Best Cabin Camping near Carson National Forest, NM

We 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.

Great 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.

The 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.

This is an artist paradise. So many beautiful land formations and gorgeous sunsets. The campground includes a bath house with laundry room and electric hookups if needed. $30 to tent camp (no electric). Lodging, yurts and cabins, are also available.

This is the best rv park in Red River. The river runs right through the park. There is a trout pond, playground, pavilion with live music on most Fridays during the summer and they also have condos and cabins. The staff is so helpful and friendly. If you want to get out of the heat of the summer this is the place to be. Red River is 8,750’ above sea level in the mountains. Daytime temp is in the 70°s and nights are in the 50°s all summer long.

Beautiful well maintained campgrounds. On the Red River. Easy in and easy out. Probably one of the best in New Mexico.

The campgrounds is nicely laid out and decent. There isn't much for shade or privacy. The camp hosts are very friendly and helpful. There are nice trails that you can hike or mountain bike. Some are near cliff edges and not for the beginners. The lake is nice for New Mexico and sees a lot of use. Didn't get a chance to fish or get to the waters edge this trip. The area is near where Georgia O'Keefe lived and did some of her work.

I had been boondocking up in the mountains in the rain all week and needed FHU to recharge.

Can't remember the price I paid, but it was very reasonable.  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!

Views were shockingly good.  Because of the weather I felt like I was in the Scottish highlands or something, not New Mexico lol.

Could use this as a stopover or a legit home base to explore surrounding areas.

Joined the family down in Chama, NM for a fun 4-day, 3-night stay at this RV park. Good size RV park with all the amenities you need to camp with your RV, Tent or rent a cabin. Friendly staff and clean restrooms and showers. The owners have a spot right at the park and are very nice. Rio Chama river runs right next to the park so you can fish or wade through the creek. We have a roof top tent so we reserved a back in RV site. We were parked right next to the power sub-stations so at night we heard buzzing from the electrical boxes. The owner allowed us to move to the tent sites so that solved that issue. We didn't need any of the hookups so no biggie. They had no problem with us moving there. No bugs and the temperature was reasonable in the 80s and cooled down to 60-55 at night. Pack rain gear if you're camping in July/Aug because the monsoon flows up with some pretty good t-storms. Chama is a nice little town that draws train riders from all over to ride The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad into Colorado.

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. Location is great for visiting Rio Grande del Norte NM and the Wild Rivers Recreation Area. Just north of Taos too. Nicely shaded, level sites with full hookups. Nice picnic table and grill. Might be a little tight for big rigs, but my little Casita was quite happy. Very friendly folks in the office. Clean laundry and restroom. My site backed up to the river and the sound of the rushing water was the perfect lullaby.

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. Clean restrooms and showers but no changing stalls in either mens/womens shower. Very quiet and affordable. Near to grocery. Grounds are well-kept and healthy & green (lots of trees, shrubs, beautiful walk by river). Sorry pics are a bit washed out, doesn't do it justice.

This camp ground has been a beautiful place for us to stay. My wife and I came for a weeks stay. We stayed in spot #59 which puts you along the river that is running through the property. The sound is so peaceful. The camp ground also has it's own stocked pond. Guest are aloud to fish for two fish per day for each guest in your party. Wifi has been pretty good and no problem with cell service (we have Verizon)

This place is in a prime location. The view was 5 out of 5. The cleanliness is 2 out of 5. We didn’t have any cell service. The shower was lukewarm.

We enjoyed our stay. It was very clean and gorgeous Mountain Views. The showers were clean and they did have laundry facilities. We enjoyed the small play area and the stream.