The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campgrounds near Buckhorn, New MexicoExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Camping near Buckhorn, NM

12 Reviews

Gila Hot Springs Ranch offers equestrian-friendly camping in the mountains of Gila National Forest. Accommodations include campsites with access to hot and cold water, electric hookups, and sewer connections suitable for horse trailers and RVs. The ranch property features horses that occasionally roam through the campground, providing a unique atmosphere for equestrians. Horse owners can arrange pack trips to explore backcountry areas or participate in trail rides for less experienced riders. The terrain requires preparation for steep grade driving with switchbacks to access the property. Restrooms provide flush toilets and hot water, with heated floors for comfort during colder months.

Located approximately 4 miles from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, the ranch serves as an ideal base for exploring the surrounding wilderness on horseback. The natural hot springs on the property offer riders a relaxing soak after trail rides, with both rustic springs by the river and a more modern "hot tub" facility available for a small fee. Mornings typically start in the 30°F range but warm quickly, making layered clothing practical for riders. The property's pastures attract local wildlife, including deer that can be observed at sunset. Proper planning is essential as larger rigs may face challenges navigating the property, though 24-foot vehicles can maneuver successfully. Campground hosts accommodate special needs, such as providing fire rings and wood when necessary.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Buckhorn, New Mexico (6)

    1. Lake Roberts

    5 Reviews
    Hanover, NM
    31 miles
    Website

    "Short walk to lake. Very well kept. Saw several deer and caught a few fish. Definitely worth the drive from Albuquerque"

    "This is a great spot to launch your boat into the lake. The launch has bathrooms and even a fish washing station!
    Be sure to check out the tree covered in lures next to the launch."

    2. Gila Hot Springs Ranch

    3 Reviews
    Gila National Forest, NM
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-9314

    $6 - $29 / night

    "There is a short walk to the natural hot springs down by the river which is really rustic and relaxing."

    "Must be prepared for a very steep grade drive with switchbacks. Beautiful scenery with sheep and horses."

    3. Snow Lake

    1 Review
    Gila National Forest, NM
    29 miles

    "We camped upstream of the lake in a shallow valley with a dirt road leading to the site/area. We could walk to the lake and across the dam to explore the creek behind it."

    4. Sapillo Campground

    1 Review
    Hanover, NM
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-2250

    "This is a campground right next to the dispersed camp. It looked like only tents were in this part of the park."

    5. North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping

    1 Review
    Mimbres, NM
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-2250

    "You'll find dispersed campsites with fire-rings all along the edges of the road and on spur forest roads sprouting from it."

    6. Safari Campsite

    1 Review
    Silver City, NM
    38 miles
Show More
Showing results 1-6 of 6 campgrounds

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Buckhorn Contest

Enter to Win

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Buckhorn, NM

12 Reviews of 6 Buckhorn Campgrounds

  • E
    Dec. 10, 2021

    Gila Hot Springs Ranch

    Close to Gila National Monument

    We pulled right into our campsite with hot and cold water at our site. I believe they pull it from the natural hot springs that run beneath the mountain. What a treat! Even if you're not glam camping with a fancy RV it's perfect! How many times have you had to wash your dishes in cold water st a campground. I pull a 37ft gooseneck horse trailer that is now used for camping. No amenities but next best thing to camping in a tent. There is a short walk to the natural hot springs down by the river which is really rustic and relaxing. Especially after climbing the step to the cave/cliff dwellings which are approximately 4 mi further up the road. The restrooms are flush toilets, hot water and a heated floor. Super clean! You can pay a small fee to utilize the "hot tub" which is more modern but the best part is that there's no ceiling! That means as you sit in the hot tub you're privy to the unobstructed view of the Milky Way! Bring a pair of binoculars! We saw several shooting stars and we blown away by the majesty of the heavens which were out "ceiling"!
    You can get out of the hot tub, go directly into the restroom/shower. There's a code to enter the two shower/hot tub complex. Great because it keeps unexpected/uninvited guests from entering. We parked at site #08 close to the restrooms. There are hookups for more luxurious RVs. We ran out of propane and were easily accommodated with a fire ring and wood for a small fee. Well worth it! Mornings were in the 30's. It warms up quickly so layering worked for us. The camp host were very accommodating and friendly. I loved watching them round up their herd of horses that roam freely through the campground from time to time. At sunset we watched deer in the pasture grazing happily. Then watched them hop right over the fence one by one! How fun is that! Sunrise and sunsets there cast the most beautiful hues on the rock formations surrounding the area. While walking down to the natural hot springs we were delighted to see sheep who had given birth to a couple sets of black & white faced twins! Too cute for words... Bring a lunch as there are picnic tables next to the creek. Great after soaking in the three separate soaking areas. I was told you could arrange pack trips on horses and explore any of the back country areas. This is love to return and take advantage of! As amazing as it is on foot and in the car it Hass to be mine blowing on the back of a horse! I was also told that they do trail rides for those less experienced riders. 

  • Ellyn F.
    Mar. 3, 2023

    Gila Hot Springs Ranch

    Horse ranch

    Quiet ranch in the mountains of Gila National Forest. Must be prepared for a very steep grade drive with switchbacks. Beautiful scenery with sheep and horses.

  • Jonathan E.
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Safari Campsite

    Sufficient, but small and mediocre

    This site is just a relatively short turn-off road with a loop for turning around and a small, non-dedicated area for pitching a tent as far as I could tell. If you have a camper/RV/van, then it should work fine, but it’s not the best for tent camping. I made it work, but wasn’t super excited about it. Also, there was a bit of trash left behind when I was there, but it wasn’t necessarily a dump.

    Getting to this spot was convenient since it is right off a paved road. There was a bit of car noise here and there, but it wasn’t bad. I heard coyotes singing nearby (from multiple directions) in the evening, but didn’t actually see any wildlife.

    In all, it was alright. Not horrible, not great, just sufficient.

  • Dennis P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 25, 2020

    Snow Lake

    Beautiful boondocking.

    No facilities (it's boondocking) but beautiful! We camped upstream of the lake in a shallow valley with a dirt road leading to the site/area. We could walk to the lake and across the dam to explore the creek behind it. I slipped in the creek and dislocated my little finger on our second day, so that ended the trip for me. Had to drive to Reserve for medical help.

    The area is open grassland with ponderosa pines scattered around in clumps. As you hike into the Wilderness Area (the first one designated as such) the forest gets thicker. Snow Lake is well-known for trout fishing, and people know this. We were there on Memorial Day and it was a bit crowded with fishermen.

    There is an established campground there also (Dipping Vat) if you want a picnic table and grill, but we were all equipped for boondocking. High altitude means cold nights, so come prepared with all amenities self-contained, and all contingencies anticipated. (Like my dislocation!)

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Sapillo Campground

    Quiet Camping

    This is a campground right next to the dispersed camp. It looked like only tents were in this part of the park. When we were here there was some guys with DNR and they were cutting back all of the dead trees from a fire. The wood they cut was all around in stacks for campers to use while camping. The sites are clean and spread out with level spots for your tent. They have fire rings and tables. Pit toilets and garbage is also on site. The night sky is incredible and you can see the Milky Way. There is no cell service here. The road in is graveled but it is nice and no car or suv would have trouble navigating. There is a hiking trail head near the back of the campground. It is peaceful and relaxing here!

  • Karen N.
    Apr. 5, 2020

    Lake Roberts

    Really nice

    Stayed here July 12-14,2019. There were quite a few sites available late Friday afternoon. Short walk to lake. Very well kept. Saw several deer and caught a few fish. Definitely worth the drive from Albuquerque

  • Jorge G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 5, 2023

    North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping

    Secluded, clear beautiful skies

    There are plenty of nice spots to camp along North Star Road, north of Mimbres, NM. You'll find dispersed campsites with fire-rings all along the edges of the road and on spur forest roads sprouting from it. North Star Road is usually well maintained and most vehicles should make it to at least North Star Mesa.

    Nothing in terms of services and amenities, but nice hiking nearby. Very clear skies at night. 

    As always, please follow LNT principles when dispersed camping.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Lake Roberts

    Not a place to camp but other things to enjoy

    This isn’t a campground. It is a boat launch and picnic area. There are lots of no camping signs but if you travel east or west you can find two campgrounds. This is a great spot to launch your boat into the lake. The launch has bathrooms and even a fish washing station!
    Be sure to check out the tree covered in lures next to the launch. The area to launch your boat is huge plenty of room to navigate down toward the water. There is also a dock extending out over the water if you don’t have a boat. The area was clean and had garbage bins. Can’t camp here but there was plenty of other things to do.

  • E
    Apr. 27, 2025

    Lake Roberts

    Adorable fishing lake

    This lake is great for paddle boarding, relaxing and taking in the views.

Guide to Buckhorn

Equestrian-oriented camping is available around Buckhorn, New Mexico, where the Gila National Forest provides diverse terrain for riders. The region sits at elevations between 6,000-8,000 feet, creating distinct temperature variations between day and night. Forest Service roads throughout the area offer access to both established campgrounds and dispersed sites suitable for horse trailers.

What to do

Fishing at local lakes: Lake Roberts offers excellent opportunities for anglers. "This lake is great for paddle boarding, relaxing and taking in the views," according to Eva G., who visited Lake Roberts. The lake features a boat launch with amenities including "bathrooms and even a fish washing station," notes Alisa P.

Hiking forest trails: The nearby Gila Wilderness contains hundreds of miles of trails accessible from various campgrounds. Jorge G. recommends the North Star Mesa Dispersed Camping area, noting there's "nice hiking nearby" and mentioning the "very clear skies at night" that make stargazing a popular activity.

Wilderness exploration: The Gila Wilderness was the first designated wilderness area in the United States. Dennis P., who camped near Snow Lake, explains: "As you hike into the Wilderness Area (the first one designated as such) the forest gets thicker. Snow Lake is well-known for trout fishing, and people know this."

What campers like

Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. At Sapillo Campground, Alisa P. observed that "the night sky is incredible and you can see the Milky Way" and noted that "there is no cell service here," which contributes to the disconnected experience many campers seek.

Wildlife observation: The forest environment supports diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. Dennis P. describes the Snow Lake area as "open grassland with ponderosa pines scattered around in clumps" which creates habitat for various species.

Peaceful environment: Many campgrounds offer quiet, secluded sites. "It is peaceful and relaxing here!" notes Alisa P. about Sapillo Campground, where "the sites are clean and spread out with level spots for your tent. They have fire rings and tables."

What you should know

Road conditions: Access to some sites requires careful driving. Linda C. explains that at Gila Hot Springs Ranch, "Maneuvering our 24ft sprinter was doable on the property but larger vehicles not advised." For Sapillo Campground, Alisa P. mentions "The road in is graveled but it is nice and no car or suv would have trouble navigating."

Temperature fluctuations: High elevation creates significant temperature variations. Dennis P. advises that the "high altitude means cold nights, so come prepared with all amenities self-contained, and all contingencies anticipated."

Dispersed camping options: Numerous free sites exist on Forest Service land. Jorge G. explains that near North Star Mesa, "You'll find dispersed campsites with fire-rings all along the edges of the road and on spur forest roads sprouting from it," and reminds visitors to "follow LNT principles when dispersed camping."

Tips for camping with families

Lake activities: Water-based recreation provides family entertainment. Irving C. shares about Lake Roberts: "This was my first experience in a boat, and the lake was a perfect place to learn. Had such an amazing experience with my family."

Firewood availability: Some campgrounds provide wood for campfires. Alisa P. noted at Sapillo Campground that DNR workers were "cutting back all of the dead trees from a fire" and "the wood they cut was all around in stacks for campers to use while camping."

Emergency preparedness: Remote locations require self-sufficiency. Dennis P. cautions from experience: "I slipped in the creek and dislocated my little finger on our second day, so that ended the trip for me. Had to drive to Reserve for medical help."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: Not all horse campgrounds near Buckhorn, New Mexico accommodate large trailers. Jonathan E. observed at Safari Campsite: "This site is just a relatively short turn-off road with a loop for turning around" and that "If you have a camper/RV/van, then it should work fine."

Hookup availability: Some sites offer partial services for RVers with horses. Eugenie B. described their experience: "We pulled right into our campsite with hot and cold water at our site" and mentioned "There are hookups for more luxurious RVs."

High clearance considerations: Forest roads may require appropriate vehicles. Jorge G. notes that "North Star Road is usually well maintained and most vehicles should make it to at least North Star Mesa," suggesting that more remote areas might require higher clearance or 4WD capability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Buckhorn, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Buckhorn, NM is Lake Roberts with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Buckhorn, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Buckhorn, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring