The best waterside camping in New Mexico

New Mexico’s waterside campgrounds deliver more than just a spot to pitch your tent—the state’s rivers, lakes, and streams cut through high desert, pine forests, and canyon country. With over 3,000 options tailored for waterside camping, you can wake up to the rush of the Rio Grande or cast a line into a cool mountain lake. Campers come for swimming holes, hiking trails that skirt the water, and horseback rides through cottonwood groves. Top picks include Santa Fe Treehouse Camp (919 reviews), where hammock naps meet forested streams, Enchanted Circle Campground (E<<) (579 reviews) up in the cool northern hills, and Mystical & Enchanted Desert Escape (355 reviews) for desert quiet and sunrise vistas. You’ll find showers, toilets, and pet-friendly spots at most campgrounds. Prices start at $20 a night, with the average site running $50. Pack your swimsuit and hiking boots—New Mexico’s waterside campsites let you cool off and explore, all in the same day.