For those who want to experience Albuquerque, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Find all the best glamping sites for your Albuquerque, New Mexico camping adventure with The Dyrt. You're sure to find glamping for your New Mexico camping excursion.
Welcome to Albuquerque KOA. We have a beautiful campground nestled close to the Sandia Mountains. Whether you are looking for a big rig friendly 80 foot RV sites, cabins , or just tent camping, we are your Albuquerque campground . We have a swimming pool, indoor hot tub, mini golf, playground, horseshoes and a huge park for your pets. We are definitely pet friendly . We are here to help you relax and take care of all your camping needs. There's plenty to do during your camping stay with us. Our KOA is conveniently located near attractions such as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , the world's longest aerial Tramway , and we are the closest campground to Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds. The campground is also conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, the aquarium, zoo, multiple museums and the fascinating Old Town shopping district.
From the KOA website: The campground features a shaded pool (a rarity in the desert) just steps from your Kamping Kabin, tent site or RV pull thru. It's a terrific gathering spot for groups and families with an outdoor covered pavillion, WiFi , playground, volleyball, horseshoes, 2 dog parks, a book exchange, and video rental along with a great gift shop boasting Native American crafts, snacks, drinks, RV supplies and everyday essentials. Catch the new Rail Runner Express in Bernalillo only a mile away (within walking distance) for train excursions to explore downtown Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Belen. The campground also offers easy access to the attractions of New Mexico's two largest cities, as well as to ancient Indian ruins (in Bernalillo), ghost towns, pueblos and all the beauty of the Southwest. Just head West on 550 to highway 4 to the Jemez village where you can swim in the soda damn, soak in the natural hot spring pots and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery New Mexico has to offer. Step through our secret passage way to the Kaktus brewery where you can enjoy live music, food, and great beer! We are the closest KOA to the World Famous International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta just 9 miles away. Every October the skies are filled with every color, size and shape of balloons. An amazing spectacle youll want to see. No car, thats okay. We have a free shuttle that will take you to the Santa Ana Casino where you can enjoy a fun filled evening of dining, bowling (kid friendly with arcade) and entertainment just minutes away. They will always pick you up for an exhilarating round of world famous golf. Feel like staying in, Pizza Hut and Dominos will always deliver to your campsite. On the weekends, for your enjoyment, free G/PG rated movies are shown in the grassy outdoor covered pavillion where you can purchase snacks and popcorn to add to your viewing pleasure. Our employees number one goal is to make your camping experience carefree and memorable so that you will choose our campground as the place to stay in New Mexico.
Vista Linda Campground is a first come, first serve campground in the San Diego Canyon on the Jemez National Recreation Area. There are thirteen sites throughout the campground. Potable water and vault toilets are provided amenities. Each campsite has picnic tables, a fire ring, and a charcoal pedestal. Sites with shad features are available; not all sites provide shade features.
Vista Linda Campground is one of five developed campgrounds in the Jemez National Recreation Area on the Jemez Ranger District. There are numerous outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the Jemez National Recreation Area, from scenic driving to fishing accesses and day-use picnic areas. Vista Linda Campground is a brief drive from numerous developed day-use sites on the NM-4 Corridor and a short drive from multiple access points to Trail 137
Vista Linda Campground is situated in a basin of the San Diego Canyon, south of the town of Jemez Springs, NM. It is surrounded by redrock and sandstone mesas in a vibrant cottonwood bosque. The Jemez River runs parallel to the campground, and provides ample fishing access for campers. The campground provides excellent stargazing options on cloudless nights.
Vista Linda Campground is part of the Jemez National Recreation Area. There are numerous developed, dispersed, and undeveloped recreation opportunities throughout the Jemez National Recreation Area. It is also near the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Bandelier National Monument, Dome and Bandlier Wilderness Areas, the town of Los Alamos, and a two-hour drive to Santa Fe.
$10 / night
Sites: 38, Elevation: 7,600 large, well shaded campground (38 units + 11 picnic sites in the lower loop) is a good way into Manzano Wilderness via Red and Spruce Canyon trails on foot or horseback. Corrals and parking for horse trailers. This site is open for day use or overnight camping. No water available. PLEASE NOTE: Recreational Vehicles (RV's) longer than 22 feet are not allowed in this campground. Vehicles of this size may only park at Ox Canyon Trailhead, approximately 1.5 miles South of Red Canyon Campground.
Great views of Manzano Mountains, Rio Grande and Estancia Valleys are part of the attraction of this popular 8-unit site at 9200* with access to Manzano Mountain Wilderness and Hawkwatch*s raptor counting station.
$5 / night
The Ortiz Mountains and enchanting Cerrillos Hills surround us. Our stars shine brighter than most, and coyote songs will remind you that you're dwelling amongst the high desert wildlife. The 1 3/4 mile road to Little Dancing Horse Ranch is not for everyone. I will reiterate this a couple of times in this listing to make sure people understand that we live on a rocky, dirt road. Some folks find it not to be a big deal while others do. Most vehicles most of the time can make it fine if it's taken slowly although high clearance vehicles are ideal. During the rare big rain or snow, 4 wheel drive may be needed. It's advisable to check the weather in advance.
$45 - $68 / night
Paliza Campground sits beneath sandstone cliffs on the Jemez Ranger District of the Santa Fe National Forest. The area is replete with culture, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. Ample recreation opportunities exist at or near the campground, which makes it a wonderful outdoor destination.
Hiking, wildlife viewing and scenic drives are some of the popular activities enjoyed near the campground. Striking views of an ancient volcanic crater amid the rolling hills, can be seen from the Cerro Pelado Scenic Overlook, about 11 miles from the campground. Off-road vehicle trails and numerous hiking and mountain biking trails surround the campground.
The newly refurbished campground sits in a forested area at the top of a hill with views of the Jemez Valley below. It was originally the site of a 1930s Civilian Convservation Corps base camp. Remnants of that camp, including log lean-to's and adirondack shelters with rock fireplaces, can be found within the campground. A small stream runs alongside the campground and sandstone cliffs on the nearby mesas provide excellent photographic and sightseeing opportunities. A small tract of private land is located north of the campground and common courtesy is appreciated.
The campground is located five miles northeast of the town of Ponderosa, New Mexico, an area known for its vineyards and winery with a tasting room. The Jemez Pueblo and the Walatowa Visitor Center, both of which provide rewarding cultural experiences, are just 11 miles from the campground in the town of Jemez. The quaint community offers shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a variety of recreational opportunities.
$8 - $50 / night
18 & Up Only Strictly Enforced
Why should movie folks have all the fun? Scaramanga Ranch is available to campers seeking a canyon & convenient scenic escape between our productions. Snore, explore, hike, bike,
and immerse yourself within our desert forest. Nestled above
Madrid, we are just 20 minutes from Santa Fe.
Premium sites have private canopy, solar-gravity shower, uber-clean catchment latrine, toiletries, and fire pit.
$45 - $65 / night
Ranger
Great spot not too far from Albuquerque, very peaceful and quaint. Friendly staff and dog friendly ( on a leash). Picnic tables, showers, laundry, clean restrooms, all nestled in the pine and fur trees.
Scout
This spot is set between the road to Jemez Springs and Jemez Creek. Some sites are exposed to the road and its noise, although it’s not too bad. About half the sites are tucked in among the cottonwoods alongside the creek. Overall, a very pleasant getaway not far from Albuquerque.
Guide
New Mexico is a land of wonders and beauty in every turn. From its famous green or red chili and the smell of roasted chiles in the streets to the beautiful sandia mountains that shimmer at sunset to the many parks and recreation areas to explore. New Mexico truly is like no other state and must be on your to bucket list!
ScoutGreat place to stay. Convenient drive to Albuquerque.
ScoutAlbuquerque is a fantastic destination for camping enthusiasts. With a wide variety of hiking trails and outdoor activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. The numerous campgrounds offer various amenities and site types, making it easy to find the perfect spot for your needs. Plus, the stunning scenery ranging from the Sandia Mountains to the Rio Grande provides a breathtaking backdrop for your adventures. If you are looking for an exciting camping experience, Albuquerque is definitely worth a visit wnjoy Cheddars Food at your adventure.
GuidePaved parking spots with gravel around. Transit sites are very convenient, restrooms dated but clean. Whole site was well kept. Very convenient on and off route 40 and convenient to downtown Albuquerque. Good WiFi
LegendGreat stay! Our pups enjoyed the dog park, lots of enrichment items out for them. Very tidy, no trash. Nice pull through sites with rock "yards". Bathrooms were clean, staff was friendly. Thr highway noise didn't even bother us. Thanks Albuquerque KOA!
GuideThe surrounding area wasn’t very nice and it was a bit loud. Decent pace for a one night stay though. Clean RV park and friendly staff.
Petroglyph National Monument, on the outskirts of Albuquerque, was a big hit with our kids (ages 3 and 5).
GuideGood campground with access to all Albuquerque has to offer. Quick biking to the Sandia trails and short drive to hiking. The bus stop is nearby so getting around town is easy too. There is lots to do. The desert is in full bloom right now.
TravelerWe stayed at Albuquerque KOA for one night while on our way to AZ. We payed $112, which we thought was overpriced, even though we stayed during the Balloon Fiesta. The park was clean and well-maintained. It was in a safe location that was easily accessible from I 40. The sites were spacious and the staff was very friendly and helpful.
Guide
The park is very nice and clean. Everyone I talked with was very polite and helpful. I will stay here again. Very close to the Balloon Park, Albuquerque and the town of Bernalillo. The only concern was my AC would not fully power up, it seemed not enough amps. The previous park was fine and the park we are at now it works fine. Not sure of the cause. Park was fully booked, may have added to this. Excellent WiFi and cell phone connection (Verizon)
RangerExcellent for a my stop into Albuquerque to see the Sandia Mountains (the view from the top of the tram is better than the view from the top of the road up, by the way - if you are hiking, you’ll see both; If not, maybe that will affect your decision on how to go up) and Petroglyph National Monument (well worth your time). Campground tent sites were spaced fairly well and level. Facilities were sufficient. Overall, a pleasant experience and provided what I needed.
ScoutAlbuquerque KOA Journey is a great spot for a camping trip, offering clean facilities, kid-friendly amenities, and easy access to nearby attractions. After a day of exploring, treat yourself to Dutch Bros Coffee for a refreshing pick-me-up. Their diverse Dutch Bros menu with prices offers everything from cold brews to blended drinks. For dinner, head over to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. Their Cheddar's menu features hearty, home-cooked meals like ribs, steaks, and gluten-free options, perfect for satisfying any craving after a long day outdoors.
LegendThis is a civilized campground located just a few minutes north of Albuquerque. Amenities include a camp store and laundry room. I arrived without a reservation and was able to find a nice tent site with plenty of shade and wooden fences on three sides for privacy. Water and electricity were also available at my site.
This being an urban campground, there was some traffic noise from nearby roads and freeways. However, the campground quieted down at night and I slept well. The bathrooms were very well appointed, and required a code to enter.
LegendCAMPGROUND REVIEW: Turquoise Trail Campground, Cedar Crest, NM
Turquoise Trail Campground is a small privately owned campground located five miles north of I-40 off Route 14 (exit 175) just outside the east side of Albuquerque. Tucked along the base of the Sandia mountains, at 6940’ elevation. http://www.turquoisetrailcampground.com/
There is plenty of visible signage to guide you down Snowline Dr into the campground.
As you approach the office/museum on the right, the RV/Camper loop is visible on the left (which appeared full). Behind the office building are two tent loops (upper and lower). There are two very clean bathroom/showerhouses located between the office and tent loops. A laundry room and dishwashing sink is located at the back of the office building. *This is also the only water access for the tent loops.
RV sites have full hookups. Tent sites have only a leveled, gravel tent pad, picnic table and standing grill. Only stove fires were permitted at our visit due to open fire restrictions.
Tent sites are separated by scrub brush, which offered partial privacy between most sites, but you will hear your neighbors. The outer tent sites back up to a residential area, with a fence separating. Bring earplugs for undisturbed sleeping, as road noise from Route 14 can be heard, along with local dogs randomly in the distance.
At $20 a night, the campground is convenient and sufficiently met our needs as we traveled west on a tight itinerary.
Shower tokens are provided with your nightly fee. Each token gives you 7 minutes of shower time.
There is plenty to do nearby, with bike trails and hiking trails…though nothing of particular interest in the campground itself.
The bustling city of Albuquerque is the next exit west, so you are still very close to shopping, eateries, and nightlife.
GuideWe stayed at this KOA for two nights during a cross country trip as we passed through Albuquerque in October 2020. The only reason I give 4 out of 5 stars and not 5 out of 5 stars is the urban location is not much to look at. The campground itself is very well-maintained and the staff are extraordinarily friendly. It was incredibly convenient that there were a number of large RV dealerships in the immediate vicinity, so we were able to pick up some supplies that are not easily found at Walmart locations. We stayed in a large pull thru site that actually had a dedicated "pet suite" with astroturf for our dog. That's the first time we had seen that on a trip and we were pleased with the amenity having come from so many places that don't have grass anywhere.
ScoutI haven't stayed here as of now, however the person I talked to on the phone was amazingly helpful. My husband is a traveling nurse and we are looking for a spot to stay during his next contract in Albuquerque NM. When we took the contract we had no idea about the balloon festival that happens there in October. I have been calling around looking for sites and of course they are all booked. Most people I have spoken to have been polite and professional. The lady I talked to at this place was so kind and took time to give me some much needed advice on the area even though their location likely won't be a great fit for our family due to the number of people in our family she still spent time trying to help me even giving me info on other places in the area that could work better for our family. I appreciate when people are willing to help me and give me info even when they have nothing to gain by doing so. It sounds like we will need to look for a different place, but if it were a better fit i would choose this place over others simply because of the customer service. I have confidence that the people working here will do anything they can to help those staying here and that to our family is worth a lot.
LegendOk KOA conveniently located. Bathtub is good. Wifi was not working. Comfortable option but overall pricey for what you get.
GuideStayed twice - once with full h/u, once with W/E. The FHU was a far better location with concrete pad, much less highway noise, and much better bathrooms. Sites are decent distance apart, not on top of each other but can certainly see each other. Sites are all nice and flat. Not much tree cover. COVID ops means amenities are limited but nice dog park.
GuideOn our full hook up site the dump sight was in a bad place. We would of had to un hook from our truck to fully hook up. We only stayed one night and didn’t use any of the facilities.
TravelerWell maintained campground with paved sites, family and pet friendly. A bit noisy because of I-40 very close. Centrally located, so not far to local attractions. 2nd stay and will choose again when returning.
GuideSo, the park itself (inside the huge gates protecting you from the surrounding area) is nice. Decent for kids, spots are nice sizes, they do keep it clean.
The bad? Where do I begin. It's in an area where gunshots and people shooting up in broad daylight are the norm. Park employees and management are micro managers. Plus they outright lied to us about a monthly spot. And it's so beyond overpriced I can't even explain. The pet areas are an absolute JOKE. We felt so unsafe, and annoyed with employees, we left.
TravelerGreat and friendly staff. Very clean campground, bathrooms and showers. Next to I-40 so easy access in and out. Road noise wasn’t bad but we have thermal covers on windows and our rig is well insulated.
TravelerGated facility but there is an attendant to let you in, get you registered and guide you to your site. Was also able to buy wood from them. There were not any fire rings or bbqs in the middle electric/water sites but was able to use our propane pit. Pads are asphalt and close to level. Batbrooms were clean and pool was refreshing after a long days drive. Staff is friendly and come by to pick up your trash so you don't have to haul it to the dumpster.
TravelerPretty typical Journey KOA. The camp has a pool, showers,play ground, flush toilets, showers and various camping sites to fit your needs. They seem to have 2 types of cabins here. Trees are pretty sparse, so shade is limited. It's also pretty clear that they are using quite a few sites for storing RVs / Trailers on site. Can't say that I've ever seen that at a KOA site before. It's right next to the interstate so there is definitely road noise. Plenty of semi trucks and pretend race cars zipping by. We are in an overlanding vehicle with a tent on the back but we're able to sleep. Granted we were pretty tired. All in all this is a pretty nice place and a good jumping off point for all things ABQ.
RangerWe had a good time at this KOA. Enjoyed the pool (hot tub wasn’t working), bounce pad, mini golf, horseshoes. The store was useful too. Staff was friendly. Past reviews mentioned that this KOA was in a terrible neighborhood, but it didn’t seem so bad to us and we had no incidents. CG is gated and staffed 24/7. Showers and bathrooms were nice and clean (although some had a few puddles in them from campers who showered and didn’t fix the shower curtain correctly. Laundry was helpful (quarters needed). I’d stay again.
TravelerThis is our second year staying here and it is still amazing. They have a hot tub, dog wash, games, swimming pool, and playground! The sites are a little small if you are in an RV, but all in all a great camping ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Albuquerque, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Albuquerque, NM is Albuquerque KOA Journey with a 3.9-star rating from 45 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 10 glamping camping locations near Albuquerque, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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