The Best Campgrounds In New Mexico

Head down south for the best campgrounds in New Mexico and experience a great adventure while putting your camping skills to the test!

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Best Campgrounds in New Mexico You Should Visit

Where to Camp in the Land of Enchantment

New Mexico is a unique state with its own kind of magic. It’s no wonder so many artists and writers have been inspired by its landscape.

New Mexico’s diverse geography makes it an exciting place to visit any time of year. Whether it’s the fascinating history of Santa Fe or the great skiing in Taos and Ruidoso, there’s something for everyone in this state.

Well, the majesty of the Rocky Mountains or the beauty of White Sands is a fantastic bonus, too. So, here are our best campgrounds in New Mexico.

1. Santa Fe National Forest – Santa Fe, New Mexico

The Santa Fe National Forest offers beautiful camping areas that range from low to high elevation, high desert to forested and primitive to developed.

Developed campgrounds offer amenities ranging from electrical hookups for RV or trailer camping, to only a toilet.

2. Elephant Rock Campground – Red River, New Mexico

Elephant Rock Campground has excellent fishing access to the well-stocked Red River, nearby Eagle Rock Lake and hiking into the surrounding high country.

This campground is close to the highway with plenty of large pine trees. The campground rests at 8,400 feet above sea level.

3. City of Rocks State Park – Faywood, New Mexico

Located about halfway between Silver City and Deming, City of Rocks offers campsites, hiking trails, and excellent mountain biking. Wildlife viewing, birding, stargazing, picnic areas, and a desert botanical garden are also on the table.

The uniquely designed, new Visitor Center includes a large display area and modern restrooms with hot showers. City of Rocks State Park is your official sponsor of adventure!

4. Heron Lake State Park, New Mexico

A picturesque lake set among the tall pines of northern New Mexico, Heron Lake State Park has been designated a “quiet lake”. That’s because boats operate at no-wake speeds only, making it an excellent location for all types of paddle craft.

Heron also has amazing sailing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. Heron is a fisherman’s paradise with record-size trout and kokanee salmon.

Ice fishing is very popular in winter. Several campgrounds line the shore of this scenic lake with primitive and developed campsites are available for every taste.

5. Storrie Lake – Las Vegas, New Mexico

This serene lake offers great opportunities for fishing, bird watching, and windsurfing.

Choose from a variety of campsites with utility hookups for RVs. The park is conveniently located near historic Las Vegas.

RELATED: Ultimate Campgrounds Across The U.S.: State By State List Of America’s “Must See” Campgrounds

6. Apache Campground – Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Apache Campground offers 25 sites. Mixed conifer/aspen forest sites at 8,900′ provide southern NM escape from the summer heat on the desert floor.

Tables, fire rings, parking spurs, gray water pumps, toilets, central garbage depository, plus interpretive trails.

7. Oak Grove Campground – Ruidoso, New Mexico

The campground has 30 campsites with vault toilets, a parking area, fireplaces, tables, and trash cans. Oak forest surroundings are close to mountain vistas of Sierra Blanca.

8. Cebolla Mesa Campground – Questa, New Mexico

A campground right on the edge of the Rio Grande Gorge. Watch the sunset on the Taos mountains, then go to sleep to the sound of the rapids 800 ft below.

Wake up and watch the sun descend into the canyon, then descend into the gorge yourself on the Cebolla Mesa trail.

9. Big Horn Campground – Glenwood, New Mexico

The Bighorn Campground is a convenient campground just one-tenth of a mile northwest of the town of Glenwood. It is a campground that is typically used more for short-term stays (one or two days) than long-term camping (14 days).

It is within walking distance to the town of Glenwood and the closest designated campground to the Catwalk National Recreation Area. The landscape is mostly pinon and juniper trees.

10. Camino Real Ranger District – Taos, New Mexico

The Camino Real Ranger District is managed for many multi-use purposes; hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, skiing, snowmobiling, camping, and personal firewood cutting are among the activities.

The District manages many acres of the Carson National Forest. The District has more than 252 miles of trail, offering diverse terrain and dramatic landscapes for the skilled hiker.

Try this tin foil steak packet in this video from Baum Grillin’z on your next camping trip to New Mexico:

Now you know where to go if headed down south to New Mexico state parks. The best campgrounds in New Mexico does offer a camping experience for both the novice and experienced campers.

It also offers terrains, landscape, and weather from which you can experience and learn survival skills. So, enjoy camping and learn from experience!

Do you have a favorite camping spot in New Mexico that wasn’t included on this list? Let us know in the comments section below!

Up Next:

• Best Campgrounds In Idaho
• Best Campgrounds In South Dakota
• 22 Amazing Hiking Trails You Have To See To Believe

And be sure to check out the rest of our Best Campgrounds in the US series.

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 30, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.