Mike M.
Traveler
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.
Camping near Chimayo, NM
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Camping opportunities near Chimayo, New Mexico span from primitive sites in national forests to developed campgrounds with amenities. The Santa Fe National Forest provides dispersed camping options along BLM Road 62, while established facilities like Overlook Campground at Santa Cruz Lake offer basic amenities. Black Canyon Campground and Borrego Mesa Campground provide additional developed options within driving distance, accommodating both tent and RV camping in settings ranging from lakeside views to pine forest settings.
Access to many camping areas requires navigating dirt roads that may be rough or washboarded in sections. Forest Service roads leading to Borrego Mesa Campground are generally navigable without 4x4 vehicles, though some seasonal weather conditions may affect passability. "The road up to the campground is in good shape, 4x4 not required. Overall traffic was very low," noted one visitor to Borrego Mesa. Elevation in the region ranges from approximately 5,800 feet near Chimayo to over 8,000 feet at higher elevation campgrounds, resulting in temperature variations throughout the year. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, with Black Canyon Campground typically open from April to November, while some sites like Borrego Mesa remain accessible year-round, though with limited facilities during winter months.
Campers frequently mention the scenic quality of camping in the area, particularly noting views of Santa Cruz Lake from Overlook Campground. The region's campgrounds feature varying levels of amenities, from primitive sites with only vault toilets to developed areas with picnic tables and fire rings. "Nice views, but no water, fires allowed, but no wood collecting," commented one camper about Overlook Campground, highlighting common limitations at more remote sites. Campers should be prepared for variable conditions, including possible wind exposure at higher elevations. Mixed-use areas are common, with some campgrounds sharing space with day users, particularly around Santa Cruz Lake where fishing access is popular. Cell service varies significantly by location, with better coverage typically found at higher elevation campgrounds that have unobstructed lines of sight to nearby towns.
Best Campgrounds near Chimayo (209)
1. Black Canyon Campground
"Driving into the camp, you have three options: Walk-In Camping, Camping With Parking Access & Limited Access."
"To begin, the lots are far enough away from fellow campers that you're seldom disturbed by noise or movement."
from $20 / night
Check Availability2. Overlook Campground
"New Mexico, in general, has some of the least expensive camping in the contiguous 48 states. The road in is a little rough in spots, but a pretty short drive along dirt from the pavement. "
"As others have said, you can get water at the North Lake campground, but there's a pass you'll need to buy to get in. "
3. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed
"I often camp by Diablo Canyon, which has wonderful sunsets and decent off trail hiking. There's even a cave for those who know where to find it. "
"Wide open space to pick your spot next to a Juniper or two. Hardly anyone here, just the coyotes howling. Appreciated access to a pit toilet."
4. Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument
"There are trail heads that are a short walk from the campground including a 1.5 mile trail to the visitor center The spots have picnic table and fire rings, there is potable water and vault toilets throughout"
"Shuttle bus takes you to visitor center Where ruins are and access to trails. There is a lovely 2 mile trail from campground that you can also walk to center. Ruins are interesting."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability5. Hyde Memorial State Park Campground
"This small state park, located just 6 miles outside of downtown Santa Fe, might provide the least expensive lodging options for visiting this wonderful city."
"It has a table, grill and fire pit. 2 Vault toilets nearby. Spaced far enough to enjoy the space. Occasional road noise that died as the night came from mountain traffic."
from $15 - $80 / night
Check Availability6. Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite
"Given the area described has piles of trash and little else to recommend it, it seems a shame to be close to gorgeous wilderness and stare at rubbish."
"Close by, easy to find, plenty of space. Little trash left behind by some people. Overall, a great place for the night."
7. Borrego Mesa Campground
"Campground is a little off the beaten path, about 30m from the High Drive highway. Dirt roads were nothing to worry about, should be fine for any SUV or sedan."
"About a 15min drive from the highway. Only 5 or 6 sites. Close to the Rio Mario Trail trailhead. Campsite is at elevation over 8,000ft so it can get chilly at night. Worked great for tent camping."
8. Big Tesuque Campground
"You can expect dozens upwards of a hundred faces a day hiking up here which can be extremely annoying and the car traffic can drive you nuts."
"But there are 2 streams bordering the campground and trails leading into the mountains. When I was there, it was 5 to 10 degrees warmer than Hyde Park! (end of May.)"
9. Santa Fe Skies RV Park
"This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."
"Excellent RV park close to Santa Fe. Super helpful staff. Nice facilities. Sites are sizable with nice concrete patios."
from $76 - $106 / night
Check Availability10. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
"New Mexico at its best."
"The camping area is more of a campground than an RV park, in a positive way. Many of the sites are shaded with mature trees."
from $40 - $60 / night
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Drive Time
- 32 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 1 hr 21 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 5 min from Farmington, NM
- 3 hrs 48 min from Pueblo, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Chimayo, NM
313 Photos of 209 Chimayo Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Recent Reviews near Chimayo, NM
1144 Reviews of 209 Chimayo Campgrounds
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!- JJohn L.
GuideWhite Rock Visitor Center RV Park
County Managed Parking Lot
Location is a lined parking lot with 16 sites. Electric hook up at each site. Water spigot available along with dump station. Lot is not level so be prepared with blocks and chocks. Price is great for what you get. Spacing is close. Also be aware that lot is managed by Los Alamos county. Sites listed as taken may be vacant while sites listed as vacant may be taken. We arrived and a camper was on our reserved site. Owner could not be located. Reps are difficult to reach by phone and we got lots of phone tag. Nice lady moved us to an open site. Then someone showed up with a reservation for our new site. Then we were told to leave for a construction project. Then we were told they can’t manage the campground occupancy. And on and on. To reserve a site you’ll need an account on the county system first. We made it work but a hassle and a run around.
- JJohn L.Guide
Main Gate RV Park
Parking Lot for RVs
This is a 10 slot parking lot for RVs. There is a dump station, water spigot, and a couple picnic tables. It’s on a hill so need leveling. Can be tricky to back in so check first. Reservations must be made thru Los Alamos county web site, and you’ll need to create an account to use it, a real pain especially if on shaky connection. Also tricky, reserved sites may be empty and available sites may be occupied. They are not managed properly at all so be ready for anything. Ok for parking your rig while visiting the area.
- RRoy R.Guide
Free Dispersed Camping
Free Dispersed Camping
This easy to miss spot is a free camping area near the ranger station. The road to get to the sites is probably only a couple hundred meters from the ranger station so slow down if you are going West on 64 and turn around if you reach the station going East on 64.
The actual camping spots are towards the very end of the road where they form a sort of triangle. There are three picnic tables with what look like fire rings. But there is a lot of open space around those three tables if they happen to be taken by any chance. I did notice that most boondockers would just park their vehicles on the side of the road along the way. So basically the entire area seems to be available for boondocking. There are no trash cans, water, more vault toilets. It's packed everything out. There are a couple of vault toilets at the ranger station and you can actually walk from the campsite area because there are trails that lead to the ranger station.
Very pretty area. Very quiet. Few vehicles on the nearby road.
Ben F.TravelerBig Arsenic Springs Campground
Amazing views, no water
All the campgrounds in the wild rivers area are very well maintained, the sites have sturdy pavilions, picnic tables and grills. Sites are nicely spaced and some have amazing canyon views. Vault-style toilets that are kept clean and stocked. Bring your own water, their "well is broken" as of Oct. 2026, so if you run out you're looking at a 20 mile drive round trip to buy a couple gallons at the local grocery store.
- NNathaniel S.Traveler
Ghost Ranch
Beautiful area; challenging camping
The campground is situated in a beautiful setting and area right at Ghost Ranch. Campground has sites that are gravel and not very level, as others have noted, making it a bit of a challenge (site 16 in particular). Also note that some electric hookups are 20A only, not 30A. Full hookups at front of campground; tent only at rear. Showers were great and heated; laundry and bathrooms clean. Host and staff friendly. Lots of great hiking trails within walking distance of the campground. 2 small museums worth visiting. We paid $50 for electric hookup. Meal plan is now $50.
- LLani B.Traveler
Caja Del Rio Dispersed Camping
Great overnight stop!
Close to town. Yes landfill nearby but no smell and beeping only in the daytime. Secluded. Arrived at night and found a spot no problem. Roads are a little rough after some rain but nothing a van can’t handle.
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.
Guide to Chimayo
Dispersed camping opportunities near Chimayo, New Mexico range from 5,800 to 8,400 feet elevation, offering varied terrain and temperature conditions throughout the seasons. Camping options include Bureau of Land Management sites where visitors can stay up to 14 days, national forest campgrounds with basic amenities, and established sites with electrical hookups. Winter camping is accessible at lower elevations, while higher mountain campgrounds provide relief from summer heat.
What to do
Hiking from your campsite: Black Canyon Campground offers direct trail access for all skill levels. "The Black Canyon Trail is only about 1.3 miles, but for about .4 miles of it, there is considerable steepness. I wouldn't call it a workout, but it's not a totally whimpy trail and it was lovely," notes one visitor who hiked in the late afternoon when the trail was empty.
Fishing opportunities: Santa Cruz Lake near Overlook Campground provides no-wake boating and fishing access. "The area is good for hiking, biking, paddling and getting your fishing grove on, but there's no easy access to take boats down to the water from the campsite," explains a camper. A yearly pass costs $20 and grants access to this and other nearby recreation areas.
Mountain biking: The area surrounding Borrego Mesa Campground offers forest service roads and trails suitable for mountain biking. "Close to the Rio Mario Trail trailhead. Campsite is at elevation over 8,000ft so it can get chilly at night," reports one camper who found it worked well for their outdoor activities.
What campers like
Proximity to Santa Fe: Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite provides free camping just 20 minutes from downtown. "20 minutes from Santa Fe, super convenient, spread out enough, some good stars at night," writes one reviewer. The site offers easy access while maintaining distance from urban areas.
Wilderness solitude: During weekdays and off-season, many campgrounds in the area remain nearly empty. "We had it to ourselves during the week, and could find a spot that was clean and fit our teardrop trailer," notes a camper at Borrego Mesa Campground. Similarly, at Big Tesuque Campground, a winter visitor reported, "We had the place to ourselves during the week in early December."
Mineral hot springs: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa combines camping with therapeutic soaking. "The variety of pools and the beauty of the place was worth it. They offer steam rooms, a multitude of pools of varying temperature and mineral content, in addition to a mud bath," shares one camper. Campers receive a 20% discount on hot springs admission.
What you should know
Cell service variability: Coverage depends on elevation and terrain. "Mobile coverage was spotty, worked better if you went up to the nearby trailhead," reports a visitor to Borrego Mesa. At Big Tesuque Campground, location provides better connectivity: "I think there is some cell service due to the camp's high and unobstructed location."
Limited water access: Many dispersed sites and some established campgrounds lack potable water. "No water, plenty of shade. Campsites are nice though. Facilities could be better maintained," notes a Black Canyon Campground visitor. At Overlook Campground, a camper advises: "No water at overlook, but there is water available from spigots at the nearby North Lake Campground, if you get there before 8pm."
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. "The road up to the campground is in good shape, 4x4 not required. Overall traffic was very low," reports a visitor to Borrego Mesa Campground. Conversely, at Hyde Memorial State Park, a reviewer warned: "The drive up is steep and our RV had a hard time; would not even think of staying up here in the winter."
Tips for camping with families
Protected camping spaces: Look for sites with shelters during monsoon season. "Monsoon season - not an issue with the Adirondack shelters. Stayed in Site 13, which was FF," notes a family at Hyde Memorial State Park. Black Canyon Campground offers additional family amenities: "There is also a nice playground for those traveling with little ones who may need to burn some steam."
Campground activity levels: Juniper Family Campground at Bandelier National Monument offers both quiet camping and educational activities. "The evening ranger presentations, held at the amphitheater, are informative and interactive," says one visitor. The campground layout "allows for both RV and tent camping, while still having you own quiet area."
Creek access for kids: Big Tesuque Campground features accessible water play areas. "Nice babbling brook alongside campsites, fun for kids to play in (COLD, but shallow), and makes for great white noise," writes a family camper. The campground's location and facilities make it "great for folks who are less physically abled" with "ease of access to these sites and close parking."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Many campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. "Our rig is 29 feet, 3 inches, and we were in a spot that maxed out at 32 feet. We barely fit. We saw very few sites that could have accommodate much more. I don't think any site would have been able to handle more than 35 feet," explains an RVer at Black Canyon Campground.
Hookup accessibility: Campgrounds like Ojo Caliente have unusual utility configurations. "The hookups are on the passenger side and towards front of TT we had enough hose and cords to reach. It says they have loaners if needed," notes one RV camper. At Santa Fe Skies, despite site challenges, amenities are comprehensive: "Full hook ups, clean campground, laundry, dog park, walking trail that goes around campground."
Dump station availability: Limited services require planning. "By the way, less than 20 yards from the entrance to the campground, the National Forest ends and the Hyde Memorial State Park begins. And another 50 yards up from there is the State Park RV dump station. Right now, IT IS CLOSED. Don't plan to dump there," warns an RVer who stayed at Black Canyon Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Chimayo, NM?
Where are the best campgrounds near Chimayo, NM?
Northern New Mexico offers several excellent campgrounds within driving distance of Chimayo. Santa Barbara Campground is highly rated for its well-maintained roads and beautiful hiking trails. For lake views, Riana - Abiquiu Lake provides nicely laid out sites with access to hiking and mountain biking trails along the scenic lake. Those seeking a more secluded experience should consider dispersed camping at FR376 Dispersed, considered one of the best free camping sites in the area, especially popular with OHV enthusiasts.
What camping facilities and amenities are available in Chimayo?
What camping facilities and amenities are available in Chimayo?
While Chimayo itself has limited camping facilities, the surrounding area offers various options with different amenities. Taos Valley RV Park & Campground provides a charming New Mexico experience with wooden shade structures, clean facilities, and plenty of vegetation despite being close to town. For a more rustic experience, Comales Campground in Carson National Forest offers basic sites with fire rings and picnic tables along a mountain stream. Most forest service campgrounds in the region provide vault toilets and fire rings, but typically lack hookups or shower facilities.
Can you camp near the Santuario de Chimayo?
Can you camp near the Santuario de Chimayo?
While there aren't campgrounds immediately adjacent to the Santuario de Chimayo, several options exist within a reasonable driving distance. Pajarito Springs offers secluded dispersed camping on the eastern flanks of the Valles Caldera, making it one of the closest options to Santa Fe and the Chimayo area. For those seeking more amenities, Borrego Mesa Campground near Cordova provides a developed camping experience not far from Chimayo. Always respect the religious significance of the Santuario area when visiting.
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