Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Chama, NM

The spot is really close (2 miles) to the town of Chama, New Mexico (elevation about 8,000ft in Southern Rockies) and has one outdoor toilet, open areas for RVs or tents no electrical hook ups or water. Pets allowed. Wonderful views of the mountains and a good road and trail for hiking and biking and horseback riding. There are creeks, small ponds, maybe a lake deeper in, fir, aspen, and pine trees. You can roam off the road/trail anywhere. iIf you get a combination to the lock on the gate you can drive your vehicle down I rode that goes deep into the wilderness area for fishing and hunting. It is run by the New Mexico wild wildlife services. At sunrise or sunset you are very likely to see elk maybe even a whole herd and other wildlife. You cannot camp there in the winter but it’s great for cross country skiing. There’s also a laundromat just down the road, probably a mile from the camping area. I live in the region and often go there throughout the year to take my dog on walks or cross country ski.

The Last Resort is a lovely RV Park and campground on the Blanco River off Highway 84 between Chama, New Mexico and Pagosa Springs, Colorado. There are full RV hook ups in the loop and partial hook up by the river. The Bunk House is a small cabin with a queen bed and electricity. Many great tent camping sites. There is a nice Bathhouse with a full kitchen, bathrooms with showers and a coin operated washer/dryer. They are open year round, free wifi and pets welcome. There is a small store with ice, sodas, snacks, fishing tackle, RV supplies, and toiletries.

This is our 3rd summer at the Last Resort. It's a very laid back place with 2 playgrounds and plenty of activities for kids - horse shoes, volleyball, tether ball, etc. They have a nice 4th of July celebration, potluck dinners and camp fires. There are often horses (and a goat) on the property and plenty of space to take a nice walk. This year, we saw a lot of Canada geese and there are also chickens and ducks. We really love watching the many hummingbirds and hanging out by the river. Lots of campers like to fish or float down the river on inner tubes.

Well maintained, beautiful and friendly hosts make for a wonderful place to stay.

The website listed for this campground is correct Ponderosa campground Antonito, CO.

Phone 719.376.5857

This is a very relaxing place to stay and it seems like most of the people there have been there many times before. The drive in is easy on Route 17 and does not require a vehicle with high ground clearance. They do allow campfires, they have clean bathrooms and a shower house. I stayed in a backpacking tent after driving all day arriving on a Friday at about 4:00 PM. The campground is set-up for small campers and has some cabins for rent too. The bathrooms with showers are clean and comfortable. The sites have fire rings with grates and picnic tables. The owner manager is great, providing quality fishing advice, conversation and even a free cup of coffee in the morning. Hiking on the CDT is near the campground and fishing is right in the campground. The steam train is right up the pass and I happened to be there the night before opening day catching a photo when I drove over the pass to Chama New Mexico. The Cumbres and Toltec Train traveling between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico. This is a very nice drive and Chama is a cool place to visit, it is a trail town on the CDT.

I will visit this campground again for sure.

Nothing wrong with this campground, per se... 
The sites are large, and shadier than we'd have thought (we brought a patio umbrella all the way from Chicago and discovered our site was under a large pinion pine, go figure). 
The pit toilets and the plumbed facilities are clean and maintained. 
Open fires are not allowed. 
But, we rarely saw anyone. One couple walking their dog and the camp host who we didn't meet until we were leaving. We joked that all the RV's were "Breaking Bad" meth labs, this being New Mexico. The sense of desolation is enhanced by the wind, the cawing of birds and occasional howls of coyotes or wolves (?). It was downright spooky.
Heron lake is currently at 25% capacity. Which means the boat ramp and marina are perhaps a mile from the current shoreline, dried up and one of the saddest sights you'll see. 
However, it was a good base of operations for our trips to Chama to spend the day on the scenic railroad, as well as day trip into Taos.

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. I *love* staying here. It's so peaceful, quiet, enough trees to keep you shaded from the harsh sun here. The road is runner friendly, so you can go on a jog if you like. Its definitely a campsite for people looking to strictly hang out. 

views and sunsets are EPIC. Stay here instead of the packed Rio Chama campground if you're a casual camper who doesn't need amenities. And pick up your toilet paper so this place stays nice!