Cedar Crest camping options extend beyond the immediate Turquoise Trail area, with a variety of nearby Forest Service sites ranging from 6,500 to 7,500 feet elevation. The region's high desert climate sees dramatic temperature swings, with afternoon highs and nighttime lows often differing by 30-40 degrees even in summer months. Road conditions to dispersed sites vary significantly after rainfall, with many areas becoming difficult to access without appropriate vehicles.
What to do
Mountain biking near Cedro Peak: The trails surrounding the dispersed camping areas provide excellent mountain biking opportunities for all skill levels. At Manzanita Rec Zone Dispersed Camping, campers appreciate the proximity to popular trails. One camper noted, "I like it. A bit less traveled than other nearby campground. Road almost more accessible to this camp ground for low clearance."
Visit local breweries: Several campgrounds offer easy access to nearby breweries within walking distance. A camper at Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA shared, "But the best part is there is a brewery you can walk to from the campground. They serve organic pizza and cold beer. What more do you need?" Another visitor to Turquoise Trail Campground mentioned, "It's located next to a little brewery and pizza place. The pizza and beer were both really good I would check that place out while you stay. Ale Republic it's called."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The varied terrain around Cedar Crest attracts diverse wildlife. Visitors to Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site frequently report wildlife encounters: "My first morning I was surrounded by a group of 5 cows grazing. They ended up laying 30 feet from the trailer all morning," and "Woke up in the morning to a heard of wild horses moving through the area."
What campers like
Proximity to urban amenities: Cedar Crest's location provides quick access to city conveniences while maintaining a wilderness feel. At Coronado Campground, a camper appreciated this balance: "Great place to camp if visiting Rio Rancho, Bernalillo and the surrounding area. Super nice camp sites, more than enough room for our 39' trailer and inexpensive. You are next to the Rio Grande and in walking distance of the Pueblo Kuaua which is cool."
Dark sky viewing: The higher elevation areas offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. One camper at Top of New Mexico shared, "This is my second time camping here and it is a perfect hidden gem for campervanning. Beautiful sunrise and sunset. Wild horses in the area. And, you can clearly see the Milky Way. No light pollution except the beautiful view of the city far away."
Budget-friendly options: Several camping areas offer affordable alternatives to commercial campgrounds. A visitor to Dispersed Camping off FS 542 explained, "Unimproved dirt ring road with designated campsites. Good 2WD should be fine. Take the first left after the group campsite, and another left when you reach full dirt road. Ample sites, some not the most ideal for RV/Van."
What you should know
Road conditions to dispersed sites: High clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for most off-grid camping areas. A camper at Dispersed Camping off FS 542 warned, "The road is a little washed out once you get to the end of the paved road and make a left. I didn't make it all the way to the 'primitive' campsite as my car bottomed out but there was room for a car and a tent at the junction."
Cell service variation: Connectivity varies widely across the camping areas. At Top of New Mexico, one camper reported, "Great Starlink location and pretty good cell service (3/4 bars)," while others at more remote sites noted minimal coverage.
Seasonal temperature extremes: The area experiences significant temperature fluctuations, especially at higher elevations. A camper at FS 542 noted, "It was down to freezing at night when we stayed so we didn't encounter anything major. It can get very windy as well so watch out closely with your fire if you have one."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas: Some established campgrounds offer child-friendly amenities. A visitor to Albuquerque KOA Journey shared, "Our pups enjoyed the dog park, lots of enrichment items out for them. Very tidy, no trash. Nice pull through sites with rock 'yards'."
Prioritize sites with clean facilities: Family camping often requires reliable bathroom access. At Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA, a camper noted, "The bathrooms were very well appointed, and required a code to enter," while another mentioned, "They had a nice pool with plenty of shade and an outdoor movie in the evenings which my kids enjoyed."
Consider cabin options for easier family trips: Several campgrounds offer cabin rentals as alternatives to tent camping. A visitor to Turquoise Trail Campground appreciated that "Cabin has power, wi-fi and a fridge! Highly Recommend."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the area have uneven sites. A reviewer at Route 66 RV Park mentioned, "Our site and adjacent sites were not level. However, Our fifth-wheel auto alignment overcame this."
Hookup accessibility varies: The placement of hookups can create challenges at some sites. One camper at Hidden Valley RV park noted, "On our full hook up site the dump sight was in a bad place. We would of had to un hook from our truck to fully hook up."
Size limitations at dispersed sites: Larger RVs face access challenges at many dispersed camping areas. A visitor to Top of New Mexico cautioned, "The gravel roads are really tight for my 27" trailer, manageable but did rub on a couple of trees and shrubs on the drive in. Don't necessarily need a 4WD unless there is bad weather, but a few spots where ground clearance of a regular truck or SUV is important."
