Mike M.
Traveler
TravelerOjo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Awesome campground at one of the nicest hot springs you’ll ever visit. Great farm to table restaurant and wine bar. New Mexico at its best.
Tent Camping near Canjilon, NM
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Carson National Forest surrounding Canjilon, New Mexico offers several primitive tent camping options at varying elevations, from walk-in tent sites near small lakes to secluded dispersed spots above 9,000 feet. Canjilon Creek Campground, located at approximately 9,000 feet, provides tent-only camping near three trout-filled lakes with beautiful mountain vistas. For backcountry tent camping experiences, dispersed sites along Forest Service Road 578 offer secluded options with views of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Upper and Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds, located north of Canjilon near Tierra Amarilla, provide additional tent campsites in a forested setting.
Most tent campgrounds in this region require self-sufficiency and preparation. Canjilon Creek Campground features very primitive conditions with no running water, toilets, or other amenities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies. Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for accessing many sites due to rough, rutted roads with washouts and potholes. Vault toilets are available at some established campgrounds like Los Pinos and Lagunitas, but most dispersed camping areas lack facilities entirely. Fire rings are common at established sites, though seasonal fire restrictions may apply. The 14-day stay limit is standard throughout the national forest.
Tent campers frequently note the solitude and natural beauty of the area. According to one visitor at Canjilon Creek, "Hardly met anyone while there... plenty of wood to forage for" and "beautiful vistas" compensate for the lack of amenities. Another camper at Carson National Forest's dispersed sites observed "a nice mix of sage, juniper, and pine trees" and wildlife including elk. The higher elevation means temperatures can drop significantly at night, with one camper reporting overnight lows of 27°F even in April. Walk-in tent sites often provide the best access to creeks and small lakes, making them popular with anglers despite the primitive conditions.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Canjilon (31)
1. Canjilon Creek Campground
"This park is very primitive. It has no running water, toilets, or amenities. What it has a lot of, is charm. Hardly met anyone while there. It has three lakes filled with trout."
2. Star Dance
3. Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
"There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango."
"I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285."
4. Lower Lagunitas Campground
"The trek across northern New Mexico was truly breathtaking. We were fortunate enough to see tons of big Rams as well as an abundance of wildlife and plentiful bird watching."
5. Upper Lagunitas Campground
6. Resumidero Camping Area
"We expected a campground that was spread out, fire rings and vault toilets. It was perfect. The camp sites were far apart and you could chose between open meadows or in the trees."
7. Forest Road 76
8. Dispersed Camping Near Taos
"This is primitive, so bring all your amenities."
"Make sure you go all the way to the coordinates as there are a ton of great spots off to the left of the road, plenty of room to spread out and some solidly flat spots."
9. Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping
"Right off the road, literally. it hidden behind some trees so the barrier between the site and road makes for a little privacy. Great spot for a day or two right next to a creek so you fall asleep to"
"First coms first served with mostly tenting spaces."
10. Los Pinos
Drive Time
- 1 hr 26 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 2 hrs 15 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 2 hrs 34 min from Farmington, NM
- 3 hrs 58 min from Pueblo, CO
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Canjilon, NM
18 Photos of 31 Canjilon Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Canjilon, NM
557 Reviews of 31 Canjilon Campgrounds
- JJohn L.
GuideQuesta Lodge & RV Resort
Good spot for campingn
Limited review due to rains. Nice area for quiet camping or for access to wilderness areas, hiking. Taos and Red River are 1/2 hour away for touristy stuff. During heavy rains river did not leave its banks. Sites are tight, best ones are by the river. Nice walking path by river but noticed many dog walkers not picking up after their dogs. Clean bathroom and laundry facilities. Some septic drains too high to drain properly, should be fixed. Had to move in order to dump tanks.
- RRoy R.Guide
Free Dispersed Camping
Free Dispersed Camping
This easy to miss spot is a free camping area near the ranger station. The road to get to the sites is probably only a couple hundred meters from the ranger station so slow down if you are going West on 64 and turn around if you reach the station going East on 64.
The actual camping spots are towards the very end of the road where they form a sort of triangle. There are three picnic tables with what look like fire rings. But there is a lot of open space around those three tables if they happen to be taken by any chance. I did notice that most boondockers would just park their vehicles on the side of the road along the way. So basically the entire area seems to be available for boondocking. There are no trash cans, water, more vault toilets. It's packed everything out. There are a couple of vault toilets at the ranger station and you can actually walk from the campsite area because there are trails that lead to the ranger station.
Very pretty area. Very quiet. Few vehicles on the nearby road.
Ben F.TravelerBig Arsenic Springs Campground
Amazing views, no water
All the campgrounds in the wild rivers area are very well maintained, the sites have sturdy pavilions, picnic tables and grills. Sites are nicely spaced and some have amazing canyon views. Vault-style toilets that are kept clean and stocked. Bring your own water, their "well is broken" as of Oct. 2026, so if you run out you're looking at a 20 mile drive round trip to buy a couple gallons at the local grocery store.
- NNathaniel S.Traveler
Ghost Ranch
Beautiful area; challenging camping
The campground is situated in a beautiful setting and area right at Ghost Ranch. Campground has sites that are gravel and not very level, as others have noted, making it a bit of a challenge (site 16 in particular). Also note that some electric hookups are 20A only, not 30A. Full hookups at front of campground; tent only at rear. Showers were great and heated; laundry and bathrooms clean. Host and staff friendly. Lots of great hiking trails within walking distance of the campground. 2 small museums worth visiting. We paid $50 for electric hookup. Meal plan is now $50.
Jeff V.GuideJemez Falls Campground
It's okay, but...
Look, this is a perfectly fine trailhead campground. There's nothing wrong with it.
That said, it's a quarter miles walk to the falls, and 3 miles to the warm springs, which are barely tepid. Both trails can and are frequently visited by day hikers, some using the same parking lot shared by the campground. It's not tranquil if the weather is good, as both the warm springs and falls are popular.
The real kicker though is the whole area has much better dispersed camping in all directions. If you have to stay on paved roads, go to this campground: any RV can do it. If your vehicle can handle even gravel Forest Service roads drive elsewhere and save $20 a night: it'll buy a tank of gas if you're camping even for a 3 day weekend, and gas being expensive, eliminating additional fees makes sense for many of us.
I'd head up 376, out of Jemez Springs, where one could spend the savings from camping for free on a genuine hot spring, several available in the small town. Or get a meal and a few drinks at the local bar.
Paying for camping when you don't have to has never made any sense to me, but I'm not rich. Plus the dispersed camping gives you privacy you won't get in an official campground where everyone is packed together like so many sardines in a can.
Bill R.
RangerLittle Arsenic Springs Campground
Remote, wild, beautiful and small.
We stayed here for two nights in early May, 2026. Camped back from the rim ,wanting shelter from the wind/rain/snow rather than the view. Really enjoyed the area, walked some of the rim trail, stopped by the visitor center(limited hours) and hiked to the river at the bottom of the gorge. The hike was spectacular and the weather was as wild as the gorge. Rain, wind and snow battered us as we climbed back out.
No water(they're working on restoring it) and a long way from anything like gas, supplies, etc.
Would definitely like to return in the future.
- MMark M.
LegendGhost Ranch
Campground avg but overall lots of things to do
Some good hikes, corral (horseback rides), museum, pack in pack out, & bring your own water (drought conditions; there is water available but don't rely on their water if for no other reason to support their conservation of it--don't recall any water hookups). Friendly staff. Did not avail ourselves of meal plan. Beautiful night skies. Still in mid to upper 90s in September (hot in afternoon). Beware that winds can gust suddenly & hard, including strong dust devils (a devil came through & tore up some tents & sunshades including mangling aluminum frames of some shades).
- CChris E.Guide
Elk Creek Campground (rio Grande Nf)
Top 10 USFS Campground
Probably one of our top ten forest service campgrounds. Great spot, well maintained, beautiful spot. Love it and would come back.
Guide to Canjilon
Carson National Forest near Canjilon, New Mexico offers secluded camping sites ranging from 8,000 to 10,000 feet elevation. The region experiences dramatic temperature shifts, with overnight lows reaching 27°F even in spring months. Forest service roads throughout the area often require high-clearance vehicles due to rutted, rocky conditions.
What to do
Fishing at alpine lakes: Visitors to Canjilon Creek Campground can access three trout-filled lakes. The campground sits at high elevation with limited amenities but rewards anglers willing to pack in their gear.
Wildlife viewing: Keep an eye out for elk in the forest. While camping along Forest Service Road 578, one camper noted, "I saw two elk across a swath of sage. I could see the snow capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range on the eastern horizon when I walked farther up the road."
Hiking trails: The Resumidero Camping Area offers direct access to hiking paths. A visitor shared, "Hiking trails from the campground. Beautiful area. The camp sites were far apart and you could chose between open meadows or in the trees."
What campers like
Solitude and quiet: Many dispersed sites in Carson National Forest provide private camping experiences. At Forest Service Road 578, one camper reported, "A nice secluded little forest road. RVs will not make it, so it's nice and quiet. Stayed one night and saw no one else."
Accessible trout fishing: The fishing opportunities at Los Pinos Campground attract anglers. "Most sites were on or very near the river," according to one visitor, making it convenient for fishing access despite the remote location.
Natural ambiance: Campers frequently mention the surroundings. At Taos Junction Campground, located about an hour from Canjilon, a visitor noted, "The Rio grande was cold but worth the swim. We had a great time and only saw a few other people."
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest Service roads require careful driving. One camper at Forest Service Road 578 advised, "AWD/4WD needed on the rutted rocky road. Cell service drops completely pretty soon after leaving the highway."
Facility limitations: Most sites have minimal or no amenities. At Upper Lagunitas Campground, a visitor described it as a "Very quiet, remote campground with space between sites. Best for tents."
Weather preparedness: Temperatures drop significantly at night year-round. A camper at Forest Service Road 578 reported, "It got cold at night, like 27 F," even in mid-April.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is sparse throughout the region. A visitor to Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping mentioned, "There is no Verizon service," so prepare for being offline.
Tips for camping with families
Select campgrounds with toilet access: For families, choosing sites with basic facilities helps. At Arroyo Seco Dispersed Camping, a camper noted, "There are toilets at some of the sites. Very clean."
River activities: Water features keep children engaged. One visitor to Arroyo Seco shared, "There are so many campsites to choose from, all along the Hondo Rio. It's peaceful and quiet. We brought our four dogs and 13 year old. There's so much to do to keep them busy."
Pack extra warm clothing: One camper warned about temperature fluctuations: "We had storms while camping. At least six rock/mud slides on the road," highlighting the need for weather preparedness with children.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Large RVs struggle on forest roads. At Los Pinos, a camper advised, "Ok for small campers but I wouldn't take anything too big as the spaces are small and it is very tight to maneuver."
Dispersed camping challenges: RVers seeking the best tent camping near Canjilon, New Mexico should be selective about locations. A visitor to Forest Service Road 578 noted, "FS 578 is clearly marked with a brown NFS sign and has no gate but there is a cattle guard/grate... which has ruts and might be tough for an RV."
Check seasonal road status: Before traveling with an RV, verify road conditions. A visitor to Dispersed Camping Near Taos warned, "Bridge is open as of June 2025 so this spot is accessible via east or west. The west access is not for the faint hearted but still doable in any AWD."
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Canjilon, NM is Canjilon Creek Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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