Santa Fe National Forest

Jack's Creek Group Campground sees a high amount of usage, and its popularity is for good reason. Nestled among mixed conifer and aspen trees, this area is a sweet refuge from everyday life. Take advantage of the horse corrals if you decide to bring your equine pal, then spend the day hiking the beautiful trails. With no backcountry permit require Read more...

Just a dozen miles from downtown Santa Fe, Big Tesuque Campground is a small forested camp off a scenic byway (NM 475). In the fall, space becomes limited as visitors flock to see the aspen trees get their photosynthesis on. Say it the right way! This campground is pronounced “Tess-U-key. ”

Father, son, Holy Ghost Campground! If you like picnicking, fishing, hiking, or any combination of the three, this campground is your best bet in Santa Fe National Forest. The campground is situated in a steep canyon on the banks of Holy Ghost Creek, isn’t that just divine! Explore and enjoy the palpable spirit of the great outdoors. There’s no su Read more...

For that full mountain experience, choose Jacks Creek Campground. Tree lovers will rejoice among the aspens and mixed conifers, and everyone can access Jack’s Creek Trailhead from the equestrian center to see even more trees and explore the Santa Fe National Forest even further. This is a first-come first-served campground, and a quite popular one Read more...

For dispersed camping in the Santa Fe National Forest, check out the Johnson Mesa Campground. With easy, no-frills access to some sweet forest trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding fun, you’ll wonder why you ever camped anywhere else. This is a great spot for picnicking and you can explore the Pecos Wilderness area pretty quickly from yo Read more...

Step on up and snag a spot at Links Tract Campground. Then, summon your best George Michael impression and sing “freedom!” Yep, this campground is free of charge. Enjoy some primitive, dispersed camping in the Santa Fe National Forest and use that freshly proclaimed freedom to explore the areas many trails by foot, bike, or horse. No horses are al Read more...

Situated atop the upper portion of a canyon, Holy Ghost Group Campground offers stunning views to rival any Instagram filter. Hike through this steep canyon as you navigate your way through patches of conifer. Light usage means you'll be awarded a fair amount of privacy, so this is the perfect time to play catch up with Mother Nature. With fishing Read more...

Primarily serving backpackers on trips into the Pecos Wilderness, Aspen Basin Campground is located close the Santa Fe Ski Lodge and is only 15 miles from downtown Santa Fe. This campground provides access to an ultra scenic area, so it can get popular during the summer and fall aspen viewing seasons. Please be prepared to supply your own water.

If you plan on exploring the Pecos Wilderness, give Borrego Mesa Campground a look. It’s located near several trailheads that enter the area and even has small corrals at each site for one or two horses. Most visitors to the area are just picnickers looking to enjoy a meal in the New Mexican forest. Another site of interest you might want to check Read more...

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Probably the most popular camp in the area, Black Canyon Campground is just eight miles from downtown Santa Fe. There’s a choice one mile hiking trail loop from the campground if you need to break the hiking boots in, and nearby trails are also available for mountain biking. A friendly campground host is available for any questions or assistance, Read more...

Get MOO-ving and grab a spot at Cowles Campground in the Santa Fe National Forest. Ideally located where the Winsor Canyon meets the Pecos Canyon, you can pitch your tent within walking distance of Cowles Ponds, Winsor Creek, Pecos River, and the Winsor Ridge Trailhead. That means you can walk to a whole slew of activities like hiking, biking, and Read more...

Your intuition is correct, Jemez Falls Campground has a waterfall! The campsites themselves are located amongst ponderosa pine trees and forest meadows, plus they have easy access to the East Fork Jemez River. Within a short drive, you can also visit The Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bendalier National Monument. Please supply your own water Read more...

You’ll feel like you’re sitting high on the Iron Throne from your camp chair at Iron Gate Campground, which sits up at 9,000 feet in the Santa Fe National Forest. With Pecos Wilderness in your realm, you can freely roam the lands. Have your squire prepare your saddle for some horseback exploration, or just go for a hike. Or just sit around the cam Read more...

If you like forest camping, you’ll like Panchuela Campground. In case you’re struggling, it’s pronounced “pawnch-WAY-la,”, and it has awesome access to hiking, biking, and climbing in the Pecos Wilderness. The fishing in Cave Creek is pretty sweet too. While there is great horseback riding in the area, there are no horse trailers allowed at this c Read more...

Get lost in the woods… with some modern amenities at Field Tract Campground. Pitch your tent on the banks of the Pecos River, or pull up your trailer and explore the magic of the Santa Fe National Forest. With kick ass hiking, biking, and more, it’s no wonder this place gets nice and crowded, especially on Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day wee Read more...

Calling all tree-lovers! El Porvenir Campground is gorgeously nestled in a mixed conifer forest. Located at the base of Hermit’s Peak next to Beaver Creek, this campground is pretty much as close to nature as you can get. Stroll on in for some first-come first-served camping fun, but be warned that holiday weekends can get crowded. After all, the Read more...

Recently renovated, ponderosa pines galore. . . what’s not to love about Paliza Family Campground? Sites are located below sandstone cliffs in Lower Paliza Canyon and to pay homage to its history, there are still original Civilian Conservation Corps lean-tos and adirondack shelters on the premises. There are plenty of recreational opportunities on Read more...

Redondo Campground is situated among ponderosa pines and meadows in the Jemez Recreation Area. Setting up shop here puts you only a short driving distance from both Valles Caldera National Preserve and Bandelier National Monument. When you stay here, don’t forget to supply your own drinking water and please only use charcoal in the pedestal grills Read more...

See if you can spot the Roadrunner running around Coyote Canyon Camping Area on your next trip to the Santa Fe National Forest. This primitive campsite is located next to Coyote Creek and is open year round, though it’s usually enjoyed more in the summer. Leave the cartoons behind and enjoy the area’s biking, climbing, fishing, hiking, horse ridin Read more...

Located in the scenic “whale’s vagina" canyon, ok actually the San Diego Canyon, Vista Linda Campground offers exactly what its name implies – pretty views. Enjoy the red rock canyon and mesa panoramas from your tent year round. Expect to experience warm days and cool nights in the summer and chilly winter temps. If you can bear the cold, there is Read more...

Make a great escape to the New Mexican Forest at Rio Puerco Campground. This small camp has a limited amount of sites, meaning mucho privacy and relaxation. Visitors can enjoy fishing, or just set up the hammock for a mid-afternoon snooze sesh. Either way, they come away from this trip a little cooler, calm, and collected than when they arrived.

Like that delicious red or green chile, Resumidero Camping Area is a New Mexican favorite. It’s located in an alpine meadow and provides easy access to the San Pedro Parks Wilderness through both Vega Redonda Trail #34 and Corralitos Trail #452. Take special care to pack out and not be a litterbug. Locals use the irrigation ditch here to water the Read more...

The Rio Chama developed campground is an excellent choice for fun family camping on the edge of a wild and scenic river. There are two small group sites at the campground and they’re both free! Talk about an affordable family outing… Anyways, there is stellar hiking, fishing, and river access right at the sites. You can’t make reservations here, s Read more...

Completely rebuilt in 2010, San Antonio Campground is located right next to the river of its namesake at 7,600 feet of elevation. Ponderosa pine trees are dominant here and as far as wildlife goes, you may be able to spot the Jemez Mountain Salamander, Northern Goshawk, Merriam’s turkey, Albert’s squirrel, and hairy woodpecker. If it sounds like w Read more...