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The best camping near Cibola National Forest

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Cibola National Forest adventure.

88% (8 reviews)
88% (8 reviews)

America the beautiful, indeed! Don’t miss out on the wild and scenic slice of New Mexico.  

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Community favorites near Cibola National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Cibola National Forest

Top-rated campgrounds near Cibola National Forest

Kabuki Cowboy’s Ranch

3 sites ¡ Tents30 acres ¡ Magdalena, NM
I grew up living in the Midwest, but I was always spending my summers with Dad’s family in the Southwest. My grandfather was a farmer in Española, and my grandmother was brilliant in the kitchen, with everything he grew. In my adulthood, I found I had lost a lot of those memories. Aside from visiting a few close family members now and again, I began to feel detached from the impact this part of the world left on myself. That’s what prompted me to start looking for land in New Mexico. I found Magdalena and felt catapulted back into my childhood. I still feel like a kid when I’m at the ranch, and I can’t wait to see where things go with this rustic time capsule.Learn more about this land:Meander down the Forest Roads, flanking mule deer and jackrabbits, to this private hilltop 30 acre ranch outside historic Magdalena, complete with near 360 degree Mountain Views of the bear range, mt baldy, Drone mountain, and other peaks. The county does a great job of maintaining the dirt roads coming in, and I regularly make the trip into town with a little 2wd crossover. That is, when I get a hankerin for some delicious food at Tumbleweeds. That usually gets me ready to check out the library and boxcar museum for some free WiFi, where I can make a game plan. There’s so much to do in Magdalena, including antiquing, getting some space at the VLA, catching a local art exhibit, or exploring native plants, rocks, and jewelry. Get an early start and catch the farmers market where the local high school sells produce. There’s definitely something special in this lovely pocket of the Old West. Magdalena was once known as the “End of the Line” for cows being herded the long cross country distances required by Cowboy’s of the time. More recently, historic highway 60 connected the country well before Route 66. In more recent years, the Very Large Array has put this part of the world’s night skies on an international pedestal for star gazing.
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from 
$35
 / night
85%
(10)

High Country Hip Camp

9 sites ¡ RVs, Tents5 acres ¡ Magdalena, NM
We live on a 5 acre mini ranch right in the Village of Magdalena. Our property looks remote because we are on the edge of the village overlooking the hills and mountains of village land, however we are just a hop skip jump away from the local bar, cafe, gas station, etc. This property is best suited for RVs, car camping, vans, etc. Tent camping is available, but beware of winds. We offer very limited access to amenities, but with some notice we can help with with water hook ups, garbage disposal. We have an extra bathroom in the house available for guests to use for toilet and showers, but require arrangements, as we have dogs and will need to unlock house as needed. Folks are welcome to start a fire at the fire pit and say hello to our animals. We have a donkey named Dolly, a goat named Jake, and mini horse named Amber. We also have 2 horses on site named Cowgirl and Chiquita. Check out our second property on HipCamp, Tumbleweeds Diner!
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$20
 / night
100%
(6)

Camp Darkmoon

2 sites ¡ Lodging, Tents2 acres ¡ Madrone, NM
Two acres of sage flatlands. Close to town but even closer to the mountains. Monte Largo CaĂąon is a short rocky drive away. Perfectly clean air, peaceful atmosphere, and flawless stars at night. Camp Darkmoon is a school of alternative architecture. On site are a handful of earthen structures. Lodging and tent site are available to book.
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$20
 / night
90%
(15)

Perry Farms RV Park

15 sites ¡ RVs, Tents40 acres ¡ Socorro, NM
Perry Farms is the home place of the Perry Family, established in 1980, and provided much open space for the children to grow and play. It is located in the northern edges of the Chihuahuan Desert. Native fauna and flora as well as beautiful blue skies, with millions of stars provide peaceful, quiet moments of nature. Learn more about this land: Desert Camp consists of six RV spots with full hookups (electricity-30 and 50 amp, septic, water, and WIFI) and 11 unimproved tent camping areas on family property of Perry Farms. The land has arroyos, mesas, lots of flat areas to car camp, pitch a tent or sleep on the ground under the beautiful, dark New Mexico skies. There are also a few places to hang a hammock.  To the west, there are miles and miles to hike, mountain bike, or just enjoy the view of the Magdalena Mountains.  Neighbors are quiet and you can choose a spot away from anyone.
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$20
 / night
96%
(13)

Pristine High Desert Wilderness

10 sites ¡ RVs, Tents160 acres ¡ San Antonito, NM
Learn more about this land: Here is a beautiful wide-open 160 acre site in the Socorro High Desert with wonderful scenic views of the Magdalena Mountains to your North and the Colorado River Basin to your South. ⛰🚵‍♀️ Excellent terrain for ATVs and Jeep’s! 🌵🏍 Feel free to bring wood and start a fire. 🔥 Amazing Stargazing Opportunities! 🌌 Perfect for a Peaceful Trip in Nature. 🍄 Plenty of safe space to do whatever you want, just be mindful of the Land and your Neighbors. ⛺️ Brief Directions for Those Without Internet: 1. After you get off the I-25 and onto Hwy 178 (also known as Willow Springs Ranch Road), take it northwest into the desert about 2 miles. You'll soon pass a major four-way intersection in the dirt road and see a house to your right, keep going. 2. Coming up on your left you'll see another structure (labeled Highland Springs Ranch on Google Maps). Pass them too. 3. Shortly after that (about 1 mile past the initial four-way intersection), you'll see a wide dirt road shoot off too the left, pass it. 4. Up ahead, the road splits into Coyote Springs Rd. Just keep to your left and stay on Highland Springs Rd (Hwy 178). 5. After another mile or so you'll see another dirt road shooting off to the left. Pass this road too. 6. Continue up Hwy 178. You'll pass a couple more dirt roads shooting off to your right until you finally reach an offset four-way intersection. So close! Turn left here and continue another 2600ft/0.5mi down this street and voila, you've arrived at the top right corner of my property (on your left). It's huge, so feel free to roam! This road is technically called Sunset Vista, but it won't appear on any maps and there's no signage, so do with that information what you will.
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$13
 / night
100%
(1)

Camp Louie

2 sites ¡ RVs, Tents2 acres ¡ Veguita, NM
Two acres of flat desert land just 10 minutes off of the highway. Well maintained dirt roads for the last two miles, suitable for any vehicle. Surrounded by numerous outdoor activities. Explore New Mexico or kick back and enjoy a quiet off grid experience. Rio Grande River - 10 minutes Elephant Butte- 1.5 hours Sevilleta nation wildlife refuge-30 minutes Bosque del Apache Wilderness and Wildlife Refuge- 1 hour Manzano peak and Manzano State park - 1 hour Lardron peak - 45 minutes Salinas peak- 3 hours Salinas Pueblo missions National monument- 1.5 hours South baldy - 1.5 hours Mount Withington- 2 hours West Blue mountain- 3 hours San Mateo peak -3 hours Cookes peak- 3.5 hours White sands national park-3 hours White sands missile range-3 hours San Andres national wildlife refuge - 4 hours
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$15
 / night
Booked 8 times

Tha Phat Unicorn Farm

3 sites ¡ RVs, Tents1 acres ¡ Belen, NM
We are a 1.25-acre Cannabis Micro Business property on the Mesa in Belen, NM. We are surrounded by a beautiful view of mountains and at night you'll see an amazing sunset and can see every star in the sky! There are hiking trails, horseback riding and ATV trails within about 5-10miles. We offer Yoga on the property, and we are 420 Friendly. We have a Love's at the bottom of the Mesa that offers showers and RV Dump Service for a low fee.
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$20
 / night

Oasis ranch

2 sites ¡ RVs10 acres ¡ Los Lunas, NM
Learn more about this land:Oasis Ranch , is a ten acre organic farm in central New Mexico with beautiful sunsets , clear view of the night stars, footsteps away from the ancient Anasazi trading routes with Aztecs from the 1300’s, campers can camp at base camp or venture out into the New Mexican high desert.
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from 
$33
 / night
100%
(22)

Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

5 sites ¡ RVs, Tents15 acres ¡ Bosque, NM
Our family purchased this land in January of 2020 with living on and building a tiny house. Along the way we plan on setting up a couple campsites and have a few small events.Learn more about this land:Here at Plateau Hame De Colquhoun our goal is to live off our land without leaving much of a carbon footprint. We have opened our land in hopes that others can come be themselves, relax, explore, learn or teach within a safe Environment! Plateau Hame De Colquhoun is reasonably private and you can make your visit your own. Enjoy being yourself amongst the space.. 420 friendly. Located on edge of the Mesa overlooking the Rio Grande with beautiful mountains views, keep in mind this is an ongoing project and much of the land is untamed and in all its natural glory. *Snakes, other wild life included* Like the lives of pioneers before us the amenities are sparse. If you enjoy ruggedness and serene isolation with majestic views of the local mountain ranges, then this is your place to visit.
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$12
 / night
100%
(13)

Bomvida Farms

1 site ¡ RV, Tent21 acres ¡ Bosque, NM
Once the largest organic vineyard in New Mexico, Bomvida Farms began in 2020 in what used to be called Sabinal Vineyards. The land has been vacant for over a decade and most of the grapes are dead...buta few are still hanging on. We'll do what we can you save them. Other than that we have hundreds of animals including pigs, goats, chickens, and turkeys. In 2021 we have a long list of fruits & vegetables that will be grown where the grapes used to live. Come enjoy all we have to offer while taking in our fantastic views.Learn more about this land:Bomvida is a working farm started summer 2020. For decades this land was part of the largest vineyard in NM until it was abandoned.Come listen to the coyotes howl and the roosters crow as you enjoy EXPANSIVE views of the Rio Grande Valley and the Manzano Mountains.Take a tour of the farm, pet some animals, see what we grow/make in our commercial kitchen, or visit our neighbor (a proper vineyard with a tasting room).Each reservation includes:* 1 Dozen Farm Fresh Eggs 1 Quart Farm Fresh Goat's milk (tastes just like cows milk from the store) 1 Quart Bitchy Betty's Extra Tangy Yogurt Being almost an hour south of Albuquerque it's dark enough on a moonless night to truly enjoy the stars!We have 1 site currently available. Saltbrush (Site 1 on the map) is closer to the animals and Arroyo Vista (Site 2; not yet completed) is on the other side of the arroyo further away from our operations.
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$30
 / night
100%
(4)

Desert Camping with Mountain Views

1 site ¡ RV2 acres ¡ Las Nutrias, NM
Learn more about this land:Our campsite provides amazing sunset & sunrise views of Whiteface Mountain to the east, Bosque Peak to the Northeast and the Sierra Ladrones Wilderness Study Area/Mountains out to the West. Verizon cell phone tower is located near the intersection of Highway 60 and Monrovia Street and provides for full LTE service. The site is located about half a mile off of Highway 60, but tucked far enough away where you will not hear any highway traffic. The closest nearby land occupants are about 2 miles away and more in other directions. Privacy will not be a concern! We are slowly in the works of adding a firepit area and some pet area fencing. The perimeter is marked with green metal stakes with red tops. What is Nearby? Rio Grande River: 5.7 Miles (7 minutes) Walking Sands Reat Area: 16.6 Miles (17 Minutes) Belen: 24 miles (25 minutes) Los Lunas: 37 Miles (37 minutes) Albuquerque: 57 Miles (53 min) Other Nearby Points of Interest: Abo Canyon Alexander Municipal Airport Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge Manzano Mountains State Park Rio Salado River Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Corner Points/GPS: 34.416828,-106.709514 34.416801,-106.709020 Elevation: 5,100 ft About Socorro County: Mostly rural, Socorro County sits in the central part of New Mexico and consists of a population of roughly 18,000. While home to very few people, the county does possess many great parks and natural wonders such as the awe inspiring Manazano Mountains and Abo Canyon. Small towns in this county include Escondida, Socorro and Magdalena, meaning a supply run to the nearest Wal-Mart is never too far away.
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$15
 / night

Black Butte Camp

3 sites ¡ RVs1 acre ¡ Las Nutrias, NM
1 acre of New Mexico high desert land with stunning views of Black Butte, Manzano Mountains, and Ladron Peak. Located between the cities of Belen and Socorro. A perfect place to rest in solitude and use as a basecamp for your sightseeing activities nearby. Sevilleta Natural Wildlife Refuge Abo Ruins Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge
from 
$10
 / night

The best camping near Cibola National Forest guide

Overview

About

A massive 1.6 million acres, this National Forest is divided into four Ranger Districts: the Sandia, Mountainair, Mt. Taylor, and Magdalena. When you add in the National Grasslands, the recreational opportunities are endless.

Here you’ll find some of the best mountain biking in New Mexico. We’re particularly fond of Otero Canyon and the slickrock of Red Rocks Trail. There’s also the grueling climb to the top of Sandia Peak. It’s 10,000 feet of lung-busting good times.

For those interested in summit views without the all the aerobics, the Sandia Peak Tramway offers a more genteel way to the top. However you get up there, you’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the Rio Grande Valley. Sunset is the best time to catch those classic New Mexico colors. If the 10,378 foot peak isn’t high enough for you, hot air balloon rides can be booked from Albuquerque.

Of course, there’s tons of hiking too. One of our faves is the Strawberry Canyon hike, a 2.5-mile trek up to McGaffey Lookout Tower and another set of stunning panoramic views.

With most campgrounds not more than an hour’s drive from Albuquerque, you’ll have your pick of the area’s traditional sites, cabins, or lodges. But remember, it’s a desert. Bring good, sturdy boots and lots of water.

Nearby attractions

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument is a breathtaking destination offering unforgettable camping experiences beneath starlit skies, thrilling hikes through rugged peaks, and a chance to uncover ancient petroglyphs.

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