Best Campgrounds near Cuba, NM

This is a more developed campsite from the Whirlpool Dispersed camping area which is located downstream on the Chama River. Both are really great options, with amazing scenery and starry skies at night. 

Here's a drive through of the campground: https://youtu.be/cvV_IwcH2l8

This is a free dispersed camping site located right along the Chama River and the colorful scenery. Super starry sky at night as you're in a remote area.

Be sure to drive the 13 miles to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert at the end of the road. It's built to reflect the location and the scenery is stunning in this off grid location. (This isn't a religious post. The monks welcome anyone to visit this unique site.)

Here's a video of a drive through the Whirlpool dispersed camping area: https://youtu.be/cvV_IwcH2l8

Cedar Springs Campground is located in northern New Mexico within Carson National Forest, near the town of Blanco, NM. The campground is accessed via Forest Road 87, which branches off from Highway 522. Sitting at an elevation of around 8,500 feet in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the area offers cooler temperatures compared to the valley below. 

This is a dispersed camping area. It is located near the Jicarilla Apache reservation. There are no amenities such as bathrooms or trash disposal, so campers must pack out all trash. The sites are accessible for tents and smaller RVs, offering a basic, self-reliant camping experience.

Check out this video for a drive around the campground: https://youtu.be/ni2fqlVKbPg

currently closed so we couldn’t stay. it looks like 50% or more of the trees have been cut down and stacked, perhaps thinning the forest.

A bit of a rough drive to the dispersed sites further in, but worth it! Nice, quiet, and saw lots of elk during our stay.

I've camped this area several times. In my van and with Grandkids & dog in a tent. We had a rock campfire ring and I bring my folding table & chairs. The kids love to hang hammocks in the cedar trees.
Bring it in and cart it out.

Make sure the dirt road is dry enough in monsoon season so you don't get stuck.

We stayed a few nights to explore Los Alamos and the park. It's convenient to have the grocery store within walking distance, and there's a YMCA in Los Alamos where you can purchase shower passes for $5. Nice staff at the visitor center as well.

Campground is nestled in a bug group of dense pines and only a 15-20 minute drive from Los Alamos. Quite a few hiking trails in the areas to explore the high desert mesas and escape the heat of Albuquerque.

It's a lovely location, and the camp is hosted by the Army Corps. They do a good job, the facilities and grounds are very well maintained. Drinking and marijuana consumption is strictly prohibited, with the hosts making regular rounds. The sites are so close together it may as well be one big group camp; I could hear everything going on in the sites around me at all hours of the night. Even when folks were in their tents and campers. Forget trying to enjoy a quiet evening stargazing. Was surrounded by large family groups who were having a great time, which I'm glad about, but it is not my cup of tea for camping.

We just happened upon this 1st come 1st serve campground & so glad we did! The camp host "Brad" was so very nice & helpful. He gave us info on all the things to do and see in the Jamez area (which is alot)  Our campsite #12 was really nice. It has a large covered pavilion (not all sites have the covered pavilions) with oversized picnic table & a short path down to a private area at the Jamez River (which is really more like a creek) from our site. We left our chairs down there & frequently enjoyed relaxing there. The area is scenic & campground was very clean. There are water pumps outside the bathrooms. The cost for us was $5 per night using our America the Beautiful Senior Pass. This is a great home base for visiting the area. Would defiantly visit again!

This campsite is beautiful and right next to the lake. Perfect for some chill camping. There are multiple clearing along this road. Each one is big enough for several cars and even a couple groups. The clearings are far enough apart that you can make some noise without bothering the other campers. You need a bit of clearance to be able to drive the road but not much as my Crosstrek did it great. Even on July 4th this site wasn’t busy. We only saw one other camper since most people choose to pay for a campground right on the lake

We have stayed on the Pedernal loop multiple times and it has always been great.   The sites are well laid out, with plenty of room between neighbors.  Access to the campground is restricted (closed 10pm-6am), so it is always quiet, with just those camping driving around.  Rangers and sheriff patrolled a few times.  Camp hosts were very friendly and helpful.   All the grounds are clean and well maintained, trash cans at every site.  The electrical pillar for our site was new and worked perfectly.  Water also worked with no issues.  Shower house is clean and well maintained.  Access to a few trails, but water access requires a bit of a drive.  Amazing views.

Vista Linda NM : Adjacent to the highway. Don’t be fooled, though. Beautiful, peaceful, clean, and the most helpful host.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

Overall Rating: 4 Security: No Usage during visit: the host tells me that usually fills up Site Privacy: good Site Spacing: very good Pad surface: blacktop Reservations: First, come first Campground Noise: Quiet, campground Outside Road Noise: along the highway. Through Traffic in campground: no Electric Hookup: no, Sewer Hookup: no Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: yes Generators: allowed Bathroom: very clean pit toilets. Showers: no Pull Throughs: yes. Cell Service (AT&T): no bars Setting: beautiful setting. Along in Canyon wall. Would love to stay here Recent Weather: 70s during the day Solar: very good Insects: none during our visit this time of Host: yes sky Rig Size: around 40 feet Sites: many nice sites. See the pictures. Site seven was our favorite site. Very nice. Flowing Creek adjacent to that site.