Dave B.
Guide
GuideEagle Nest Lake State Park Campground
Nice
Great views of lake and surrounding mountains. Washrooms are very clean with great showers
Tent Camping near Cleveland, NM
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Carson National Forest surrounding Cleveland, New Mexico offers several tent-only campgrounds with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Trampas Trailhead Campground provides free primitive tent camping with 4-5 sites featuring rock fire rings and picnic tables. Located about 2 hours from Albuquerque, it serves as an excellent staging area for backcountry tent camping at Trampas Lakes. Nearby, Trampas Medio Campground offers 3-4 tent sites along the Rio de las Trampas, though with limited separation between sites. For tent campers seeking more established facilities, Cowles Campground in the Pecos Wilderness area (open May to November) provides walk-in tent sites with picnic tables and access to fishing ponds.
Most tent campgrounds in this region have minimal amenities, with vault toilets being the most common facility. Access roads vary significantly in quality, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain when dirt roads become muddy. Forest Road 207 near Trampas Trailhead is generally well-maintained, while FR 639 demands good shocks and higher clearance. Many sites lack potable water, so campers should bring their own supply or be prepared to filter from streams. Fire restrictions are common during dry seasons, and bear-resistant food storage is necessary. The 14-day stay limit applies to most public land camping areas, and cell service is typically unavailable within 30 minutes of most campgrounds.
Tent campers frequently use these sites as bases for hiking and backpacking trips. According to reviews, the creekside locations provide pleasant white noise for sleeping, though some roadside campgrounds experience traffic noise during the day. One visitor noted that at Trampas Trailhead, "the campground provides great access to an amazing trail" leading to alpine lakes. The region's higher elevation means temperatures can drop significantly at night, with one camper reporting chilly conditions "even in July." Winter camping is possible at some year-round sites, though snow drifts can reach 3-5 feet deep, effectively closing many access roads until late spring.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Cleveland (32)
1. Carson National Forest La Junta Canyon
"The forest road is in good shape with several well spaced out dispersed camping sites."
2. Trampas Trailhead Campground
"The Trampas Trailhead campground gets 4 stars not because it's a great campground (it's good, don't get me wrong) but because it provides great access to an amazing trail."
"Wonderful trails and mountain views, I have been there 2 times in the last 10 years..."
3. Panchuela Campground and Trailhead
"We drove out to the Pecos Wildness and decided to backpack a trail called Cave Creek, this is a mild trail about 2.8 miles in and 2.8 out."
"Campsite is situated at the Cave Creek trailhead, a cool hike to some local caves. It's 5 bucks for the night, 2 dollars day use, all backpacking tent sites. Some shelters."
4. Enchanted Circle Campground E<< - #1 Campground in NM
"You will feel like you are alone in the back woods where someone set up a great camping site. The fire pit is huge and has benches all around."
"No electricity but water is available near the owners home. This is boondocking in a very safe environment! You do not have to worry about anything."
from $75 / night
5. Cowles Campground
"Stay limit: 14 days This spot really has a lot to offer. There are trees on one side, a creek on the other, and 2 sites with shelters directly next to the parking lot."
"Cowles campground in the Pecos Wilderness area is a launching point for the Windsor Trail which travels alongside beautiful Windsor Creek to Stewart Lake and Pecos Falls."
6. Trampas Medio Campground
7. Big Tesuque Campground
"Nice babbling brook alongside campsites, fun for kids to play in (COLD, but shallow), and makes for great white noise.
- Convenient to Santa Fe (20-25 min from downtown)
- drive up the mountain 4"
"If you're tent camping, Big Tesuque is AMAZING!! It's small, but absolutely beautiful. Each site has a picknick table and a tent pad. There are basic toilets. No showers, no sinks."
8. Angostura
9. Winsor Ridge Trailhead
10. Aspen Basin Campground
"Coming from Texas, I almost turned around to go back home with only 4 hours left of my drive because I was so terrified."
"Most campers pitch tent in the wooded area in the center of the parking lot - this is off the west end of the parking lot. Wonderful trails and you get to camp right in the middle of an aspen grove."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 37 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 2 hrs 15 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 15 min from Pueblo, CO
- 4 hrs from Farmington, NM
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Cleveland, NM
31 Photos of 32 Cleveland Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
fs road 438
Enchanted Circle Campground E<< - #1 Campground in NM
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Tent Camping Reviews near Cleveland, NM
769 Reviews of 32 Cleveland Campgrounds
Papa's J.GuideSouth Area Campground — Storrie Lake State Park
Garbage around sight, Dog crap & hardware in driveway, very uneven parking, 2 sets of leveling blocks didn't get it level! Glad I'm just here one night! Site 49R guess that's why it's Cheap $15 + 20 for outta state, with electric
Ward M.GuideSanta Fe Skies RV Park
Expensive.. nice facility… I stayed 2 nights.. needed to use the laundry.. wash machines are super tiny and $3.25 a pop… I used 3 and 1 didn’t dispense enough water. Then another $3.25 for the dryer… at least it was big. People are friendly.
- Mike M.
TravelerOjo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Awesome campground at one of the nicest hot springs you’ll ever visit. Great farm to table restaurant and wine bar. New Mexico at its best.
Liz G.
ScoutRancheros de Santa Fe
Amazing Staff and a Wonderful Cabin Stay!
**Wonderful Stay and Great Customer Service!**
We had a really nice experience at Rancheros de Santa Fe! We originally booked one of the domes, but due to damage from the recent rain, we were upgraded to a cabin. The ladies at the front office were so friendly, welcoming, and helpful. They really made us feel taken care of. The cabin was very clean, cozy, and comfortable, which made our stay even better. The bathrooms were also very clean and well-maintained, which is something I really appreciate when traveling. I also loved that our cabin was located right behind the main office. Since it was just my girlfriend and me traveling together, being so close to the office gave us an extra sense of safety and peace of mind. Even though our original plans changed, everything worked out great. We really appreciated the hospitality and how accommodating the staff was. I would definitely recommend Rancheros de Santa Fe and would love to stay here again!
Jeff V.GuideBlack Canyon Campground
Good but not as good as free camping just a few miles further
Hyde Memorial State Park, like many NM state parks, is more campground than park. There are additional campsites, some with 3 walled shelters at the park, so you're not limited to this particular campground, whose only real advantage is an illegal trailhead to the city reservoir, left by firefighters a couple of decades ago (look for a trail near the top off the campground loop hike).
It's illegal to go to the reservoir, but enough folks do it to keep the use trail well trodden. It's doubtful you'd be cited, but possible.
Personally I'm allergic to paying for camping if I can and still sore about paying $70 a night in Big Sur a decade ago when everything but a private campground was fully booked. So here's my cheap advice:
Drive another 6 miles to Big Tesuque, a free Forest Service campground with picnic tables, vault toilets, fire rings and a stream for water and enjoy the freedom from fees. If Big Tesuque is packed, drive up to the Ski Basin at the top and camp there, it never fills up for some reason, and also has picnic tables, vault toilets and fire rings.
There's also a dirt USFS road off the north side of Artist Road just above Hyde Park and a trailhead at the eastern edge of the stat epark that leads to the stream: this means shelpping your stuff a couple of miles though, downhill on the way in.
Point is, you can pay for camping here, but you need not if your prefer holding onto your cash, by driving just a few miles further.
Bill R.
RangerLittle Arsenic Springs Campground
Remote, wild, beautiful and small.
We stayed here for two nights in early May, 2026. Camped back from the rim ,wanting shelter from the wind/rain/snow rather than the view. Really enjoyed the area, walked some of the rim trail, stopped by the visitor center(limited hours) and hiked to the river at the bottom of the gorge. The hike was spectacular and the weather was as wild as the gorge. Rain, wind and snow battered us as we climbed back out.
No water(they're working on restoring it) and a long way from anything like gas, supplies, etc.
Would definitely like to return in the future.
Chris G.GuideColumbine Campground (NM)
A little tight
Our spot was close to the road. We didn't have much shade by the table and fire-ring. But it does have access to more shade behind the site where you can pitch a tent and sit by the creek.
There's a nice hiking trail at the back on the campground you can drive to with parking.
The camp-hosts were very friendly and helpful.
- James F.Guide
Coyote Creek State Park Campground
Nicely maintained
This was our first trip to Coyote Creek State Park. We heard about the new loop and that appeared to have some great new sites. We were surprised on how great the new sites are. The shelters over the nice picnic table is huge! We walked the park and it was clear that the entire park was meticulously maintained. The only down side was a slip and fall on the drainage concrete in the road. Luckily, it was only a minor wrist sprain. The local ranger saw the fall and asked if I was ok. Apparently, the concrete has been an issue for some trailers and people. The toilets in the campground are clean and well maintained. We routinely visit NM state parks and this one has to be the best maintained. The side by side electrical sites isn't for us and there are other options. We plan to be back.
Guide to Cleveland
Carson National Forest near Cleveland, New Mexico offers dispersed camping sites across varied terrain between 8,500-10,500 feet elevation. Summer temperatures often drop below 45°F at night even when daytime highs reach the 70s. During winter months, many forest roads become impassable due to snow accumulation of 3+ feet, with higher elevation sites typically inaccessible from November through April.
What to do
Fishing at nearby streams: Several campgrounds provide access to mountain streams stocked with trout. At Panchuela Campground and Trailhead, campers report excellent fishing conditions. "The area is rich with fish filled streams. We saw happy fisherman coming back to camp with an abundance of fresh fish," notes Lisa S.
Hiking Cave Creek Trail: A moderate 2.8-mile trail accessible from Panchuela Campground. "We drove out to the Pecos Wildness and decided to backpack a trail called Cave Creek, this is a mild trail about 2.8 miles in and 2.8 out," shares Naythin H., though he cautions about weather: "our night was interesting had a lightning storm come in and had to readjust a few times."
Wildlife viewing and nature exploration: Enchanted Circle Campground offers private ranch camping with abundant wildlife. "You can hear the elk bugling and see every star at night," reports Jamie L. Brian F. adds you can "just sit and watch the prairie dogs, horses, deer or whatever else decides to come by."
What campers like
Spacious, private campsites: Unlike crowded campgrounds, many sites near Cleveland offer seclusion. At Enchanted Circle Campground, "the spaces are relatively far apart so you feel like you are the only people in the vicinity," according to James F. Another camper reports, "This is a private ranch on many acres. You cannot see any other campers from your site."
Pristine alpine forest settings: The best tent camping near Cleveland, New Mexico includes La Junta Canyon with its "Beautiful forest with aspen, pine, fir, and spruce trees. The forest road is in good shape with several well spaced out dispersed camping sites," according to Justin M.
Stream-side camping: Water features enhance many camping spots. At Big Tesuque Campground, campers enjoy "a nice babbling brook alongside campsites, fun for kids to play in (COLD, but shallow), and makes for great white noise," notes reviewer C.J. L.
What you should know
High elevation affects temperature: Most tent camping sites near Cleveland sit at 8,000-10,000 feet elevation. Big Tesuque Campground reaches nearly 10,000 feet, causing visitors to report "we were affected slightly by altitude sickness while unloading our gear." C.J. L. advises: "Chilly, even in July, just FYI, come prepared."
Limited cell service: Phone reception disappears quickly in these remote areas. Most campgrounds lack connectivity within a 30-minute drive radius.
Road conditions vary significantly: Access to Winsor Ridge Trailhead requires "Beautiful drive through the Pecos to get to this site," according to Megan E. However, other forest roads demand high-clearance vehicles, particularly during wet conditions.
Water availability concerns: Most sites lack potable water. Plan to bring sufficient water supply or water treatment options for natural sources. Megan E. describes Winsor Ridge Trailhead as having "a very busy creek for fishing" which can serve as a water source when properly filtered.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with kid-friendly features: Select campgrounds with safe water play areas and room to explore. Big Tesuque Campground offers "a small stream nearby" that's shallow enough for children.
Consider access to facilities: Aspen Basin Campground provides clean vault toilets, making it suitable for families. Sarah L. found that "The sites were so clean, vaulted toilets clean. And the hikes... was it even real??"
Plan for temperature swings: Pack layers for children as nighttime temperatures drop dramatically. At Aspen Basin, visitors reported it was "Chilly in mid October visit" despite warm daytime temperatures.
Bring activities for rainy days: Summer monsoon season (July-August) brings afternoon thunderstorms. Naythin H. experienced this at Panchuela: "We went to the campgrounds in July at the beginning of monsoon season."
Tips from RVers
Limited RV-friendly options: Most tent camping near Cleveland, New Mexico offers few amenities for larger vehicles. Enchanted Circle Campground can accommodate some smaller trailers: "We had a medium size tear drop and one tent with plenty of more space available," notes James F.
Parking limitations: Many campgrounds have small parking areas that restrict RV access. Cowles Campground has a "small" parking lot that allows "2 cars per site" according to Carrie S.
Boondocking considerations: For those with self-contained units, prepare for no-hookup camping. Brian F. describes Enchanted Circle as "boondocking in a very safe environment! You do not have to worry about anything."
Pack extra water: Without water hookups, bring sufficient supply for your stay duration. Most campgrounds lack potable water access, requiring RVers to arrive fully stocked with water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Cleveland, NM?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cleveland, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cleveland, NM is Carson National Forest La Junta Canyon with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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tent camping near
Cleveland, NM?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Cleveland, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 32 tent camping locations near Cleveland, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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