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Top Equestrian Camping near Carson National Forest

84 Reviews

Are you looking for a place to stay in Carson National Forest with your horse? Finding a place to camp in New Mexico with your horse is easier than ever. Search nearby equestrian campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Equestrian Camping Sites Near Carson National Forest, NM (13)

  1. Camper-submitted photo from Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
  2. Camper-submitted photo from Hopewell Lake Campground

    2.

    Hopewell Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    33 Photos
    118 Saves
    Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico

    Overview

    Hopewell Lake Campground sits next to its scenic namesake lake between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla in northern New Mexico. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, hiking, fishing and canoeing.

    Recreation

    The 14-acre lake is perfect for canoeing and is regularly stocked with rainbow and brook trout. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail goes through the campgound, and is popular with horseback riders and hikers.

    Facilities

    The campground has 31 camping sites. There is also a group day-use shelter and group overnight campsite, both available by reservation. Horse corrals and water troughs are available at two campsites. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. First-come, first-served sites are available.

    Natural Features

    Hopewell Lake is a small, man-made lake, set high in the Carson National Forest at an elevation of 9,500 feet. A forest of conifer and aspen trees covers the area and offers partial shade in the campground.

    contact_info

    For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group

    $24 / night

  3. Camper-submitted photo from Rio Costilla Park

    3.

    Rio Costilla Park

    8 Reviews
    23 Photos
    181 Saves
    Red River, New Mexico

    Rio Costilla ~ Pristine Wilderness is located in Northern Taos County, New Mexico. Lush forests offer Spring & Summer Recreation through Labor Day Weekend and are a Hunter’s Paradise throughout the year.

    Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Bike Riding, Rock Hounding, and just plain Relaxing are among many activities to be enjoyed during warmer months of the year in Rio Costilla Park.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian

    $30 / night

  4. Camper-submitted photo from Agua Piedra Campground

    4.

    Agua Piedra Campground

    9 Reviews
    45 Photos
    166 Saves
    Llano, New Mexico

    Overview

    Agua Piedra, located in the Carson National Forest, is nestled near the Rio Pueblo and Agua Piedra Creek. The campground contains many shaded areas to camp, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.

    Recreation

    Visitors to the Agua Piedra campground and group shelters can also enjoy fishing in the Rio Pueblo River, which is a tributary of the mighty Rio Grande. The river is stocked with rainbow trout and has an accessible fishing dock. Hiking to Serpent Lake and Cordova Canyon, which are both within seven miles of the campground and group shelters, are also favorite activities for visitors. Also popular is further exploration of points of interest in the Pecos Wilderness, as well as within the Sangre De Cristos Mountains, the southernmost Rocky Mountain range.

    Facilities

    The campground includes 40 single sites each with a table and fire ring, two double sites each with two tables and a fire ring, and two group shelters located west of the campground. Vault toilets, drinking water from faucets, and trash removal are provided. Firewood is available to purchase from the host. First-come, first-served sites are available. The group shelters (A and B), which are accessible, are located west of the campground and are equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Trash service is provided in the campground. The accessible group shelter "A" can accommodate up to 50 people for overnight camping. Group shelter "B" can accommodate up to 100 people for overnight camping. Both group shelters are available by reservation.

    Natural Features

    Agua Piedra campground and group shelters are located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,100 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.

    Nearby Attractions

    Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco is within 3 - 17 miles from the campground and group shelter. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.

    contact_info

    For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group

    $150 / night

  5. Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Campground

    5.

    Cimarron Campground

    10 Reviews
    46 Photos
    140 Saves
    Red River, New Mexico

    Overview

    Cimarron Campground is located in the scenic Valle Vidal within Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico, at an elevation of 9,300 feet. The sites are tucked among spruce, aspen and fir trees, and the camp offers an open range feel. Visitors have opportunities to enjoy a variety of recreational activities in a picturesque setting. Viewing wildlife and simply relaxing in the mountain air are popular activities.

    Recreation

    Anglers can fish for Rio Grande cutthroat trout in Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo. Nearby Shuree Ponds offers excellent fishing. The smaller pond is a fishing hole for kids 12 and under. The main pond is stocked with rainbow trout and is also popular for float tubing. The area around the campground is open to horseback riding, and there are few maintained trails. Elk and deer hunting is excellent.

    Facilities

    The campground contains 36 overnight campsites, which includes eleven horse sites and one double site. Vault toilets and drinking water are provided. Sites are equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings with grills. Horse corrals and water troughs are available in the campground. A host is on-site.

    Natural Features

    Some of the finest mountain scenery in the Southwest is found in the 1.5 million acres within the Carson National Forest. Elevations range from 6,000 feet to 13,161 feet at Wheeler Peak, the highest in New Mexico. Big game animals roam the Carson, including mule deer, elk, antelope, black bear, mountain lion and bighorn sheep. Many species of smaller animals and songbirds can also been found in the forest. Cimarron Campground is located within the beautiful Valle Vidal, a Spanish term meaning "Valley of Life," of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Shuree Ponds, Comanche Creek and the Rio Pueblo are all near the campground, offering excellent fishing.

    contact_info

    For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian

    $22 / night

  6. Camper-submitted photo from Santa Barbara Campground

    6.

    Santa Barbara Campground

    7 Reviews
    20 Photos
    77 Saves
    Llano, New Mexico

    Overview

    Santa Barbara Campground is situated nicely on the edge of the Pecos Wilderness area and next to Rio Santa Barbara, a beautiful and healthy trout stream.

    Recreation

    This is a great drop off point for hikers and horseback riders seeking close access to the Pecos Wilderness and Jicarita Peak.

    Facilities

    The campground has 15 single sites, each containing a table and fire ring; two double sites, each containing two tables and a fire ring; one triple site containing three tables and a fire ring; and two quad sites containing four tables and a fire ring. Vault toilets, drinking water from faucets and trash removal are provided. There are no horse facilites within the campground. First-come, first-served sites are available.

    Natural Features

    Santa Barbara is located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,900 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.

    contact_info

    For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

    Nearby Attractions

    Trail access to Jicarita Peak, with close access to North Truchas Peak, Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco are all nearby. All are within 8-15 miles from the campground. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Equestrian

    $70 / night

  7. Camper-submitted photo from Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed

    7.

    Rio Chama Campground - Temporarily Closed

    14 Reviews
    85 Photos
    339 Saves
    Gallina, New Mexico

    Campground is closed for current season of use. Coyote Ranger District @ 575-638-5526 for current status

    The Rio Chama is a developed no-fee campground where reservations are not required. Located along the Rio Chama Wild & Scenic River, the developed campground offers a great place for families,

    Ten individual campsites each include a picnic table and a campfire ring. RV's up to 20 feet can be accommodated in only a few sites. No potable water, or hookups.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • ADA Access
    • RVs
    • Tents
  8. Camper-submitted photo from Borrego Mesa Campground

    8.

    Borrego Mesa Campground

    5 Reviews
    2 Photos
    42 Saves
    Truchas, New Mexico

    The Borrego Mesa Campground is located close to several trailheads leading into the north half of the Pecos Wilderness. Amenitites include picnic tables, firepits and small corrals at each site suitable for one or two horses. The Vaulted toilet is currently not in service. Adjacent to and south of the campground is the Rio Medio Trailhead, one of the major trailheads into the Pecos Wilderness. The campground is rather primitive and little used, and is much less developed than most. It is primarily used for picnicking by locals from nearby communities, and also serves those who use it for an overnight stay before embarking on a horsepack or backpack into the Pecos. There is ample space for trailer/RV camping, but no dump station is available. There is no potable water and no Campground Host.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • RVs
    • Tents
    • Group
  9. Camper-submitted photo from Ghost Ranch

    9.

    Ghost Ranch

    4 Reviews
    22 Photos
    78 Saves
    Cañones, New Mexico
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
  10. Camper-submitted photo from The Chicken Ranch

    10.

    The Chicken Ranch

    2 Reviews
    2 Photos
    4 Saves
    Antonito, Colorado
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs
    • Tents

    $20 - $65 / night

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84 Reviews of 13 Carson National Forest Campgrounds