RV campgrounds near Aztec, New Mexico range from fairground settings to more intimate parks with varying accommodations. Most campgrounds in this high desert region sit at elevations between 5,500-6,500 feet, creating mild summer temperatures with cool nights. Winter camping options remain available at select year-round facilities, though water systems may be winterized during the coldest months.
What to do
Visit archaeological sites: The Moore's RV Park & Campground makes an excellent base camp for exploring the region's ancient ruins. "After two days roughing it in the wilderness with no facilities, Moore's was a great place to pitch a tent, take a shower and relax in a chair in the shade before heading to Durango," reports camper Doven P.
Hot springs access: Stay at Westerly RV Park for direct access to thermal waters. "Right across the road from formerly called Trimble hot springs," notes Nathan B. This positioning allows campers to enjoy natural hot springs after a day of exploring without additional driving.
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds provide access to the Animas River and nearby ponds. "I am camped between a pond and a river. Otherwise it is a gravel parking lot," explains Shawn at San Juan McGee Park RV Camping, highlighting the fishing access despite the basic accommodations.
What campers like
Shade availability: In the high desert climate, shade trees are highly valued. "The sites are nice and wide and many have large trees for nice shade, but some don't and have full sun," explains Melody M. about Moore's RV Park, adding that they offer "a site for large tenting groups."
Spacious sites: Campers frequently mention appreciating room to spread out. "The crushed stone sites were spacious & level. There was no lawn, but, that's not to be expected in high desert New Mexico," notes Todd L. about his experience at Moore's campground, appreciating the realistic expectations for the climate.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms rank high on camper priorities. "The bathrooms were clean. Spots were pretty close together but over all perfect for overnight stay," reported Rosalie H. after staying at Moore's RV Park, indicating the trade-off between site spacing and facility cleanliness.
What you should know
Bathroom maintenance varies: Quality and cleanliness of facilities fluctuate between campgrounds and seasons. "We were there for 3 nights. On the arrival day, two of the women's toilets had no toilet paper and one seat had feces on it," reports Dick S. about Moore's RV Park, noting that despite complaints, "after 3 days and numerous calls the men's bathroom only got worse."
Limited tent options: Many RV parks in the region primarily accommodate motorhomes with few dedicated tent sites. At McGee Park, one camper noted: "We were trying to find something before the sun went down and stopped here, but ended up moving on as they didn't have tent sites that we were interested in and we wanted a bit more seclusion."
Monthly-only restrictions: Some parks cater to long-term stays exclusively. The Working Mans RV Park is "a very well maintained and clean basic rv park. The only amenities are sewer water and electricity," according to Matthew W., making it suitable for workers but less ideal for vacationers.
Tips for camping with families
Pool availability: Summer heat makes swimming options valuable. "The pool was amazing and refreshing. The bathrooms had a code to get in and were clean. There were lots of families around," shares Emily C. about her experience at Moore's RV Park & Campground.
Dedicated recreation areas: Mesa Verde RV Resort offers "a playground, pool, pond, dog walk area," according to Jared T. Another visitor, Lauren N., adds: "The putt putt was fun and the playground area was very well maintained."
Dog-friendly options: For families traveling with pets, dedicated dog areas make a difference. "There is a very nice dog run and exercise area. They also have a trout pond," notes Ronald about Alpen Rose RV Park, adding that "there were lots of dogs, but everyone kept them quiet."
Tips from RVers
Electrical reliability: Check power pedestals upon arrival. One camper at Westerly RV Park warns: "These people had pedestals with faulty wiring. Fried my $300 surge protector. Told me they couldn't move us to another site because they had several bad pedestals."
Site selection strategy: At many campgrounds, location within the park significantly affects experience. "All the big rig sites line up along the entrance/exit and people are arriving as late as 8pm which is really obnoxious when your eating dinner listening to rig after rig and car after car," cautions Kloee S.
Small park advantages: The Little Park offers just five sites with 30-amp service, water, and sewer for self-contained RVs. Its limited capacity means less traffic and noise compared to larger facilities, creating a quieter experience for those seeking tranquility.
