Joe Skeen Campground, near Grants, New Mexico, is a fantastic spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors without breaking the bank. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites, complete with picnic tables and fire rings, making it perfect for cozy evenings around the fire.

Visitors have praised the clean facilities, including vault toilets and trash bins, which help keep the area tidy. While there’s no drinking water available, many campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings and the chance to disconnect. One happy camper noted, “Literally cannot imagine better free camping!!”

The campground is open year-round and is a great base for exploring the stunning landscapes of El Malpais National Conservation Area. With its breathtaking views and proximity to hiking trails, it’s an ideal location for those who love to get out and explore. Just be mindful of the weather, as some reviewers mentioned that it can get windy and muddy after rain.

While the sites are first-come, first-served, many have found it easy to find a spot, especially during off-peak times. So, if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway with a touch of adventure, Joe Skeen Campground is definitely worth checking out.

Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

Join the fun near San Rafael. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. San Rafael is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your San Rafael camping trip.

San Rafael

The Best Camping Near San Rafael, New Mexico

This is a donation based campground. There are approximately 10 sites. Each is equipped with a metal pavallion, table, and firepit/cooking pit. There are pit toilets. The sites are amply spaced, and there is cleared area in the high desert terrain to place a tent or two. During my stay, we strung our hammocks up in the pavillion. The site is easy access from the road, and about a 15 min drive from closest town, (Grants).

Peaceful mountain top

Bout 10 free campsites in a beautiful location. Several vault toilets, great spots to set up a tent, landscape is nice but the Sunset was breathtaking. One of the best sites we’ve had the privilege to stay at in the West.

Perfect spot only a few miles off the 40

This is a good spot to stay the night if your passing though, very clean bathrooms. 

Not far from HWY40

We were passing through and found BLM land on AllStays about 10 miles off I-40.  Very clean bathrooms. You can bring a RV in. We have a 34’ class A. Only about 10 sites each one has a fire pit, grill, tables and and cover. Some sites are pull through. No water or any kind of hook ups. 

Quiet Clean Beautiful Place (RV)

This campsite was amazing. Beautiful scenery, easy to find location, quiet, felt really safe, had a bathroom (no running water). 

I loved seeing all the cactuses and climbing up the rocks. So fun! 

Beautiful, quiet, perfect 

Stopped here for the night as our first campsite after purchasing our travel trailer. 

Gorgeous drive in from 40 to the campsite.

Awesome pull-through site. 

Only saw one person doing tent camping. Looked like a cold stay Oct 30th-31st.

Beautiful sunset, unfortunately slept through dawn. 

Moon was so bright we didn’t need a flashlight for the bathroom with a clear path from our site. Bear safe trash through out.

Each site is spaces a decent amount apart from the rest. 

Quiet time 10 pm - 6 am. 

We saw chipmunks scurrying about in the morning. We were hoping to see more wildlife but can’t complain for pulling in around 3:30 and choosing from about 4 empty sites and leaving by 9 am.

Very clean and safe toilet area. Incredible views! 

Watch your dogs stepping in cactus. Dogs need to be on leash, but not enforced. Our dog loved this spot but he did sniff cactus too close ouch. 

Highly recommend.

Beautiful overnight stay 

This was a lovely stop on our trip from CA to CT. We walked to the top of the adjacent hill for sunset which was very nice. After traveling through Utah we weren’t as impressed by the landscape but it is definitely a nice getaway with good views and a natural setting. Pretty level spots and had no trouble getting there with our 30 ft RV. 
I think we got the last spot (all first come first serve) and we arrived around 4:30 on a Thursday. 
Would definitely come back if we’re passing through the area again but won’t plan a trip around it (like we plan to with some of the sites in Utah). 

Peaceful and quiet but accessible

Each site has a covered patio with picnic table and a fire pit. We stopped through here for one night on our way to AZ and it worked out really well. No check-in/fees; first come first serve. There were a few spots open when we rolled in around 1800.  

Easy access, good facilities 

Stopped here for the night on the way from Tucson to Denver and I'm so glad I did! I was a little nervous bc I'd read reviews saying it fills up fast and to get there before 5, but I got there about 8pm on a Monday in July and only saw one other spot taken. My 2wd car had no problem getting in and out and the ground was great for tent camping. Was solo camping and felt very safe the whole time. I'd love to go back again when I have time to explore the park, everything was SO beautiful.

Love!

Awesomeness 

Definitely get here before sunset! We were arriving around 6pm as the sun was setting and only two sites were left. I was surprised since it was the off season. Amazing views though. Nearest town is 20 min drive away which is nice. Only had enough service to send messages which is just enough. 

Good overnight spot

Love this place. Amazing colors and only had 3 others here. Mind you it is below freezing out and super cold. The bluff view as I am calling it has a smaller pull through and a great fire pit and covered picnic table. Or 22’ camper trailer fit perfect. Thanks to the Dyrt for having it on thier page!

Great camping spot

Great free campground in a marvelous place. Great sunsets, clean toilets. Water only at ranger station

 Beautiful place

nice place. seems to be windy most of the days and rain can make the sites awfully muddy. ranger station is only open on weekend but maps are available 24/7. spots are a little close together. 

nice campground

These sites were the most equipped, free sites we’ve ever stayed at in our ram pro master 

Easily accessible private sites

Each site has a covered picnic table and fire ring. Fairly exposed to the wind. Vault toilets. BLM dirt road near the entrance you can walk / hike down. Brochures of El Malpais at the entrance to the campground. Got there at 4 pm and only half the sites taken. Not bad for a spring break Saturday. Eventually all the sites filed up. Woke up to a beautiful snow storm. Dogs are allowed on this national monument trails, but discouraged because of the sharp lava rocks.

Very nice free campground

Easy to find, each spot has a picnic table and fire rings. Sites filled up by 6pm. Needed levelers on one side for our Class B Travato. Two vehicles max per site. 

BLM overnight 

Such a great site. Literally cannot imagine better free camping!! 

Couldn’t ask for better free camping!! 

This is a great area to camp in.... but not in the summer, there is no shade for tent people. This would be a perfect spot for spring and fall. We stayed in the northwest camping site that was about 25 feet from the cliff overlooking 117. Perfect spot. The ground is hard and required a Mason bit and cordless drill to set tent stakes.

Great camping area 

This is a great campground!  We came in with a 34' toy hauler and there was plenty of spots that would accommodate our size.  Their website says there are spots to accommodate up to 50'.  There are 10 spots and it is first come, first serve, so make sure you get here early.  At the end of December, there were plenty of open spots.  There is a little dip when you turn off the main road which we made it through without any issues.  Campground was clean, had outhouses, and covered seating areas.  Great find!

Great free camping spot!

I enjoyed my week at Joe Skeen in April 2024. If you camp near the top of the loop, overlooking the road below you'll get some cell service. I was in camp site 8 and have Tmobile I had 5G 2 bars, but it came in and out. I was still able to stream and use my phone hot spot. Nice cement pads with picnic tables, pavillion, fire pit and BBQ stands. Vault toilets with trash bins, but NO WATER! Be careful if you're towing anything, as my trailer bottomed out and bent the jack stand on my brand new car hauler trailer at the gulley in the road on the way into the campground. They should fill that in!! Check out my Utube journey's at: Candy's Catmobile RV Life on Utube. (:

Best dispersed camping you'll find!  Some cell service, read review

Great Dispersed Camp Ground less than 20 minutes off of  I-40 that will accommodate all types of camping from tents to large trailers. (There is a dip in the gravel road leading up to the camp ground that did scrape my jack but I think if you hit it at an angle it might be OK.)

Within 20 feet of my campsite site I could see for miles of the gorgeous  valley.

Each camp site has a fire pit, grill, and picnic tables covered with a roof and has a nice pit toilet and trash within a very short walking distance.

I am here in the beginning of November and it is chilly and about to get downright cold with expected snow tomorrow, down to 16 degrees the next night, even though it looks more like the desert.

I have a very good signal with Verizon, TMobile is low.

Water is available at the Ranger Station up the road, and Walmart Super Center and other stores within 20-30 minutes.

Great Views of New Mexico

The wash to get into the campground is steep on both sides. We drug a bit on the way in and a lot on the way out.we have a silverback 37bh that specs say is 39'11". Would not try it again. The campground is awesome though. Quiet with trash receptacles and vault toilets. Amazing dark sky view of the stars. Mostly empty.

Beautiful, dark sky, quiet-not big rig friendly

Easy to find and quiet campground with trash cans and bathrooms. 

Nice camping

This was my first car camping site, and it was beautiful. It was very clean. The compost commode was very clean, a campfire ring was available, and there was a covered picnic table area. Overall an excellent site.

Car camping newbie

Great out of the way spot.  It was fairly quiet.  Sites were large.  Awesome birding &amp; wildlife to watch from the comfort of your chair.  Would definitely come back here.  

  

We camped here in July, Site #6 &amp; September 2025, Site #8.

It was so good, we stayed twice

News year eve stop over on a road trip. Nice shelters with picnic tables and fire rings. Not much wood around. 

Happy Holidays

This is a perfect spot for a camper van. Nice wide spots, composting toilets, and shade structures. There are only a few other campers here this early in the year. We had to turn our camper diagonally to get it level. 

Photos of Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

Real photos from real campers