Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Chimayo, NM
Overlook Campground's 12 campsites welcome pets against the backdrop of Santa Cruz Lake, providing a rustic but pet-accessible retreat for campers near Chimayo. The campground features basic amenities including picnic tables with shade structures, fire rings, and a vault toilet, while maintaining a pet-friendly policy throughout the grounds. Located on BLM land, the $9 per night fee grants access to spacious sites where dogs can join their owners among the scattered mesquite offering limited shade and privacy. Borrego Mesa Campground similarly accommodates pets in a wooded setting of large ponderosa pines at over 8,000 feet elevation. Several dispersed camping options on BLM land near Chimayo also permit pets, including Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite and Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed. The Tesuque Casino parking lot serves as an unexpected pet-friendly overnight option with level parking and a feeling of safety for those boondocking with animals.
Dog owners find varied terrain for pet exercise around the campgrounds, though limited designated pet facilities exist in these primitive sites. The road to Overlook Campground is winding and rough gravel but passable in most vehicles when dry, while Borrego Mesa's access road is described as arduous especially with recent fire damage. No drinking water is available at most of these sites, requiring campers to bring sufficient water for themselves and their pets. Mobile coverage is spotty at Borrego Mesa, working better near the trailhead, which serves as a starting point for pet-friendly hiking. Santa Cruz Lake provides fishing opportunities, though swimming is prohibited due to potentially dangerous currents. Daytime temperatures are comfortable for pets in spring and fall, but higher elevation sites like Borrego Mesa can get chilly at night, requiring additional warmth for camping animals.
