Cedar Crest, New Mexico sits at an elevation of approximately 6,900 feet in the eastern foothills of the Sandia Mountains. The area experiences a high desert climate with cool nights even in summer, making it comfortable for camping throughout much of the year. Horse owners will find several options for equestrian camping within driving distance, with varying levels of amenities and trail access.
What to do
Trail riding access: The RV Park at HIPICO Santa Fe offers equestrians direct connection to training facilities. According to one camper, "This is a very spacious private campground southwest of Santa Fe with access to public land. Located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe."
Mountain biking: Red Canyon Campground provides excellent starting points for two-wheeled adventures. One visitor notes, "Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons." Another adds, "Beautiful secluded spot in the Manzanos. Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground."
Stargazing: The dark skies near Cedar Crest create optimal conditions for astronomy. A camper at Top of New Mexico 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: Several horse camping areas near Cedar Crest feature opportunities to observe local fauna. One visitor to Top of New Mexico shared, "We spent one night here in our class c while on our trip to Miami and yeah the road is to be taken slow but it was worth it! There is a tiny art gallery on the side of the road!!" Another camper noted, "Woke up in the morning to a heard of wild horses moving through the area."
Clean facilities: Turquoise Trail Campground maintains high standards for their amenities. As one camper observed, "There are two very clean bathroom/showerhouses located between the office and tent loops. A laundry room and dishwashing sink is located at the back of the office building." Another noted it was "Easy to find, nice, clean, Quiet friendly campground to stay at."
Proximity to attractions: Horse campgrounds near Cedar Crest provide convenient access to regional destinations. A camper at Cuervo Mountain RV Park and Horse Hotel shared, "This was a great place to stop East of Albuquerque, just 3 miles north of I-40. There aren't many RV parks around and of the handful this is the one where you are going to get some space."
What you should know
Road conditions: Some access roads to camping areas can be challenging. At Top of New Mexico, one camper warns, "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!" Another advises, "Don't arrive when it's dark."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds in the area have distinct seasons. Red Canyon Campground operates from "April to November," and one regular visitor suggests, "I'd recommend going before Memorial Day while the sites are still clean."
Reservation systems: Manzano Mountains Camp and several dispersed camping options don't require reservations, while established horse campgrounds near Cedar Crest typically do. A camper at Cuervo Mountain noted, "We called ahead because we knew we were going to be pulling into the campground really late as our trip didn't get started as soon as we wanted. Rick gladly accommodated us, giving us directions and site numbers we would use, then just pay in the morning."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some equestrian facilities include child-friendly areas. A visitor to Cuervo Mountain RV Park noted, "There's a playground for the kids and possibly some horses in the stables." Another recent camper confirmed, "The playground was nice for our daughter."
Budget considerations: Campground prices vary significantly in the region. One camper at Turquoise Trail Campground reported, "At $20 a night, the campground is convenient and sufficiently met our needs as we traveled west on a tight itinerary." However, another camper found Cuervo Mountain "a bit pricey at 40.00 per night for electric and water for an 8x12 trailer."
Entertainment options: RavenHouse RV Spot and Horse Hotel offers unique accommodations. One family shared, "We stayed one night in the TeePee which was just magical and cozy, a mini vacay inside of our otherwise rustic van camping trip!" They also noted, "We used the grill area and even hosted friends visiting one night with their horse trailer and 2 horses."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: At several horse campgrounds near Cedar Crest, site proximity can vary. At Turquoise Trail, one RVer observed, "Roomy, pull-through parking. The slides and awning were fully extended without getting close to the adjacent sites." However, another noted, "RVs so close together, hard to enjoy what the area has to offer."
Connectivity: For those needing to stay connected, cell service varies by location and provider. An RVer at RavenHouse mentioned, "The hosts were super nice and accommodating when we had a wifi issues, they got us up and running again quickly." Another at Red Canyon Campground shared, "I did have spotty T-Mobile service, others had phone service as well but I'm not sure of their provider."
Hookup availability: Different horse camping options offer varying levels of services. At Cuervo Mountain, an RVer confirmed it "has full hookups and laundry and is very well maintained." While at HIPICO Santa Fe, the setup includes "restrooms and showers. I saw a few tent but this is really geared toward RVs."
