Red Canyon Campground in the Manzano Mountains provides primitive camping at 7,900 feet elevation, approximately 75 miles southeast of Albuquerque and 35 miles from La Joya, New Mexico. The forest service site operates seasonally from April through November, with 12 undesignated campsites situated among ponderosa pines. The dirt access road becomes challenging after rain or snow, requiring high-clearance vehicles.
What to do
Hiking trail access: Red Canyon Campground connects directly to hiking trails that link multiple canyons in the Manzano Mountains. "This is the NFS campground in beautiful setting. Right next to trailheads. Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons," notes camper John H.
Mountain biking: The network of forest roads offers excellent mountain biking opportunities with varied terrain and elevation changes. The interconnected canyon system provides routes for riders of different skill levels.
Wildlife observation: The Red Canyon area hosts abundant wildlife, particularly at dawn and dusk. "Very green and lush with deer visiting our site at dusk!" reports Jacob S. who stayed in the camping area near the trailhead.
What campers like
Natural setting: The secluded location in the Manzano Mountains offers a genuine forest camping experience with minimal development. "This is an amazing campsite. There are nice fire pits and picnic spots," shares Atheena T. about Red Canyon Campground.
Stargazing opportunities: The minimal light pollution around the La Joya region creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. "We had a great night with a campfire and a good view of the stars and moon," reports Jennifer A.
Spacious campsites: The layout provides ample room between sites for privacy. "Beautiful campground with large spaces. Not crowded," notes Bob C. who appreciated the generous site spacing at Red Canyon Campground.
What you should know
Early season advantages: Visiting before summer holidays helps avoid crowds and site degradation. "I'd recommend going before Memorial Day while the sites are still clean," advises Carson P., who adds: "The only issue is it seems a lot of people who come here don't know camp etiquette and leave the sites completely trashed. Fire pits buried and unusable, beer cans and trash everywhere."
Facility limitations: While vault toilets are available, they may not be well-maintained during busy periods. "Though there are bathrooms at the location, they are really smelly and flies surround them," cautions Atheena T.
Communication challenges: Cell service is unpredictable throughout the area. "Connectivity was spotty. I did get a phone call while using the bathroom in the lower campground," explains Bob C.
Tips for camping with families
Trail-accessible activities: Families can enjoy hiking directly from their campsites. "Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground," notes Gavin J.
Bring water supplies: No drinking water is available on-site, making advance preparation essential. "Toilets but no water so come prepared," advises John H. about the National Forest Service campground.
Bear safety protocols: Proper food storage is mandatory in this mountain environment. Bear boxes are provided at the campground for securing food and scented items when not in use.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: For those seeking more developed facilities, Turner Inn & RV Park in nearby Mountainair provides full-service options. "Campsites are level full hook ups. Nice people they have Wi-Fi nice bathrooms there's a really great grocery store downtown called the B St., Café," reports Mary L. about Turner Inn & RV Park.
Site selection strategy: For RVs at Red Canyon, "Mostly back in spaces so pay attention what side your door is on and opens to. Very nice place. Good water pressure," advises Eric P., who also noted excellent TV reception from Albuquerque stations and numerous radio stations.
Dump station access: While Red Canyon lacks sewer hookups, alternatives exist in the region. "They don't have sewer but they do have a dump station," explains Eric P. about one of the facilities in the greater La Joya region.
