Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Bluewater Village? Finding a place to stay in New Mexico while traveling with your horse is easy. You're sure to find the perfect site for your New Mexico horse camping excursion.
$8 - $18 / night
Guide
Great rate for 30 A. I love to see the wild horses roaming the park.
ScoutCampgrounds easy to access. I did not have a site reservation, buit there were lots of vacent pads available. Nice view of the lake. Only drawback was the all night incessant winds. They were strong, gusty and loud. So strong they collapsed my tent on top of me. Notmuch sleep that night. It might have been where I was (pad 44), They were still strong in the morning, but I noticed they were less/non existant at the campsites near the main entrance. Just bewaye and be prepared.
Scout
Most cramped campsite I've ever seen, absolutely no privacy between sites. Staff was unhelpful when we arrived and someone was in our reserved spot (which they require reservations online). We ended up going elsewhere.
TravelerI stayed at the main camp ground. Some sites were right on top each other. It was clean and well cared for. I was there in April and it was not full, so the sites being right wasn't and issue for me. I didn't take the trails, but by what I could tell they were well marked. If you have the time do explore some beauty in those rocks!
TravelerGreat campground. Not far off I-40. Lots of sites. Most have a level, gravel tent pad, table and fire ring. Vault toilets in abundance. One bathroom with sinks and flush toilets. Separate shower house was closed when we were here. Some electric sites. Some large level pull thrus. Most sites have at least a glimpse of the lake. There were horses roaming through the campground. Mostly empty this April midweek. Good trails for hiking. I only saw one water pump in the park. There is an EV charging station.
LegendThe campsites are nice but not very level. If you're coming after November you need to be here before 5:00 or the gates are locked. The water was very infected with blue green algae but also very pretty. The hikes are nice because the water is low you can walk all the way around the lake almost. Not very many electric sites but inexpensive if you get one.
ScoutA little nervous by the other reviews but it was getting late and we needed a place to hookup. The website for reserving was difficult to navigate on my phone but it all worked out. No staff on site that we could see so we just pulled into an open spot & hooked up. Beautiful/unique location. Bathrooms were open for us to use, warm, & clean. Didn’t need a key like the reservation had said. Probably not the best campground for tent camping due to gravel lots, but for our 30 ft RV, we had no trouble. We didn’t have a chance to explore the area but would definitely come back.
TravelerNot far from I40. Very quiet and beautiful lake view for only $8 (dry camping). Hook up optionally available.
LegendA small campground located a few miles outside Gallup and two miles from a casino. The reservation website can be a little confusing, so be careful. There is a nice hike that starts at the campground.
GuideVarious campsite types at this lakeside park. Most are non electric but I got an electric site as it was hot. A few trails and a nice family atmosphere. Unfortunately lake was choked with algae (seasonal) so I didn’t swim. Also some trash around. Good prices and sites though.
TravelerArea is very well maintained! Restrooms and showers were immaculate.
Watch out for the wild horses and their droppings.
Plenty of spots if you’re sleeping in a hammock.
LegendIf I offered s as my advise, check the fires before committing. Limited electric sites. I think more than 60% of sites were not level. We’re self-leveling but took site B - dry camping, level and fitted between 2 ADA sites. We loved being so remote. Verizon/Visible/ Starlink all worked great
Great staff. Patrolled by rangers frequently, so felt safe
GuideLake was muddy brown, not blue. First come, first served and we arrived before noon, but no electric sites were available. Views of lake and surrounding juniper covered mesas was good. Early in morning horses grazed right through our campsite.
TravelerSites are tight and kinda a trashy campground. Definitely won’t stay here again.
Scout1 star for the following reasons: 1) bathroom is locked until you get a key. 2) Their website says that there are tent sites. You will be pitching a tent in an rv site. 3)Even once you do go to register on their site, an awful experience that is on a timer and will reset mid registration (yes all your info). You have to choose a discount to get the tent by rate. 4) Map is awful, because the numbers of aren't on well lit and there are no signs. Good luck not waking everybody up. 5) There's a train audible from here. 6) the best view is of the stars. 7) Maze to get here.
All of these reasons are completely verifiable, but i don't suggest it. When i think of campgrounds from hell, this will be my go to. I want my money back.
TravelerGood campsites. Clean showers and full hook ups as well as low key pull through sites. None of the sites are close to the water but only a short hike or drive. Catch release Tiger Muskie was the fishing my husband was after.
LegendThis place was fantastic. The rates are dirt cheap, but the park is worth many times more. I came in without a reservation and found a huge pull-through campsite on the hill, with a clear view of the lake (it is indeed blue). There was a deep and broad terrace for picnic table and tent, and some pines for shade. It was a little windy when I visited, but not uncomfortably so. It was dark and quiet at night, and I slept well.
The bathroom nearest my campsite was a vault toilet, but a clean one. Real bathrooms are available at the visitor center, a long walk north of my tent.
I recommend following the trail at the north end of the campground for a nice view of the dam (it was a 10 to 15 minute hike for me, narrow but level). The lake is also open for boating and fishing, with a launch ramp near the campground.
The only downside I can think of was the trash I found at my campsite, mostly bottle caps. I spent a few minutes picking it up before I left.
ScoutNice view on red rock. Water available at the camping spot. Price for dry camping ok.
We only had trouble with he reservation site as it crashed during payment as it asked to confir m if our rig was not too big but we couldn't confirm this again.
TravelerLevel dirt sites. Closer to each other but enough space to enjoy the scenery. Great hikes and good views. During the windy season, the sand will blast you and all equipment (bring good tie downs)
GuideIn was a dreamy March evening, Colton, Elliot, and Ed drove in to Bluewater lake state park at 9:30 PM. It was post staff hours but we were allowed to park outside and do an easy, flat hike into the camp site. Lots of clean, empty sites, plus clean bathroom . The campsite numbers were hard to find but it’s chill. Got super cold during this time of year at night, so come ready with hats, gloves, and sleeping pads.
GuideSo we were very lucky that we decided to check out this campground, it is absolutely gorgeous! There was not a single other camper here so we got a nice level spot with power. It was a bit cold, got down to 15, there was some leftover snow in some spots but nothing that was a problem. Last night something was bugging the dogs so I looked outside to see a herd of wild horses grazing next to our camper! There are lots of good hiking trails. The water is still on here and the dump stations are open if needed.
TravelerAt first we thought we were the only ones here. The bathrooms were closed and locked. Didn’t care for the ‘outhouse’ (not the name they were called).
ScoutEasy off the 40. Sites are a little close for me. Only vault toilets are open. Only around 15 electric sites and most aren't level. But the views and sunsets are beautiful. The water is nice. Only 5 other campers here. Paid $14.00. Well worth that.
ScoutLooked like a cool place to stay, but when we arrived at 5:45pm the gate was locked!!
Not sure why they need a gate, but it closes at 5pm in the off season
ScoutVery clean and warm showers. Vault toilets are very clean as well. A lot of very scenic campsites. Some well shaded with juniper and pinion trees.
GuideLovely clean campground. $10 for non reserved, or $8 for on the shore. Large sites, some reserved sites have electricity.
TravelerThe camp sites are well laid out with picnic table. The bath room was primitive and I didn’t check out the showers. The lake and the area is enchanting!! It was my first visit to New Mexico and for sure I will be back! The lake is large and has fishing.
New Mexico offers a unique experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with several campgrounds providing excellent amenities and access to beautiful trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bluewater Village, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bluewater Village, NM is Bluewater Lake State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 33 reviews.
