The best campgrounds near Quemado, New Mexico with hiking

Quemado draws hikers with its rugged mesas, piñon forests, and big-sky views. You’ll find over 460 camping spots here that put hiking trails right outside your tent flap. Expect an average night to run $34, with options from $20 if you’re looking to keep it simple. The best-rated sites? High Desert Magic (48 reviews) nails the New Mexico vibe with desert trails and stargazing. Creekside Farm (12 reviews) puts you near a year-round stream, and Donald B.’s Land (9 reviews) offers open space for wandering. Most sites allow pets, let you build a campfire, and come with hot showers. Off the trail, anglers, swimmers, and horseback riders find plenty to do. Bring sturdy boots—the terrain is rocky and raw, and that’s half the point.

94% (76)

Top-rated campgrounds

Quemado draws hikers with its rugged mesas, piñon forests, and big-sky views. You’ll find over 460 camping spots here that put hiking trails right outside your tent flap. Expect an average night to run $34, with options from $20 if you’re looking to keep it simple. The best-rated sites? High Desert Magic (48 reviews) nails the New Mexico vibe with desert trails and stargazing. Creekside Farm (12 reviews) puts you near a year-round stream, and Donald B.’s Land (9 reviews) offers open space for wandering. Most sites allow pets, let you build a campfire, and come with hot showers. Off the trail, anglers, swimmers, and horseback riders find plenty to do. Bring sturdy boots—the terrain is rocky and raw, and that’s half the point.

94% (76)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. High Desert Magic

95%

(97)

8.3mi from Quemado · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Quemado, NM

This property was once part of the the Ball ranch the famous mason jar canning company. With expanding views in all directions, abundant wildlife and national forest surrounding, this is the place to be to get away from the rush! Breathe in the fresh air at 7200 feet elevation, visit the contenintal divide and the historic Pie Town which is only 12 miles away. Many exciting places to visit Santa Fe is a 3 hour drive and Silver City is about 2.5 hours away. The Cibola and Gila national forest surround this property. This is a central place to stay yet feels very rural and serene. Learn more about this land: Pitch your tent or park your camper beneath the dark starlit skies in awe inspiring high desert New Mexico.  This is why they call New Mexico the land of enchantment. This property features a fully fenced 19 acres with rolling terrain surround by cedar, juniper and piñon pine trees.  It is approx 3 miles of gravel and dirt roads heading north off of HWY 60 so if riding a bicycle a low vehicle or riding a motorcycle be aware that there are sometimes washboards and during monsoon season roads do get muddy. There is magnificent south facing views where you can see for miles and at night the stars seem to touch the ground. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular with an array of colors that will take a persons breath away. This is a place to unwind from the busy hustle and bustle. You can listen to coyotes howling, owls hooting, and other birds and animals instead of city noise.  We own horses and can even take you on a trail ride.

2. Apache RV Park

100%

(14)

38mi from Quemado · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Reserve, NM

Learn more about this land: Apache RV Park is a quiet and spacious RV Park with beautiful Mountain View’s in Gila National Forest. We have full hookups, clean bathrooms with showers, Wi-Fi, Laundromat, propane, tent sites, and country hospitality. Our lots are extra wide with plenty of space for your trailer and any extra vehicles. Paint the nearby village of Reserve red by stopping by the local watering holes and eating some great New Mexico cuisine. There is close access to local trail heads, side by side trails, Gila National Forest, Petroglyphs, historic ruins and the continental divide trail. We are your home away from home for hunting, rock hounding, fishing and hiking adventures. As always, your furry friend is always welcome to stay with us.

3. Creekside Farm

85%

(17)

49mi from Quemado · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Eagar, AZ

Beautiful 17 acre farm located 4 minutes from town but a world away with its own secluded creek and pasture land. Come stay on the property right next to the creek and enjoy all that the White Mountians have to offer. Restaurants nearby and a grocery store less than two miles away. Bring your outdoor gear and enjoy all of the White Mountain fun.

4. Gila National Forest

88%

(25)

312 sites · Lower Frisco, New Mexico

Explore some of the most secluded regions of the American Southwest.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

5. Carson National Forest

91%

(40)

463 sites · La Madera, New Mexico

Come get lost in the wild, enchanted lands of New Mexico! One of five unearthly National Forests in this great state, Carson National Forest is open for business all year round, and never fails to bring the heat with magnificent mountain scenery and some seriously stunning natural features. If solitude is your muse than look no further! Cold mountain streams, ample trout fishing, and out of sight camping is sure to give you your fix. With over 1.5 million acres laden with high ridges, dense vegetation and some of the cleanest air you’re likely to find west of the Mississippi, Carson is simply the epitome of Southwestern frontier!

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

6. Mujeres Valley Campground

81%

(8)

22mi from Quemado · 17 sites · Tents, RVs · Fence Lake, NM

This is a drycamping venue that has gravel roads leading up to the venue. Fresh well water can be provided for small groups without a fee but guests will need to provide their own containers to use during their stay. The campground has a fairgrounds across the road that is not part of registration access through this site. Please contact us directly for booking options for the fairgrounds and please make sure to only access the property pinned in the location provided to you through this site. This property was obtained around 60+ years ago via the Homestead Act by a family who we have become very close friends with. Over the last 60 years it's only been used sparingly as grazing land for cattle. Since we've obtained the land we've been focused on learning it's history from those who have been here the longest while also being proud BIPOC owners of land in this area. We've also connected with the original people's of this land who were here during the time the land was colonized. We've found ceremonial and everyday pottery, crystals, and underground caves throughout the surrounding properties which we own. Over the last 2 years we've learned about the Redwoods that have been wiped out of the area and that the mountain is eroding quickly. It has become our mission to plant indigenous plants and trees that are extinct from the area, reviving the plant like, reviving the mountain and doing what we can to encourage the water table to rise! Our plans for the 12 acres the campground occupies is to add an outdoor shower that can be used all year, installing solar powered water heaters & bathrooms as well as establishing a community meeting space and a greenhouse where we can host gardening classes and provide fresh fruits and veggies in this food desert! This land is sacred and we intend to continue treating it as such!

7. Ghost Owl Ranch

45mi from Quemado · 2 sites · RVs · Nutrioso, AZ

Enjoy a peaceful treed setting among gorgeous mountain views. Wildlife sightings and close to National Forest. Close to fishing, hunting, hiking and wintertime skiing. 15 minutes away from the small town of Springerville with quaint restaurants and groceries. Friendly hosts and neighbors. At 26 miles away and at an elevation of 6,000 feet, Lyman Lake State Park is one of the best ways to beat the Arizona heat with summer days hovering in the 80’s and 1,500 acres of water to jump into. The behemoth lake can be experienced along shoreline trails where petroglyphs grace the rocks and jackrabbits scurry through the wildflowers. But let’s be real, you came to get wet! There’s plenty of splish splashing to be had; jet skis, speed boats, canoes, and kayakers all share these waters. There’s no better way to take to the lake than skimming the surface on an innertube. Anglers can enjoy the quiet west end of Lyman, word is the walleye and bass hang here in the no wake zone. 44 miles away you have Gila National Forest. Trying to truly get away from it all? We are 3.3 million acres of national forest, with just over 700,000 acres of that being designated wilderness areas. The nearest town, Silver City, has a population of about 10,000. Gila's remoteness makes it an especially popular spot for stargazing. Amateur astronomers like to journey out to Gila's 3.5-acre Cosmic Campground. This Dark Sky Sanctuary features unobstructed, awe-inspiring 360-degree views of the heavens. There are minimal amenities here, but they include telescope pads – made of concrete so that you can setup your own telescopes for casual or focused study. You'll never think of space in quite the same way after seeing it from here! Pets are allowed. Please make sure you pick up after them. ON leash, please.

8. Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

87%

(44)

1058 sites · Heber Overgaard, Arizona

Explore the vast Apache and Sitgreaves National Forests known for its jaw-dropping mountain country in east-central Arizona. Trek out onto the other worldly Mogollon Rim, and dive into sparkling cold-water lakes. Climb out of the muggy valleys and into the refreshing high country—the forest is known for hundreds of miles of hiking filled with stunning vistas. Most importantly, stay awhile and be sure to bring your tent!

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

9. Lyman Lake State Park

60 sites · St Johns, Arizona

Discover Lyman Lake State Park's scenic vistas and outdoor fun.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

Public campgrounds near Quemado

Pinon Campground

14mi from Quemado · 24 sites · Tents, RVs · in Gila National Forest

100%

(3)

Pinon Group Campground

14mi from Quemado · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Gila National Forest

Juniper Campground

14mi from Quemado · 36 sites · Tents, RVs · in Gila National Forest

El Caso I-Iii Campground

14mi from Quemado · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Gila National Forest

El Caso Throwdown Campground

14mi from Quemado · 2 sites · in Gila National Forest

Armijo Springs Campground

17mi from Quemado · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Gila National Forest

Valle Tio Vinces Campground

23mi from Quemado · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Gila National Forest

100%

(2)

Apache Creek Campground

36mi from Quemado · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · in Gila National Forest

Laguna Larga Campground

43mi from Quemado · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · in Carson National Forest

Head of the Ditch Campground

45mi from Quemado · 15 sites · Tents, RVs · in Gila National Forest

100%

(1)

Luna Lake Campground

48mi from Quemado · 42 sites · Tents, RVs · in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Alpine Divide Campground

48mi from Quemado · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Stories from the community

Ida

1 week ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to High Desert Magic

This was such a magical place. Beautiful landscape and thoughtfully setup for campers. We arrived later than expected but the host was flexible with our arrival time. We didn't have any trouble finding it. We got there after dark and I was gobsmacked by the night sky. We saw some meteor showers too! The space has stone-lined pathways with little solar lights, seating, a table, and a fire pit. We were comfortable tent-camping in mid-December with our extra blankets. Our dogs were especially happy to be able to have some time off-leash and we were treated to the most beautiful sunrise in the morning. The host also showed me how to use their freeze-proof spigot and we were so grateful to be able to refill our water jug before heading out.

S

Sietske

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Mujeres Valley Campground

Beautiful spot, lovely clear skies, everything is very well-maintained. We saw a ton of elk tracks which was pretty cool also!

B

Brandyn

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Mujeres Valley Campground

Loved every second of our stay! The owners were extremely friendly and helpful! The site was stunning! Will definitely return soon!

C

Carol

May 2025

15 ft campervan

1 night at High Desert Magic

The directions were easy to follow and the view is gorgeous. I never saw anyone else but it worked just fine.

E

Eli

May 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at High Desert Magic

I loved tent camping on Jennifer's land, the directions were super easy to understand and she was a very kind host (sorry again for scaring you lol)! Site one was soo beautiful and we were so grateful to get to spend the night in such a wonderful part of NM. We would stay here again and would recommend if you are in the area to check it out.

C

Catherine

April 2025

Tent

1 night at High Desert Magic

Jennifer met me when I arrived and was very helpful! I had a very relaxing and private time on this land.

D

Donna

April 2025

4 ft campervan

Weekend Trip to Apache RV Park

Lovely location, very quiet. Restrooms and showers were clean.

Susie

March 2025

25 ft travel trailer

With pets

7 nights at Apache RV Park

This place has the best vibes. Laundry, full hookups, a library, and super cool people! Big campsite too! Our host, Adam, was very helpful with whatever questions we had!

Susie

March 2025

25 ft travel trailer

With pets

2 nights at Apache RV Park

The sites are bigger than they look in the pics. Loved how spacious it was. We didn't use the amenities, but there's laundry and a bathhouse. check in was easy and hist was very nice!