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.
$40 - $60 / night
"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."
"Campground is rustic. Water and electric only. They do have a dump station but it is an extra cost. Sites were small and some hookups are in strange places."
"Nice park nestled at the foot of the mountains and on the banks of the Red River. Nicely landscaped with two ponds and a river walk."
"Stayed in spot R1 which is pretty small/crowded in, but near river and trees. Lovely duck and geese ponds and river walk, also dog park."
"Probably one of the best in New Mexico."
"Stayed here for a weekend, this place is tucked away and quiet. Spots are well spaced and grass all around. The river runs through the park."
$38 - $45 / night
"Great views surrounded by mountains...right on the red river. Minutes away from town and skiing.... Level spots host are amazing, super helpful and attentive."
"The showers and laundry were clean and beautiful. And the town was a short walk away with great restaurants. Can’t wait to come back."
$60 - $95 / night
"They've got RV sites, apartments, cabins and a beautiful penthouse in the center of town overlooking the town and mountain."
"This is the best rv park in Red River. The river runs right through the park."
$40 / night
"Nice shaded/wooded area for primitive tent camping with plenty of space to spread out."
"Tent camped at this location in the middle of September (a week before closing). Very beautiful place to watch the leaves change, trailheads close by and picnic tables at each site."
$10 - $80 / night
"Good views of lake & surrounding area from site. Vault toilet & drinking water a short walk away. Juniper provided minimal privacy. Site has lantern poll, fire ring, trash can & table."
"Usually lots of others around so not super “off grid” but it’s nice and you can view the lake! Beautiful to drive around too. Pueblo land, be respectful!"
$25 - $65 / night
"Minutes from state park, lake access, and Eagle Nest. Close to Angel Fire as well.
Owner was super nice and invited me to come to the clubhouse for some chili - which was excellent!"
"Very large rv park with full hookups, showers, laundry, and community building. Was not busy when we were here, so we did not have anyone next to us, but the sites are very close to each other."
$40 - $44 / night
"Best RV campground friendly staff and owner very quiet and peaceful with a beautiful view of the mountains free WiFi and walking distance to Eagle Nest lake"
LegendWe stayed at this site on the way back to Texas from our Colorado trip this summer. This is a great National Forest Campground south of Taos in the Carson Forest. The campground is just off the highway and situated in a beautiful mountain pine forest and next to a great trout stream. You have great shade during the hotter summer months. It’s far enough away from the highway that you don’t hear the traffic. It has a huge meadow and group camp site which look fantastic. The individual sites have some privacy between the sites and come equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. We made a reservation but the camp had a number of open sites in the peak summer season. The highlight here is the proximity of great hiking to nearby lakes and fishing in the trout stream. They had great facilities including clean pit toilets and some historic log cabins. They have a camp host and the sites accommodate tents and smaller vans and campers. I would give this another visit on our next trip to NM.
GuideThis is a larger RV Park. They provide full hookups, spaces for tent camping, and some small cottages. I have not used their restrooms, but the laundry is clean and reasonably priced. Many of the spaces are pretty close together, but we’ve had worse! They have nice picnic tables and fire pits. There is a creek that runs behind the park and the spaces along this creek cost more. We stayed in Space 20; which is supposed to have the creek behind it (so we paid more), but there’s a bunch of electrical boxes there so you can’t see it or access it and there’s also a huge manhole sticking up in our space! So don’t take Space 20 unless you are desperate! That is the reason for my 4 rating. The grass is sparse, but there are big grassy areas throughout the park. Some of the spaces have the shade of large trees. I would stay here again, but would avoid #20.
RangerThe website listed for this campground is correct Ponderosa campground Antonito, CO.
Phone 719.376.5857
This is a very relaxing place to stay and it seems like most of the people there have been there many times before. The drive in is easy on Route 17 and does not require a vehicle with high ground clearance. They do allow campfires, they have clean bathrooms and a shower house. I stayed in a backpacking tent after driving all day arriving on a Friday at about 4:00 PM. The campground is set-up for small campers and has some cabins for rent too. The bathrooms with showers are clean and comfortable. The sites have fire rings with grates and picnic tables. The owner manager is great, providing quality fishing advice, conversation and even a free cup of coffee in the morning. Hiking on the CDT is near the campground and fishing is right in the campground. The steam train is right up the pass and I happened to be there the night before opening day catching a photo when I drove over the pass to Chama New Mexico. The Cumbres and Toltec Train traveling between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. This is a very nice drive and Chama is a cool place to visit, it is a trail town on the CDT.
I will visit this campground again for sure.
LegendCamped 2 nights at site #38 on the Puerco Loop. Reserved thru rec.gov while at the site. Wonderful campground hosts. Site was not quite level for our campervan, but close enough. Good views of lake & surrounding area from site. Vault toilet & drinking water a short walk away. Juniper provided minimal privacy. Site has lantern poll, fire ring, trash can & table. No hookups at this site. $6/night with senior pass. Restroom/shower house within walking distance. Facilities & vault toilets were very clean. Hiking trail in campground. AT&T & T-Mobile service. Overall, quiet & peaceful stay.
TravelerGreat spot for group camping of 20-40 campers. Nice shaded/wooded area for primitive tent camping with plenty of space to spread out. Gorgeous open meadow at base of camp area perfect for group games, sports. 1930s cabin with tables for meals and cooking under shelter. Campfire ring and outdoor table. Vault toilet. Beautiful views of Sangre de Cristos and Carson National Forest. Trail to Indian Lake is an easy hike of 2.5 Miles each way and perfect for families or hikers with the need for low-impact trails. There is an awesome swimming hole just a few miles west on Hwy 518 past Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort—worth the short drive!
Only a few cons—water onsite is listed as potable but smells and tastes so strongly of sulphur that it cannot be tolerated for drinking or cooking. Make sure to haul in water. Also tent camping area in woods is not level so there will be some incline. Important for those with circulatory issues.
TravelerThis campsite is only accessible via boat. There are two fire pits. The land is flat compared to other sites at the Reservoir. Most of the ground is covered with sand. The mosquitoes were not too terrible even though we were right by the water. There are no bathroom facilities just nature. It is a nice quiet cove with amazing views. The stars and the moon light up the sky. I highly recommend staying there if you have boat access. It is secluded and private.
GuideWe had to have a couple tires replaced on our RV and not only were they able to fix us up with new tires at their Chevron Station, but she was able to find a space in their RV Park for a couple of nights. It wasn’t a great space, but it was fine. There are some nice large trees, grass in some areas, but not for our space. Although our fellow RVers weren’t real close, we were close to the shower facilities and there were lots of small campers using those giving us very little privacy. We are traveling with a very timid dog making it more difficult for us. We did not use the restrooms so I cannot comment on those. About every space has a picnic table but no fire pits. Somewhere in this distance there was a dog that barked almost continuously during the day, but I don’t think it was in the RV Park. Their prices are very reasonable and I would stay here again.
TravelerSpot is well maintained. Usually lots of others around so not super “off grid” but it’s nice and you can view the lake! Beautiful to drive around too. Pueblo land, be respectful!
LegendGeneral: 54-site campground in four loops; the Pedernal Loop has water and electric hookups, the Chama and Puerco Loops do not and there is a walk-in tent site loop. There is also overflow camping.
Site Quality: Sites appeared to be mostly level (at least in the Pedernal loop); most were paved but a few were gravel. Most were back in, but some were pull-through. There are two ADA-accessible sites in the Pedernal Loop. Many have reservoir views. Site 14 has a generous-sized paved driveway. Completing the site is a lantern hook, BBQ, and covered picnic table. Too bad it was so darn windy that we could not enjoy these amenities. There was also a garbage can at the end of each site but no recycling that I saw. If you do not need hookups, sites 34 and 39 (in the Puerco loop) provide excellent water views.
Bath/Shower House: Basic with two shower stalls, two toilets, and one sink. Very clean. There are also very clean vault toilets located throughout the campground. Did not use the shower so cannot comment on how well it works.
Activities: The Abiquiu Lake Vista Trail is a 4-mile hike and bike stacked-looped trail (so you can add or duplicate interconnected loops). Boating access is one mile away. Fishing is also popular. There is also a volleyball net and a very nice modern playground. We were there at the end of April, so it was very quiet (which is the way we like it). Shout out to great camp hosts – we were greeted upon arrival and they made sure we didn’t have any questions or concerns. For $16, this is affordable but with the senior pass, $8 is a bonafide bargain!
Cabin camping near Carson National Forest, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cozy accommodations, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Carson National Forest is Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa with a 4.4-star rating from 15 reviews.
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