Best Campgrounds near Animas, NM

The Animas, New Mexico area features a mix of dispersed and established camping options scattered throughout the surrounding desert and mountain landscapes. Granite Gap provides free dispersed camping with primitive sites about 15 miles north of Animas, offering tent and RV accommodation with no amenities but scenic views of the surrounding terrain. More developed options include Rusty's RV Ranch in nearby Rodeo, which provides full hookups, drinking water, and amenities like showers and trash service for RVs, tent campers, and those seeking cabin accommodations. The region includes both public lands for free camping and private campgrounds with varying levels of services.

Road access varies significantly across camping areas in southwestern New Mexico, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles. The remote location means visitors should arrive prepared with supplies, as one camper noted regarding Rusty's RV Ranch: "There are a couple of restaurants nearby and the closest has a convenience store but that is it... so be sure that you are stocked up on supplies before you go or expect to drive to get them." Weather conditions remain mild in winter compared to northern New Mexico, making this region popular for winter camping, though summer temperatures can soar. Cell service is limited or non-existent in many camping areas, with T-Mobile users reporting no service at Rusty's RV Ranch and limited Wi-Fi capability.

Campers consistently highlight the natural beauty and night sky viewing opportunities throughout the region. The desert landscape provides excellent stargazing due to minimal light pollution, with one visitor describing Smugglers' Roost as having a "Beautiful clear night sky due to being away from the city." Wildlife viewing is another common highlight, with opportunities to see diverse bird species, especially in the Cave Creek Canyon area of the nearby Chiricahua Mountains. Several campgrounds in the area feature proximity to hiking trails and natural attractions, including the Chiricahua National Monument. Visitors seeking more amenities can find them at established campgrounds, while those prioritizing solitude and natural settings typically prefer the dispersed camping options on public lands near the New Mexico-Arizona border.

Best Camping Sites Near Animas, New Mexico (47)

    1. Smugglers' Roost

    10 Reviews
    Animas, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (575) 386-5886

    $27 - $30 / night

    "Beautiful clear night sky due to being away from the city."

    "The quietly nestled roost is located in the middle of nowhere but somehow captures the essence of everything; from nearby mountain hikes, gas stations, stores, small town restaurants, museums and endless"

    2. Rusty's RV Ranch

    7 Reviews
    Rodeo, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 557-2526

    $29 / night

    "We wanted to get away for a few days during Covid and wanted to stay south where it was warmer so we found Rusty's RV Ranch in Rodeo New Mexico."

    "We are birders and were happy with the proximity to many mountain canyons.  Our space was private with a nice patio.  Everyone was easy going and friendly.  The dog park was convenient and clean."

    3. Granite Gap

    6 Reviews
    Animas, NM
    14 miles

    "A bit sandy of a drive. You have to open and close a gate but it is not locked. Quite, no lights nearby, dispersed camping at its best. Just a few cows. I would camp here again."

    "This spot is about a tenth of a mile off the highway. I walked the road because of past reviews."

    4. Granite Gap Adventure Park

    1 Review
    Animas, NM
    14 miles
    +1 (505) 318-9174

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Granite Gap Adventure Park is in a unique part of New Mexico with plenty of awesome natural views to take in.  Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!"

    5. Sunny Flat Campground

    8 Reviews
    Portal, AZ
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 364-3468

    "There are some campgrounds that just stick out in your mind for their beauty, location, and proximity to other cool stuff.  Sunny Flat is one of them."

    "The Cave Creek Canyon on the western edge of the Chiricahua Mountains is a spectacular area that will completely take you by surprise."

    6. Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument

    26 Reviews
    Portal, AZ
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (520) 824-3560

    $25 - $50 / night

    "The campground is small, beautiful, shaded and right in the middle of some incredible scenery providing easy access to the fantastic hiking and wildlife viewing that is all around you.  "

    "Site Privacy: No Site Spacing: Outside sites are spacious Pad surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Very quiet."

    7. Lordsburg KOA

    14 Reviews
    Animas, NM
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 542-8003

    "The bathrooms were a little outdated but that didn’t take away from how well kept the bathrooms were. Especially when I got there after hours."

    "Campground was close to 10 but not to bad noise wise."

    8. Sunsets at The Fiddlers Roost

    1 Review
    Animas, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 239-9159

    $35 - $50 / night

    9. Chiricahua Mountains

    9 Reviews
    Portal, AZ
    29 miles

    "Some of the campgrounds located in the middle island have less privacy but there are still some trees and shrubs to separate them. Sites on the outside are large and very private."

    "If you take Turkey Creek Rd to Sycamore campground, you'll sleep with the beautiful sound of a mountain stream behind you."

    10. FS Road 42 Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Portal, AZ
    24 miles

    "From chiricahua entrance head on FSR 42. A mile or two in many many sites along dry creek in the trees. Some Otv and motorcycle activity during day. We stayed only 15 minutes from monument."

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Recent Reviews near Animas, NM

179 Reviews of 47 Animas Campgrounds


  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Stagecoach Flats

    Appears to be closed

    Drove to the end of Rose to a no access fenced in lot and the end of the road was closed off. Had to find a new location. Ended up at Walmart in Deming.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    John Hand Campground

    Sweet spot

    Darling spot with sound of river over rocks. Great views. Free.

  • Richard B.
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Bowlin's Butterfield Station RV Park

    Not worth $24

    Might be worth $12. We did find electric site that worked and a water spigot. The whole area is overrun by goat's head sandburs so keep dogs in. Noisy of course but tolerable. We won't stop again to stay.

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Rusty's RV Ranch

    Really nice, out of the way, quiet CG

    We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 28 for 5 nights in early/mid September. The CG is clean, well maintained. The CG roads are gravel, as are the sites. The sites themselves are all level. The sites were fairly well spaced, particularly for a private CG. The CG was very quiet and peaceful. There were only 5+ other campers in the whole CG, some looked to be long-term. Our site, 28, was a pull-through, as were most, but some were back in. The trees, though plentiful, are fairly short and don’t provide much shade.

    AT&T coverage was good, but only 1 bar of 5G service with speeds up to 8 MB/s. We had a clear view to the N at the site, so Starlink was fine with speeds up to 25 MB/s.

  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Cattlemen Trail - Dispersed Camping

    A little too low desert for me, but still nice!

    Easy access, plenty of hidden spots behind/among the scrub brush and low trees. This is lower desert so there won’t be any tall pines/sprices, but still a few slightly shady spots for the sides of your camper to stay cooler.

    Probab

  • Haley L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2025

    Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping - Coronado National Forest

    Beautiful

    Spent one night on 7/12 at the second campsite a little ways down the road after the GPS says you’ve arrived at the location. About 30 minute drive from the Chiricahuas. Good parking for my SUV, nice fire ring, multiple spaces for a tent. Quiet and secluded in the trees. People drove up and down the road during the evening, but no one stopped nearby or could be heard. I did not drive further past this camp site, so it’s unclear the condition of the other sites down the road. Absolutely no cell phone service.

  • Jonathan E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    West Turkey Creek Dispersed

    Beautiful and isolated

    This spot was quiet, isolated, beautiful, and serene. I didn’t see anyone else here when I went and didn’t see/hear any wildlife besides birds. I also didn’t have any cell reception (T-Mobile), which was fine by me! Temperatures were cool under the shade of the trees. Perfect for pitching a tent for a few nights.

    The only con is that it is a bit out of the way, with 8-10 miles of unmaintained dirt road to get there. In my experience, the road was pretty washboard the whole way.

    I think it’s worth the drive to get to the area, but it can just take a while to get to/from, especially if you’re like me and have a normal car that you at least kind of care about..

  • Jonathan E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Safari Campsite

    Sufficient, but small and mediocre

    This site is just a relatively short turn-off road with a loop for turning around and a small, non-dedicated area for pitching a tent as far as I could tell. If you have a camper/RV/van, then it should work fine, but it’s not the best for tent camping. I made it work, but wasn’t super excited about it. Also, there was a bit of trash left behind when I was there, but it wasn’t necessarily a dump.

    Getting to this spot was convenient since it is right off a paved road. There was a bit of car noise here and there, but it wasn’t bad. I heard coyotes singing nearby (from multiple directions) in the evening, but didn’t actually see any wildlife.

    In all, it was alright. Not horrible, not great, just sufficient.

  • Molly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 13, 2025

    Bonita Canyon Campground — Chiricahua National Monument

    Beautiful campground

    Bonita Campground is tucked in on a quiet road in Chiricahua National Monument. Lots of tree shade and nicely maintained campsites. Water, bathrooms, trash and gray water dump made this campground convenient. No campfire rings and fires were prohibited when we stayed there.

    Heads up parking spots can be small depending on what campsite you get. Our group of four stayed at campsite 21 and campsite 18. Campsite 21 could only fit one truck while campsite 18 could fit two cars.


Guide to Animas

Camping near Animas, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking: The Chiricahua Mountains are nearby, providing numerous trails for all skill levels. One camper mentioned, "There are hundreds of beautiful, well-maintained trails throughout the mountain range" at the Chiricahua Mountains.
  • Wildlife Watching: This area is rich in wildlife. A visitor at the Bonita Canyon Campground noted, "The Arizona Coatimundi's are a very unique mammal and frequently visit the campground."
  • Stargazing: With minimal light pollution, the night sky is breathtaking. One camper shared, "The views of the night sky are unparalleled" at the Bonita Canyon Campground.

What campers like

  • Scenic Beauty: Campers rave about the stunning surroundings. A review for the Sunny Flat Campground highlights, "Gorgeous views from every single direction!"
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of the area. A visitor at Rusty's RV Ranch mentioned, "Very quiet place too. Perfect for astronomer/stargazing."
  • Friendly Community: Campers often mention the welcoming vibe. One reviewer at Smugglers' Roost said, "The community here is cute and diverse."

What you should know

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Bonita Canyon Campground advised, "Reservations are a must."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Pinery Canyon Road Dispersed Camping, do not have drinking water or toilets. Be prepared to bring your own supplies.
  • Road Conditions: Access roads can be rough. A visitor at Cattlemen Trail warned, "If coming from the east your GPS might try to take you via White Water Rd - DONT!"

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots like Lordsburg KOA, which offers amenities like showers and a market. One camper noted, "Nice staff, well-stocked store."
  • Plan Activities: Engage kids with hiking and wildlife watching. A family at Chiricahua Mountains enjoyed, "Beautiful, easy trail right off the campsite."
  • Pack Snacks and Games: Keep everyone entertained during downtime. A camper at Sunny Flat Campground mentioned, "Enjoyed meeting new friends around our fire pit."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Size Restrictions: Some campgrounds, like Bonita Canyon Campground, have size limits for RVs. A reviewer cautioned, "Don't try to bring any big rigs as they simply won't fit."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Campgrounds like Rusty's RV Ranch may have poor Wi-Fi. One visitor noted, "Very poor wifi internet connection."
  • Bring Your Own Firewood: Many places do not sell firewood. A camper at Smugglers' Roost advised, "Bring everything you need!!"

Camping near Animas, New Mexico, is a fantastic way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Just remember to plan ahead and be prepared for the unique challenges of the area!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Animas, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Animas, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 47 campgrounds and RV parks near Animas, NM and 15 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Animas, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Animas, NM is Smugglers' Roost with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Animas, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 15 free dispersed camping spots near Animas, NM.