Dispersed camping options near Fort Wingate, New Mexico include the rugged Six Mile Canyon area, offering free primitive camping within a 30-mile drive of Fort Wingate. Situated at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, campers in this high desert region experience temperature swings from hot days to cool nights. Camping areas around Fort Wingate generally have minimal shade, with juniper and pinyon pines providing occasional coverage at higher elevations.
What to do
Hiking at nearby monuments: El Morro National Monument is accessible from El Morro RV Park and Cabins, located about 45 minutes from Fort Wingate. "Morro National monument nearby is spectacular," notes one visitor who appreciated the combination of camping and cultural experiences.
Explore volcanic landscapes: Lavaland RV Campgrounds in Grants positions campers near El Malpais National Monument's lava flows. "It's not scenic by any means but, it is close to Mal Pais National Monument (across the street)," reports one camper who found the location convenient for exploration.
Visit Red Rock Park trails: The distinctive red sandstone formations provide moderate hiking opportunities. "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," explains a visitor to the area.
What campers like
Free dispersed camping access: Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping offers budget-friendly options near I-40. "This is a nice area with free dispersed camping. The road in is dirt and gravel and could easily get rutted out when rainy. There are several spots along the road the first being right after the cattle guard after the sign," explains one camper familiar with the area.
Affordable RV parking: Many visitors appreciate the lower cost options compared to other regions. "I thought it was very well priced," notes a camper at USA RV Park, while another at Bar S RV Park mentioned, "Very low priced with amazing wifi and easy to access and use hookups."
Food delivery services: Several RV parks near Fort Wingate offer unique food conveniences. "We were able to get pizza delivered to our RV site which was a big hit with the kids," shared a parent staying at USA RV Park.
What you should know
Seasonal closures and weather impacts: Six Mile Canyon's dispersed camping access changes seasonally. "The gate at the end of the road is closed Dec. 15 to March 31. Parked outside the gate for the night," reports one visitor. Another cautions, "Don't drive the road after a rain."
Limited privacy at most RV parks: Bar S RV Park exemplifies the typical spacing. "Spots are right next to each other but it's a super quiet and safe campground. It has trees throughout so you don't feel like you're in the dessert," explains a camper who stayed there for several weeks.
Water quality concerns: At some facilities, drinking water may not be ideal. One camper at Grants KOA Journey noted, "The only downside was that the water didn't taste great," despite otherwise enjoying their stay.
Tips for camping with families
Look for RV parks with pool access: Families appreciate swimming options during hot summer days. "They had all of the amenities I wanted, showers clean bathrooms, lots of pull through sites, and a pool," explains a visitor to USA RV Park.
Consider state park options for more space: Bluewater Lake State Park Campground offers a different experience than commercial RV parks. "Great state run campground with options from primitive to full hook ups at great prices. 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," details an enthusiastic visitor.
Check for wildlife viewing opportunities: Natural encounters add excitement for children. "Wild horses roaming around the lake were also pretty cool," mentions a visitor to Bluewater Lake State Park.
Tips from RVers
Cell service reliability: Most campsites around Fort Wingate provide workable connections. "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," notes a camper at USA RV Park, indicating that bandwidth can vary despite good signal strength.
Leveling requirements: Prepare for uneven terrain at some sites. "Our site was mostly level so we used our small curved levelers on one side," explains another RV camper. At Red Rock Park & Campground, a visitor noted, "Level dirt sites. Closer to each other but enough space to enjoy the scenery."
Nighttime temperatures: Even during warm seasons, prepare for cool evenings. "Even as it got hot during the day, it cooled nicely at dusk and in the evenings," reports a summer visitor to Grants KOA Journey.
