Best Campgrounds near Cañones, NM

Due to a major construction project this spring thru fall, "Camp May Road, which will be closed to all traffic Monday through Thursday starting later in April 2025. ... 

Monday through Thursday closures are planned through the end of the calendar year. 

Camping at Camp May will be limited to Friday and Saturday nights on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations will not be available. Campers must extinguish campfires, pack up belongings and leave the area no later than Sunday evening. The entrance/exit to Camp May will be closed and locked after Sunday night."  From the LA County announcement:  

https://www.losalamosnm.us/News-articles/Collaboration-will-improve-regional-fire-protection

Also note, Los Alamos County and Santa Fe National Forest are in Stage I fire restrictions (no campfires) starting May 4, 2025.

Due to overuse, trash, and abuse, SFNF has closed this area to dispersed camping.

Could not get to camping area because the road was so bad.

I actually stayed here for a night -though inadvertently. When I drove in the next night to stay, I noticed that there was a sign up that said "no overnight camping". That being said, I did stay one night and didn't get approached by anyone.

Luckily, there is a large plot of land to the right that is also BLM land that you can stay on. Unfortunately though, several of those sites did have trash on them. And flies. And broken glass. Kinda sketchy. But there were several sites that were fine. Some parts of the road were questionable for cars to drive on, but there's enough road and pullouts where the roads were ok enough to drive on.

I didn’t see this but didn’t read all reviews. As you drive down the road the BLM land is clearly identified by the 14 day camping limit signs. You will come to a fence with a cattle guard and when you cross that you are now in National Forest, NO CAMPING on the National Forest side (ask me how I know ;)

We absolutely loved our stay at Ojo Caliente. The entire staff is helpful and kind, especially Danny on the grounds and Annie at the restaurant. We wanted spot 17 but it was booked so we got spot 11, which had some privacy as well. As others have mentioned, the hookups are on the opposite side but they will lend you extensions if you need. All spots have picnic tables. The spots further from sitting have most privacy and are still only a 5 minute walk to entrance (I timed it from our site). The best part is that you get early access to the pools, you'll have them nearly to yourselves 7:30-10am and 20% off admission. Also there is free yoga at 9 or 10:40 for guests and all the instructors were fantastic. The onsite restaurant was good, although we wished they had more than 5 bar seats. Would definitely stay again, so many amenities for the same price as a state park!

Great location, lots to do nearby. This area was very accessible, in good condition, and tons of available spots, plenty of space between other campers. Felt pretty safe overall.

currently closed so we couldn’t stay. it looks like 50% or more of the trees have been cut down and stacked, perhaps thinning the forest.

A bit of a rough drive to the dispersed sites further in, but worth it! Nice, quiet, and saw lots of elk during our stay.

I've camped this area several times. In my van and with Grandkids & dog in a tent. We had a rock campfire ring and I bring my folding table & chairs. The kids love to hang hammocks in the cedar trees.
Bring it in and cart it out.

Make sure the dirt road is dry enough in monsoon season so you don't get stuck.

Given the area described has piles of trash and little else to recommend it, it seems a shame to be close to gorgeous wilderness and stare at rubbish.

Head out just a bit further and turn onto the well maintained dirt Buckman road?  There are canyons to explore and access to the Rio grande at the road's end, offering water in an area with next to none otherwise. 

If these lowlands are too hot in the summer, drive up Artist Road to Big Tesuque or the ski-way at the end of the road, where shade, cold streams, and elevation keep nights pleasant even in July or August. 

You won't be any further from Santa Fe, although it can take awhile to drive from the river or ski-way to town if you park as far away as possible.  

All of the above sites have fire rings and vault toilets, and Big Tesuque and the ski-way have some sites with picnic tables as well.  Firewood can be scavenged, especially if one gets away from the immediate campsite area.

We stayed a few nights to explore Los Alamos and the park. It's convenient to have the grocery store within walking distance, and there's a YMCA in Los Alamos where you can purchase shower passes for $5. Nice staff at the visitor center as well.

To begin, the lots are far enough away from fellow campers that you're seldom disturbed by noise or movement. During the day, there will be plenty of new faces passing through to get to the Black Canyon Loop, which has its access point at the back of the camping property. There are, I believe, three pit toilets (possibly four, but I only recall seeing 3, one at the entrance, one on the right hand side up the pavement, and one before the trail access point). The trail is phenomenal. The incline is quite steep, but the loop is a reasonable length and I've seen families with young children and elderly folks successfully complete the loop. In the spring and early summer a small (VERY small) stream cuts through the trail from the snowmelt. You're likely to encounter wildlife in the evening if there aren't many campers, as bears are everywhere here. While HIKING at this location in the off season (site is closed for winter, but you can still access the trail) my wife and I encountered large mountain lion tracks. Parking at the lots is limited, with most spaces only fitting one car comfortably, and the space for tents varies but isn't enormous. Overall, a very cozy, shaded, quiet campground right off the main road making driving up or down the mountain for more trails during your stay very feasible. I personally have no cell service here, and use Mint Mobile, as a heads up. There is a functioning payphone near the entrance.

I stayed here the second week of a two week vacation to the Taos area. I had been at the State Park out of Pillar the week before. As a veteran RV owner and road warrior for many decades I know my stuff. This RV park is very well maintained and managed. The owner went out of her way to provide tips and maps of things to do in the area. It is out of the way yet close to everything you’d want to do. I highly recommend!

I will start with the only downside of this site: it is very active with hikers, families, dogs, and photographers. You can expect dozens upwards of a hundred faces a day hiking up here which can be extremely annoying and the car traffic can drive you nuts. That said, for the ease of access, for the beautiful trails, and for the clean amenities I think it is worth it. In the winter right before the ski area opens is your best bet for quiet camping. But in the summer, spring, fall, and during ski season you will have a lot of friendly faces. Again, not bad, but I know some folks are very interested in getting "away" from people while camping. To those I recommend this site for hiking and not staying. Highly recommend for folks who are less physically abled; I developed a heart condition which limits my abilities most days and the ease of access to these sites and close parking is great for someone who wants to be in touch with nature while enduring limiting conditions.

Area is open. There’s some trash right as you come in, but there’s plenty of clean spots not too much further in. Decent spot, though also popular.