Glamping near Cedar Crest, New Mexico ranges from rustic to refined, with accommodations set at elevations between 6,100-7,100 feet in the East Mountains region. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer days reach the 80s with cool evenings. Seasonal wildlife sightings include wild horses at certain dispersed camping areas, adding an unexpected element to the high desert camping experience.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest roads: Red Canyon Campground connects to multiple trail systems that link neighboring canyons. "Right next to trailheads. Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons. Toilets but no water so come prepared," notes a visitor at Red Canyon Campground.
Hot springs access: Use Vista Linda Campground as a base for visiting natural hot springs. "The camp sites are surrounded by trees, flowers and cute signs everywhere," reports one visitor about their cabin glamping experience. Another camper shared, "We were able to visit and experience some awesome spots such as Jemez hot springs (a few miles north on HWY 4)."
Stargazing opportunities: The Top of New Mexico dispersed site offers exceptional night sky viewing. One camper reports, "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."
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Top of New Mexico Dispersed Site offers unexpected wildlife viewing. "9 wild horses came to visit too!" shares one camper. Another mentioned, "My first morning I was surrounded by a group of 5 cows grazing. They ended up laying 30 feet from the trailer all morning."
Hiking trails: Many campgrounds near Cedar Crest feature accessible hiking paths. At Vista Linda Campground, "Linda Vista campground had a creek running along itself which made for good hiking and scenery," one reviewer noted. At Rancheros de Santa Fe, a camper mentioned, "We loved the little hiking trail!"
Brewery access: Several camping locations offer walkable access to local breweries. "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?" commented a visitor at Albuquerque North/Bernalillo KOA. At Turquoise Trail Campground, a visitor noted, "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."
What you should know
Road conditions to dispersed sites: Accessing some dispersed camping areas requires careful driving. At Top of New Mexico, "Pretty rough getting here as neighbors are sabotaging the road making it narrow using loose gravel & boulders on turns. There is now a locked gate on Palomino to keep non-locals out!" warns one camper. Another advises, "Don't arrive when it's dark."
Varying site privacy: Campground layouts affect privacy levels significantly. One RVer noted, "Sites are gravel with a little grass between. Not much shade and it was very hot in July. Could use some updates and additional spacing." Another camper shared, "The sites are VERY narrow sites. We snugged right up against the hookups, and still didn't have room on the other side to put out our rug."
Urban noise factors: Campgrounds closer to highways experience noise. "Every review will tell you about the noise from highway, and it is no joke!! We were so tired we did not care. But it is BAD! If you are looking for peace and quiet - THIS IS NOT THE PLACE!" cautions one Albuquerque KOA visitor. At Trailer Ranch RV Resort, a camper noted, "Only downside for us was located in middle of town and road noise was bad."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Albuquerque North/Bernalillo KOA offers specific features for children. "The playground has the best swing set and is all sand, very fun for kids of all ages," reports a parent. Another visitor shared, "They had a playground hot tub and a bounce pad for the kids."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds maintain seasonal pools. "They had a nice pool with plenty of shade and an outdoor movie in the evenings which my kids enjoyed," notes a family that stayed in a glamping cabin. Another visitor mentioned, "The pool was closed probably due to COVID-19? They have a store with a few items."
Safety considerations: Campground security varies by location. One camper observed, "It appeared to be in what seemed as 'not the best part of town'. It is fully gated 24/7 which I appreciate, but makes you wonder where you are staying." For glamping with kids, "The campground is functional; campsites are kinda close to each other," which helps families keep track of young campers.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Turquoise Trail Campground presents some setup challenges. "Site 23 was a pull through and level. Water and electric both worked fine," shared one RVer, while another noted, "Site had full hookups and a picnic table but was not level. Was not a bad experience, but with other campgrounds in the area, I would not camp here again."
Water pressure variations: Some campgrounds experience utility fluctuations. "The water pressure was quite low. Weakest shower I've had in our rig. Not sure if this changes with the number of campers, though, since it is well water," shared an RV camper. Another mentioned, "Great water pressure. Great TV reception from Alb, NM TV stations. Lot of radio stations too."
Internet connectivity: Several campgrounds offer varying signal strength. At Vista Linda, "Of note, was some sites were great for starlink being set back from some of the trees and further from the river and mesa while others were just okay for starlink." At Trailer Ranch, a visitor reported, "WiFi is weak but cell was ok not great."
