Best Tent Camping near Arenas Valley, NM
Tent campsites near Arenas Valley, New Mexico range from established Forest Service grounds to primitive backcountry sites within the Gila National Forest. Railroad Canyon Campground offers tent-friendly sites with picnic tables and fire pits along a small creek, while Lower Scorpion Campground provides walk-in tent sites with vault toilets approximately 30 minutes from Silver City. Rocky Canyon Campground, situated along the Continental Divide Trail, offers more remote tent camping with limited vehicle access.
Most tent camping areas feature basic amenities with vault toilets but limited or no drinking water. Railroad Canyon Campground provides fire pits, picnic tables, and trash service, though campers should bring their own water. Sites typically have dirt or gravel surfaces with minimal leveling. One camper noted that "Railroad Canyon Campground has many trails to access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote tent sites, particularly at Rocky Canyon Campground where the forest service road becomes rough and unsuitable for standard passenger vehicles.
Tent campers in this region benefit from the natural surroundings and relative seclusion. The small size of many campgrounds creates a more intimate experience, with Railroad Canyon offering only 3-4 tent sites total. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, Kingston Campground provides tent camping near a seasonal creek with vault toilets and is described as "a free place in a cute town" that serves as a good alternative "if the mountains are cold." Summer temperatures can be high at lower elevations, while higher elevation tent sites offer cooler conditions. Wildlife viewing opportunities are common, with birds abundant throughout the region's tent camping areas. Most primitive tent sites in the area remain open year-round, though seasonal closures may occur due to fire danger or adverse weather conditions.
