Top Horse Camping near Ute Park, NM

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Ute Park, NM (9)

    Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground

    1. Cimarron Campground

    10 Reviews
    46 Photos
    151 Saves

    Overview

    Cimarron Campground is located in the scenic Valle Vidal within Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico, at an elevation of 9,300 feet. The sites are tucked among spruce, aspen and fir trees, and the camp offers an open range feel. Visitors have opportunities to enjoy a variety of recreational activities in a picturesque setting. Viewing wildlife and simply relaxing in the mountain air are popular activities.

    Recreation

    Anglers can fish for Rio Grande cutthroat trout in Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo. Nearby Shuree Ponds offers excellent fishing. The smaller pond is a fishing hole for kids 12 and under. The main pond is stocked with rainbow trout and is also popular for float tubing. The area around the campground is open to horseback riding, and there are few maintained trails. Elk and deer hunting is excellent.

    Natural Features

    Some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.5 million acres within the Carson National Forest. Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico. Big game animals roam the Carson, including mule deer, elk, antelope, black bear, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. Many species of smaller animals and songbirds can also been found in the forest. Cimarron Campground is located within the beautiful Valle Vidal, a Spanish term meaning "Valley of Life," of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Shuree Ponds, Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo are all near the campground, offering excellent fishing.

    Contact Info

    For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group

    $22 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Rio Costilla Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rio Costilla Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rio Costilla Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rio Costilla Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rio Costilla Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Rio Costilla Park

    2. Rio Costilla Park

    8 Reviews
    23 Photos
    197 Saves

    Rio Costilla ~ Pristine Wilderness is located in Northern Taos County, New Mexico. Lush forests offer Spring & Summer Recreation through Labor Day Weekend and are a Hunter’s Paradise throughout the year.

    Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Bike Riding, Rock Hounding, and just plain Relaxing are among many activities to be enjoyed during warmer months of the year in Rio Costilla Park.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian

    $10 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Agua Piedra Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Agua Piedra Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Agua Piedra Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Agua Piedra Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Agua Piedra Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Agua Piedra Campground

    3. Agua Piedra Campground

    9 Reviews
    45 Photos
    175 Saves

    Overview

    Agua Piedra, located in the Carson National Forest, is nestled near the Rio Pueblo and Agua Piedra Creek. The campground contains many shaded areas to camp, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

    Recreation

    Visitors to the Agua Piedra campground and group shelters can also enjoy fishing in the Rio Pueblo River, which is a tributary of the mighty Rio Grande. The river is stocked with rainbow trout and there is a small pier in the day use area.Hiking to Serpent Lake and Cordova Canyon, which are both within seven miles of the campground and group shelters, are also favorite activities for visitors. Also popular is further exploration of points of interest in the Pecos Wilderness, as well as within the Sangre De Cristos Mountains, the southernmost Rocky Mountain range.

    Natural Features

    Agua Piedra campground and group shelters are located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,100 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.

    Contact Info

    For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

    Nearby Attractions

    Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco is within 3 - 17 miles from the campground and group shelter. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $150 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Mccrystal Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Mccrystal Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Mccrystal Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Mccrystal Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Mccrystal Campground

    4. Mccrystal Campground

    1 Review
    5 Photos
    20 Saves

    These 55 sites in Valle Vidal elk/bear country are a great hunting, hiking, fishing destination.From the town of Cimarron, drive 5 miles northeast on Highway 64 to Cerrososo Canyon.__Follow this canyon approximately 21 miles to the Valle Vidal Unit Boundary. The route is__marked by signs. From the boundary, travel 7 miles on Forest Service Road 1950. These__graveled roads are not maintained during the rainy season and may be passable only with a__four wheel drive vehicle.

    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Equestrian
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Trash
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground

    5. Santa Barbara Campground

    8 Reviews
    20 Photos
    82 Saves

    Overview

    Santa Barbara Campground is situated nicely on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness area and next to Rio Santa Barbara, a beautiful and healthy trout stream.

    Recreation

    This is a great drop off point for hikers and horseback riders seeking close access to the Pecos Wilderness and Jicarita Peak.

    Natural Features

    Santa Barbara is located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,900 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.

    Nearby Attractions

    Trail access to Jicarita Peak, with close access to North Truchas Peak, Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco are all nearby. All are within 8-15 miles from the campground. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.

    Contact Info

    For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group

    $70 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

    6. Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

    7 Reviews
    25 Photos
    10 Saves

    The nature enthusiast will appreciate the abundance of wildlife, birds, butterflies, and wildflowers among the lakes, creeks, forests, and meadows. Nearly all outdoor recreation activities are possible: Fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and camping.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Reservable
    • Group
    • Equestrian

    $10 - $30 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
    Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground

    8. Purgatoire Campground

    6 Reviews
    17 Photos
    51 Saves

    Overview

    Purgatoire Campground is nestled near the headwaters of the Purgatoire River in the beautiful Culebra Range of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The primitive campground is laid out on two loops. One is a large grassy meadow with sites that accommodate equestrian campers and one that is wooded with aspen and spruce.Constructed by the Youth Conservation Corp in 1976, Purgatoire was originally named Potato Patch Campground. The river provides nice fishing and a trailhead attracts hikers and horseback riders.

    Recreation

    The North Fork Trail # 1309 is located on the north end of the campground and offers non-motorized access to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. The 5-mile trail delights with mountain vistas and shade from forested terrain. The river, which is creek-sized at these upper reaches, provides opportunities for anglers to cast for trout.

    Natural Features

    The campground is in an aspen and conifer forest near the North Fork River at an elevation of 9,800 feet. The river, also known as the Purgatoire River, flows 196 miles to the confluence of the Arkansas River. Pike-San Isabel National Forest includes over a million acres of wilderness and over half of Colorado's mountain peaks that reach above 14,000 feet.

    Nearby Attractions

    The nearby towns of Stonewall and Cuchara offer shopping and restaurants.

    Charges & Cancellations

    Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

    • Pets
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Equestrian

    $23 / night

    • No image available

      9. The Mesita Ranch

      Be the first to review!
      1 Save
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      • RVs

      $10 - $11 / night


    Recent Equestrian Reviews In Ute Park

    54 Reviews of 9 Ute Park Campgrounds


    • Phillip A.
      Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
      Jun. 20, 2024

      Santa Barbara Campground

      Cows everywhere!!!

      Everyone, this is a beautiful site with Lots of trees. The camp ground is nestled up in the mountains several miles from town. The stream is nice and comforting and the camp host was very informative and helpful.**** HOWEVER, there are herds of cows that roam the campground. They defecate EVERYWHERE!!! The cows keep you up all matters of the night. You can’t take 4 steps without stepping in poop-It’s EVERYWHERE!!!( Flies included) This site would be so perfect but you can’t eat or cook around the pit because it is surrounded by cow poop. We cut our camping trip short because it was just too much.

    • BThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
      May. 17, 2024

      Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

      Very easy to get to off of I-25

      Traveling from Denver to Southern New Mexico, this is a nice stopping point. Very easy to get to off I-25.

      Pit toilets are very clean. Unfortunately the camper next to me had his generator running the whole time until 10 pm. Even when they left their camper for the day. Very annoying. Other than that it was a quiet campground. The campground is less than half full (Tuesday night). 

      Note: The park office closed at 4. The sites are reservation only and there is no cell service. The sign at the gate states that you need to drive down the road to get cell service and make a reservation. Also the gate closes at dusk, so make sure you get there before then on your first night. After that you can get the combination to get in after dusk. 

      The campground staff were very friendly and helpful.

    • Jennifer H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
      Oct. 12, 2023

      Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping

      Cold and quiet with good views

      There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango. We mapped Forest Road 578 and it took us to a dirt road with a lot of flat spots you can camp on. We spent the night there and it was very quiet and peaceful. If you keep going to Durango you’ll get to Carson National Forest, which is not too far from the coordinates on The Dyrt. That’s where more people are camping, you can pull off right before the 64H road marker. You’ll keep passing camping spots as you drive to Durango so you can really go almost anywhere!

    • Jacqueline D.
      Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
      Sep. 28, 2023

      Santa Barbara Campground

      Quiet and beautiful

      Visited late September, about a quarter of the sites were occupied. All sites are close enough to the river to hear it from a tent. The site has drinking water and pit toilets, but no cell service. Overall, stay was very peaceful and relaxing.

    • Karen  N.
      Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
      Aug. 21, 2023

      Santa Barbara Campground

      Beautiful weekend

      Stay at Santa Barbara Campground in Northern New Mexico. Was a beautiful spot. Road to Campground was well taken care of Beautiful trails throughout area

    • Mary C.
      Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
      Aug. 15, 2023

      Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

      Sugarite Canyon Soda Pocket

      Nice state park tucked into a valley. We were in the last part of Soda Pocket loop. Great views of area but it does catch the wind! Vault toilets were super clean and not smelly. Very dark at night so great for star viewing.

    • M
      Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
      Jul. 7, 2023

      Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

      Perfect for a Weekend

      This State Park is beautiful, with hiking/fishing/historic walks galore. We arrived late on Friday, June 23 after a 10 hour drive from Arkansas. We were in Site #23 in the Soda Pocket Campground.  Every site had a covered picnic table and was relatively level.

      Sites 20-23 have spectacular views of the canyon, but you trade that for some serious wind and neighbors as there is no natural shade.  Sites 1, 3, 14 and 16 have shade and a little more distance.  Bathrooms were in great shape, and there is a free shower near the park entrance which had good water pressure and was very clean.

      The visitor center is small but with a lot of good exhibits, and adjacent to the hiking trails of the abandoned coal camp and mine.  The coal camp trails have lots of informative stands explaining what everything was, how the people lived, etc.  The two lakes (Lake Alice is more like a pond) have nice walking paths. There is another lake just across the Colorado border and you can drive to the parking area just a mile or so away.

      There are numerous nature hikes, and I did the short (.5) miles Vista Grande Nature Trail which has a beautiful bench for a sunrise view.  Uphill some but not too strenuous and with lots of information.

      A really beautiful hike is the Little Horse Mesa Trail which takes you to the top of the mesa you can see to the north of Soda Pocket Campground.  It meanders a bit but at some point the trail builder said "I've given you all the switchbacks I can, you'll just have to go straight up" and the last 50 yards are pretty much straight uphill.  When you get to the top though it's like another world.  It's a pasture like setting with trees, and beautiful views from a trail that follows the cliffs. You'll have to make your own way over to the Lake Maloya overlook but it's well worth it.  Highly recommend this.

      The camp hosts and visitor center people were great, and the ranger came by one night and showed a group of kids a mountain lion pelt and a bear pelt. There was a report of bears on the road up to Soda Pocket Campground but we did not see any.  The road was a typical dirt road, and not in bad shape at all.

      I'm not a fisherman, but could easily spend two full days here hiking alone, much less fishing or kayaking Lake Maloya.

    • d
      Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground
      Jun. 9, 2023

      Cimarron Campground

      Great remote time

      Took my boys camping and had a great time. We went June 2 and the water was not on yet. The facilities were very clean and the staff agent was present and available. We had no issues. It is a long way down a dirt road but well worth the drive to be remote. No cell service at the camp site but a short 5 min drive back to the first cattle guard allowed for service to multiple cell providers. A short beautiful hike to the ponds allowed for some fishing for the kids. All artificial lures and barbless hooks. It’s not glamping but is some great camping!

    • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
      Jun. 1, 2023

      Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

      Soda Pocket Campgound Review

      Made advanced reservation for site 17 in Soda Pocket Campground. Driving up the unpaved road to this campground was no problem. Site 17 was in a corner by itself, distant from other sites. It's a pull-thru site. Level enough for our campervan. Nice patch of nature behind the site. Site has a shelter over the picnic table. Site also has a bear box & fire ring. Trash & recycling receptacles at campground. Two vault toilets; very clean with toilet paper. No potable water. Restroom/shower house across from state park visitor center is very good. Fantastic camp hosts at Soda Pocket. Park law enforcement ticketed a rowdy group of campers. Nice hiking trails in state park. Fishing opportunities in park.

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
      Apr. 26, 2023

      Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping

      Private and beautiful

      A nice secluded little forest road. RVs will not make it, so it's nice and quiet.

      AWD/4WD needed on the rutted rocky road.

      Stayed one night and saw no one else.

      Multiple pulloffs for unmarked campsites, but the one I picked was right off the road.

      Cell service drops completely pretty soon after leaving the highway. I sporadically received some messages at my camp site but not reliably.

    • Ken M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Mccrystal Campground
      Mar. 19, 2023

      Mccrystal Campground

      Remote camping with plenty of wildlife to see

      A remote location and popular with horse campers and hunters.  The campground has sites with horse corrals installed. The campground was quiet and mostly clean. There are pit toilets on site and well maintained. Level spots with good separation. Nice hiking accross some flat lands and a smal creek runs near by. Early one morning we saw a herd of elk down in a valley near a turn out off the road.  Bears frequent the area trying to raid the garbage bins during the night. Makes tent camping a bit unnerving. If you want to explore the area, this is good place to camp.  It takes an hour to get to the campsite on a graveled road off the highway out of Cimerron.  25mph was best speed to go to handle the washboard road to the campsite.

    • T
      Camper-submitted photo from Rio Costilla Park
      Jul. 23, 2022

      Rio Costilla Park

      Dispersed............ but not. Worth the trip!

      My wife and I spent 3 days and 2 nights at Rio Costillo and really enjoyed our time.  We are typically dispersed campers, so paying to camp is a bit of a departure.  The fee to camp has increased to $30 per night, but we decided to give it try.  It was probably more about what we didn't experience that we enjoyed the most.  There is NO FIREWORKS permitted and NO ATV's permitted.  Thus, a pleasant and quiet camp trip.  There have been no recent fires in the area, so the views were beautiful!.  Not sure how many head of cattle roam the park, but they could care less about you and do not pose any threat.  The sites are spread apart so much that it feels like dispersed camping.  Portable toilets are close to all sites, but no running water.  The lakes were closed at the time of our visit (clearing the road of fallen trees we were told).  Most of the sites were close to running streams of water, though we only fished in the Rio Costilla outside the park entrance.  The fees are $30 per vehicle/night and $10 to fish per person per day.  No fee to fish in the river outside of the park, only a NM license or out of state permit.

    • Jade T.
      Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground
      Jul. 11, 2022

      Cimarron Campground

      Beautiful!

      We stayed July 1st-5th, 2021. Beautiful location in a place I wasn’t expecting it to be sooo green! Very relaxing and remote as there is zero service. It was perfect & exactly what we were looking for. Vault toilets are well kept and within good proximity to most sites. The grass was about knee high, so yard games/ activities weren’t possible. The hiking trail to the lake was reasonable and not too inclined/strenuous. It rained only in the afternoons but everyday.

    • K
      Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground
      Jun. 15, 2022

      Purgatoire Campground

      Purgatoire Site #8

      This was a beautiful peaceful camp ground. Very quiet. It has a pit toilet which was decent - better than having to use or portable. No cell phone service.

    • J
      Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground
      May. 28, 2022

      Purgatoire Campground

      Fantastic high mountain FS campground

      I can understand rating this campground low if you were hoping to find a Ritz Carlton at the end of the 4-mile rough road, but if you're looking for a beautiful high altitude forested campground that offers solitude and great hiking, you've come to the right place!  The worst we can say about it was that we visited in the height of mud season and it made leveling our rig a little tricky as the levelling blocks kept sinking in the soft Dyrt under the weight of our wheels, but we eventually figured it out.  There was snow on the ground and snow flurries during our visit.  We basically had the whole campground to ourselves on a mid-week evening, maybe two others in the entire campground.  Our rig is 28' long, and if the place had been more crowded we may have had trouble finding a spot long enough for us, but given how empty it was we had our pick of multiple sites that worked.  Overall a very cool spot off the Highway of Legends.  If you're in the vicinity of the Spanish Peaks and looking for some great mountain camping, this is your place!

    • J
      Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
      May. 28, 2022

      Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

      Soda Pocket - worth the drive up the mountain!

      We stayed at Soda Pocket in mid-May 2022.  Actually we had reserved site 06 in the Lake Alice campground, because it was full hookups, but upon arriving at Lake Alice we confirmed what another reviewer had said - it's a tightly packed campground, very close to a busy road and not close to the lake itself.  On top of that, there was a boil water notice for the water hookups, and to top it off, the utility hookups for Site 06 are on the *Wrong* (i.e. the passenger) side of the rig, given the orientation of the driveway for backing in.  Put all that together and we decided to forego our reserved site and see if we could do better up at Soda Pocket on top of the mountain.  The campground host at Lake Alice warned us that the road up to Soda Pocket was treacherous and without guardrails, but we disregarded this warning and took our chances...

      Man are we glad that we did that!  The view from Site 23 was incredible of the canyon below.  And we arrived just as a thunderstorm was passing to our east, and witnessed an incredible double rainbow over the canyon.  The pics don't even do it justice.  There's great hiking and viewpoints from Soda Pocket, and the so-called "treacherous" road up to the campground is gravelly and a bit steep in a few places, but very passable (there was a Class A rig up there, and a number of 30+ ft 5th Wheelers as well).  The sites were well spaced, and Site 23 was fairly level and wide, easy to back in.  It looked like Site 18 is a nearby pull-through site that still offered nice views even though it's situated more in the middle of the campground circle.  

      Overall this state park was extremely cool, kind of off the beaten path, and well worth the visit!  Check out Soda Pocket, it's worth the drive up the mountain!

    • Jacob  W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
      Apr. 21, 2022

      Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping

      Primitive dispersed camping

      I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285. There are several dirt road turn offs but FS 578 is clearly marked with a brown NFS sign (see photo) and has no gate but there is a cattle guard/grate. Here is a NFS road use map that shows dispersed camping along FS 578 and many other NFS roads: https://www.fs.fed.us/r3/gis/mvum/Carson/CarsonTresPiedrasCanjilonElRito.pdf (see also screenshot). My Tacoma had no problem on the dirt road, which has ruts and might be tough for an RV. There were few clearings suitable for dispersed camping but I found a nice spot with a small fire circle in a small clearing on the south side of the road just past a fork in the road. I carried two black boulders over to serve as a table and chair. I didn’t see anyone else camping or driving by. The forest is a nice mix of sage, juniper, and pine trees. I saw two elk across a swath of sage. I could see the snow capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range on the eastern horizon when I walked farther up the road. It got cold at night, like 27 F. It was a nice waypoint on my trip between Gunnison CO and El Paso TX but it didn’t look like many people camped there. I had intended to drive to Taos the next day on Hwy 64, but didn’t.

    • s
      Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
      Dec. 2, 2021

      Santa Barbara Campground

      Overcrowded but nice getaway

      This campground is always overcrowded, and the camping sites are too close to each other but it’s located between trees and is really close to trail heads. There is a river nearby but not to close to the camping sites that you can overlook the river. Sadly, bathroom facilities are not clean

    • G
      Camper-submitted photo from Purgatoire Campground
      Aug. 30, 2021

      Purgatoire Campground

      Good camping spot

      Liked the camp spots (ours was 14). Mark (the camp host) kept everything clean. Beautiful star viewing. 4 mile dirt road was a bit rough bringing my camper. Verizon coverage had 1 bar at the south end.

    • James F.The Dyrt PRO User
      Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground
      Aug. 22, 2021

      Santa Barbara Campground

      Beautiful Hiking

      This is a great campground if you like to take some hikes through some beautiful national forest with a picturesque river. The Santa Barbara Campground is relatively small and most of the sites can't accommodate large rv's. A small travel trailer or tent works well in most sites. None of the sites have hook ups so you will be boon docking. There are vault toilets and water available. Sign on the water spigot said not to connect a hose though so filling your rv or trailer is not what they were intended for. I guess it was good that I filled before I left home. There are lots of trees for shade and beauty. The trails are absolutely wonderful and well worth taking a few hours to walk part of them. Hard core hikers will use the campground as a starting point for a lengthy hikes. There were a few cows that got into the camping area. There can also be horses on the trails so be vigilant.The temperatures were quite moderate as the campsite is at 8900 feet. You can hear the Santa Barbara River as it is very close.

    • Angie S.
      Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
      Aug. 1, 2021

      Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

      Great Campground

      We very much enjoyed our time here. It was beautiful. A dry campground with no hookups and no water (water is available at the lower Lake Alice campground and showers st the park entrance). Vault toilets were clean, sites nicely spread out with covered picnic tables, fire circles and bear boxes to store your food and supplies. Highly recommend!

    • e
      Camper-submitted photo from Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park
      Jul. 23, 2021

      Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

      Amazing Campground

      Amazing site with all of the amenities. Nice, clean bathrooms and SHOWERS! Gazebo over the picnic table to help you out if you visit during monsoon season like us. Best sites 22-25 with beautiful views overlooking the canyon. Potable water across from lake Alice Campground. Firewood for $5 from campsite leaders. Rangers and campsite leaders are so nice and even gave us dishwashing soap when we forgot ours! No problem with bugs or animals and site was PERFECT!

    • Stephen K.
      Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground
      Jul. 8, 2021

      Cimarron Campground

      lovely hidden gem

      We stayed here over July 4, 2021.  The campground was mostly full until Sunday (July, 4) and then cleared out. It stayed quiet even when full, though.  I wondered how rough the roads were, but driving from Castillo to the campground and then on to Hwy 64 east of Cimarron on 1950 was all very doable in a Subaru Ascent towing a trailer despite some heavy rains.

      There were pit toilets which were clean, but flies at them got thick as the day warmed up.  Flies and mosquitoes were rare at the campsite, though. The campsites were large and surrounded by trees.  A few of the outer loop had nice, partial  views of the meadow.

      There's a nice easy/moderate half mile hike down to the Shuree Ponds which were stocked with trout. it seemed a fair amount of people would drive to the larger of those two ponds for day use fishing.  The smaller was reserved for kids's fishing.  Both are classied as "Green Chile" waters so only flies or artificial lures with a single, barbless hook are allowed. 2 fish limit.

      The area looked like a mecca for wildlife, but we only saw 3 deer in our hikes to and from the ponds and then a muskrat at the pond.

    • jasper W.
      Camper-submitted photo from Agua Piedra Campground
      Jan. 17, 2021

      Agua Piedra Campground

      One of my favorite spots in NM

      ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS :) beautiful scenery and very clean! i liked the set up of the camp ground, very spacious but still felt like a nice community. 10/10 must see.



    Guide to Ute Park

    Camping near Ute Park, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there's something for everyone in this scenic area.

    What to do:

    • Hiking: Explore the trails around Cimarron Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "There is trout fishing nearby. Miles of hiking and an abundance of wildlife." This makes it a great spot for nature lovers.
    • Fishing: Head to Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor shared, "The campground is small with ample space between sites. Each site has a gravel pad, covered picnic table set on a concrete pad and with a view of the serene and pristine lake."
    • Wildlife Watching: At Coyote Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy the local wildlife. One camper noted, "Ground are nice with prairie dogs and skies full of birds."

    What campers like:

    • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Angel Fire RV Resort. A reviewer said, "Resort is beautiful, well maintained, plenty of amenities. Sites are spacious and have beautiful views."
    • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. At Taos Valley RV Park & Campground, one visitor mentioned, "The restrooms/showers were clean, and the shower was nice and hot with a good spray."
    • Friendly Hosts: Campers often highlight the hospitality of campground staff. A review for Tolby Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park noted, "Mike, our camp host was awesome and had some great information about the area."

    What you should know:

    • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, have few amenities. A camper pointed out, "No shade, no potable water, no electric, no sewer. True boondocking site."
    • Road Conditions: Be prepared for rough roads, especially when heading to remote spots like Cimarron Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The road to get here from Amalia becomes very wash boarded."
    • Crowded During Peak Season: Popular spots can get busy. A camper at Coyote Creek State Park Campground noted, "The electric hookup RV sites are right on top of each other."

    Tips for camping with families:

    • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Agua Piedra Campground. A family reviewer said, "The creek is very close and accessible, which is probably the highlight."
    • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities for kids. One parent at Columbine Campground mentioned, "With the creek running through the middle of the campground, we had a great spot for the kids to play."
    • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and fishing trips. A visitor at Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground suggested, "Great hiking trail. The field around campsites contain groundhogs, rabbits & birds."

    Tips from RVers:

    • Check Hookups: Make sure to verify if your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Angel Fire RV Resort noted, "All RVs must be self-contained (kitchen, bathroom, shower, etc.)."
    • Arrive Early: To secure a good spot, especially during busy times. A camper at Taos Valley RV Park & Campground mentioned, "We arrived on a Friday in late April around 5 pm without reservations hoping we could secure a site."
    • Be Prepared for Weather Changes: Weather can shift quickly in the mountains. One camper at Hotel Luna Mystica shared, "The weather went from day-time highs in the 60s to blizzard conditions with overnight lows in the teens."

    Camping near Ute Park, New Mexico, offers a unique experience with plenty of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet retreat, this area has something for everyone.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ute Park, NM?

      According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ute Park, NM is Cimarron Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 10 reviews.

    • What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ute Park, NM?

      TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Ute Park, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.