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Campgrounds near Canjilon, New Mexico range from developed sites to primitive dispersed camping areas across Carson National Forest. Lower Canjilon Lake Campground provides established sites for tents and RVs with basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. The surrounding area includes several lakes and campgrounds at elevations above 9,000 feet, with Middle Canjilon Campground offering paved sites that accommodate smaller trailers and RVs, while tent campers can find spots throughout the region.
Access to Canjilon's camping areas requires preparation, as many sites sit at high elevations with limited services. The narrow, rough roads leading to the lakes feature potholes and challenging conditions, particularly on the dirt road out of Canjilon town. One camper noted that "definitely a commitment to get to these spots, but you'll be rewarded. Make sure to print a map before you head in, as you'll loose all forms of cell reception once you leave the main highway into Canjilon." The camping season typically runs from late May through September, with weather conditions limiting access during winter months. Visitors should arrive prepared with supplies as the nearest stores are approximately 40 minutes away.
The Canjilon Lakes area attracts fishing enthusiasts, with stocked trout lakes providing recreational opportunities. Campground options include Lower, Middle, and Upper Canjilon Lake campgrounds, each offering slightly different experiences and amenities. Sites generally feature some privacy due to new forest growth following past wildfires, though cattle occasionally wander through the campgrounds leaving droppings that campers should watch for. Hiking trails connect the lakes and surrounding forest, providing additional recreational opportunities. A visitor mentioned that "the campsites have trees between, so a bit of privacy. There are three different lakes to choose from up near the sites, and they are stocked with trout. Plenty of hiking trails as well." The combination of fishing, hiking, and relative seclusion makes these campgrounds popular despite their remote location.
"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."
"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."
from $10 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Small campground next to U.S. Highway 84. There are 9 campsites with 3 small pull-throughs. I have seen large RVs in the day use area, not sure if this is tolerated. No services. "
"Hour outside of santa fe."
from $10 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Rio Chama RV park in Chama, New Mexico, is at the intersection of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the upper Rio Chama. A nice place to stay May 1 thru mid October."
"It's an easy dirt road drive down the river and you will pass many dispersed site and a couple of defined camping grounds."
"Seems a given, since it’s close to the river! I found a site right next to the Rio and even though it was muddy, I still appreciated being able to get in to cool down a bit."
"One down side being close to the river is the bugs, literally thousands of them can make it unpleasant. Outside of that the spot on the river is fantastic for viewing pleasure."
"Recommend arriving not too late to see if you can get a good spot, we didn’t have shade so had to go find a nice shady bench away from our site for eating lunch / relaxing after our hike."
"All in all we got three meals for our family of 4 and a nights stay while we hiked around trails on the property for less than $100 all in, and the food (upscale summer camp type) was very good."
"Make sure to print a map before you head in, as you’ll loose all forms of cell reception once you leave the main highway into Canjilon. The campsites have trees between, so a bit of privacy."
"4 small mountain lakes around two campgrounds. Lower campground is within walking distance to 2 lakes We stayed at campground 3 which was on the top of the campground."
"Very nice little campsites, a couple different lakes in the area. Only one outhouse by one of the lakes, the rest dont have any."
"We had no clue that this gem was close to us we went for a quick weekend camp we were right next to the creek with amazing views of the mountains."
"Seems to be a common problem, which is too bad because it is a pretty place and convenient to the large rock climbing area nearby."
from $225 / night
Check Availability"there’s a fire ban, so it makes it hard to stay warm at night, but the stars are amazing. it’s quiet. it’s lovely. there’s canyon walls for miles. it’s really amazing. some of these pics are from the nearby"
"I've stayed here twice now since being in New Mexico. This site is right on the water, overlooks the canyon, and is close to a hike to the right side of the canyon through a dried up riverbed."
"If you are coming for the lake you maybe disappointed. With the drought, the lake level is very low and the shore line off in the distance. "
"The lake is dismally low as the boat ramps are totally not usable. I don't know when they were last usable and it looks like it has been a while."
from $15 - $35 / night
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GuideI visited mid-week so it was almost empty. I did have to remove an entire trash bag of garbage from one campsite, but the rest of the area is very clean so it was clearly just one disrespectful camper.
GuideThis is a typical dispersed camping spot. It has amazing views and lots of trails to explore. This spot also has very friendly cows, yes, cows. They haven't bothered anything. Bring plenty of water and it is a pack in, pack out camping area. Absolutely no services.
TravelerFirst of all, Google Maps tells you that you have to park and walk in. Not true. It was so clean and quiet ! I parked where there are 2 fire rings close to each other and found a sweet spot by the river. There is lots of space at the end of the camp road for big rvs. Roads are okay. I drove a RAV4 with no problem.
GuideWhat a beautiful site! It was easy to access (I’m in a minivan) and had many, many sites available. It is primitive, self-contained, boondocking camping, so bring everything you need with you.
GuideI am a new New Mexican and have committed to spending the next couple of years learning my favorite sites to stop and to linger, using Dyrt as my primary guidance..
This is a good site for me to stop, but the proximity of traffic sounds (I camp in a converted minivan, so I took a spot relatively close to the road) means it’s not a great place for me to linger. If you have something that can tackle rough roads, try higher up. It might be quieter up there.
Now, at night, it’s very quiet m, even down here. Hardly anyone is on the road at night so once it gets dark this spot is quite peaceful.
And it is pretty and the first few spots are level enough for me (not super level but not falling-out-of-bed slanted). I travel self-contained. There are no amenities here, just ground you can park on, so it’s a boondocking stop.
It’s only 7 minutes to Cuba, which makes this an excellent stop before or after re-stocking.
Clean and pleasant. But loud during the day. I got enough cell signal (Verizon) to work on homework and writing. I could watch videos but with a lot of buffering time first.
TravelerGreat location on Elk Creek close to Conejos River. Well cared for, good water! Many creekside spots. Fishing, hiking lots of natural beauty
GuideWe parked before the gate. Reasonably level, shielded from the road by trees. Minimal traffic noise at night. There is logging going on, but we saw no trucks. It looks like there would be some nice spots a ways up the road if you’re in a small camper, but we didn’t see a good turnaround for the trailer.
TravelerAmazing campground with a view! There are very few camp spots, making for a quiet dispersed like feel. Only $9 to camp so make sure you get here before all the spots are gone. No hookups, but there are trash cans posted up at every site and a singular centrally located toilet for camper use. Would 100% recommend!
ScoutCampground is clean and the vault toilets were the cleanest I’ve ever seen. They didn’t smell bad and no fly swarm. I would have to give the credit to the host. We are in site 31, it’s private enough and has lots of space. Not on the river but close , only a minute walk away. No Cell service if that’s important to you.
Carson National Forest surrounding Canjilon, New Mexico offers camping options at elevations ranging from 7,000-10,000 feet where summer temperatures typically range from 45-80°F. Camping near Canjilon requires preparation for significant elevation changes and limited services. Road conditions can deteriorate quickly after rainfall, making access challenging even for high-clearance vehicles.
Fishing in stocked lakes: The Trout Lakes provide good fishing opportunities, especially for crappie. "The fishing was good from the kayak lots of crappie," notes a camper from Riana-Abiquiu Lake.
Hiking nearby trails: At Rio Chama Campground, visitors can explore various paths along the river. "There are hiking spots, the echo amphitheater, and a monastery to visit. We even made objects from the clay in the river. Then fired them in the camp fire," explains one camper.
Kayaking and tubing: The river at Rio Chama offers water recreation options. "The sites are all close to the river and at most a quick drive away from a place to put your kayak or tube in the water," shares a visitor.
Privacy between sites: Many camping areas near Canjilon feature natural spacing between sites. At Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area, "Camp spaces are spread out. Some of the roads on the campground had deep ruts and pools of mud water but not all. You can see every star on a clear night."
River sounds: Campsites along the river provide soothing background noise. At Oak Point Campground, one camper notes it's "Very peaceful location listening to the river all night."
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to see local animals. "Lots of wildlife here! We saw deer, coyotes and bear droppings," reports a visitor at Willow Creek Campground.
Limited services: Be prepared for minimal facilities. At Lower Canjilon Lake Campground, "Basic, simple sites at lower lake location. Upper lake has benches and picnic tables with fishing. No campground at upper lake."
Road conditions: Forest roads can be challenging, especially after rain. At Whirlpool, "The road to the campground is about 6 miles of curvy dirt and gravel single lane. But a woman managed it in a Jaguar so not too bad just go slow."
Seasonal availability: Most campsites near Canjilon operate during warm months only. "The campground is open April 15-Oct 15," notes one visitor about Riana-Abiquiu Lake.
Beach access spots: Look for sites with easy water entry. At Ghost Ranch, "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."
Bring recreational equipment: Pack kayaks, tubes, or fishing gear. "We had a great time camping by the river over Memorial Day weekend. Definitely have some sort of raft or kayak or SUP to put in the river upstream and float down to the boat ramp or to your campground," suggests an Oak Point visitor.
Pack for variable temperatures: Mountain elevations mean large temperature swings. "Mornings chilly. Nice showers!" notes a camper at Riana-Abiquiu Lake.
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose campgrounds with appropriate access. At Willow Creek Campground, "The sites a quite large and well spaced. It felt more like being out in the woods by yourself as we couldn't see another camp site from our trailer. Any sized rig will fit and we stayed in the Blanco loop with power and water."
Check hookup availability: Services vary widely between locations. "For $14, we had f/u hook-ups. I think Lot 1 & 2 are the only lots with full hook ups," notes another Willow Creek visitor.
Cell service considerations: Reception varies throughout the area. "We did take a couple of hikes. One was to the lake, which was sadly almost empty. There was very spotty Verizon cell phone and dish satellite."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Lower Canjilon Lakes Campground?
Lower Canjilon Lakes Campground typically offers basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. While the campground doesn't provide electric hookups or running water, the natural setting compensates with beautiful surroundings. Similar to Hopewell Lake Campground, you'll find a rustic experience that connects you with nature. The campground maintains a peaceful atmosphere with well-maintained sites. Remember to bring your own water supply as potable water is not available on-site, and consider packing extra layers as temperatures can drop significantly at night due to the elevation.
What recreational activities can I enjoy while camping at Canjilon Lakes?
Canjilon Lakes offers excellent fishing opportunities in multiple stocked lakes, popular for rainbow trout. Hikers can explore various trails through the ponderosa pine forest, with paths suitable for different skill levels. Similar to Rio Puerco Campground, the area provides breathtaking views and photography opportunities. Wildlife viewing is rewarding with chances to spot elk, deer, and numerous bird species. Mountain biking is available on designated trails, while the serene setting is perfect for nature walks and stargazing. During winter, the area transforms for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing when conditions allow.
Where is Canjilon Lakes Campground located and how do I access it?
Canjilon Lakes Campground is located in the Carson National Forest in northern New Mexico, approximately 9 miles southwest of the town of Canjilon. To access the campground, take Highway 84 to Canjilon and follow Forest Road 129 west into the mountains. Similar to Edward Sargeant Wildlife Management Area, the campground sits at a higher elevation (around 8,000 feet) in the Southern Rockies. The access road is generally well-maintained during summer months but can be challenging during wet weather or winter conditions. Four-wheel drive is recommended but not essential when conditions are dry.
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