The best campgrounds near Socorro, New Mexico with campfires

Looking to go camping near Socorro, New Mexico? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 460 options in the area, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your accommodation preference, whether it's a tent, RV, or cabin. And with activities like off-roading, climbing, and surfing, there's something for everyone. Plus, you can enjoy popular amenities like trash disposal, campfires, and potable water. Check out some of the top campsites with rave reviews: Star Gazer Ranch (141 reviews), Healing on the Rio Grande (128 reviews), and Hot Springs Glamp Camp (101 reviews). So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience in Socorro, New Mexico!

88% (141)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking to go camping near Socorro, New Mexico? Look no further than Hipcamp! With over 460 options in the area, you'll find the perfect campsite to suit your accommodation preference, whether it's a tent, RV, or cabin. And with activities like off-roading, climbing, and surfing, there's something for everyone. Plus, you can enjoy popular amenities like trash disposal, campfires, and potable water. Check out some of the top campsites with rave reviews: Star Gazer Ranch (141 reviews), Healing on the Rio Grande (128 reviews), and Hot Springs Glamp Camp (101 reviews). So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience in Socorro, New Mexico!

88% (141)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

100%

(36)

30mi from Socorro · 5 sites · Tents, RVs · Bosque, NM

Welcome to Plateau Hame De Colquhoun — or as we call it, Ka-Hoon Tucked away on the edge of the Mesa with sweeping views of the Rio Grande Valley and distant mountain ranges, Ka-Hoon is a unique off-grid destination in the New Mexico desert. Whether you’re seeking solitude or community, a short escape or a longer stay, this is a space where you can just be. **Please read before booking:** The road here is unpaved and a bit bumpy—washboarded with dips—but passable by most vehicles, including low-clearance ones, if you go slow and take your time. We strongly encourage reading our reviews and full description to make sure this adventure fits your comfort level. **What we’re about:** Ka-Hoon is a judgment-free zone built on one simple rule: **respect**. Respect yourself, others, the land, and local laws. That’s it. Our family began this journey in 2020 with the goal of living simply, sustainably, and authentically. We now share this land with others who value connection, nature, and freedom. You can come here to disconnect and find privacy, or to connect with like-minded folks in a laid-back, off-grid community. **What to expect:** * Wide-open skies, breathtaking sunsets, and peaceful mountain views * A developing tiny homestead with rustic, private campsites * Ongoing land projects—this place is a work in progress and full of character * Occasional creative gatherings like open mic nights, bingo, and seasonal events * 420-friendly and inclusive of all lifestyles and backgrounds * Wildlife, including snakes—please be aware and respectful of nature * A simple shower facility (available soon for a small fee per use) Ka-Hoon isn’t fancy—but it’s real, raw, and beautiful. Come as you are. Whether you're passing through or staying awhile, you’re welcome here.

2. Camp Darkmoon

100%

(78)

40mi from Socorro · 3 sites · Tents, Lodging · Belen, NM

CAMPSITE IS CLOSED FOR WINTER - BACK OPEN IN MARCH 💚 Camp Darkmoon is a living example of alternative architecture and the off-grid lifestyle. On site are a handful of earthen structures. Lodging and tent site are available to book. 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.

3. Brown Family Camping

31mi from Socorro · 8 sites · Tents, Lodging · Las Nutrias, NM

2 acres on an old free range cattle grazing area. Away from the cities, central to the scattered historic sites like Gila Dwelling, Bandolier national monument, Salina’s mission ruins. Also an hour drive to the balloon festival in Albuquerque. 10 minutes to the Rio Grande River and the wildlife refuge.

4. Cibola National Forest

88%

(8)

245 sites · Magdalena, New Mexico

America the beautiful, indeed! Don’t miss out on the wild and scenic slice of New Mexico.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

5. Manzano Mountains State Park

9 sites · Manzano, New Mexico

Discover the serene beauty of Manzano Mountains State Park.

Pets

Toilets

Potable water

6. Socorro Sunsets

26mi from Socorro · 1 site · RV · Las Nutrias, NM

Welcome to your desert escape. The property is 1 acre and features desert and mountain views. Nearby attractions include: Several Wineries in the town of Belen, just 25 mins away. Must see: The Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, The Manzano Mountains State Park, The Rio Salado River, and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

7. Pristine High Desert Wilderness

97%

(18)

21mi from Socorro · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · San Antonito, NM

Here is a beautiful wide-open 160 acre site in the Socorro High Desert with wonderful scenic views of the Magdalena Mountains to your West and the Rio Grande Basin to your East. ⛰🚵‍♀️ A small circular road has been carved onsite with plenty of cleared out camping spaces along its length. Excellent terrain for ATVs and Jeep’s! 🌵🏍 Feel free to bring wood and start a fire. 🔥 Please don't harvest wood onsite as I am in the process of regenerating the land through permaculture and need all the organic material I can spare. Amazing Stargazing Opportunities! 🌌 Perfect for a Peaceful Trip in Nature. 🍄 Plenty of safe space to do whatever you want, just be mindful of the Land and your Neighbors. ⛺️ Bring shade! Brief Directions for Those Without Internet: Exit the I-25 at San Marcial onto Highway 178/Willow Springs Ranch Road. At the end off the off-ramp you're going to turn right at the stop sign and drive West towards the Magdalena Mountains. You'll pretty quickly cross over a cattle-guard and then be on a dirt road for the remainder of the drive, but it's very well maintained by the county, so don't worry! Keep going West towards the mountains for about five miles until you cross over another cattle-guard. Shortly after this second cattle-guard you'll come across a four-way intersection where Sunset Vista bisects Willow Springs Ranch Rd. A lot of the signage gets blown over out here, so this may or may not be adequately marked. Turn left at the intersection. Drive about 2600ft and you'll cross over one last cattle-guard. Slightly beyond this is sort of the upper Northwestern corner of the property. The next 2600ft beyond those three stacks of rocks is the Western face of the property. If you pass a big-wash you went too far. There's two dirt driveways leading into the property, making it pretty navigable in virtually any vehicle as well as dozens of cleared out sites.

8. Thunderbird a frame

100%

(29)

46mi from Socorro · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging · Manzano, NM

A small A-frame on the Thunderbird Ranch

9. La Joya Wildlife

100%

(2)

20mi from Socorro · 1 site · Tent, RV · La Joya, NM

**Welcome to La Joya, New Mexico!** Nestled near the breathtaking Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and the serene Rio Grande River, La Joya is steeped in rich history and natural beauty. The area is known for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, making it a perfect retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. As an international traveling musician, I invite you to stay at my RV spots. Your visit not only supports my passion for music but also contributes to initiatives that provide instruments and music education for local youth. Together, we can inspire the next generation of musicians while you enjoy the tranquility of La Joya. Come experience the beauty of New Mexico and make a difference!

10. Desert Yurt

41mi from Socorro · 1 site · Tent, RV · Madrone, NM

Enjoy the vast openess and beautiful view of the manzano mountains disconnect from the daily hustle, reconnect with nature and feed your soul. Hike the mountains during the day. Set up camp before night fall and take in the night sky with no light pollution around you will be in for a delight. As always leave no trace

11. Camp Valencia

79%

(21)

43mi from Socorro · 1 site · Tent, RV · Belen, NM

Enjoy a secluded property filled with wildlife. Migratory birds fly through. If you are a bird watcher this is a great location. The area attracts predatory birds as well as migratory birds. Bald eagles have been frequantly seen as well as a variety of hawks. The fishing is good the ditch is regularly stocked.Learn more about this land:Enjoy a large private property that butts up to the Rio Grande. This property is near the Whitmore wild life preserve in Valencia County. Kid friendly and dog friendly. A stone's throw away from the Bosque del Apache wildlife preserve. Cranes, other migratory birds and predatory birds frequent the area. The ponds and swamp are unusual for New Mexican landscapes.

Camper favorites near Socorro

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Socorro Sunsets

26mi from Socorro · 1 site · RV · Las Nutrias, NM

Welcome to your desert escape. The property is 1 acre and features desert and mountain views. Nearby attractions include: Several Wineries in the town of Belen, just 25 mins away. Must see: The Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, The Manzano Mountains State Park, The Rio Salado River, and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

Pristine High Desert Wilderness

97%

(18)

21mi from Socorro · 10 sites · Tents, RVs · San Antonito, NM

Here is a beautiful wide-open 160 acre site in the Socorro High Desert with wonderful scenic views of the Magdalena Mountains to your West and the Rio Grande Basin to your East. ⛰🚵‍♀️ A small circular road has been carved onsite with plenty of cleared out camping spaces along its length. Excellent terrain for ATVs and Jeep’s! 🌵🏍 Feel free to bring wood and start a fire. 🔥 Please don't harvest wood onsite as I am in the process of regenerating the land through permaculture and need all the organic material I can spare. Amazing Stargazing Opportunities! 🌌 Perfect for a Peaceful Trip in Nature. 🍄 Plenty of safe space to do whatever you want, just be mindful of the Land and your Neighbors. ⛺️ Bring shade! Brief Directions for Those Without Internet: Exit the I-25 at San Marcial onto Highway 178/Willow Springs Ranch Road. At the end off the off-ramp you're going to turn right at the stop sign and drive West towards the Magdalena Mountains. You'll pretty quickly cross over a cattle-guard and then be on a dirt road for the remainder of the drive, but it's very well maintained by the county, so don't worry! Keep going West towards the mountains for about five miles until you cross over another cattle-guard. Shortly after this second cattle-guard you'll come across a four-way intersection where Sunset Vista bisects Willow Springs Ranch Rd. A lot of the signage gets blown over out here, so this may or may not be adequately marked. Turn left at the intersection. Drive about 2600ft and you'll cross over one last cattle-guard. Slightly beyond this is sort of the upper Northwestern corner of the property. The next 2600ft beyond those three stacks of rocks is the Western face of the property. If you pass a big-wash you went too far. There's two dirt driveways leading into the property, making it pretty navigable in virtually any vehicle as well as dozens of cleared out sites.

Thunderbird a frame

100%

(29)

46mi from Socorro · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging · Manzano, NM

A small A-frame on the Thunderbird Ranch

La Joya Wildlife

100%

(2)

20mi from Socorro · 1 site · Tent, RV · La Joya, NM

**Welcome to La Joya, New Mexico!** Nestled near the breathtaking Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge and the serene Rio Grande River, La Joya is steeped in rich history and natural beauty. The area is known for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes, making it a perfect retreat for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. As an international traveling musician, I invite you to stay at my RV spots. Your visit not only supports my passion for music but also contributes to initiatives that provide instruments and music education for local youth. Together, we can inspire the next generation of musicians while you enjoy the tranquility of La Joya. Come experience the beauty of New Mexico and make a difference!

Desert Yurt

41mi from Socorro · 1 site · Tent, RV · Madrone, NM

Enjoy the vast openess and beautiful view of the manzano mountains disconnect from the daily hustle, reconnect with nature and feed your soul. Hike the mountains during the day. Set up camp before night fall and take in the night sky with no light pollution around you will be in for a delight. As always leave no trace

Camp Valencia

79%

(21)

43mi from Socorro · 1 site · Tent, RV · Belen, NM

Enjoy a secluded property filled with wildlife. Migratory birds fly through. If you are a bird watcher this is a great location. The area attracts predatory birds as well as migratory birds. Bald eagles have been frequantly seen as well as a variety of hawks. The fishing is good the ditch is regularly stocked.Learn more about this land:Enjoy a large private property that butts up to the Rio Grande. This property is near the Whitmore wild life preserve in Valencia County. Kid friendly and dog friendly. A stone's throw away from the Bosque del Apache wildlife preserve. Cranes, other migratory birds and predatory birds frequent the area. The ponds and swamp are unusual for New Mexican landscapes.

Public campgrounds near Socorro

Water Canyon Campground

13mi from Socorro · 14 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cibola National Forest

Water Canyon Group Campground

13mi from Socorro · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Cibola National Forest

Bear Trap Campground

37mi from Socorro · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cibola National Forest

Hughes Mill Campground

39mi from Socorro · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cibola National Forest

Springtime Campground

44mi from Socorro · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cibola National Forest

New Canyon Campground

45mi from Socorro · 10 sites · in Cibola National Forest

Red Canyon Campground

48mi from Socorro · 38 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cibola National Forest

Camp right at the base of the crag or choose a more established spot with a picnic table

100%

(2)

Luna Park Campground

48mi from Socorro · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · in Cibola National Forest

Manzano Mountains State Park Campground

49mi from Socorro · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · in Manzano Mountains State Park

Stories from the community

S

Sakif

3 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

Melodie and Brent were great hosts! The spot is very peaceful and with some awesome sunset and night sky views!

Robert

November 2025

With pets

4 nights at Camp Darkmoon

Camp dark moon is awesome and Roan and Ivy are great hosts. Stayed in Casa Huevo this time and stayed very warm in freezing temps. A beautiful, quiet camp.

Miranda

November 2025

1 night at Camp Darkmoon

Absolutely wonderful campsite and environment, well curated, cared for, and maintained. The hosts, Ivy & Roan, were incredibly welcoming and kind—I would recommend their camp highly to anyone passing through, as well as to anyone wishing to spend a few days camping by the fire and nights under the stars!

s

sang

November 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Camp Darkmoon

Lovely spot. Peaceful, beautiful view of the mountains, moonrise was sublime.

A

Ada

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

Great campsite with amazing view and atmosphere! I spent a wonderful evening here. Highly recommend. Melodie and Brent are very friendly, make sure to follow their directions and not google map.

L

Lisanne

November 2025

4 nights at Camp Darkmoon

Really great to see someone making charming tiny houses out of native materials with his own hands! Also, the area has a lot to offer, including great hiking in the nearby mountains (but reasonably high clearance vehicles necessary to get to the closest trail heads) and a comfortable and inexpensive train into both Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Lastly, the hosts are really good people--community minded, kind hearted, thinking for themselves.

Heather

November 2025

15 ft travel trailer

1 night at Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

We didn't get to stay long as we were in between long distance destinations but Melodie & Brent's place was awesome. And they were super patient with us with directions. Yes, as other's have said follow them to a T! We did find the distance on Twinning Rd (not marked that we could see but is literally two roads side by side) to be 2.8 rather than 2.6 miles and the Blue Moon container is so faded you can't see what it is until you are right up on it but other than that their directions worked perfectly. I'm neurospicy so specifics trip me up sometimes but they were patient with us and walked us through. The sunset was one of the best I've seen in a very long time and the sunrise was cotton candy gorgeous.

Rasika

October 2025

1 night at Camp Darkmoon

Just can't say enuff good things! A lovely, mystical, adorable break in the long drive thru New Mexico, boasting creative DIY solutions worth taking notes from, with some rad-tabulous hosts who live on site and make great campfire chat buddies. Def will be back to stay in the cozy, warm egg. Loooved taking a composty dump in a serene Naturescape and helping the planet along! And so happy to have made new friends!

Will

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Camp Darkmoon

Roan & Ivy are amazing human beings. They were so welcoming to us. The land is amazing. The view is serene. Our experience exceeded our expectations on every level. We'll definitely return when we're passing through New Mexico again.

E

Eric

October 2025

Tent

With kids

5 nights at Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

Taking in the view from our campsite, was breathtaking. Melodie and Brent were beyond helpful and equally amazing hosts. Their land is gorgeous, natural and clean. Sunsets, sunrises and everything in between. Our van died on the way back to our campsite. Melodie and Brent saved us. We drove from Oklahoma to NM. She brought her friend along who is a mechanic and he fixed our van. Absolutely above and beyond. I look forward to staying with Melodie and Brent in the future. Plus, your compost toilet was a very unexpected luxury.

S

October 2025

1 night at Camp Darkmoon

Casa Huevo is a cozy delight. Gorgeous open New Mexico skies and kind, lovely hosts. It was chilly outside (early October), but inside the little dome I was more than comfortable. Loved the experience and wouldn’t hesitate to return!

G

Gene

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

I got a real good night sleep here. The toilet was clean in the morning. The folks on site where very helpful... wait for their directions, don't trust GPS.

Michael

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Darkmoon

Nice spot with expansive views. Outdoor privy. Roan and Ivy were very friendly and helpful. I would stay again.

C

Charlotte

September 2025

Tent

Group trip

2 nights at Camp Darkmoon

We had such an amazing stay at Campo Crudo! The sunsets were so beautiful and the star gazing was unlike anything else we’ve seen. Definitely recommend. Gets nice and chilly at night and hot in the day so plan accordingly:) If you plan to camp, keep in mind that the space is not huge. I would say a four person tent or less would fit ideally in the area they have.

L

Lindsay

September 2025

1 night at Camp Darkmoon

We loved staying here, we felt safe and cozy. The sunrise was beautiful and the hut was so cool! This is a great space and both Roan and Ivy were kind and welcoming :)

V

Victoria

September 2025

1 night at Camp Darkmoon

The earth dome matches description and also exceeds in ways you have to experience yourself. Waking up to dead silence on this land was special- being more attuned to the work and projects made out of earth, and the sweeping mesa-like setting. The windows of casa huevo let you fall asleep to the moon and wake with the sun right there, and also catch nighttime breezes 🌙

Katrina

August 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Darkmoon

Really cool spot. Peaceful. Perfect distance from ABQ which was our next destination. Thanks! We had a great nights sleep under the stars

Jasmine

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Camp Darkmoon

Beautiful mountain views and Roan and Ivy were very kind and welcoming

Robert

August 2025

Tent

3 nights at Camp Darkmoon

Camp crudo is great and Roan and Ivy are awesome hosts. Beautiful wide open sage plains surrounding and very quiet! Will be back!

T

Tori

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

Detailed directions to their place (don't trust Google maps, trust the directions they give), friendly greeting and tour of the space- they have a composting toilet, music studio, and are working on a shower space. Flat camping spots for tent camping- very minimal light made the stars stand out which was awesome to see, even with the fuller moon the milky way was visible.