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.
"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."
$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"
"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"
"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."
"You can walk down and swim in the river but you will need a swim once you get back up again!"
"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!!"
$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."
"Amazing views and lots of hiking nearby."
"It is a steep trail, but the trail is very well maintained and has lots of places to stop to rest. The spring is like an Oasis and it dumps into the Rio Grande River."
"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"
"Great hikes nearby & close to Arroyo Seco for a good market too."
"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."
TravelerWe stayed in the cabins. They are very ran down. The sink plumbing leaks. Utility closet has a hole in the door about 7 in in diameter and there is an animal that lives in there and scratches on the wall at night. The furniture is old and decrepid. The people that run it are as sweet as can be. The place is terribly ran down.
TravelerWe drove around Forest Trail 9 (FT9) until we found a great spot on the edge overlooking the Rio. Nestled in some trees, it was flat for our tent, awesome views, fires were allowed and already had an established rock ring.
TravelerGreat camp sites with beautiful views! Had such a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Game warden was nice and respectful. Shout out to Debra who works for the campground. She was super helpful. Unable to follow hiking trail completely- I believe it's grown up.
3G phone service with Verizon, was able to make phone calls only.
GuideArea is beautiful but it’s right off the main road and all the spots are too close. Good for a one night
ScoutThis RV resort has beautiful views of the mountains. Angel Fire RV Resort has beautiful grounds, the bath houses and very nice and modern, very nice hot tub, beautiful clubhouse. The resort has fire pits, pickleball courts, large dog park, putting range, walking path, laundry facilities. It is also close to several towns. One that you can ride your bike too. This is a A+ resort for TV camping.
GuideNice little campground next to hot springs . Nice level site . Hook up were on passenger side and towards front of TT we had enough hose and cords to reach . It says they have loaners if needed . 20% discount if you camp and visit hot springs. Hot springs were very relaxing. No fire or outside smoking . On site bathroom and shower however we didn’t use or check them out . Had a great week end with wife
ScoutCamp host is a very sweet and helpful lady. She takes great pride in her park. Very clean site. Located next to a golf coarse that also has a club house. Cute little store on site with thoughtful items for sale
GuideAfter 3 nights in the mountains this was a great place to shower and do laundry. Easy walk to 2 gray New Mexican restaurants. Easy walk to auto parts store for preventative maintenance supplies on trailer. Great view of Wheelers Peak.
ScoutWe found this RV park in our travels from Cortez thru Pagosa Springs and would return when in this area. Especially near the Toltec train station.
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
Where are the best campgrounds in Carson National Forest?
Carson National Forest offers several excellent campgrounds with varying amenities. Fawn Lakes Campground near Questa is spacious with two small lakes and a river running through it, making it perfect for fishing enthusiasts. The campground provides numerous site options and good amenities. For those seeking stunning mountain views, Cimarron Campground offers beautiful scenery between Ash Mountain and Little Castillo Peak with access to hiking trails and nearby streams. Other notable options include Comales Campground (located along a mountain stream about 30 miles south of Taos) and Los Pinos, which offers basic dispersed camping with toilets and tables. Eagle Nest Lake State Park, while technically outside the forest boundary, is nearby and offers well-maintained facilities beside a beautiful lake.
Is dispersed camping allowed in the Petaca area of Carson National Forest?
Yes, dispersed camping is allowed in the Petaca area of Carson National Forest. While Las Petacas Campground offers developed sites along a creek just east of Taos on Highway 64, there are also dispersed camping opportunities in the surrounding forest. For those seeking a more remote dispersed camping experience, Oak Point Campground area is worth exploring, with numerous pull-off sites along forest roads offering spectacular views. When dispersed camping in the Petaca area, remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, camp at least 200 feet from water sources, use existing fire rings only (when fire restrictions aren't in place), and pack out all trash. Always check with the local ranger district for current regulations and fire restrictions before setting up camp.
Are there rental cabins available in Carson National Forest?
Carson National Forest itself does not offer rental cabins directly managed by the Forest Service. However, there are nearby alternatives for those seeking cabin accommodations. Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground, located about 19 miles west of Taos near Carson National Forest, has cabins available for rent in addition to traditional camping sites. For a unique lodging experience near the forest, Hotel Luna Mystica near Taos offers vintage trailer rentals that provide cabin-like accommodations with modern amenities. Private cabin rentals can also be found in surrounding communities like Taos, Red River, and Angel Fire, which serve as excellent base camps for exploring Carson National Forest while enjoying more comfortable accommodations.
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