Camping options near Blanco, New Mexico stretch across San Juan County's high desert terrain at elevations around 5,500 feet. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cold winters that can drop below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region remain accessible year-round, though winter visitors should expect limited amenities at certain locations during colder months.
What to do
Visit Aztec Ruins National Monument: Located just minutes from Ruins Road RV Park, this ancestral Puebloan site features a 900-year-old great house with original timber roof. "Just down the street from Aztec Ruins, which I highly recommend," notes one visitor.
Fish the Animas River: Several rv sites near Blanco, New Mexico offer river access. "We are camped between a pond and a river. Otherwise it is a gravel parking lot," reports a camper at San Juan McGee Park RV Camping.
Explore Navajo Lake State Park: A 30-minute drive from most Blanco campgrounds, this recreation area offers boating and fishing. Campers at Moore's RV Park often use it as a basecamp. "We enjoyed our 1 week stay here. The crushed stone sites were spacious & level," one guest mentioned.
What campers like
Clean facilities: At Moore's RV Park & Campground, visitors appreciate the maintenance. "The bathrooms were clean. Spots were pretty close together but over all perfect for overnight stay," noted one reviewer staying for a night.
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds near Blanco offer adequate room between sites. "There are very nice dog run divided into two areas so your dogs don't have to co-mingle. The spaces are nice and wide and many have large trees for nice shade," observed a visitor about Moore's RV Park.
Swimming options: During hot summer months, pools provide welcome relief. "The pool was amazing and refreshing. The bathrooms had a code to get in and were clean. There were lots of families around," commented a visitor at Moore's.
What you should know
Limited tent camping: Most facilities near Blanco primarily accommodate RVs. The Little Park maintains five RV-only sites with 30-amp hookups and sewer connections, though pets are not permitted.
Maintenance varies: Quality control can be inconsistent. One visitor at Moore's reported: "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. The men's bathroom had an overflowing trash bin, dirty floors and toilet paper almost out."
Payment options: Some parks have specific requirements. At Ruins Road RV Park, "They take cash or check only. No tables, fire rings, restrooms/showers, but full hookups."
Seasonal considerations: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making shade crucial. One Moore's camper noted, "There is no lawn, but, that's not to be expected in high desert New Mexico. But, a lot of the sites had very nice shade trees."
Tips for camping with families
Look for dedicated play areas: Outdoorsy Bayfield (formerly Riverside RV Park) in nearby Bayfield offers "an abundance of flowers, streams, fishing areas, and walking trails" according to a recent visitor.
Consider pool access: During summer heat, swimming facilities become essential. "Our car broke down so we had to stay here. I think it was a great spot to break down. The pool was amazing and refreshing," reported a family at Moore's RV Park.
Check for dog restrictions: Pet policies vary significantly. The Little Park prohibits pets entirely, while most other facilities allow them with limitations. Moore's RV Park provides a dedicated dog area that one visitor described as "MASSIVE and the entire campground is meticulously maintained."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Ruins Road RV Park, location within the campground affects your experience. "We are traveling with a young, very timid dog so asked for a large space. She gave us an end space with no shade and no grass; however, we have a nice view of the trees along the Animas River."
Hookup availability: Most rv camping options near Blanco provide full connections. San Juan McGee Park offers "large campground that is part of the San Juan county grounds," with electric and water hookups but limited amenities.
Road access considerations: Access roads to some parks may become challenging during wet weather. "Easy access, and we had no issues with road noise," noted a camper at Ruins Road, which features "good gravel throughout the RV Park, nice level spaces."
Seasonal pricing: Rates for RV sites near Blanco typically range from $30-55 per night. A visitor to Ruins Road mentioned, "Full hookups and good shade. Not expensive, but cash or check only. Friendly folks."
