- Santa Fe National Forest
The best camping in Santa Fe National Forest, NM
94% (42)
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Sandra
3 weeks ago
27 ft Class C
With pets
Definitely would stay again! Contact-less check-in, hot showers, laundry, and an infrared sauna. Appreciate the texts beforehand with the property info. Can tent camp, park your RV/van or stay in a POD. Property is still being developed and has some shaded spots. Camp spots can be a little close together on property.
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Ashley
3 weeks ago
45 ft travel trailer
Beautiful location and spacious campsite!! Host has 2 sweet and friendly dogs that love to linger around camp, but take note that the dogs wandered off with our doormat and we weren't able to find it- host said this is something that happens here but we wished that was communicated in advance so we didn't set that out as usual (was a sentimental gift from my grandmother). Otherwise loved being so close to Santa Fe and would stay again!!
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Will
3 weeks ago
Weekend Trip to Juniper Mesa Camp
Fantastic site! Fantastic host! Can't wait to stay here again :)
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Heidi
November 2025
16 ft car
Easy to find, clear directions. It is in a residential area, tho there is privacy from bushes and trees. The only issue was barking dogs all night and that is out of the hosts control.
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Hedi
November 2025
24 ft Class B
Anastasia is a welcoming host who shares her farm in its beautiful location, conveniently close to Taos, NM, where there is so much to explore. We were invited to tour and learn about all the various efforts Anastasia and her community are experimenting with sustainable practices. The Mountain view from our site was gorgeous at sunset and sunrise. Also, guests are given access to a beautiful and well-maintained bath house. We would definitely visit again and appreciate the stay.
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Traci
November 2025
19 ft campervan
With pets
Beautiful piece of land, next to water, very cool and clean water and toilet facilities, plus Gary is a wonderful host!
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Robert
November 2025
Tent
This was my second visit here, I liked it so much. The drive is well worth the view of the stars/night sky and the views at sunset and sunrise. The campsites are very nice and well spaced if there happen to be other campers at the same time.
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Jessica
November 2025
16 ft travel trailer
With pets
Amazing pretty piece of paradise not far from Santa Fe. Very accommodating host. We felt safe :)
We will be booking again
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Amanda
November 2025
20 ft Class C
With pets
This place is a gem!! Great location close to Santa Fe and the surrounding area. Super quiet and peaceful. The campsites are so lovely and easy to get into. I would have loved to stay and explore longer. We will 100% be back! Also we absolutely adored the farm dogs.
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Suzanne
October 2025
44 ft travel trailer
we had a great time at one of the RV sites. We stayed one night on our way back home. I would recommend arriving before dark. Some nights it can be very dark out. Brenda made sure we made it to out spot and was super fast with communication. Thanks for the pleasant quiet stay.
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Katrina
October 2025
15 ft campervan
With pets
Beautiful and peaceful place to stay. Great bathhouse as well!
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Frank
October 2025
23 ft campervan
With pets
Great proximity to Madrid! Unique and beautiful camp with sweeping 270 degrees views! Fun vibe—about a 20 minute nice walk into town-no need to move your rig. Thanks Kim!
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Kevin
October 2025
Tent
I don't know what I can say that I haven't already said in my other three reviews. This is my fourth time to the cliffs Camp 8 very private very secluded very quiet. Landon is great very hospitable. This is definitely a place of peace. I will always be back. All the campsites are very far from each other which is something that I like. It's just a nice piece of property. They have done well
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Mark
October 2025
35 ft toy hauler
With pets
My wife and enjoyed staying at Landon's and Kendra's. Beautiful place and very quite and peaceful.
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Colleen
October 2025
21 ft campervan
Ben's camp location was perfect. Access was great, yet secluded, quiet and private. He had a campfire kit set up and ready, which was great and an added bonus.
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Jesus
October 2025
6 ft campervan
Private beautiful space full of pines and a nice fire pit to stay warm. The stars were amazing. Can't wait to come back
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Chenoa
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Juniper Mesa Camp
The camper is super cozy and has beautiful views. There is a stovetop, sink, and composting toilet inside the camper – and a great outdoor seating area outside. It was chilly in late October, so Kate set me up with lots of thick blankets and I stayed very warm! Kate is open and welcoming but also gave me my privacy. Great stay!
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Megan
October 2025
16 ft car
This is such a beautiful spot we can’t wait to come back when it’s a little warmer! Thank you for sharing your land with us. Highly recommend this campground. It was nice having wood available for delivery and a bathroom close by.
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Robert
October 2025
20 ft travel trailer
With pets
Luis was extremely helpful, the site was comfortable and safe, and centrally located for Taos, the mountains, and Santa Fe.
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Kristin
October 2025
17 ft pop-up camper
This was a wonderful hipcamp in Taos. Close to downtown with a nice view. Quiet, well cared for with a great bath house.
See moreTop public campgrounds in the park
Stay at a public campground in Santa Fe National Forest
Top-rated campgrounds
The best camping in Santa Fe National Forest, NM guide
Overview
About
Santa Fe National Forest isn’t just a cool spot in New Mexico, it’s a place that painters, poets, photographers and adventurers have waxed poetic about since...well, forever. It’s easy to see why, with over 1.6 million acres and over 1,000 miles of trails to explore. Whether it’s an autumn day trekking under trees blazing gold, or taking turns down the slopes at Santa Fe Ski Basin, the forest is a year round wonderland! Spring and Summer offer thrilling whitewater rafting down the Rio Grande, trout fishing, hunting, and nights under the stars. It’s easy to set up camp here too in one of the forests many campgrounds, and if you plan on staying away, be sure visit the town of Santa Fe, one of the most artistic and beautiful towns in America. This trip is bound to have you channeling your inner artist in no time!
94%
42 ratings · 29 reviews
We camped at San Antonio Campground near Jemez Springs, which appears to be close to native lands — a really cool area to explore. There’s no cell service, so make sure to plan ahead. The campground itself was really nice and peaceful. We had a fire the first night and picked up some supplies at a nearby convenience store just a short 2–3 minute drive away. It rained both nights of our stay, so we spent the second night in our van, which was a short walk from our campsite. There was plenty of space for hammocks, and the area felt very serene. The nearby bathrooms were a great bonus. The only minor downside is that the road above the campground is somewhat close, so you do hear occasional traffic, though it was pretty sparse. Overall, we really enjoyed our stay and would definitely camp here again!
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Andrew M.
2 years on Hipcamp
this place was incredible!! amazing views and access to amenities! we ended up staying an extra night because we enjoyed it so much. go check out lake fenton during your stay! only thing was the drive up can be very windy and steep, if you drive an old rig like us, coming down the mountain might be slightly terrifying
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Cera F.
6 reviews
Beautiful, clean, good location, and we loved the extras like the swings and volleyball area. Highly recommend!
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Annette M.
2 reviews
June 2023
Used to be a decent, rustic campground, not kept up as well as nearby El Porvenir campground, which had a larger stream by it. However, both were largely burned last year in the Calf Creek-Hermit's Peak fire, & both remain closed.
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Nick R.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2021
We had a wonderful time camping here! The vault toilets were the cleanest ones I have ever seen and the campground hosts were friendly and helpful. It is a gorgeous campground with a creek running through it.
Jillian R.
4 years on Hipcamp
July 2021
Beautiful campground! I'd like to return. Well kept. I'd like to enjoy the hikes I didn't have time for. - - Thank you to the friendly and helpful camp hosts!
Margaret T.
4 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2021
This is one lovely camp spot. I enjoy the tall shady pines pointing to the night sky chock full of stars. I experienced truly good camp hosts who enforced quiet rules and monitored the area with frequent cart tours. They cleaned the vault toilets every day. There are lovely trails throughout for easy to moderate hiking, a few rock mounds to clamber and explore. Be quiet and respectful, leash your dogs and discourage barking. Nature loving people are here. I will always return here.
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Susan E.
4 years on Hipcamp
October 2020
We stayed 2 nights in July 2020 at Vista Linda during our stay at Santa Fe National Forest. The red rock canyon views were amazing! It's a pretty small area with not much privacy, and in our case not much shade either. Our site was near the restrooms and was visible to people coming and going. There are a few options further back that allow for more privacy, and shade, but we prefered to be close to the restroom. There is also a stream a stone's throw away that is good for hanging out in the water or just sitting on the edge and dipping in your feet. There was a campsite attendant, a friendly older woman, that came by daily to take our trash and give us a new bag. Beware there is no signal and the site was very dusty. Overall a good site.
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Angelaca S.
5 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2020
We just returned from 5 beautiful nights at El Porvenir Campground. We arrived on a Wednesday around dusk at the end of September and there were plenty of available campsites for tents though we had a camping trailer and felt there were 3 spots that were available and doable for us. A Sprinter camping van was also joining us the following day. In total, 7 of us thoroughly enjoyed the warm days, cold nights with a campfire (and there's even a sanctioned area to collect firewood from, up the road accessible from camp), fall colors, quick creek showers (no soap, of course), and the hiking right from camp. The Beaver Creek trail was simply beautiful and the Hermit Peak trail long and a challenge. Pit toilets were clean & stocked well.
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Cheryl M.
5 years on Hipcamp
September 2020
There is NO lake at Jack's Creek campground. The lake, Pecos Baldy Lake, is only reached by hiking 7+ miles up the trail (almost 3000' elevation gain).
It is a great campground, we love it, but those photos of a lake are deceptive.
Robin T.
5 years on Hipcamp
August 2020
Exceptionally clean and we'll maintained. Off the beaten path but not too far off. Stunning location and views! 30 total sites with 8 sites located in a generator free area so great for noise and exhaust avoidance. 3 sites that are a very short walk in over picturesque foot bridges. 3 sites that have historic lean to's (cabins) built in the 1930's. Pueblo ruins, gravesites and the Goblin Colony are all easily accessible by short hikes. Verizon wireless coverage. The Paliza campground also has a group site containing 2 separate loops. These are located 1/2 mile from the family campground keeping noise down. The larger of these group sites has a covered pavilion with 8 tables. Both loops have spectacular views of cliffs , sunsets and stars!
Blake R.
5 years on Hipcamp
March 2020
Note: As of late 2018, ALL campsites are reservable. Open sites are for one night only. We hosted here for the 2019 summer. Beautiful area.
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Jeffrey L.
5 years on Hipcamp
August 2019
Camped the night of 8/16/19 and didn't get any sleep. The party across the road started blaring dance music at 11:00 pm and didn't turn it off until 2:30 am. The whole forest sounded like a club. The music was interspersed with shrill screaming. I would hate to generalize about the camping etiquette here on other nights, but maybe the word will get out that this CG is for people who want to party while they camp?
Michelle T.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2019
Love it! Not far from Santa Fe, well maintained campsites and surrounded by trees :) They have no water this season, so make sure to bring your own!
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Paula A.
6 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2019
Beautiful in late September-early October. The leaves change to a vivid yellow on all the Aspens and it is sure to impress the eyes!
Logan H.
2 reviews
Recommends
· February 2018
Such a hidden gem. We loved this, just make sure you bring leashes for the dogs as park rangers will ask you to keep them tied up.
Carly G.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· February 2018
It’s nesteled up the hillside with loads of shade with sites really nicely spread out between trees so it feels quiet and secluded. Grab one of the outside spots at the top of the hill to get the scenery to yourself. And make sure to explore the trails nearyby, they wind all over the hills.
Xanthe &.
27 reviews
Mixed feelings
· January 2018
Leave room for others.
Gabriel R.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2018
The hot springs are a must when your visiting San Antonio
Gabriel R.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· January 2018
The falls aren’t as big as I wanted then to be, maybe the water wasn’t flowing as hard but more water would have been a nice site.
Gabriel R.
7 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2017
Went in March and it was a noteable 20 degrees or so colder at camp then down the mountain. Bring layers. Amazing staff and great campsite for groups. We were one of the few people braving the elements so we talked with the rangers to help us turn on and off the water so it wouldn't freeze in the pipes overnight. Huge fire pit cooking area. Amazing covered dinning area, with tables and benches. There were two latrines but only one we could use since the other had an ice mound in front of the door. Had the weather been warmer we would've spent more time at camp but we opted to do day trips to Bandelier National Monument and Kasha-Katuwe (Tent Rocks) National Monument. They were warmer and sunnier than our campground but such amazing cultural learning opportunities so close we couldn't pass them up.
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Kelsie L.
8 years on Hipcamp
June 2017
Let' s GO !
Michaela M.
3 reviews
June 2017
This is a very nicely renovated forest service campground. The sites are all very level, electric sites are available and all sites have one of those posts with a hook so you can hang a lantern. There are so many things to do in the area it's hard to decide where to start. Santa Fe is just 8 miles away down the mountain. Hyde Memorial State Park is next door with hiking trails. There are lots of trails to choose from both above and below the campground along the highway. At the top is the Santa Fe Ski Area with more trails and chair lift rides. Try the lift when the fall leaves are at their peak!
Kate G.
8 years on Hipcamp
May 2017
This poor campground has an air of neglect. You're either going to love or hate this place. It's large and looks like it's being allowed to slowly decay. In the summer of 2016 I made two camping trips to the Jemez Mountains. I chose to stay somewhere else. There were less than 6 sites occupied each time I visited that summer. I got the impression no one visits to take care of the place very often. Of course, some of the people staying there looked like they really enjoyed having the place to themselves. I'd say if you're totally self-contained, you may really like it here.
Kate G.
8 years on Hipcamp
May 2017
I love this place! The road can be a little rough especially after wet weather. The views are great and there are lots of places in the area to explore. This makes a good base camp.
Kate G.
8 years on Hipcamp
May 2017
If you're looking for a spot in the Santa Fe National Forest that's easy to get to, you'll like this. There aren't many frills here but it's nicely situated along the creek and you can get a little way from the road. Most sites require you carry your gear from the car. They have vault toilets but little else.
Kate G.
8 years on Hipcamp
April 2017
We camped here and loved it. We almost always camp on Sun-Mon-Tues and usually the campgrounds are pretty deserted! There were a lot of spaces to choose from. Our site had lots of trails behind it-perfect to take the dog for a walk! While we didn't hit the hot springs at the campground, we DID hike up to San Antonio hot springs which was a bit more remote and beautiful. New Mexico is known for raining in the Summer months, so be prepared and take a tarp or something for shelter. Most of the sites in the forest don't have any covered picnic areas. The sites here had plenty of space, along with picnic tables, vault toilets and water faucets near the restrooms. Check out Valle Caldera if you're in the area-stunning!
Amber H.
8 years on Hipcamp
October 2016
Terrific campsite, right on top of the Santa Fe National Forest. If you follow the road until you can't go any further, you've made it. The campsites are close to the restrooms, adjacent from the big parking lot by the Ski Resort. There are two streams near by and multiple trails to choose from. The campsites are quite big; allowing the option to pick and chose where to pitch your tent. Make sure to stop along the way up at the view points!
Jillian Z.
9 years on Hipcamp
May 2016
Great spot, offers picnic tables with a roof over them. Beautiful views of the red rock canyons, you're right there with them! Very private campsites, you're in your own little bubble of trees. It's in the Jemez mountains so you're close to the Gilman Tunnels, Fenton Lake, and a historical landmark where you can walk through some ruins. Very neat spot! We came here when we weren't able to get a camp site at Fenton Lake and from what the woman at the bath houses told me, there are always open spots here because not many people know about that campground.
Abby C.
9 years on Hipcamp