of amenities are available.
- Rock HoundState ParkHome to 29 developed campsites and 23 electric campsites,this state park campground is a great place to camp no matter the season. Yetcamping here in winter is particularly special thanks to the smaller crowds andgreater sense of tranquility.
- Oliver Lee MemorialState ParkDramatic views, made even more dramatic in winter, are thehighlight of camping here. The Sacramento Mountains set in the background andthe surrounding Chihuahuan Desert make for a beautiful atmosphere. Year-roundcamping is available at nearly 40 spots, many with water/electric RV hookupsthat are left on throughout the winter.
Use our guide to winter camping and our winter camping gear guide to further help plan your New Mexico camping trip!
Read Also: West Coast Camping Road Trip
American Spring Free Camping Near Los Alamos
It was the 4th of July holiday weekend, and the Jemez area was packed! Every scenic stop was crawling with people, and every trailhead had a half mile of overflow parking along the road. Valles Caldera was impossible! Aside from a teeny little loop hike, the rest of that park was off-limits without a permit, and of course permits were long gone.
Do you ever get that feeling Get me out of here! The crowds of holiday campers were making me wish I was somewhere else some place peaceful, quiet, and uncrowded. So I abandoned the Jemez, blew by Valles Caldera, and headed towards some free camping near Los Alamos. My destination was a boondocking spot in the Santa Fe National Forest.
Rv Parks Around Santa Fe For A Southwestern Getaway
Weve rounded up some of the best RV parks around Santa Fe, according to campers who have been before. This way, you dont have to be searching for campground information once youre out there. Thanks to campground reviews on The Dyrt, you can be ready and prepared, before you embark on your Santa Fe camping adventure.
Also Check: Soledad Canyon Rv & Camping Resort
Dog Canyon Dispersed Camping
Ideally located near White Sands National Park, Lincoln National Forest, and Las Cruces, Dog Canyon is a great BLM dispersed camping area in New Mexico. Youll take the road towards Oliver Lee Memorial State Park and the Oliver Lee developed campground to get here, and the camping area is located on the south side of the road before reaching the state park. This is BLM land, so dispersed camping is permitted, just dont pitch your tent too close to the developed campground.
There are no facilities at Dog Canyon, although you may be able to use the facilities at Oliver Lee. However, we wouldnt recommend counting on it since those are technically reserved for paid campers.
The views here are truly stunning and youll be treated to some incredible sunsets and sunrises at Dog Canyon. Do keep in mind that there is not water source so youll want to come prepared with all that youll need for your trip.
Joe Skeen Campground Near Grants
Another BLM managed area, the Joe Skeen Campground is the creme de la creme if you are looking for a true campground. This is probably tops of all the best free campgrounds in New Mexico though it is limited to a seven-day stay instead of the typical 14 days.
There are several sites that have a fire ring, picnic table and shelter, and can accommodate big rigs. There are also vault toilets and trash cans.
Joe Skeen Campground is located in the El Malpais National Conservation Area, so there are a ton of things to see and do here. There are sandstone cliffs, canyons, the La Ventana Natural Arch, the Chain of Craters Backcountry Byway, and the Cebolla and West Malpais Wilderness Areas. There is lots of hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities.
GPS coordinates: 34.9435, -107.8204
Free Camping in New Mexico Vibes Score: 8.3/10 Very nicely developed site.
Also Check: Best Portable Power Bank For Camping
Seven Of Our Favorite National Forest Campgrounds In New Mexico
Category: Camping
The diversity of New Mexicos landscape is reflected in a wide range of recreational opportunities and camping experiences one can find in the state. The level of development at these Campgrounds ranges from a near wilderness camping experience to recreational vehicle friendly Campground. Here are some of the best National Forest Campgrounds in New Mexico as experienced by Fred and Suzi Dow, authors and publishers of the U.S. National Forest Campground Guide website and eBooks. Visit forestcamping.com to learn more.
Cimarron Campground
Carson National Forest
Cimarron Campground, in the Carson National Forest, is an equestrian dream. Located in the Valle Vidal Management Unit, Cimarron Campground is surrounded by more than 100,000 acres of pristine high desert wilderness.
The Management Unit has one dirt road through it and no developed trails for any specific users. Take your orientation skills and discover what a southwest landscape looked like when buffalo roamed the area. There is a lot of open space where stands of Ponderosa pine dot the grassy plains. The Cimarron Campground may be rustic but provides equestrian and non-equestrian campers one of the most memorable experiences found in few places in the United States.
Jacks Creek Campground
Campsites at the Juniper Campground.
Mesa Campground
Pines Campground
Dripping Springs Dispersed Camping
GPS Coordinates: 32.330230856266205, -106.61224243468386
Also on the west side of the Organ Mountains, the Dripping Springs dispersed camping area is located about 10 miles east of town. From Interstate 25, take Exit 1 and then turn east onto University Road/Dripping Springs Road. Follow it to the end, where youll find the entrance to these free campsites.
This free camping spot is close to the La Cueva Trail if youre of the mind to get a little hike in during your stay. The sites do have fire rings and theres a lot of space between sites, so you wont feel crowded next to other campers. The campground is in fire zone 112, so be sure to check fire restrictions before your visit.
Users have dubbed it quiet and convenient, and its close to the Dripping Springs Natural Area for good hiking trails. Just be mindful that this campground offers little to no shade, so youll have to bring your own with one of the best campervan awnings for boondocking in New Mexico.
The natural area is a beautiful combination of desert scrub and low-elevation pinion-juniper and oak woodlands. No matter the time of year you visit, youll have excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including chances to see red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, and Gimbels quail.
Recommended Reading: Dispersed Camping Near Eugene Oregon
Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping
Restrooms: NoMap
If youre looking for dispersed camping near Santa Fe, then the Caja should be high on your short list. Caja del Rio sits at a lower elevation compared to much of the surrounding National Forest so is a popular place to camp during the shoulder seasons. The map linked above brings you to the largest camping area, although there are many more opportunities if you venture further in.
Be warned, after rain or a lot of melting snow the dirt here turns to a think sludge than can stick even the burliest of tires!
The road to get here is easily passable for trailers and RVs, so this is a good option if youre traveling in a larger vehicle. There arent any facilities here so be sure to stock up on supplies before setting up camp. Given that Santa Fe is only 15 minutes away, you should have no problem finding everything you need for your trip.