Searching for the best camping near Carson National Forest, NM? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Carson National Forest, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Carson National Forest and user-submitted reviews.
$25 / night
"Hamlet went to visit his fun cousins for the weekend -- Diego, Thelma, Louise, Frida, Ralphie, Sunnie, and others– all vintage campers available for rent at this amazingly cool space just outside of Taos"
"$10 tent camping in desert behind groovy glamper park. Fantastic people. In walking distance to Taos brewery Oasis. On the road to the gorge. Cool summer nights"
"Much more vegetation than you would expect from a campground close to town. The staff are friendly. The facilities were clean. The park is older but in an charming New Mexico way."
"If your wanting to get out and play in the snow or explore more in depth the beautiful culture of New Mexico, Taos has a little for everyone"
"Plenty of shade and lots of off road trails for driving/running/biking. No water. clean bathrooms (with toilet paper!!) only 30 mins or so from Taos."
"Pulled in around 4pm on a Saturday and only 1 other camper was here. A few vehicles were parked at the bathroom/trailhead, super friendly."
"There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango."
"Many open areas to camp right off the highway. The views of the mountains across the valley are best after the fork in the road. Please pick up extra trash if you use"
$30 - $50 / night
"Laundry, restrooms and convenience store are still closed due to Covid - much of New Mexico is still this way."
"This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."
"This was a great site with fantastic access down to the trails along the Rio Grande. You can also walk pretty quickly down to the confluence, which offers some nice views of both gorges."
"Don’t drive to the John dun bridge from Taos use the longer route instead. The switch back road is blocked off now."
"Made a quick walk down to the springs in the evening and watched the stars come out. Awesome!!"
"There are at least four established campground in the del Norte Wild Rivers Recreation area with La Junta being a walk-in and the others camping areas having the capability of parking really close to covered"
"You will need to make sure you aren't on someone's property or nearby any roads. There are plenty of turn offs.
This isn't a "get away" more like a stopover spot."
"The sites are fairly primitive but the location is one of the greatest around. It’s a decent drive up here from Taos but you won’t be disappointed once you get here."
"If you like canyon hikes (steeeeep trails) or whitewater, this is a great place for you to explore."
"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"
RangerI loved my stay here. This location is so prime for visiting all the sights in Taos, and there are many. The campground is compact but still, private. There are several pull-thru sites for big rigs, many back-in sites with water/elec. hookups, and some tent sites in the back of the campground and a few sites at the front by the office that are back-in without any amenities.
There is a dump station, a dishwashing area, bathrooms with very hot showers, a playground, and office. No open fires are allowed only propane or other contained fires. Cell phone service and wifi thru the campground is available tho not fast when everyone jumps on at the same time. During my stay everyone was very quiet. My only complaint was a light that stayed on all night for security.
Restaurants are really close enough to walk to and there is an Ace Hardware store across the street for emergency repairs. Old Town Taos is 3 miles away.
GuideEntire site is full of felled trees that have not been managed and the path way through is not possible.
ScoutAccess is easy. There are 4-5 improved campsites with vault toilets. Lots of UTV traffic when I was there which made it dusty. Most sites were on or very near the river. It’s a long way back there and if it’s full you don’t have many other options. That’s why 3 stars.
Ok for small campers but I wouldn’t take anything too big as the spaces are small and it is very tight to maneuver. Also there is a mix of public and private land along this road so be sure where exactly you are.
ScoutFlat room for many rigs. Dispersed camping just past the “pay campground”. 2 bars t-mobiles
GuideEarly May. Got caught up in a spring snowstorm of several feet. Tent was buried two nights running. The site is worth the wait . . . No services, running crick throughout. Widely spaced sites. Stunning canyon forest with beautiful open areas, an easy walk forest road, more difficult hikes if you’re willing. Stayed 2 weeks as our journey continues . . .
ScoutFirst off, still very muddy but worth the trip. I stayed 2 nights lots of wildlife, mostly elk and some deer. Frogs are chirping away.
Verizon is excellent—5G after 3-4th campsite.
ScoutThis is the most remote BLM site I’ve ever been too. Right at the edge of the Gorge, it is primitive—only saw one bathroom about 2 miles back. Don’t recommend any kind of trailer for these dispersed camp sites as it is very hard to access. This area has had rain for 2+ weeks, so be sure your 4-wheel drive is operational.
If you seek solitude, this is the place!
LegendReally, really loved this spot--such a beautiful area. Just a handful of sites on this short road--one side of the road is fairly open but has the creek/river flowing nearby; the other side of the road is more in the forest and offers some shade and privacy. The melting snow has the ponds and river overflowing, so many of the sites are flooded and inaccessible at the moment. We had camped towards the end of the road near the turn around spot due to most sites being flooded. The animals are really coming out though--lots of birds and frogs chirping, ducks were swimming in the ponds, and we even had some elk pass through our camp! Cell service is sporadic in this area. Of course, no amenities here so pack out what you bring in.
LegendLoved this area! I think it being early-May and the snow melt that's happening makes the camping experience quite unique: the sounds of rushing water, the birds and frogs chirping, and the elk walking through--it's really special right now! That said, it's SUPER muddy at the moment, so most of the few sites on this short road just aren't accessible--watched a few vehicles try and fail. I can see this road being quite busy when dry.
Camping near Carson National Forest, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Carson National Forest, New Mexico, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Carson National Forest offers a wide range of camping options, with 180 campgrounds and RV parks near Carson National Forest and 30 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Carson National Forest is Hotel Luna Mystica with a 4.4-star rating from 13 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 free dispersed camping spots near Carson National Forest.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Carson National Forest that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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