Camping in New Mexico
Explore ancient pueblos, soak in restorative springs, and see Mission-style architecture in this southwestern state.
- New Mexico
94% (5512 reviews)
Popular camping styles for New Mexico
12 top campgrounds in New Mexico
95%
(183)
Camp Rio
59 sites · Lodging, Tents9 acres · Mayhill, Otero
Camp Rio, formerly named Camp @ Cloudcroft is located in beautiful SE New Mexico! The park is surrounded by thousands of acres of the Lincoln National Forest. The forest is laced with small villages, picturesque roads, riding, hiking, golf, and walking trails. Small valleys, surrounding mountains, racing streams, wildlife, birds, mountain glens and outdoor activities are available to Camp Rio guests. The small towns around us are Mayhill, Cloudcroft, Weed, and Pinion. These towns have scheduled activities such as arts and craft fairs, car shows, bluegrass festivals, dog shows, and Lumberjack days. Additional day trips to Alamogordo, Capitan (Smokey the Bear), Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Lincoln (Billy the Kid), Ruidoso (skiing), Sunspot (National Solar Observatory, Truth or Consequences (Hot Springs) and White Sands National Monument! Guests enjoy our upgraded free wifi to have the best of both worlds, surrounded by beautiful nature, while still being able to connect with family/friends/work. Our location is superb to use as a base camp for numerous attractions as a centralized location to have many adventures.
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$35
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96%
(13)
La Vina rd
3 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Chamberino, Doña Ana
A two acre camping ground located next to Sombra Antigua Winery located in the middle of farmland along the historic highway 28. Bathrooms and trash disposal available as well as 1 electric hook up. Live music Saturday and Sunday from 2-6pm and 2 day stay limit. Tables and fire pits at each campsite.
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$30
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99%
(173)
Dusty Rabbit Van Life
5 sites · RVs, Tents2000 acres · Roswell, Chaves
Learn more about this land:Dusty Rabbit Van Life @ Schrimsher Ranch is an alternative camping & Star Gazing location just outside of town, yet close to the open road. A great place to relax under the stars, have a camp fire, and kick back next to your travel rig after a long day. You are welcome to explore the 600+ acres of rolling hills and high desert of our ranch. If you cross a fence you've gone too far, so that makes it easy for you to know where you're at. You might just want to crash for the night in a safe location out on the rangeland or stay a day or two to enjoy the land to walk, mountain bike antelope trails, and maybe even Sniffers the pronghorn antelope will find ya before you head out. This is a primitive site, so leave no trace practice is appreciated and pack in/out is how we do it here. If you come in the summer prepare the morning coffee early and enjoy the desert sun's rays hit the Capitan, but by 9am it will be hot, so be ready! Best star gazing and satellite watching in the world!
I have several sites to choose from. But remember to keep an eye on the wind and weather as it can get crazy out here sometimes…..!!! I try to keep the sites stocked with firewood, but fill free to bring your own.
Lonely Bull Camp 1 is my most popular site. It is very private and is easily accessible by most vehicles and campers.
Ask about Lonely Bull Camp 4x4 if you have a capable vehicle. Amazing stars!!
Old Highway Camp is a great alternative if you want something closer to the highway and have a safe private place to pull over, camp, kickback, make a fire and get back to your life on the on the road in the morning. It is closer to the highway, but is quite at night and has great star gazing. Enjoy being greeted by The Mountain in the morning. Let me know where you would like to stay and I will do my best to accommodate you! Safe travels!
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$30
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100%
(19)
Plateau Hame De Colquhoun
5 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Bosque, Socorro
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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$10
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97%
(73)
A True Cold War Relic..Missile Silo
6 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Roswell, Chaves
Learn more about this land:The Missile Base property with it's underground Launch Control Center and a Utility Tunnel that leads to the 186 ft deep Missile Silo, with much of it's original floors still intact. Learn what it took to operate one of these amazing sites. The major construction/refurbishment areas, have been renovated into an unbelievable underground home and office. Prepare for one of the most awesome tours included with the cost of your stay.This is the site of a decommissioned Atlas F Missile Silo which was deactivated by the United States Air Force in 1965, located in Southeastern New Mexico, close to Roswell, NM.Explore the property that once housed our Country's first InterContinental Ballistic Missile ICBM Site and pick out your own camp spot.Everyone is invited on the top of the Missile Silo Cap for great stargazing and campfires in the evening. Just 20 short minutes from downtown Roswell, New Mexico, USA with many local stores and restaurants.The Missile Site is very near many activities such as hiking, biking and 4 wheel drive trails to include nearby Bottomless Lake State Park and the World famous International UFO Museum in downtown Roswell.
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$149
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98%
(194)
Star Gazer Ranch
1 site · RV, Tent40 acres · To'hajiilee, Bernalillo
This is our home, but there is plenty of space and acres of nothing around us. We offer private camping (only one booking per night) This area is high desert which means cold nights and warm days so pack layers as we can have a 40 degree change in temperature in a matter of hours. However, we have panoramic views of mountains, sunsets and sunrise. Minimal light pollution for stargazing. We are 22 miles from Albuquerque which is perfect for stargazing.
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$40
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98%
(95)
Quail Run Tiny Guesthouse
2 sites · Lodging1 acre · Alamogordo, Otero
Quail Run was delivered to us June 10th 2020. In decorating the house I wanted it to have the feel of the Old West so it is rustic and cozy at the same time. The outside was finished with American cedar and corrugated metal giving it a modern twist on the old west. Inside you'll find neutral tones, curtains made with from burlap bags, kitchen sink which is actually a galvanized pail. There are other surprises in the bathroom which is quite ample. Upstairs in the loft is a memory foam mattress, quilts, fluffy pillows and two small Windows which offer a pleasant cross breeze.
Also displayed outside on the fence is an old saddle which has seen better days. It was a gift from a Mescalero Apache fellow whose parents found that saddle in the woods in Mescalero in the 1950s. Although it's not beautiful I consider it a treasure. Make sure you take a look while you're here.
Once the house was delivered we went to town adding our own touches to the decor, actually reworking the kitchen and finishing all the wood. The fellow who built it also delivered it from Denver for us, set it up, and built a ramp right on site. We rewarded him with a spaghetti dinner and sent brownies later, hahaha!
Our tiny house is a little beauty and very popular! We hope you visit soon!
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$79
/ night
99%
(139)
Hot Springs Glamp Camp
10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · Elephant Butte, Sierra
Come for the Hot Springs, Stay for the Camping!
For travelers looking for a unique and easy getaway or break from the road, Hot Springs Glamp Camp offers the perfect
"Glamorous Camping"
experience!
Unlike chain hotels or Airbnb stays, Glamp Camp creates a place for both community and alone time;
for rejuvenation and healing in the onsite hot springs,
in a relaxing, friendly, tribe vibe.
Well-behaved children and dogs are welcome (Pets must be approved to stay in accommodations,
be on-leash, and cleaned up after at all times).
Fun Fact: This property is rumored to have been a nudist colony and/or spiritual commune in the 80's.
We look forward to hosting you!
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$50
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98%
(191)
Agua de Vida
10 sites · RVs, Tents40 acres · San Miguel
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%
(4)
Camp Darkmoon
2 sites · Lodging, Tents2 acres · Madrone, Valencia
Two acres of sage flatlands. Close to town but even closer to the mountains. Monte Largo Cañon 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
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98%
(1169)
Santa Fe Treehouse Camp
58 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents156 acres · Santa Fe, Santa Fe
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
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95%
(132)
Wild River Oasis by Ojo Hot Springs
4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · La Madera, Rio Arriba
Learn more about this land:
Lush high desert river oasis nestled in a fertile valley in the Carson National Forest right between the fiery expanse of Taos and the rolling colorful formations of Abiquiu. Peaceful & private 3 acres right by the river at the edge of a little quaint town called La Madera (145 people, no shops)- just 6 miles to the healing mineral Hot Springs of Ojo Caliente.
Right by the river, held by a ridge (that makes for amazing sunset hikes), I have a 16ft Yurt Canvas Tent set up with some furnishings (desk, couch, wash stand) and a wooden Queen Bed with bedding. This site can only be reached by foot across the river via stumps- a car can be parked near by.. approx. 50ft.
Guests may use the bathroom in the main house.
+++ 6 miles to Ojo Caliente Hot Springs. There you will find the best restaurant in the area, with locally/organically farmed produce. Very yummy!
The land is naturally & beautifully wild- it is not a manicured campsite. The dirt rd down to the property is best suited for higher clearance vehicles, but is manageable for city cars.
Waterhole, Waterfall and climbing sites near by, as well as Plaza Blanca, Abiquiu, Ghost Ranch and the Taos Gorge are 30 mins drive away.
*No cell service in the greater area. WiFi reaches around the house/deck and allows for WiFi Calling: that’s a setting in your phone that enables phone calls & texts beside usual internet access.
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$50
/ night
Under $50
Dog-friendly getaways
Star Hosts in New Mexico
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Camping in New Mexico guide
In the southwestern US, New Mexico offers a distinct vibe not found elsewhere in the country, or even in the region. Here you’ll find Old West mining towns, restorative hot springs, and all sorts of historic sites, including ancient pueblos and protected national monuments, not to mention a distinct cuisine that borrows elements from Tex-Mex and Indigenous culinary traditions. You won’t be disappointed with the camping—the state offers a variety of terrains, from quiet forests to vast expanses of desert, and with five national forests, 30 state parks, and lots of untouched private land, there's no shortage of spots to set up a tent.
Where to Go
Central and North Central New Mexico
New Mexico's Central and North-Central regions are home to many of the state's most popular cultural attractions, and both Albuquerque and Santa Fe are here. Area highlights include Bandelier National Monument and Petroglyph National Monument, as well as numerous pueblos. The most famous of these—the Taos Pueblo—is a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.
Northwest New Mexico
Cultural attractions abound in Northwestern New Mexico. Highlights include the Zuni Pueblo and the Acoma Pueblo—both the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Navajo Nation call this region home. Other points of interest include the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Aztec Ruins National Monument, and El Mapais National Monument.
Northeast New Mexico
Situated where the Rocky Mountains give way to the Southwestern plains, this area is characterized by prairies, ranches, and Western charm. Popular historic and natural attractions include the Fort Union National Monument and the Capulin Volcano National Monument. Conchas Lake State Park and Ute Lake State Park offer ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and lakeside camping.
Southwest New Mexico
For a Wild West experience, head to the southwestern corner of the state. Here you'll find plenty of old ghost towns, historic mission communities, and pristine natural areas. The area is also rich with hot springs, particularly in the low-key spa town of Truth or Consequences.
Southeast New Mexico
Culture, history, and the great outdoors converge in southeastern New Mexico, home to both of the state's national parks (White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns) as well as a host of museums, from the New Mexico Museum of Space History to the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner. Fans of the paranormal won't want to miss Roswell, the site of the famous Area 51 UFO sightings and a de facto pilgrimage site for all things alien.
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