Chama is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Chama campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Chama, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
Heron Lake also has amazing sailing, cross- country skiing, and hiking. The park is a fisherperson’s paradise with record-size trout and kokanee salmon. Ice fishing is very popular in winter. Several campgrounds line the shore of this scenic lake with primitive and developed campsites are available for every taste.
Pagosa Riverside Campground has RV pull-thrus, all 50 amp, river, lakeside, wooded & tent sites & 3 Cabins. Enjoy our hot showers, clean restrooms and laundromat open 24 hours. Our store is well stocked with groceries, snacks, gifts, fishing supplies and a large selection of RV parts. Firewood and ice available for sale. Cable TV for RV sites and Wi-fi throughout the campground.
Pagosa Riverside is a Rocky Mountain Campground along the San Juan River.
This people friendly campground is located at 7200′ elevation on the banks of the San Juan River with mountain views and 1200′ of private access to excellent trout fishing. Quiet, convenient off-highway location with cool evenings. The private pond has campsite’s snuggling its bank and free fishing for kids of all ages. Be sure to try the paddle boats for a fun time on the pond.
Free WI-FI throughout the park.
Large RV sites, grassy shaded tent sites in the trees and beside the small pond. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings and there are BBQ grills throughout the park. Park amenities include: Wifi, Laundry, Playground, Game Room, Paddle boats, Above Ground Pool.
The Camp-Store has groceries, marshmallows, snacks, ice cream, fishing supplies, firewood, ice, and the largest selection of RV supplies in the area.
Near hot springs, horse rides, Indian ruins (Chimney Rock), rafting, and championship quality 27-hole golf course. ATV, Mountain Bike, and Hiking Trails are only a short distance from the park.
Primitive Camper Cabins.
Aspen Glade Campground sits on the Conejos River in southern Colorado, providing a premium setting for fly fishing and peaceful nature watching.
Forest Road 250 provides an unforgettable scenic drive, where visitors are met with sweeping views of the Conejos Canyon and River. Just upstream of the campground is a section of "Gold Medal" trout fishing, offering top-tier fishing for large quality trout. Just 168 miles of the 9,000 miles of trout streams in Colorado are designated with this title. The nearby Sheep Creek Trail is also highly recommended for avid hikers.
Within the campground, Loop A and B are lightly wooded with Ponderosa pines. Loop C is heavily wooded with tall, mature spruce, aspen and fir trees. It lies along the fast-flowing Conejos River. The understory for all campsites is grass topped with pine needles. Aspen Glade sits near the border of New Mexico at 8,500 feet. It is situated between the Carson and Rio Grande National Forests. Wildlife in the region includes bear, deer, elk and a variety of birds.
Visitors can ride a traditional steam engine at the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad on a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns.
For facility specific information, please call (805) 434-1996.
$26 - $33 / night
Bring your family, bring your pets, and discover the beauty of Rio Chama RV Park, where adventure and relaxation meet in one stunning location. Nestled in the heart of Chama Valley, our park offers a front row seat to the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, private Rio Chama river access, and serenity as you nestle in in amongst the Cottonwood trees.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, we have something for everyone!
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.
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.
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.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
$24 / night
East Fork Campground is located 11 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, just off U.S. Highway 160, along the East Fork Road. Visitors enjoy the area for its fishing, hiking and scenic opportunities.
The East Fork offers plenty of fishing opportunities upstream from the campground. Trailheads for the Coal Creek Trail and the Quartz Ridge Trail are at Sand Creek, 2-5 miles beyond the campground.
The campground sits on a ridge overlooking the East Fork of the San Juan River. Some sites have views of the river, but it's a long way down the hill. Short, but steep trails lead down the hill, to the riverbanks. A forest of ponderosa pine and gambel oak trees shades the campground. At 7,700 feet, temperatures can be a bit warmer than at surrounding campgrounds.
Silver Falls is located a few miles up East Fork Road past the campground. A short trail leads to the base of the falls. Mountain bikers often ride to Silver Falls. Beyond its junction with Forest Road 684, the East Fork Road is negotiable only by 4WD. Off-road vehicle enthusiasts enjoy the upper section to Elwood Pass. Treasure Falls, located just off Highway 160 about five miles from the campground, is an impressive 100' waterfall with a short hike.
Cancellations Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. No-Shows A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Refunds Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.
$27 / night
Elk Creek Campground is located in Conejos County, approximately 23 miles west of Antonito, Colorado. Located in the lower portion of the Conejos Canyon a short distance from Highway 17, it is an easily reached destination for visitors to the area. Elk Creek runs alongside the campground. The elevation of the campground is 8,500 ft.
Consider a day trip to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. One access to the train is in Antonito, CO, about 23 miles from the campground. Fishing, hunting, hiking, scenic driving and wildlife watching are some of the popular activities in the area. Elk Creek and Duck Lake trailheads are a short distance away, both of which are access points to the South San Juan Wilderness Area.
The campground is lightly wooded with spruce and some ponderosa pine trees. The understory is grass with some campsites located next to Elk Creek. The campground is conveniently located within close proximity to the South San Juan Wilderness Area.
For facility specific information, please call (805) 434-1996.
Nearby Elk Creek has fishing, including brown and rainbow trout. Two hiking trails are also nearby and lead into the south San Juan Wilderness. These trails access Dipping Lakes and Duck Lake and are an easy to intermediate hike.
$29 - $33 / night
Heron Lake also has amazing sailing, cross- country skiing, and hiking. The park is a fisherperson’s paradise with record-size trout and kokanee salmon. Ice fishing is very popular in winter. Several campgrounds line the shore of this scenic lake with primitive and developed campsites are available for every taste.
Pagosa Riverside Campground has RV pull-thrus, all 50 amp, river, lakeside, wooded & tent sites & 3 Cabins. Enjoy our hot showers, clean restrooms and laundromat open 24 hours. Our store is well stocked with groceries, snacks, gifts, fishing supplies and a large selection of RV parts. Firewood and ice available for sale. Cable TV for RV sites and Wi-fi throughout the campground.
Pagosa Riverside is a Rocky Mountain Campground along the San Juan River.
This people friendly campground is located at 7200′ elevation on the banks of the San Juan River with mountain views and 1200′ of private access to excellent trout fishing. Quiet, convenient off-highway location with cool evenings. The private pond has campsite’s snuggling its bank and free fishing for kids of all ages. Be sure to try the paddle boats for a fun time on the pond.
Free WI-FI throughout the park.
Large RV sites, grassy shaded tent sites in the trees and beside the small pond. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings and there are BBQ grills throughout the park. Park amenities include: Wifi, Laundry, Playground, Game Room, Paddle boats, Above Ground Pool.
The Camp-Store has groceries, marshmallows, snacks, ice cream, fishing supplies, firewood, ice, and the largest selection of RV supplies in the area.
Near hot springs, horse rides, Indian ruins (Chimney Rock), rafting, and championship quality 27-hole golf course. ATV, Mountain Bike, and Hiking Trails are only a short distance from the park.
Primitive Camper Cabins.
Aspen Glade Campground sits on the Conejos River in southern Colorado, providing a premium setting for fly fishing and peaceful nature watching.
Forest Road 250 provides an unforgettable scenic drive, where visitors are met with sweeping views of the Conejos Canyon and River. Just upstream of the campground is a section of "Gold Medal" trout fishing, offering top-tier fishing for large quality trout. Just 168 miles of the 9,000 miles of trout streams in Colorado are designated with this title. The nearby Sheep Creek Trail is also highly recommended for avid hikers.
Within the campground, Loop A and B are lightly wooded with Ponderosa pines. Loop C is heavily wooded with tall, mature spruce, aspen and fir trees. It lies along the fast-flowing Conejos River. The understory for all campsites is grass topped with pine needles. Aspen Glade sits near the border of New Mexico at 8,500 feet. It is situated between the Carson and Rio Grande National Forests. Wildlife in the region includes bear, deer, elk and a variety of birds.
Visitors can ride a traditional steam engine at the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad on a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns.
For facility specific information, please call (805) 434-1996.
$26 - $33 / night
Bring your family, bring your pets, and discover the beauty of Rio Chama RV Park, where adventure and relaxation meet in one stunning location. Nestled in the heart of Chama Valley, our park offers a front row seat to the historic Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, private Rio Chama river access, and serenity as you nestle in in amongst the Cottonwood trees.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, we have something for everyone!
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.
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.
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.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
$24 / night
Scout
Had no issues, pretty close to town, highly recommend. T-mobile works from here
Scout
There were about 4 spots clustered together right after the second bridge (a little over 2 miles from the main road). i took the right fork after that towards the rainbow springs trailhead and didn’t find anything else, but there might be more spots if you take the left fork after the second bridge instead. at the end of october the paid campground you pass by is closed for the season, no water and vault toilets are locked
Traveler
This spot is pretty open with room for a small rv or tent camping. Area Code It's a short drive up to Poage Lake at the top of the mountain and also a short drive to Beaver Creek Reservoir down the mountain.
Traveler
The sites are spacious and well-maintained, providing a perfect blend of privacy and community. Area Code The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, making check-in a breeze.
Scout
area is pretty rocky so i would be careful with a ground tent. We stayed in our van and it was great.
Guide
Parked on edge of flat in trees close to creek. Nice ambient noise. Fire rings, metal and stone. Plenty of room. Two vault toilets were clean plenty if TP. Lots of trails, bridge over creek, lakes are near by foot.
Traveler
Easy drive up 160 from Pagosa. Pitched the tent in the afternoon and headed to town for a soak.
Room for a couple cars and several tents. Not PERFECTLY flat for the tent-folk.
View is killer - we hit it at about peak color.
Scout
It's a lovely location, and the camp is hosted by the Army Corps. They do a good job, the facilities and grounds are very well maintained. Drinking and marijuana consumption is strictly prohibited, with the hosts making regular rounds. The sites are so close together it may as well be one big group camp; I could hear everything going on in the sites around me at all hours of the night. Even when folks were in their tents and campers. Forget trying to enjoy a quiet evening stargazing. Was surrounded by large family groups who were having a great time, which I'm glad about, but it is not my cup of tea for camping.
Guide
Stop here just for and sleep stop overnight. Road is well maintained. Several places to pull off the side of the road or actual sites too. We have a 35' 5th wheel and had no problems menivering the area. Nice lake with a parking lot at the end the turn around at if you wish to take the road all the way to the end.
ScoutI recently had the pleasure of staying at Big Meadows Campground, and it was an unforgettable experience! From the moment I arrived, I was struck by the stunning natural beauty surrounding the campground. The sites are spacious and well-maintained, providing a perfect blend of privacy and community. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, making check-in a breeze. Other then this you can find me here!
https://www.carmatec.com
Scout
Mostly RV sites, some tent sites. Some with no hookups, partial hookand full hookups. Awesome staff. Full bathroom & laundry facilities.
Legend
Quick stop while traveling. Several established dispersed camp sites nearby. Rock fire pit at this site doesn't appear to been used in awhile
GuideThe weather is perfect in the summer! The Cumbres & Toltec steam train goes by the campground twice a day at the trestle. The Rio Chama flows along the edge of the campground. The staff was friendly and helpful. The town of Chama is within walking distance. Definitely worth staying.
Guide
We had site 22 which is away from the stream. Quite steep front to back. Level side to side. We were at our limit of ability to level the TT. Almost every site is big and well spaced. The whole area is treed with TALL lodgepoll pines with a few TALL ponderosa pines as well. Absolutely stunning. If you need solar, this is not the place. Otherwise it’s lovely.
Traveler
There are 20+ campsites along FR667. Some can accommodate RVs, some only tents. We parked a popup at the 1st campsite past the bridge near the trailhead. 2 waterfalls are close, Pagosa Springs is 30ish mins away. Our kids tubed down the creek. Lots of ATV traffic, some bikes, but overall quiet.
Guide
We spent a few nights in the dispersed area near Hopewell . We rolled in at 5 and had plenty of sites to choose from. We chose one of the lower areas, with one large open space surrounded by smaller sites. There were many more up the road, and there was constant traffic headed uphill until about 9PM. Once the traffic stopped it was very quiet, only the cattle calling through the trees. It rained for several hours and our spot stayed solid. Some offshoot roads were rutted out. The main road had minimal rocks and holes, didn't get very muddy. TMobile\Google mobile service worked well enough. Verizon did not work.
Traveler
Drove to end of FS 633 to find an unoccupied clean, dispersed campsite with plenty of room. From there, hiked along the adjoining irrigation ditch to Piedra River Falls trailhead for breathtaking views of the multi-tiered waterfalls.
ScoutNo water sources within walking distance. The lake is aways away. It's a pull off on the dirt road that's big enough to fit a small camper on the side of a cliff with high exposure. No cover for thunderstorms.
TravelerDown a dirt road, you get to where you make a turn, and immediately you’ll start seeing unimproved site. The better sites appear to be closest to that turn, but if you keep driving you’ll find plenty of sites not within earshot of anyone else.
One think I noticed with ATT service you’ll get 2, sometimes 3 bars by my location (below). As I drove the road I was seeing mostly 1-2 bars.
Bring your own everything and enjoy the peaceful and quiet!
Guide
Grate spot on the river No cell service Someone has left trash
Traveler
Nice quiet area outside of Pagosa Springs. Lots of flat spaces, road is bumpy with some potholes, but not bad at all for BLM. 1-2 bars of Verizon LTE depending on where you are. We parked fairly fair up the road, no traffic.
ScoutWe had no trouble finding available spots out here on weekend nights, tons of open spaces to choose from. It rained quite a bit during the nights but never got muddy enough to get stuck anywhere. We had some surprise cow guests stop by in the morning! Lots of fun biking nearby!
Scout
Incredible spot, river is incredibly cold even in August. Most sites have river access: Wildlife is abundant. Air is cool. One of the most beautiful spots I’ve ever camped at. The only downside? The F’n ATVS. Disrespectful to other campers and stir up SO much dust, also just out right dangerous? Because of this the road is full of washboards. Folks out here apparently also do not care to pick up their trash or have any common curtesy of how to leave a campsite. Very unfortunate:( PSA: clean up your trash and pack out your used toilet paper…. 🤢 We stayed at 3 different sites. Sites get better the further along you go, road is rough but nothing a standard 4x4 vehicle can’t handle. (We have a Toyota Tacoma) There are hiking trails/ ATV trails too. We will definitely be back. Great spot during the week when there’s less traffic!
Scout
We enjoy tenting in relatively primitive national forests and usually avoid private campgrounds. But our friends recommended Last Resort on the River, and we were pleasantly surprised. The tent sites are separated from the RV sites in a forested area along the river. We shared a campsite on the river that had lots of trees and plenty of room for two tents and a canopy. Several other tent sites are carved out of the brush along the river. This makes a very nice setting with lots of privacy. The sound of the river is soothing and there was very little sound from the road.
It was a short walk to the amenities of the campground. There is a picnic shelter where we sat out a rainstorm, a very nice bathhouse for showering and washing dishes, as well as a comfortable indoor sitting area and another outdoor area with chairs and a fire pit. Ice and firewood are available at the office. Rich delivered them to our site. There are also some ice cream treats there and a few snacks. There is a fishing pond and a volleyball court. The rabbit hutch would have entertained the kids, if we had any with us.
There is no cell service, but the wifi was excellent and reached our campsite on the river. My wife was able to participate in a Zoom meeting from the picnic shelter where there was a convenient electrical outlet for her computer.
Rich is continually upgrading the property. He was very responsive and always willing to help. We highly recommend this campground.
Scout
This little campground is so beautiful and clean! We had an awesome end site. The host was very nice and gave us the rundown on all of the amenities. Sweet little rocking chair porch. Would definitely stay again.
ScoutThis dispersed area is close to Hopewell Lake and Campground where there is fishing and vaulted toilets. The Continental Divide Trail goes right through this location.
Guide
Love the spot got very busy at night bugs everywhere
Camping near Chama, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities that make it a great getaway. Whether you're into fishing, hiking, or just soaking up nature, there’s something for everyone.
Camping near Chama, New Mexico, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Chama, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Chama, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Chama, NM and 36 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Chama, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Chama, NM is Heron Lake State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Chama, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 36 free dispersed camping spots near Chama, NM.
What parks are near Chama, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Chama, NM that allow camping, notably Abiquiu Lake and Carson National Forest.
