Equestrian campers near Cibola National Forest and Grasslands can find specialized accommodations at several locations. The region sits at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,000 feet with a semi-arid climate that creates distinct camping seasons. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during the day while dropping to 45-55°F at night, requiring campers to prepare for significant temperature fluctuations even during warm months.
What to do
Trail riding access: At Turquoise Trail Campground, campers can explore nearby bike and hiking trails along the base of the Sandia mountains. "There is plenty to do nearby, with bike trails and hiking trails...though nothing of particular interest in the campground itself," notes Dave V.
Stargazing opportunities: Top of New Mexico dispersed site offers exceptional night sky viewing at 7,100 feet elevation. Lauren I. confirms it's a "Dark Sky Sanctuary" where "you can clearly see the Milky Way. No light pollution except the beautiful view of the city far away."
Wildlife observation: Visit the Manzano Mountains where campers report frequent wildlife sightings. "We had a nice shady site," reports Gavin J. about Red Canyon Campground, while Jacob S. saw "deer visiting our site at dusk!"
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms at several locations. At Turquoise Trail Campground, Steve P. found "nice, clean, quiet friendly campground" with "bathroom and showers" and reminds visitors to "make sure you get your free tokens for the shower."
Spacious sites: Manzano Mountains Camp offers ample room for larger groups and vehicles. Greg R. notes the "area is very wooded" and has "lots of sites" that are "big rig friendly."
Wilderness experience: Horse-friendly campgrounds near Cibola National Forest provide authentic wilderness experiences. One camper at Top of New Mexico described how "9 wild horses came to visit" during their stay, while another mentioned waking up surrounded by "a group of 5 cows grazing" just 30 feet from their trailer.
What you should know
Road conditions: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Top of New Mexico, Cher & Walter P. warn that "neighbors are sabotaging the road making it narrow using loose gravel & boulders on turns" and "there is now a locked gate on Palomino to keep non-locals out."
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds have limited amenities during shoulder seasons. Red Canyon Campground operates from April to November, with Carson P. recommending visitors "go before Memorial Day while the sites are still clean."
Weather preparation: The mountain climate brings rapid weather changes. Josh F. at Top of New Mexico advises that while you "don't necessarily need a 4WD unless there is bad weather," you'll need "ground clearance of a regular truck or SUV" and should come "prepared" as you're "pretty isolated from supplies."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: RV Park at HIPICO Santa Fe offers family-friendly amenities within 20 minutes of downtown Santa Fe. Marine J. describes it as "a very spacious private campground southwest of Santa Fe with access to public land."
Child-friendly trails: Red Canyon Campground features accessible hiking options for young explorers. Gavin J. calls it a "beautiful secluded spot in the Manzanos" with "nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground."
Safety considerations: Be aware of potential nighttime disturbances at some locations. Jennifer A. reported that at Red Canyon Campground, "someone started illegally cutting down trees at 2 in the morning" which left their scout troop with "a group of tired scouts."
Tips from RVers
Connectivity information: Cell service varies greatly between horse campgrounds in the Cibola National Forest area. Bob C. at Red Canyon Campground found "connectivity was spotty" but "did get a phone call while using the bathroom in the lower campground."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites for large rigs can be found at Cuervo Mountain RV Park and Horse Hotel. John T. reports it has "gravel roadways and relatively level pull through sites" with "good FHUs" making it "a great CG for our overnight stay."
Space considerations: For RVers concerned about site dimensions, check ahead. Kelly S. noted at Turquoise Trail Campground that "RVs were so close together, hard to enjoy what the area has to offer" and that their site "had full hookups and a picnic table but was not level."
