Continental Divide campgrounds range from 6,800 to 7,200 feet in elevation, creating distinct seasonal conditions compared to lower elevations in New Mexico. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing between November and March, while summer evenings can be notably cooler than daytime highs. Sites experience strong winds during spring months when camping near the Continental Divide.
What to do
Hiking trails nearby: Red Rock Park offers multiple hiking options with moderate difficulty ratings. "Church Rock Trial and Pyramid Rock Trail are both about 3 to 3 and a half miles round trip from the campground. Your surrounded by desert on one side and dark red stone on the other," according to a visitor at Red Rock Park & Campground.
Native American cultural experiences: The area provides access to cultural sites and trading posts. "Gallup is a super interesting place and could have easily spent way more time than we did," noted one camper at USA RV Park. Consider visiting Acoma Pueblo near Sky City RV Park.
Free dispersed camping options: Six Mile Canyon offers public land camping alternatives to established campgrounds. "The valley road cuts through green canyon bluffs and rolling hills with good tree coverage. Lots of fun and scenic driving. Spur trails are good 4x4 drives," reports a camper at Six Mile Canyon.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Maintenance quality varies between rv parks in Continental Divide region. "Cleaner than clean restrooms and laundry facility. Great store and great staff," noted a camper about their experience at USA RV Park. Another mentioned "Clean showers, a nice heated pool very friendly staff."
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer competitive rates for overnight stays. "Inexpensive and nice sites with full hookup. Just here for 1 night," mentioned a visitor at Bar S RV Park. Another camper highlighted Sky City's value: "Unpowered sites are $10 and powered are $20."
Waterfront camping access: Bluewater Lake provides shoreline camping not commonly found in this high desert region. "The primitive camping is all along the lake so you can park and walk right in with your canoe or SUP. Playground for the kiddos, lots of areas to explore with the puppers," according to a visitor at Bluewater Lake State Park.
What you should know
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds near Continental Divide feature uneven terrain. "Have this 4 stars instead of 5 cause literally almost all of the sites are unleveled so it was hard to find the right fit," reported a camper at Bluewater Lake State Park.
Seasonal closures and conditions: Winter access limitations affect several campgrounds. "The gate at the end of the road is closed Dec. 15 to March 31," noted a Six Mile Canyon visitor. Another mentioned: "End of October had main facilities closed."
Alternative accommodation options: Beyond traditional camping, some properties offer cabins and unique lodging. "My parents stayed in the cabin and loved it, we stayed in our camper van," mentioned a visitor at El Morro RV Park and Cabins, who also highlighted the "cozy cabins" and "yurt with enchanting wind chimes."
Tips for camping with families
Playground amenities: Select campgrounds offer dedicated areas for children. At Bluewater Lake State Park, one camper noted there's a "playground for the kiddos" along with "plenty of areas to explore with the puppers, and plenty of bathrooms and Ramadas available for day use."
Food delivery options: Some campgrounds allow restaurant delivery. "We were able to get pizza delivered to our RV site which was a big hit with the kids," shared one family staying overnight at USA RV Park.
Noise considerations: Road proximity affects sound levels at certain campgrounds. "Freeway is close with road noise," noted a Bar S visitor, while another camping near Red Rock Park mentioned the campground is "bordered by highway on one side and red rocks on the other. There are events at the open arena, featuring rodeos, Native American celebrations, and an annual balloon festival."
Tips from RVers
Overnight convenience spots: Several campgrounds cater specifically to travelers needing quick stops. "Perfect for an overnight stay along the route. Big dog park for the puppers to do their business. No frills, but we didn't need any," shared a visitor at USA RV Park about their overnight experience.
Internet connectivity issues: Signal strength varies significantly across campgrounds. A Red Rock Park visitor reported: "The cell signal seemed strong from the indicators on our devices but I guess due to the number of users in the area, we had slow service. We tried the park's WiFi but it was too slow to do much."
Site spacing considerations: Some campgrounds have limited space between vehicles. "The sites are VERY close together and many of the picnic tables seem to need new boards for seats," noted one camper, while another described a different location as "most cramped campsite I've ever seen, absolutely no privacy between sites."
