The best star host campgrounds in New Mexico

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.

99% (5.5K) • 201 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near New Mexico

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.

99% (5.5K) • 201 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near New Mexico

1. Mountain View RV/Horse Motels Sites

99%

(64)

2 sites · RVs · Edgewood, NM

Sweet Melody Farm combines our love of music, horses and beautiful spacious landscape of New Mexico. We traveled from Oregon to Pennsylvania and then to New Mexico traveling with our horses and cats. Along the way we stayed at many horse hotels, and wanted to offer weary travelers a place to stop over with their ponies and even without horses. We have 2 Airbnb listings for those needing or wanting to stay with more comfort and space. See our Airbnb links below! Learn more about this land:Sweet Melody Farm has a spectacular view of South Mountain and the stars. Rural residential RV park with full hookups, picnic table and horse shelter. The horse hotel is great for those folks traveling east/west on I-40 that need a safe and secure site to camp in their LQ trailer and rest their horses. The shelter is matted and paddock fenced for safety with 2" x 4" woven wire 4 ft high.100 ft by 100 ft outdoor arena too!We are suited for those that are looking for a base camp to explore the local national forests and eclectic destinations along the Turquoise Trail, Hwy 14. Santa Fe and Albuquerque are easy day trips from here.The map on this site is very old and does not reflect the many improvements and landscaping we have completed since this Google map location. 

2. Dragonfly Mountain Ranch

99%

(70)

7 sites · Tents, RVs · Arroyo Seco, NM

Instagram - dragonflymountainranch Enjoy the majestic beauty of the Taos Valley from the verdant fields and cerros of the Dragonfly Mountain Ranch! Whether a seasoned traveler or one's first visit to Taos our goal is to exceed expectations. With site options to accommodate various needs and tastes within the Rio Grande Del Norte Nat’l Monument that encompass the Taos Volcanic Plateau or the pastoral fields of Des Montes, just 10 minutes from Arroyo Seco. While here one can see history come to life by way of our living history ranch and historic home, one of the first homesteads in Des Montes owned by the same family for over 150 years. See firsthand how the unique Acequia system of New Mexico has given life to the surrounding pastoral fields and the agricultural practices of the past still relevant in today’s Taos Valley. For those wanting the best of both worlds, access to in-town activities as well as trail/hiking/river adventures, the Des Montes sites would be the best selection. Close enough to town for groceries and conveniences along with other sought after tourist attractions such as the Taos Pueblo, Taos Plaza and surrounding galleries/shops. In addition, Arroyo Seco and Arroyo Hondo are quaint little villages less than 10 minutes away for for addt'l groceries/market/restaurant options. The John Dunn Recreation Area is also less than 15 minutes drive from the campsites. Despite accessibility to endless activities just minutes away there remains a sense of solitude, space and privacy that one would be hard pressed to find elsewhere. Cerro Chiflo, Cerro Montoso and the Miner's Trail are within driving/hiking distance. Spend a day down on the banks of Rio Grande and unwind around the campfire and while stars light up the dark skies. Your next adventure awaits...hope to see you soon! Please see Sol at Rio Grande Balloons to book your hot air balloon ride while in Taos! 575-208-1888. https://www.riograndeballoons.com Taos Pueblo - 15min Taos Plaza and Business District - 15min The Gorge Bridge - 20 min Ojo Caliente Hot Springs - 1hr Carson National Forest - 10min Rio Grande Del Norte Nat'l Monument - 20min Arroyo Hondo - Midtown Market 10min Arroyo Seco - 10min Taos Ski Valley - 30min

3. Camp Across From Pecos River

96%

(24)

4 sites · Tents, Lodging · Tererro, NM

Escape the crowds and reconnect with nature at Vida Bonita Pecos. Tucked deep in the heart of the Santa Fe National Forest, our three private campsites offer quiet seclusion, stunning views, and exclusive access to a peaceful slice of Northern New Mexico wilderness. Full Description: Welcome to your own private forest escape. At Vida Bonita Pecos, our two campsites are designed for those seeking quiet, space, and solitude. Set apart from each other and completely removed from any other campers, you’ll feel like you have the entire forest to yourself. Each site is nestled beneath towering Ponderosa and Blue Spruce pines and Aspens. They offer level ground for tents, grill for cooking, and easy access to nearby hiking trails, Cowles Ponds, and the soothing sounds of the Pecos River. Whether you’re stargazing by your campfire or sipping coffee with the morning breeze, this is where relaxation lives. Your campsite is part of the Vida Bonita Pecos complex, which includes beautifully remodeled cabins and the remodeled Ponderosa Lodge. While you’ll have total privacy at your site, guests are welcome to explore designated areas of the property, our trout pond, and free roaming chickens and turkeys. We don’t pack campers in. No RVs. No generators. Just you, the trees, and a sky full of stars. What’s Included: Two secluded tent campsites (book one or both) Access to filtered spring drinking water Campfire ring (fire restrictions may apply) Access to clean outhouse toilet. Cell service is spotty—perfect for unplugging, but we have free WiFi at the main cabin. Things to Know: No other campers will be placed near you—guaranteed privacy. Firewood available on request. Check-in at our main lodge before heading to your site. Come experience the slower pace of mountain life. Whether you’re here to hike, fish, write, or simply breathe, our campsites at Vida Bonita Pecos are the perfect place to begin your New Mexico adventure.

4. Ridgetop Oasis Private Tent Site

1 site · Tent · Santa Fe, NM

Enjoy sunrises, sunsets and a sky full of stars in your own private and fenced tent site. This site is one and the same with our cabin site. Rest assured that only one will be rented at a time so that you are guaranteed privacy. This site can also provide the perfect opportunity for small groups (up to 4) with some campers who prefer to glamp and others who prefer to rough it. Please contact me if you'd like to rent both sites simultaneously. There is a composting toilet beside the cabin that tent campers may use. There is no running water or electricity. Please adhere to Leave No Trace Policies; Take only pictures and leave only shoe prints.

5. Ray & Lucille's place

99%

(158)

2 sites · RVs · La Mesa, NM

Our farm is located in La Mesa, NM in the Mesilla Valley. Centered between Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX . The farming community offers open fields of various crops as well as pecan orchards. Minutes from hiking destinations Organ Mountain Desert Peaks National Monument and Franklin Mountains State Park. Various wineries and breweries within minutes. Elephant Butte Lake State Park 1 hr 41 min (104 miles) White Sands National Park 1 hr 8 min (72 miles)Learn more about this land:Come stay at our fully equipped, safe RV Sites with full hook ups here at our little farm in the middle of Mesilla Valley. Just 6 miles off I-10 in La Mesa, NM. We are in a farming community among pecan orchards, cotton fields, hay fields. Easy to find, our peaceful and private RV sites are 1/4 mile off scenic NM Hwy 28. There are 4 wineries and a brewery within 20 minutes of our farm. Great country setting 20 minutes south of Mesilla and Las Cruces and 20 minutes North of El Paso, TX.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Paul

1 week ago

16 ft car

With pets

1 night at Dragonfly Mountain Ranch

Great private campsite just a short drive from downtown Taos. Has a little setup for a tent, fire pit, and area for kitchen / cleaning with a port a potty as well. Don was super responsive and even gave us some firewood to make a lovely fire at night. Would definitely stay again! I recommend getting to the site during the day as it’s a dirt road and would be a bit tricky to find at night- Don helped with directions as well.

Your host's house situated next to the RV/Trailer site.

B

Bill

1 week ago

40 ft fifth wheel

With kids

1 night at Mountain View RV/Horse Motels Sites

The land was very lovely! With the space away from people, while still being being in range of a store, the place is perfect for those who want to be close enough to a store for those last minute needs! The place was nice and quiet, perfect for a good night's sleep and perfect for looking at the stars! (The stars were a neat bonus!) If we come by to Bloomfield again, we would come to this spot again!

D

Denise

2 weeks ago

24 ft Class B

With pets

2 nights at Ray & Lucille's place

Wonderful place to stay and explore the surrounding area. We stayed in site 1 which felt very private and we loved that they had full hookups. Would highly recommend and we would definitely stay here again.

B

Bob

December 2025

22 ft travel trailer

1 night at Ray & Lucille's place

We enjoyed the pecan groves, the dove in the trees and the pecan groves that reminded me of home in Georgia.

C

Chad

December 2025

38 ft fifth wheel

With pets

2 nights at Ray & Lucille's place

We really enjoyed Ray's place. Very quiet and out of the way. Would stay again.

P

Paul

December 2025

Tent

3 nights at Camp Across From Pecos River

Great spot, very quiet. Not hard to get to. If it is snowing I’d recommend a 4x4. The drive between here and skiSantafe was not bad at all.

C

Carol

December 2025

17 ft toy hauler

With pets

3 nights at Mountain View RV/Horse Motels Sites

Victoria was a wonderful host. She let me know easy directions to her home/site. The site was beautiful and restful, which was good because I had become ill before arriving so spent a lot of time in the camper. There was a snowstorm the night before I was to leave, dumping 8 inches of snow to dig out of. Victoria helped me dig out the camper and truck while her husband cleared the driveway with a tractor. Given the road conditions, Victoria gave me recommendations for which road to travel to increase my safety. She and her husband were the best of hosts!

S

Sam

December 2025

14 ft travel trailer

With pets

1 night at Ray & Lucille's place

We enjoyed talking with Ray. His space was very clean and had everything we needed to be comfortable. It was very peaceful and quiet! And the pecan orchard was beautiful!

J

Joshua

November 2025

21 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Ray & Lucille's place

Great spot, really private. I did hear loud sounds throughout the night and morning from an adjacent property. Keep in mind, it's a working farm. My dogs loved running the fence with the owners' dog!

A

Alex

November 2025

29 ft fifth wheel

Weekend Trip to Mountain View RV/Horse Motels Sites

We loved staying here! Communication was superb. The directions were excellent and James met us as we arrived. The property is well appointed, extremely clean, well maintained and labeled, and has fabulous views! We would definitely stay here again and highly recommend it!

Gary

November 2025

30 ft travel trailer

With pets

1 night at Mountain View RV/Horse Motels Sites

Very nice, clean, quiet and safe. We will be back next time we are passing through.

Site 2. Hosts RV is a nice privacy barrier between sites

S

Shelleen

October 2025

27 ft Class A

With pets

3 nights at Ray & Lucille's place

Easy to get to with ample space to maneuver our 27' class A and tow vehicle to our site one. Given the fact that site 2 was vacant we were able to drive thru that site to site 1. However, there is ample space to get to either site even if one is occupied. Ray and Lucille were wonderful hosts and very accommodating. We have a young dog who is new to us and still in training. Their dogs and ours were frequently "talking" to one another due to the proximity of their fenced private area and site 1. After site 2 was vacated by an over nighters rv we switched to site 2 which was a better fit for all. The location of Pecan Grove was perfect for our week-long getaway. Peaceful, relaxing, cool temps, days trips to: Old Mesilla, Hatch, White Sands NP, Alamogordo, Organ Mtns. We would stay at Ray and Lucille's anytime again! No hesitations.

T

Tom

October 2025

23 ft Class B

1 night at Ray & Lucille's place

Great little out of the way place. Afternoon shade with the pleasant country atmosphere.

C

Curtis

October 2025

21 ft travel trailer

1 night at Mountain View RV/Horse Motels Sites

Nice and tidy rural site with all the amenities (full hookup and cellular signal; Walmart down the road). Would stay again :)

V

Victoria

October 2025

21 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Dragonfly Mountain Ranch

We loved our weekend escape and Don was a fantastic host. He was very communicative and made sure we had everything we needed for a great trip!

L

Lisa

October 2025

26 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Ray & Lucille's place

This was our second stay here. Beautiful property. Full hook ups. Lots of space between other campers. Plenty of room for our 3 dogs to roam.

S

Shelby

October 2025

23 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Mountain View RV/Horse Motels Sites

Great camp spot for a quick trip. Full hook up’s and beautiful views.

Christine

October 2025

33 ft Class A

With pets

1 night at Ray & Lucille's place

Very nice spot and plenty of space. Hookups were very easy to access with lighting available right above the hookups that we could control. Host was there when we arrived and assisted us with backing in and was readily available if we had any questions. Very nice site and very quiet location. Would definitely stay again in the future.

R

Russell

October 2025

28 ft fifth wheel

10 nights at Mountain View RV/Horse Motels Sites

The space was quiet and the views were beautiful. We had a large space to ourselves. It was a perfect place to camp while visiting family.

B

Brian

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at Dragonfly Mountain Ranch

Don's property is true New Mexico gem. Off the beaten path and nestled among the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. Excellent place to stay if you are looking to explore the natural wonders amongst the Rio Grande Gorge and Taos area. Watching the full moon rise each night over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains was the cherry on top. Don is a 10/10 host, highly recommended!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best star host camping in New Mexico guide

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.