Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Bernalillo, NM

Coronado Campground's riverside campsites accommodate pets at all their facilities, from basic tent areas to RV sites with 30-amp hookups and water. This municipal campground, located along the Rio Grande in Bernalillo, offers covered picnic shelters at each site with stunning views of the Sandia Mountains. Albuquerque North/Bernalillo KOA also welcomes pets and provides full hookup sites with 50-amp service plus cabin accommodations where dogs can stay with their owners. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with Coronado featuring a dump station and showers, while the KOA offers additional amenities including a market. Stagecoach Stop RV Park provides pet owners with a small dog enclosure where dogs can run off-leash, making it popular among travelers with energetic pets. Most sites require pets to remain leashed when outside designated exercise areas, with common rules including picking up waste and preventing excessive barking.

The trail system along the Rio Grande at Coronado Campground allows campers to walk dogs near flowing water, though accessing the riverbank requires navigating through brush in some areas. Several camping options in the area feature artificial grass mats ideal for pets, reducing dirt and debris in tents and RVs. Turquoise Trail Campground, located in Cedar Crest with mountain views, permits pets throughout its tent, RV, cabin, and glamping sites with hiking trails accessible directly from the property. For supplies, Bernalillo's location just 15 minutes from Albuquerque provides convenient access to pet stores, veterinary services, and emergency animal care. Temperature considerations remain important when camping with pets near Bernalillo, as summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F, requiring owners to ensure proper shade and hydration for dogs throughout their stay.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Bernalillo, New Mexico (87)

    1. Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    39 Reviews
    Placitas, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 761-8700

    "Top of New Mexico" near Albuquerque is a fantastic camping spot if you love open spaces and beautiful desert views."

    "You’re also pretty close to the sides of the mountain on a winding rock path so larger or trailered vehicles are probably not ideal.

    The wild horses are active."

    2. Coronado Campground

    25 Reviews
    Bernalillo, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (505) 980-8256

    $18 - $40 / night

    "Operated by the town of Bernalillo, New Mexico. Prices range from $10.00 per night for tents and $20.00, $30.00, $35.00 per night for Rvs. Great view of the Rio Grande and Sandia Mountains."

    "Great place to camp if visiting Rio Rancho, Bernalillo and the surrounding area. Super nice camp sites, more than enough room for our 39’ trailer and inexpensive."

    3. Albuquerque KOA Journey

    47 Reviews
    Monticello, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 296-2729

    "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."

    "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."

    4. Turquoise Trail Campground

    33 Reviews
    Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, NM
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 281-2005

    "CAMPGROUND 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"

    "There were even prairie dogs to greet you at entrance (careful driving!)"

    5. Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA

    14 Reviews
    Bernalillo, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-3616

    "We walked to the brewery next door and made good use of the dog parks."

    "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."

    6. Stagecoach Stop RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Bernalillo, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (505) 867-1000

    "It’s clean, it’s quiet and their is a view of the Sandra mountains from the Small dog enclosure. Our pups got to run around and that make everyone happy 😀"

    "The RV park has everything including level spots and a dump station and all hookups and has some nice views of the mountains but it is quite near to the highway so has a bit of noise"

    7. Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    26 Reviews
    Tijeras, NM
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 346-3900

    "I got here after dark on my drive from the west coast to NC. There were a couple of other campers at the front of the entrance. I did a little off-roading and drove deeper in for privacy."

    "Can make it up to camp with 2 wheel drive low clearance. Maybe some minor scraping as you leave/arrive over a bit of a rough ramp lip."

    8. Black Mesa Casino

    7 Reviews
    Algodones, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 867-6700

    $20 / night

    "Just off I-25 and located on a corner of the San Felipe Pueblo, there's not much here but the casino, gas station, restaurant, and travel shop!"

    9. Cochiti Recreation Area

    36 Reviews
    Cochiti Lake, NM
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 465-2557

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Some sites in Buffalo Grove are drive through or back-in."

    "General: 80 campsites in four loops: Juniper (1-34), Elk Run (35-50), Buffalo Grove (51-66) and Ringtail Cat (67-80). "

    10. Mother Bosque Gardens

    6 Reviews
    Albuquerque, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 688-9721

    $45 - $50 / night

    "Campsite and Amenities

    The campsites (I believe there are two tent sites) are located on the two opposite sides of the house. They are both very private and remarkably quiet."

    "Airbnb for tent camping, overnight parking for van camping, full access to home amenities - this was exactly what we needed for a one night stop."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 87 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Bernalillo, NM

829 Reviews of 87 Bernalillo Campgrounds


  • E
    Jul. 6, 2018

    Jemez Falls Campground

    Awesome place to camp

    This is one of the places to camp in New Mexico

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 17, 2023

    Santa Fe KOA

    Fun KOA - clean & good for kids

    Super clean Polite staff Firewood available Brand new playground 20 min from Santa Fe Showers / bathrooms 30/50 amp Fenced dog parks/fire pit areas fenced for pets Lots of space between units

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    Santa Fe KOA

    Compact campground with pull thru sites

    Stopped by this KOA to see what it offered for possible future stays. It's a compact campground that provides pull through sites as well as back-in and tent sites. They offer everything from 50 amp electric to cable TV. Sites are clean and neat. There's a dog park for your pets. Bathrooms are clean with hot showers. They have cabins available as well.

    Great location for exploring Sandra Fe, Bandelier, and other national monuments.

  • Bradley H.
    Jul. 12, 2021

    Coronado Campground

    Coronado Campground

    Very nice RV/Tent park. Operated by the town of Bernalillo, New Mexico. Prices range from $10.00 per night for tents and $20.00, $30.00, $35.00 per night for Rvs. Great view of the Rio Grande and Sandia Mountains. Just 15 minutes from Albuquerque. All RV sites have electric but most have electric(30 amp) and water. None have sewer hookup but there is a dump station on the property. We stay here every time we come to New Mexico. Highly recommend this campground!

  • Mary L.
    Aug. 11, 2018

    Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA

    Hub of Activity

    This campsite was efficient, friendly, and had plenty of entertainment available. We walked to the brewery next door and made good use of the dog parks.

  • R
    Oct. 28, 2020

    Albuquerque KOA Journey

    Get the Full H/U site for best location

    Stayed 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.

  • Cindy & Dave W.
    Jun. 30, 2021

    Santa Fe Skies RV Park

    Lovely location

    We just spent a couple of nights here. Enjoyed our site, very level. Nice dog park and walking trail. Would of liked to of heard the music tomorrow night, but alas we have to get home.

  • Alyssa F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Santa Fe Skies RV Park

    Beautiful views

    We’ve had a great time at the campground. The sunsets are amazing! Full hook ups, clean campground, laundry, dog park, walking trail that goes around campground Sites are a little close but they have a nice concrete patio with table and chairs. Friendly staff! Would definitely come back!

  • J
    Aug. 8, 2022

    Route 66 RV Park

    Big rig and dog friendly

    All sites have full hookups and most are pull through. There are two fenced in dog parks. While it seemed close to I40 you could not hear the traffic. Showers and laundry as well. Staff was very friendly and accommodating.


Guide to Bernalillo

Dispersed camping options around Bernalillo range from high-elevation sites in the Sandia Mountains to riverside locations. Top of New Mexico dispersed site sits at approximately 6,900 feet elevation with temperature variations of 30°F between day and night during spring and fall seasons. Winter camping requires preparation for freezing overnight temperatures while summer daytime temperatures frequently reach 95°F.

What to do

Stargazing at high elevation sites: Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site offers exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution except distant city lights. "This is a perfect hidden gem for campervanning. Beautiful sunrise and sunset. Wild horses in the area. And, you can clearly see the Milky Way. No light pollution except the beautiful view of the city far away," notes Lauren I. The site has been designated a Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Several campsites near Bernalillo feature diverse wildlife encounters. "My first morning I was surrounded by a group of 5 cows grazing. They ended up laying 30 feet from the trailer all morning," reports Josh F. at Top of New Mexico. Other campers mention wild horses: "We stayed one night while traveling to North Dakota. Woke up in the morning to a heard of wild horses moving through the area," shares Taz G.

Hiking mountain trails: Turquoise Trail Campground provides direct access to hiking paths. Located at 7,100 feet elevation, the campground offers routes suitable for various skill levels. "We only stayed here for one night on our way from Texas to Utah but it was a nice cozy stay. There were a ton of stars at night which was great," reports Alex. The nearby mountains provide additional hiking opportunities with elevation gains of 800-1,500 feet.

What campers like

Riverside camping experience: Coronado Campground provides access to the Rio Grande with water recreation options. "Great place to camp if visiting Rio Rancho, Bernalillo and the surrounding area. You are next to the Rio Grande and in walking distance of the Pueblo Kuaua which is cool," says Mike M. Another camper notes, "Very convenient location for traveling through Albuquerque. Beautiful views, good pricing, everything you need around you. On the water and has kayak/paddle launch."

Budget-friendly dispersed options: Free camping areas offer economical alternatives to established campgrounds. "We spent one night here in our class c while on our trip to Miami and yeah the road is to be taken slow but it was worth it! There is a tiny art gallery on the side of the road!! Check it out!" mentions Lily C. about Top of New Mexico. Dispersed sites typically have 14-day stay limits and no usage fees.

Off-grid privacy with amenities nearby: Several pet-friendly camping options near Bernalillo combine seclusion with convenient access to services. "Mostly residential area until you get to the open space. I didn't make it to the actual coordinates as I took a wrong turn near the end, but there is a ton of open space out here. Easy to get to in 25' RV," writes Chris S. The location provides city views while maintaining distance from urban noise.

What you should know

Road conditions for dispersed sites: Access to remote camping areas requires planning and appropriate vehicles. "Pretty rough getting here as neighbors are sabotaging the road making it narrow using loose gravel & boulders on turns. There is now a locked gate on Palomino to keep non-locals out!" warns Cher & Walter P. Another camper advises: "Great hidden gem! Please don't turn at Palomino Street to access this location it is a PRIVATE road."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bernalillo, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bernalillo, NM is Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site with a 4.7-star rating from 39 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Bernalillo, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 87 dog-friendly camping locations near Bernalillo, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.