Pet friendly camping near Aztec, New Mexico includes diverse desert and riverfront options across San Juan County. Most campgrounds sit between 5,500-6,000 feet elevation, creating mild summer evenings despite hot days. Winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that regularly drop below freezing from November through March.
What to Do
Mountain biking trails: Brown Springs Campground provides direct access to popular OHV and mountain biking trails. "There is a trail right out of the campground. Best of all - absolutely FREE," notes Marine J., who stayed in a 39-foot toy hauler with no issues.
River activities: Tico Time River Resort offers unique water recreation with dog-friendly river access. "There are two ponds stocked with paddle boards and surf boards and sand! A huge water slide with inflated tubes with an abundance of flowing water," writes Heather D. The resort features "1/2 mile of riverfront property on both sides" according to another reviewer.
Badlands exploration: Angel Peak NM Badlands Dispersed Camping provides striking geological formations to explore with your pet. "This is one of the most stunning views we have experienced! It is worth the 6 mile drive in... The view of the New Mexico Badlands is just majestic beauty. The campsites are set along the canyon," reports Lisa M.
What Campers Like
Free camping options: Brown Springs Campground offers well-maintained free sites with amenities. "The spots are spacious and clean with a fire pit and a table on a concrete slab. You are not right on your neighbor. The bathrooms are clean and accessible," writes Marine J. Another camper noted, "Each campsite has a shade structure, fire pit, picnic table, and a grill."
Reservation-free camping: Angel Peak provides first-come, first-served camping opportunities. "We got there at 10:30 pm on a Thursday and we were lucky enough to grab the last spot," mentions Matt F., who used the location as a base camp for exploring regional attractions.
Cell coverage: Most dispersed camping areas maintain usable cellular service. At Angel Peak, one camper reported "Strong 5G TMobile cell signal," while Roger W. noted "4 bars" of AT&T service at Brown Springs, making these locations suitable for remote workers traveling with pets.
What You Should Know
Road conditions: Many dispersed camping areas require driving on dirt roads. At Alien Run Trailhead Basecamp, "The road in was quite rough and washboarded, so I had to drive slowly at about 10 mph for a while. However, I took a different route on the way out, heading north, and found it much smoother," explains Ray M.
Weather preparedness: Sudden weather changes can impact camping. At Angel Peak, one camper warned, "Some wild weather came through and when I got back my tent had nearly gone over the canyon rim despite being staked down and weighted with my sleeping bag and pad. I'd strongly recommend tying at least one tent line to the shade structure."
Facility maintenance varies: Bathroom cleanliness fluctuates between locations and seasons. At Bluffview RV Park, a reviewer noted, "Same filthy floors, toilet paper out in all but one of the stalls, paper towels out, and an out of service stall."
Tips for Camping with Families
Swimming options: Lake Farmington provides water recreation for children and dogs. "There is a beach like area west of the camping area that allows people to rent any water gear (paddle board, kayak, lake floats). You can fish with a permit," explains Nicole J., who found the facilities clean and well-maintained.
Gate schedule awareness: Plan evening activities around facility hours. "At night the gates do lock by themselves so you are unable to leave or enter the Lake after 10pm, gates unlock at 6am," warns Nicole about Lake Farmington.
Budget-friendly options: Several locations offer affordable camping for families with pets. "The camping price is not senior attractive. But if you need a place to wish you could camp by a lake," notes one Lake Farmington reviewer, highlighting the site's reasonable but not discounted rates.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: San Juan McGee Park RV Camping offers practical amenities for RVers with pets. "Paved back in spots nothing fancy just a large parking lot. Water and electric. Showers and toilet away from camp sites but available," notes Dallas W.
Hookup options: For RVers needing full amenities after boondocking, Bluffview RV Park (formerly Mom and Pop RV Park) provides basic services. "We generally stay off-grid but this no-frills offering is perfect for resupply. Full hookups for $40 night after senior discount," reports Linda C.
Big rig accessibility: Brown Springs accommodates larger RVs despite being a free campground. "We arrived late at night with a 39 foot toy hauler. No problem backing up in spot #1," states a reviewer who found the remote location accessible for larger rigs with pets.
