El Morro RV Park and Cabins accommodates pets in its tent sites, RV spaces, cabins, yurts, and glamping options. The family-run campground provides picnic tables, fire pits, water hookups, and electric connections while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for travelers with animals. Pets roam freely within designated areas, though owners should keep them leashed near the trading post and communal spaces. The park's peaceful setting creates an ideal environment for dogs to explore without disturbing wildlife or other guests. A neat quirky campground with a laid back vibe, the property features free-range chickens that coexist with visiting pets, creating a unique camping experience just minutes from El Morro National Monument.
Six Mile Canyon dispersed camping offers free pet-friendly sites with no reservations required, attracting campers seeking budget-friendly options for outdoor adventures with their dogs. This primitive camping area permits fires but provides no amenities like toilets or water hookups, requiring complete self-sufficiency. Dogs enjoy ample space to explore the canyon terrain while staying close to their owners. Nearby Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano also welcomes pets at their primitive camping area, where dogs can join their owners on the 1.5-mile volcano rim trail and shorter ice cave hike. The trading post provides basic supplies for campers with pets, though the remote location means bringing sufficient food and water for animals. Visitors report peaceful nights under spectacular star-filled skies, with ample space for dogs to exercise away from crowds during off-season visits.
$10 - $90 / night
"This was the only lake we saw on our trip to the cattle ranch in New Mexico ;) The park is lovely and we truly enjoyed our time here. There is a nice beach as well as boating and fishing."
"Beautiful New Mexico sunset."
$30 - $94 / night
"Friendly people, creative vibe, nice campground, cozy cabins, full hookups for RVs, beautiful spot, free-range chickens, pet friendly, plus a yurt with enchanting wind chimes, spiritual labyrinth, a gong"
"It is just minutes from El Morro Nat’l Monument and close to Mal Pais Volcano flows. I recommend the place."
$15 - $20 / night
"There are no hookups but you’re in a remote part of New Mexico under pines with a Giant night sky above."
"Site Quality: The tent section is behind the cabins, but RVs park in the gravel parking lot with no clearly defined spaces."
$45 / night
"General: Conveniently located close to I40, there are 20 pull-through 50-amp sites, 16 pull-through 30-amp sites, five back-in water/electric sites (ok for tents), five tent-only sites (no hookups)"
"Close to Hwy 40. There is a walking path next to the campground that is in a lava field and there are signs along the path with fun facts of the history of the lava field."
"Gorgeous drive in from 40 to the campsite. Awesome pull-through site.
Only saw one person doing tent camping. Looked like a cold stay Oct 30th-31st."
"BLM dirt road near the entrance you can walk / hike down. Brochures of El Malpais at the entrance to the campground. Got there at 4 pm and only half the sites taken."
$10 / night
"With gorgeous views and close access to the Wolf Sanctuary near by, this is a fun stay! Come and check them out and leave them a review here!"
"Great views, quiet aside from some younger folks off-roading late night. Froze overnight as of November."
"Some highway noise if you stay near the entrance but once you head back, it gets quiet. No services or amenities so pack in and pack out. There’s a gas station about 7 minutes away."
$10 / night
"I hadn't spent much time in this part of New Mexico, and assumed that the trip was going to be hot and sun-bleached, similar to the desert exposed in nearby Gallup, NM."
"Having four dogs who love to bark when they hear/see someone, we really appreciate campsites with lots of space. Dogs didn’t bark once!"
$25 - $35 / night
"Needed an overnight stay along Interstate 40 in New Mexico. "
"Full hookups, laundry, shower, pool, store, dog park, free Wi-Fi, Military discount. We've stayed here 3 times now as we like it here."
"It was dead quiet from the time we arrived until we left at 1:30pm the next day even though there were campers close by. The surrounding landscape was beautiful."
"like five but the last time we were there there was a group in two converted buses that seem to be living there and we noticed them making the rounds at 1:30 in the morning, had it not been for our dogs"
LegendEl Morro National Monument is located on an ancient east-west trail in western New Mexico. The main feature of this National Monument is a great sandstone promontory with a pool of water at its base.
We only hiked the Inscription Rock Loop but were impressed with the way the park integrated features like water channels into the land using natural elements. Everything was organized and impressive.
LegendA fun little campground with space to park an RV or rent a cabin. There are no hookups but you’re in a remote part of New Mexico under pines with a Giant night sky above. Plus you’ve got easy access to two fun little explorations... a 1.5 miles hike to the rim of the Bandera volcano and a 1/4 mile hike to the ice cave. It’s a family run business and they have a nice little gift shop and market with a few supplies. Once the park closes for the night, you have the hikes to yourself to take in sunset with lava rock surrounding. It’s a really beautiful area with a lovely family running the business. They charge $20/night for trailer parking but I’m not sure the price of the cabins. They’re also right by Malpais and El Morro national Monuments. Highly recommend for an overnight along your journey through New Mexico!
GuideThis is a very basic, but free camp ground that is within the El Morro National Monument park. Quiet, pretty full by late afternoon. We had a beautiful view of El Morro at sunset. All worth it!
LegendEl Morro National Monument features some amazing petroglyphs and the remains of a pueblo, offering fun hikes. Nearby is a free campground, first-come, first-served. There's water available except in winter (and then you can fill containers at the visitor's center) and vault toilets.
Sites offer picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads. Some, because of their set-up, are better suited to tents than RVs, but because you can't reserve in advance, you'll get to choose what works best for you...assuming there's vacancy. In December it was cold and largely unoccupied, but in warmer months I'm guessing it fills quickly. Sit 5 is handicap accessible and located across from the bathroom.
LegendGeneral: Conveniently located close to I40, there are 20 pull-through 50-amp sites, 16 pull-through 30-amp sites, five back-in water/electric sites (ok for tents), five tent-only sites (no hookups) and four cabins. Other amenities include showers, laundry, a short (approx. 1/3 mile) walking trail, free WiFi, and a playground. We were welcomed by a very friendly staff and offered a cookie upon check-in. But perhaps the best amenity is the dinner service. You have a choice of several entrées, sides, and pie, choose your 10-minute delivery window, and the food is delivered directly to your site! A free continental breakfast is included as well.
Site Quality: As we expected, there is little privacy/separation between the sites. Our site (A) was located right next to the playground so expect to hear children playing if you are in this site (assigned by staff upon check-in). The sites are all gravel and level.
Bathhouse: Three all-in-one toilet/sink/shower combos and one additional bathroom. All were very clean, and the shower was very welcome after many days without one! There were two hooks, a bench, a garbage can, electrical outlet all in the room. There was a little drainage issue but there was an additional drain in the room. There is a code to access the restrooms.
Activities: There is so much to do in the area! The campground itself has a short walking path where pets are permitted. Outside of the campground, you can go to Ice Caves/Bandera Volcano (about 30 miles away) and a bit further, El Morro National Monument. One exit east takes you to El Malpais National Monument with more trails (note the Ranger Station and Visitor Center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but you can still visit). Chaco Canyon is about two hours north. There are also several museums in the area and also a stretch of Route 66 (be sure to pose your car and yourself for a selfie in the Route 66 Arch!) Note you will hear an occasional train and road noise from I40.
As far as the campground itself is concerned, it is nothing special but the amenities more than make up for it! We highly recommend the pie!
LegendThis city-operated 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 in early December. It's beautiful to watch the balloons float about the red rocks in the park and there are a lot of places to scramble on the rocks yourself.
The campground itself is dusty and relatively open; you will hear road traffic. I was there in early December and most of the campground was reserved for the balloon festival. There are electric and water hook-ups, but not sewer. Arrive before 4:30 to obtain the key to the rest room if needed.
They don't provide much information at all on the website, you need to call to get it or just stop by. If you need a place to park overnight, this is a reasonable option. The Petrified Forest is another 90 minutes down the road; El Morro National Monument, Acoma Pueblo, and El Malpais National Monument are a few of the interesting places to visit. We enjoyed dinner/take-out at Dickey's BBQ just 4 miles away. And Jerry's Cafe is popular Mexican restaurant, may require a wait, but it's the sort of place where the locals eat and the waitresses know them by name.
GuideNeeded an overnight stay along Interstate 40 in New Mexico. Check-in was quick and easy, the sites are arranged so that RV doors are not facing the neighbor's sewage pipe, which is something I always appreciate. Most of the sites are pull-through. The park is well laid out and covered with an attractive reddish-brown gravel. The facilities were clean, the staff was pleasant. The park felt safe though the neighborhood around it is economically distressed. The park is family friendly; there is a dog-park, a nice pool, and attractive common area near the office with tables and statuary with a cute bear theme. The only negatives are not under the control of the park: trains pass by frequently day and night, and in the evening the mosquitos are voracious. My wife and I agree that we would return here.
RangerNot much here to write home about, but this park does offer a small, enclosed dog park, pool, a small grocery in their office building, and a “cookout” concession stand like you would find at a theme park or stadium. Their stage was being used to display a patriotic homage to the US military. No pets allowed in the amenities area. Room for improvement would be adding trees and cactus appropriate to this climate to beautify the park, because it’s pretty barren. Staff did not wear masks indoors during the rising Covid pandemic.
GuideFull hookups, laundry, shower, pool, store, dog park, free Wi-Fi, Military discount. We've stayed here 3 times now as we like it here.
Dispersed camping near El Morro National Monument offers primitive sites at elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lower elevations. The high desert environment features juniper and pine forests with seasonal temperature fluctuations that can drop below freezing at night even in summer months. Most campgrounds remain accessible from late spring through early fall, with some sites open year-round for travelers exploring this historical region.
Explore volcanic landscapes: Just a short drive from El Morro, the Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano offers unique hiking experiences. "You can hike to the open face of the Volcano and then down to the amazing cold of the Ice caves," notes Joseph W., who appreciated the natural air conditioning effect after hiking in the heat.
Take night sky photographs: The elevation and limited light pollution create exceptional stargazing opportunities. At Joe Skeen Campground, campers report exceptional conditions for astrophotography. "Amazing dark sky view of the stars," reports Jennifer P., who found the quiet environment perfect for night photography sessions.
Hike forest trails: The Zuni Mountains offer several trail systems accessible from campgrounds. "Great hiking / mountain bike trails. The aspens are in the trails not the campground," notes Robert B., who stayed at Quaking Aspen Campground and found the surrounding forest ideal for day hikes.
Cooler temperatures: The higher elevation provides relief from summer heat. "When summer heat was beginning to knock everywhere else in late May, it was serious blanket weather up here," writes Chip about Quaking Aspen Campground, where nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer.
Wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse animal populations. "We saw abundant wildlife while working in the Zunis, including several brown bears, deer, and elk," reports Tyler G., who recommends taking proper bear-proofing precautions when camping in the area.
Affordable options: Many campgrounds offer low-cost or free camping. At Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping, campers enjoy no-fee sites with basic amenities. "Just off & along the interstate, you'd never know. The valley road cuts through green canyon bluffs and rolling hills with good tree coverage," writes Twan M., highlighting the unexpected natural beauty of this free camping area.
Road conditions vary: Access to some dog friendly campgrounds near El Morro National Monument requires careful driving. "The wash to get into the campground is steep on both sides. We drug a bit on the way in and a lot on the way out," reports Jennifer P. about Joe Skeen Campground, cautioning drivers with larger vehicles.
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal amenities. "This is a nice area with free dispersed camping. The road in is dirt and gravel and could easily get rutted out when rainy," warns Jennifer C. about Six Mile Canyon, where campers should arrive prepared with all necessary supplies.
Seasonal closures: Some areas restrict access during winter months. "The gate at the end of the road is closed Dec. 15 to March 31," notes Dan J., who had to park outside the gate at Six Mile Canyon during the winter closure period.
Choose established campgrounds: For families with children, facilities make a difference. At Bluewater Lake State Park Campground, "Playground for the kiddos, lots of areas to explore with the puppers, and plenty of bathrooms and Ramadas available for day use," reports Sara S., highlighting features that appeal to family groups.
Pack for temperature swings: The high elevation means significant temperature changes between day and night. "It was cool and shady in August so we quite enjoyed it as a stopover," writes Irene L. about Quaking Aspen Campground, recommending extra layers for evenings even in summer months.
Visit during weekdays: Campgrounds are less crowded outside peak periods. "Friday night, late May, and we barely got the last spot. No reservations makes this gem a tricky quest when you're running a bit late," advises Chip about visiting popular non-reservation sites like Quaking Aspen Campground.
Check site levelness: Many campgrounds in this mountainous region have uneven sites. At Grants KOA Journey, "Some say they're not level. Ours was," reports Pat R., highlighting the importance of bringing leveling equipment for RV camping.
Look for pull-through options: Several campgrounds accommodate larger vehicles with appropriate sites. "Great state run campground with options from primitive to full hook ups at great prices," writes Sara S. about Bluewater Lake State Park Campground, which offers varied site configurations for different vehicle sizes.
Consider boondocking capabilities: Many pet-friendly camping options near El Morro require self-sufficiency. "This is a good spot to stay the night if your passing though, very clean bathrooms," notes Jared F. about Joe Skeen Campground, which provides basic facilities but no hookups for RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near El Morro National Monument?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near El Morro National Monument is Bluewater Lake State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near El Morro National Monument?
TheDyrt.com has all 26 dog-friendly camping locations near El Morro National Monument, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
