Camping near Santa Fe with wildlife watching

Get wild in Santa Fe’s grasslands, high mountain forests, and juniper woodlands.

99% (1884 reviews)
99% (1884 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Santa Fe

Dog-friendly getaways

Under $50

12 top campgrounds near Santa Fe with wildlife watching

98%
(1169)

Santa Fe Treehouse Camp

58 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents156 acres · Santa Fe, NM
This is a non-smoking, no candle facility. The camp was founded 40 years ago as a summer camp for kids. Now we welcome adults, and other groups to enjoy the vast and wild high desert nature up on this ridge. There are beautiful views and access to Shaggy Peak, the southernmost tip of the Rocky Mountains and the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. Wander our land to enjoy various level hiking trails including a 20 minute hike to a creek and waterfall in the forest (some steep spots and creek is intermittent) or climb up Shaggy Peak (seasoned hikers only please). NOTE: We are up 1.3 miles of dirt road and are not near public transportation so you will need your own vehicle! Be aware that the roads can be snowy, icy or muddy and rutted ( 4-wheel or All-trak recommended in certain times of year). We don’t guarantee the road will be plowed.
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$25
 / night
97%
(123)

Mesa top camping

1 site · RV, Tent20 acres · Madrid, NM
Set above the historic town of Madrid N.M. is Waldo Mesa. The location of past mining operations and stunning Vista's.
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$35
 / night
98%
(198)

Agua de Vida

10 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · NM
This charming land has been in the family since my husband was a young boy. The Indian ruins and artifacts fascinated him then and he is still happy to share this history with whoever shows an interest. With all the improvements made by his father and family through the years, you will also learn to have a love for the history and beauty here on this unique 30-acre treasure. You can explore Native American ruins that were inhabited by some 2,000 people between 700-1100 AD. The grounds are wonderful to walk with a little lake which draws elk, deer, hawks, blue herons, etc. Easy to access just 3 minutes off I-25. We are 5 minutes away from the Pecos Natl Monument and 15 minutes away from the Pecos River with plenty of great fishing spots…Visit Santa Fe (20-minute drive) or Las Vegas (30-minute drive) with dozens of restaurants, museums, art galleries, etc. We look forward to your stay!
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$35
 / night
100%
(3)

Rustic Luxury in Santa Fe

2 sites · Lodging10 acres · Santa Fe, NM
"Magical" is how guests describe Top of the Trail. High desert, Rocky Mountains, and the Old Santa Fe Trail converge here and evoke images of early caravans. Artifacts left behind by previous travelers tell of a connection with the natural world that was quite different from ours. On this special piece of land, we have created a Vintage American Caravansary - a place where travelers can feel comforted, healed, and inspired by the natural world. All with easy access to Santa Fe.
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$89
 / night
100%
(3)

The DOVE

5 sites · Lodging, RVs38 acres · Glorieta, NM
Only 30 minutes from the Santa Fe Plaza. 38 acres right in the Santa Fe National Forest. A beautiful secure retreat filled with gorgeous landscape of mountains, caves and scenic hikes. World class biking and hiking trails on and near the property. Groomed biking and hiking trails located 5 miles away next to The High Five Eco Zip Tour office. Bright stars, clear unpolluted skies, and lots of wildlife. Glorieta Adventures Zip Tour - The High Five; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHQz_UV25Ug Two older bikes available for guests. Many hiking trails are on the property and hiking can be right out your door. Completely solar vintage camper that sleeps 4, and modern solar camper that sleeps 3 or 4 (Quite high upper bunk for 4th person). Neither RV has heat, but there are warm cozy blankets. They have outdoor showers, stove, fridge. Kitchen have fridge, freezer, stove oven and all utensils, pans, French press coffee maker, dishes provided. All linens and towels are also provided. The campers share a clean well maintained outhouse. They are not hooked into a septic system, so the indoor toilets are not usable. FYI, our campers, stoves and grills are all vegan. Please honor our request to maintain a vegan lifestyle (no animal products) while using our facilities. Thanks! There is a steep, narrow, 1/2 mile gravel driveway leading up from the gate. We do it with our 2WD Prius. CONTACT US BEFORE ARRIVAL WITH APPROXIMATE TIME. We will have the gate open for you. Be sure to do a very wide turn into the gate, so you don't hit the support posts.
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$30
 / night
100%
(26)

CAMP WITH

5 sites · Lodging15 acres · Los Cerrillos, NM
Joachim and Patience are two artists living in Santa Fe with an extreme admiration and passion for the outdoors, sustainability, off grid living and experimental architecture from reclaimed materials. Joachim and Patience both come from deeply rooted- generations of families with a shared love affair with all things historical. Camp With is an endeavor to connect more people with the distinct features the high desert landscape has to offer and ultimately foster growth with ones relationship to nature. Learn more about this land:  ✨ Enjoy off grid curated camping at Camp With in the pristine foothills of the Ortiz Mountains, 30 miles south of Santa Fe. Camp with has expansive views of the Sangre de Cristos, The Cerrillos Hills, and the Jemez mountains. Camp With is 8 miles away from the artistic and historical coal town of Madrid and mining town Cerrillos. Our 210sq ft foot canvas bell tents Includes a super comfortable queen (Juniper) and full (Yucca) size bed, fresh cotton bed linens, towels, two headlamps, battery-powered lantern, games and a mix of eclectic, modern, and antique decor. Enjoy the sun, stars, and views, connect with nature, immerse yourself in rural off-grid living and unwind in the Ortiz mountains. Juniper Camp is set up for a couple in the queen-sized bed. Yucca camp has a full sized bed. We are happy to accommodate up to 2 extra guests inside each tent. Additional guests are responsible for their own sleeping bag, pad, and pillow. You will see this as an option while finalizing the booking. The campsites offers an open off grid private outdoor kitchen where we provide you a shade structure with cooking utensils (pots, cast iron pan, spatula, tongs), cutlery, 3 gallons of filtered water, propane bbq, propane two burner stove, plates, dinner linens, glassware, foil, paper towel, french press, bowls, and a platter. There is a table under the kitchen roof to enjoy your meals. There is no electricity, so bring your ice and coolers.  We are doing several small permaculture projects sprinkled throughout the land. There is a chance you could run into us building or planting something on the far side of the 15-acre property, but we like to give our guests privacy, peace, and quiet (how we would want to be treated ☺️). The unpaved road to the campsite is 3 miles and filled with stones, hence our street name, Stoney Road. We highly recommend a vehicle with clearance as there are some rocks on the road that are "oil pan busters." There are no street lights on the dirt road; we recommend arriving at the site during the day. After rainfall and during the monsoon season (May-September), the road can be very muddy. We don’t want you getting stuck. Let’s be honest here: high clearance and or 4x4 on your vehicle is recommended. There is a communal composting outhouse as your bathroom during your stay. We have an open air seasonal hot outdoor shower. (May-mid October) Please be mindful and use the Castile soap we provide. The greywater from your bathing feeds the plants. We remind you that this is a rural off-grid campsite: there is no electricity.  We have created this space for you to connect with your loved ones, play games, and enjoy being outside. The closest restaurants are in Cerrillos and Madrid, 8 miles away. You are responsible for your safety, food, ice, and relaxation. We have items for sale in a cool, old,  Kelvinator fridge (acts as a vending machine) if you forgot things like batteries, an extra pair of socks, a beanie, sunscreen, eye drops, canned goods, tums, ibuprofen, flashlight, etc. You will receive the key code upon your booking to access items for sale. Come enjoy the impeccable views, INSANELY spectacular stars, and a genuinely unique, curated, off-grid camping experience. Message us if you have any questions, concerns, or inquiries!✨ Please, no mean humans. We appreciate kind people only.
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$125
 / night
100%
(1)

Vista Ortiz Retreat

1 site · Lodging12 acres · Santa Fe, NM
Our 12.5 acres residential lot sits at 6970 feet elevation and abuts a 4000 acres wilderness preserve. It is located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe and is near numerous hiking/mountain biking trails in Galisteo Basin Preserve and others. Great views of the Ortiz, Sandia and Manzano Mtns. THE SPACE The bell tent has a comfortable queen bed with fresh linens, pillows and comforter. Basket inside has additional pillows and blankets. As a high desert, water is a precious resource. We've built a custom outdoor solar-heated shower with both hot and cold water that is extremely efficient. The water-system is filled daily and holds approximately six gallons (hot). There is a water-saving shower head with an on/off mechanism. "Navy showers" are a must: turn on to get wet, turn off to lather up and then rinse off. With this method, more than one person can shower. To take advantage of the solar gain, best used in the afternoon or evening. We offer soap, shampoo, conditioner and towels. There is a nice bench, lots of hooks to hang your towels/clothes, and a shower caddy. The area is private and secluded with solar lighting for nighttime use. There is a separate sink (cold water only) and private enclosed toilet facility next to the shower area. Guidebook in tent listing restaurants, bars, tap houses within 10 minutes drive and without need to go into Santa Fe. Pack & Play available for an additional fee ($25 for stay) if infants/toddlers accompany the adult guests.
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$110
 / night
100%
(9)

Field Trip NM

24 sites · Lodging6 acres · NM
We are located in the Santa Fe National Forest, on 6 acres right on the Pecos river and El Macho creek. You can fish right off the property and explore local hikes. The elevation is 7200 feet in a gorgeous setting surrounded by mountains. We have a pavilion and a huge outdoor kitchen for you to enjoy.
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$148.75
 / night
100%
(61)

Elk Ridge Ranch

1 site · RV7 acres · Placitas, NM
Park your RV up to 40 foot overlooking a beautiful pond and endless Mountain Views. Enjoy our Bison and Elk roaming near your campsite, you can even feed them apples out of your hand! You can swim in the crystal clear pond and enjoy the endless stars at night. We have 50 amp service and sewer hookup. Pets are welcome if well behaved and leashed because of the resident animals. Only 45 minutes to Santa Fe and 20 minutes to Albuquerque. Explore the great Southwest attractions: Tent Rocks, Bandolier National Monument, Chaco Canyon, Coronado Monument, and Sandia Tramway. Excellent hiking and biking area. Less than an hour to Santa Fe Ski area and 2 hours to Taos Mountain.
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$75
 / night
95%
(94)

Los Vallecitos Retreat

4 sites · RVs, Tents330 acres · Mora, NM
We have a unique location near the Santa Fe National Forest set on the eastern slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This camp spot is very private with plenty of room to spread out and enjoy yourself without the restrictions of a campground. The river frontage is right there where you can enjoy the sound of running water. 
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$40
 / night
100%
(6)

Sky Mesa Ranch

7 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · NM
10 flat acres Close to all the Abiquiu and Northern New Mexico Activities. A very quiet community tucked about about a mile off highway 554. Currently we are working on utilities. There are no utilities available to you, you will need to be self sufficient. However there are a handful of convenience store south and north of the property. A very safe and beautiful piece of property. Camp at the edge of the Mesa for an unobstructed view of Pedernal.
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$25
 / night
99%
(277)

Sunny Mellow Eco Villa

4 sites · Lodging8 acres · Tijeras, NM
Sunny Mellow Eco Villa is the land with a great history. The QUIET, secret Shangra-La Valley just over the ridge from Route 66 (and I-40) was the camping place for Billy the Kid and his gang! They could quickly saddle up when the posted lookout on the ridge above signaled the passing of the stagecoach! Even more stunning, it was the Tijeras Indian Pueblo Tribe's place of roaming and rest. The land now sports an Organic Vineyard, Orchard and Vegetable Garden that guests my forage from when in bloom. A Large, Clean, Secluded Redwood Yoga Deck, Ping-Pong, Horseshoes, and a Giant Swing Set, along with patios and lounges that are found over the 8 acre land, and all joined by a network of Scenic Pathways and Bridges that connect The Vineyard, The Orchard, The Garden, The Solar Array, The Swing, The Yoga Deck, Ping Pong Terrace, Horse shoe Pit... Perfect Place and Feel The Akashic Records of Where Billy the Kid and his gang camped and the Tijeras Indians Lived! 8 Minutes to Albuquerque. 7 minutes to Cedar Crest, 20 minutes to The Infinite View off the Sandia Crest, 10 minutes to Edgewood. 50 minutes to Santa Fe. Located in THE CENTER of The ZIA of NEW MEXICO! Views of meadows, mountains and the Enchanting New Mexico sky from the Every stopping point on the Eco Villa Trail System. Ride a bike, take a sauna, Read a book... Take a nap. Enjoy the Unique Feel and Romance of the Yoga Yurt, The Awesome Modern Outdoor Kitchen, The delicious KING Bed. Watch 4K TV with 900 download and 35 upload! Enjoy Dining at your Private HipCamp Site! Hike into the Cedro National forest a short walk to the end of the road. If you feel sociable, join in a campfire with the guests at The Chi-Treehouse or Invite guests to the Fire-pit at your own Yoga Yurta! Sit in the Secluded "Starchamber" by day for a sun tan, or by night for moon glow and infinite star gazing. Drive to Sandia Peak, Hike, Ski, Mountain Bike (Even out your back door if you do not want to drive). Albuquerque and The East Mountains has more trails in proximity to a metropolis than an city in the country. Pick sandy, rocky, or meadow, or a forest ascent. Grove at top notch restaurants in ABQ and some local ones just down the street.
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$77.77
 / night

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Camping near Santa Fe with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for finding the perfect camping experience near Santa Fe, New Mexico! With over 679 options specifically tailored for wildlife watching enthusiasts, you're sure to find the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature. Whether you're looking to stay in the unique Santa Fe Treehouse Camp (512 reviews), the charming Enchanted Circle Campground (397 reviews), or the serene Star Dance High Desert Retreat (271 reviews), you'll have plenty of highly rated options to choose from. With popular amenities like pet-friendly sites and potable water, and activities such as snow sports, boating, and off-roading, there's something for everyone. Plus, with an average price per night of $35 and options as low as $5, you can enjoy an affordable getaway. So pack your bags and get ready to experience the beauty of Santa Fe's wildlife firsthand!

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