Best Campgrounds in New Mexico

New Mexico camping encompasses a diverse range of environments, from high desert landscapes to mountain forests and lakeside settings. State parks like Bottomless Lakes near Roswell and Oliver Lee Memorial near Alamogordo provide established campgrounds with amenities, while free dispersed camping can be found on BLM land near Carlsbad and White Sands National Park. KOA locations in Albuquerque and Las Cruces offer convenient access for travelers along major highways. Campers at Raptor Lake Dispersed report spectacular sunsets, with one visitor noting that "the wide open range has everything you need for solar power and Starlink" despite the lack of traditional services.

Most New Mexico campgrounds are open year-round, though seasonal considerations are important. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 90°F in southern regions, while northern mountain areas may see snow in winter. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, particularly from May through September. Many state parks require reservations through an online system. Cell service varies dramatically across the state, with good coverage near cities but limited or non-existent reception in remote areas. Wind is a consistent factor throughout the state, with campers often advised to "keep your elevation low because the wind always blows in New Mexico."

Camping options range from primitive to full-service. RV parks with full hookups are concentrated near population centers and along interstate corridors, particularly I-25, I-40, and I-10. Many state parks offer a mix of electric and non-electric sites, with varying levels of amenities. Dispersed camping on public lands typically requires self-sufficiency, as most locations have no water, toilets, or trash service. Visitors seeking lakeside recreation can find options at Navajo Lake, Elephant Butte, and Conchas Lake, though water levels can fluctuate significantly. Pet-friendly policies are common throughout the state, with most campgrounds allowing dogs with standard leash requirements.

Best Camping Sites in New Mexico (848)

    1. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground

    65 Reviews
    Sunspot, NM
    Website
    +1 (236) 682-6567

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Very beautiful hidden away RV and Raised Primitive State Park full of marked and unmarked foliage and a nice museum reflecting on the surrounding area of New Mexico."

    "I like heat and live in New Mexico.  Northern new Mexico, in the mountains, where no one needs air conditioning. "

    2. Lea Lake Campground — Bottomless Lakes State Park

    68 Reviews
    Dexter, NM
    Website
    +1 (575) 988-3638

    $10 - $35 / night

    "I bought a year pass during covid for New Mexico State park in 2019. I only used it 2 times and parks shut down. Now due to fires many parks have had to close."

    "The state park boasts several lakes, a mountain bike trail, views, playgrounds in the day use area, and many campsites. There is a RV area at Lea Lake, which is half reserved and half first come."

    3. Las Cruces KOA

    56 Reviews
    Mesilla, NM
    Website
    +1 (575) 526-6555

    "We stopped at this KOA for one night while passing through New Mexico.   We had a great view of the valley below and our site had everything we needed--full hookups."

    "We only stayed one night but this was a convenient location or far off the highway. Bathroom was clean and staff was nice. Large clean dog park. Nice views of the city."

    4. USA RV Park

    57 Reviews
    Mentmore, NM
    Website
    +1 (505) 863-5021

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Needed an overnight stay along Interstate 40 in New Mexico. "

    "We were so grateful to stumble upon USA RV Park on our recent trip through New Mexico. "

    5. Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground

    55 Reviews
    White Sands, NM
    Website
    +1 (575) 525-4300

    "Southeast New Mexico has mountains believe it or not. The camp is nestled up against one. It’s Memorial Day weekend and not too crowded. Highly recommend for the price (basically free)."

    "I've been on a nationwide roadtrip for a few months that now and I have tent camped alone in many sites from Florida to Arkansas to, now, New Mexico."

    6. Chosa Campground

    55 Reviews
    Carlsbad Caverns, NM
    Website
    +1 (575) 234-5972

    "It's a large, level, gravel parking lot a quarter mile off of Hwy 62/180 8 miles north of the Texas border in New Mexico."

    "Nice open spot right off the highway. Drive up the paved road and it’s on your left. Gravel has been laid down so it’s nice and firm for campers/RVs. Also has a garbage can there."

    7. Sunset Reef Campground

    43 Reviews
    Carlsbad Caverns, NM
    Website
    +1 (575) 234-5972

    "Sunset reef is small and does fill up quickly as there is limited spots but you can always park on the outskirts of the corral like fencing and there’s still plenty of space."

    "Sunset Reef is great place to spend a night, or a few days exploring the area around Carlsbad."

    8. Albuquerque KOA Journey

    47 Reviews
    Monticello, NM
    Website
    +1 (505) 296-2729

    "New Mexico is a land of wonders and beauty in every turn."

    "Good campground with access to all Albuquerque has to offer. Quick biking to the Sandia trails and short drive to hiking. The bus stop is nearby so getting around town is easy too."

    9. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    42 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM

    "I often camp by Diablo Canyon, which has wonderful sunsets and decent off trail hiking.  There's even a cave for those who know where to find it. "

    "Wide open space to pick your spot next to a Juniper or two.

    Hardly anyone here, just the coyotes howling. Appreciated access to a pit toilet."

    10. Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    39 Reviews
    Placitas, NM
    Website
    +1 (505) 761-8700

    "Top of New Mexico" near Albuquerque is a fantastic camping spot if you love open spaces and beautiful desert views."

    "This campground offered amazing views of the Sandia mountains and the surrounding area."

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Recent Reviews in New Mexico

4453 Reviews of 848 New Mexico Campgrounds


  • Richard B.
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Bowlin's Butterfield Station RV Park

    Not worth $24

    Might be worth $12. We did find electric site that worked and a water spigot. The whole area is overrun by goat's head sandburs so keep dogs in. Noisy of course but tolerable. We won't stop again to stay.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Mallette Creek North

    Beautiful Mt View

    This is what we wanted to find with dispersed camping! Beautiful view! A couple of neighbors but never heard them. Not the easiest piece of ground to get the trailer leveled but we made it work. Very pleased with our 3 nights there.

  • Kevin K.
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Palomino Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

    Smallest campground ever

    There are 3 different campgrounds at this Caballo Lake State Park. The Palomino campground is 7 full hookup sites with a host and a bathroom with showers. Very clean and well spaced. There are nice lake views.

  • Kevin K.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Albuquerque KOA Journey

    Very nice KOA

    This KOA has a lot of pull thru sites and they have decent space sizes. Each site has a small picnic table and there are some sites with pet pens. The laundry is open 24 hours and was clean.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Cochiti Recreation Area

    Sparkling Location!

    Spotless, spacious level concrete pads with barbecues and sheltered picnic tables. No campfires are permitted. Water views from many sites. Boat launch and swimming beach are both less than a mile from the lower loop and available for day use as well as two campers. Dump station, free, hot showers, dumpster, portable water, and electric available at various sites. There is a Ranger on duty at the visitor center up the hill and a good walking/hiking trail that begins near the boat launch. Some steep spots so don’t forget that you’re at over 5000’ here.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Access illegally closed off by Neighbors

    No way to get to BLM land now because the neighbors put up a gate with locks on it and blocked off their driveway so you can't go around it

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Stagecoach Stop RV Park

    Good location for a stopover with nice views

    The RV park has everything including level spots and a dump station and all hookups and has some nice views of the mountains but it is quite near to the highway so has a bit of noise

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    ART City

    Beautiful place to stay!

    We really enjoyed our stay here. We arrived late and the host was very accomodating with us including greeting us upon arrival and giving us a quick tour.

    Upon arrival the site was lit up and was so beautiful to see all the individual ideas and art pieces!

    We explored the next morning! We visited everything but 2 exhibits because we ran out of time but learned so much and were able to capture the artist names to explore more of their art pieces. There are exhibits that you can climb on, in which my entire family enjoyed.

    We definitely recommend checking out this unique place! We were told by the host that they also have RVS available on Airbnb.

  • R
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Las Cruces KOA

    Pricey

    A clean , well kept campground with great views. But, for the price, I would expect more.


Guide to New Mexico

Camping in New Mexico offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and diverse campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet place to unwind, there's something for everyone.

What to do

  • Explore the outdoors: New Mexico is known for its beautiful parks and recreation areas. Check out the Valley Of Fires Recreation Area for hiking trails and breathtaking views. One camper said, “The RV area sits on a ridge. Great views.”
  • Visit local attractions: The Albuquerque KOA Journey is just a short drive from city attractions. A visitor noted, “The site is spotless and the security (urban location) is excellent.”
  • Enjoy stargazing: Many campgrounds in New Mexico are away from city lights, making them perfect for stargazing. One camper at The Box Recreation Area mentioned, “Great views and incredible star gazing.”

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A reviewer at the Valley Of Fires Recreation Area said, “Park and bathrooms are very clean.”
  • Family-friendly amenities: The Albuquerque KOA Journey has a pool, playground, and mini-golf, making it a hit with families. One parent shared, “Jump pad, playground, mini golf and a really nice pool were the highlights.”
  • Scenic views: Many campgrounds offer stunning landscapes. A camper at the Turquoise Trail Campground remarked, “Great spot not too far from Albuquerque, very peaceful and quaint.”

What you should know

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds are near highways or train tracks, which can be noisy. A visitor at Isleta Lakes & RV Park noted, “The trains sound their horns very late at night and early in the morning.”
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Escondida Lake Park & Campground mentioned, “The campground has the basics but that's it.”
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. One camper at San Antonio Bosque Park shared, “There is a lot of fresh black bear scat throughout the campsite.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose kid-friendly spots: Look for campgrounds with activities for children. The Albuquerque KOA Journey has a playground and pool, which kids love. A parent said, “Clean, modern and convenient showers were pluses for Mom and Dad.”
  • Plan for noise: If you're camping near busy roads, bring earplugs for the kids. A reviewer at Route 66 RV Park mentioned, “While it seemed close to I40 you could not hear the traffic.”
  • Pack snacks and games: Keep kids entertained with snacks and games during downtime. A camper at Turquoise Trail Campground noted, “The campground is clean, the sites are well groomed with camp pads level.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Route 66 RV Park said, “The spot I was assigned had a 30-degree drop and 6-foot reach to the utilities...not doable for my 18-foot camper van.”
  • Look for full hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups. The Valley Of Fires Recreation Area offers some sites with electric hookups, which is a plus.
  • Arrive early: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Isleta Lakes & RV Park advised, “Campground doesn’t take reservations so arrive early.”

Camping in New Mexico can be a fantastic experience with the right preparation and knowledge. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes and unique campgrounds this state has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tent camping destinations in New Mexico?

New Mexico offers exceptional tent camping destinations with diverse landscapes. Jemez Falls Campground is consistently rated as one of the best places to camp in the state, providing access to beautiful hiking trails and natural scenery. For those seeking a lakeside experience, Limestone Campground — Brantley Lake State Park offers spacious sites with picnic tables and shade shelters, plus clean facilities with hot showers. Other excellent options include Bottomless Lakes State Park near Roswell and Aguirre Spring Recreation Area near Las Cruces, which provides stunning desert mountain views. Many tent campers also enjoy Elephant Butte Lake State Park for its water recreation opportunities during warmer months.

Where can I find dispersed camping in New Mexico?

New Mexico has abundant dispersed camping opportunities throughout its national forests and BLM lands. Oak Point Campground offers a prime example, with forest roads filled with pull-off sites where you can camp freely while enjoying canyon views and stargazing. Chosa Campground provides a large, level dispersed area just 8 miles north of the Texas border, making it an excellent base camp for exploring Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Santa Fe National Forest also offers numerous dispersed camping opportunities along forest roads. Most dispersed sites are primitive without facilities, so come prepared with water and pack-out waste. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as bans are common during dry periods.

When is the best season for camping in Northern New Mexico?

Late spring through early fall (May-September) offers the most pleasant camping weather in Northern New Mexico. Comales Campground in Carson National Forest, located about 30 miles south of Taos, is particularly beautiful during this period with its mountain stream setting. Summer (June-August) provides warm days but comfortable nights at higher elevations. Cove Campground — Conchas Lake State Park is excellent for June camping with opportunities for hiking and water recreation. Fall brings spectacular foliage colors, especially in September and October. Winter camping is possible but challenging due to cold temperatures and potential snow at higher elevations. Always check weather forecasts and road conditions when planning trips to Northern New Mexico, as mountain weather can change rapidly.