Searching for the perfect place to pitch your tent near Gallup? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Gallup, New Mexico's most popular destinations.
Hill side ruggid/primitive camping, no hookups. Wifi in common area. Wolf spirit wolf sanctuary less than a mile away! Pinehill is about a 5 minute drive for supplies. Great views and good hiking!
$10 / night
Traveler
I called at about 8pm desperate to get in somewhere to tent camp. Clark answered the phone and was so kind. The office/store stays open until 9 pm. The grounds are clean and complete with a dog park area. Every tent site had electricity and water. The bathrooms and showers were really clean and I can assume the laundry facilities were the same.
The tent sites are covered with small gravel so no dirt or sharp plants in the way. The sites are really large and spacious!
The area is well lit and there were police patrolling the camp off and on during the night.
I kick myself for not taking pictures. You should definitely stay here.
Guide
Stopped in to rest late at night on my way to CA. Super easy to find. Set up our tent right before quiet time. Lots of campgrounds. Perfect for tent camping.
GuideWe used this campground as a starting point for a research trip sampling Precambrian rocks of the Zuni Mountains. 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. I was surprised to drive into a beautiful forest just a few minutes off I40.
The campsite includes basic forest service amenities: pit toilets, picnic tables, and metal-rimmed fire pit/grill sites. What set this apart from other non-hosted campsites for me was the condition of the grounds. The tent camping sites had well maintained, leveled tent pads, maintained gravel roads, and clean facilities. The Sites offered a reasonable degree of privacy, although some of the sites near the middle of the loop road place you in close proximity to your neighbor. The area is moderately wooded with pine and aspen, providing shade throughout the day and easy access to the dirt road that transects the Zuni Mountains, letting you out near the Bandera volcano and ice cave, which is a wonderful drive if you have a high clearance/4x4 and time to drive through.
We saw abundant wildlife while working in the Zunis, including several brown bears, deer, and elk. While we didn't have any run ins with these guy in camp, be aware that large animals are present in the area and be sure to take necessary bear-proofing precautions.
Camp fees were $5/night, which is quite the bargain given the well-kept grounds and wonderful scenery. If you're looking for a less-traveled escape from Albuquerque, or just want the chance to explore the under-valued Zuni mountains and western New Mexico landscape (and some pretty interesting geologic features such as orbicular granite), this campground is an excellent place to spend some time on the cheap.
Photos included are from the Zunis south of the campsite, as I didn't think to take any photos while we were at camp.
RangerI tent camped here in Aug. 2020 after driving through the Navajo Reservation. I arrived before dusk in the fading heat. The staff was friendly and offered me a cheap brisket sandwich and maybe peach cobbler if there was any left. Well there was some left! I considered hauling it all the way back to El Paso but I’m glad I stopped for the night and got some good rest.
GuideThis is a really nice RV park on the West side of Gallup with easy access to I-40. It was a perfect overnight stop but would be good for longer stays as well. Access through the park is great, sites are gravel, level, and good size. We had a pull through site which was about 80 feet long and nice and wide. They also have back in sites and tent sites. We had a full hookup site and the connections were in great shape and located just where they needed to be. There are some trees between some sites but most of the area is pretty open. Some of the trees are large enough to block a satellite dish. They offer cable TV but we did not try that. They have free wifi which was decent. The restrooms, showers, and laundry rooms were clean and good size as well. There is a small dog park in the back and there is also a dump station. Check in was easy and the staff were friendly and helpful. They also have a large gift shop and a small area with groceries. They offer a barbeque on some nights which is cooked right there behind the office. Cell service from AT&T and Verizon was great. We paid $37 for one night with Escapees discount. There is clear pride of ownership here.
Scout
A little nervous by the other reviews but it was getting late and we needed a place to hookup. The website for reserving was difficult to navigate on my phone but it all worked out. No staff on site that we could see so we just pulled into an open spot & hooked up. Beautiful/unique location. Bathrooms were open for us to use, warm, & clean. Didn’t need a key like the reservation had said. Probably not the best campground for tent camping due to gravel lots, but for our 30 ft RV, we had no trouble. We didn’t have a chance to explore the area but would definitely come back.
Scout1 star for the following reasons: 1) bathroom is locked until you get a key. 2) Their website says that there are tent sites. You will be pitching a tent in an rv site. 3)Even once you do go to register on their site, an awful experience that is on a timer and will reset mid registration (yes all your info). You have to choose a discount to get the tent by rate. 4) Map is awful, because the numbers of aren't on well lit and there are no signs. Good luck not waking everybody up. 5) There's a train audible from here. 6) the best view is of the stars. 7) Maze to get here.
All of these reasons are completely verifiable, but i don't suggest it. When i think of campgrounds from hell, this will be my go to. I want my money back.
GuideWe were so grateful to stumble upon USA RV Park on our recent trip through New Mexico. We were dealing with snow all the way from Colorado to Gallup, and decided about an hour out of Gallup to stop for the night. We called USA RV Park, and while no one answered, they returned our call within the half hour. They graciously accommodated our 2 trailers last minute with full hookups! The campsite itself is large, clean, well marked, and very nice restrooms! The store was well stocked with what we needed (including a tent repair kit for our pop up!). The owner, John, was very kind, helpful, and a delight to chat with. We filled our propane tank up on site and were on our way the next day! Highly recommend! :)
RangerMy first visit to New Mexico and the southwest. Red Rock Park is in Gallup, NM right on the Arizona state line in between Albuquerque and Flagstaff. 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, very cool place and trails.
GuideI have stayed at this campground several time it was a New Mexico Stae Park, it has since been turned over to the city of Gallup as a city park. There are several hiking and horseback riding trails around this campground. One of the best is to castle rock a really good hike. Make sure you call to check for availability, there is a rodeo arena near by and will fill up if there is a rodeo.
Legend
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. The campground is broken up into a couple areas. Our site was somewhat shaded, which was nice in the heat of the summer. Very cool sites overlooking the lake. I wouldn’t say the sites are secluded, but it’s still a neat place. I haven’t been to many state parks in New Mexico so it was a unique experience!
LegendA small campground located a few miles outside Gallup and two miles from a casino. The reservation website can be a little confusing, so be careful. There is a nice hike that starts at the campground.
TravelerThe camp sites are well laid out with picnic table. The bath room was primitive and I didn’t check out the showers. The lake and the area is enchanting!! It was my first visit to New Mexico and for sure I will be back! The lake is large and has fishing.
Guide
Nothing fancy. Close to I-40 but you can get far enough away to limit road noise. Road is good enough to drag a camper back. Sites are pretty decent sized. Good place to camp for the night of going climbing around Gallup.
Legend
El 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.
GuideWe stayed here two nights, one going and one coming back. This is a clean, simple family run camp ground in Gallup, NM. It’s basically a large gravel camp ground with few trees, but very well maintained. There are like 177 sites, and very few long term campers here. We liked it for what it was and the price. Recommend it if you need a stop for the night.
GuideGallup definitely isn't exactly a desirable destination (hot and dusty!), so I wouldn't go out of my way to stay here. But for a quick overnight stop with good amenities - I'd definitely stay here again with our 42' fifth wheel. ALL pull-thru sites. Our site was super unlevel, which caused setup of our fifth wheel to error over and over when leveling. But our blocks finally fixed it. Dog pee reeked of pee, but that's to be expected. Nice pool and BBQ cookout.
TravelerNeeded 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.
LegendThe place was pretty backed when we finally rolled in at 9pm! My latest arrival and hopefully the only time we arrive so late. The kids were thrilled to learn the pool was open another hour after the long long drive we had today. The check in was quick and the staff very polite & helpful. The grounds are well cared for and lots of amenities such as an on-site BBQ, free coffee in the morning. Pool. Outdoor chess, beautiful fountains, wonderful kids playground. I’d definitely make Gallup a stop over in the future.
RangerWe were able to make a same day reservation and the staff were very nice. Someone was in our spot and they quickly got us into a new (and better) spot. The spots are pull-through, gravel, and very close to one another. It was extremely busy when we stayed probably because the location is good and there aren’t many options in the area so there was a bit of a parking lot feel. The pool and barbecue place weren’t open when we went, but the store was open till 8 and had the basics (I didn’t use the laundromat or bathrooms). The cost with our discount was around $40 - we felt like it got the job done and would certainly stay again if we were passing through Gallup and needed a place to camp.
GuideWhen driving through Gallup, one doesn't expect to find such a great place to land on Route 66. On the surface it may appear to be a great over-nighter location - which it is! Level pull-through sites with a picnic table. But it's so much more than that. First the business seems to be comprised of family-owned and operated. They have excellent amenities including a lovely pool and playground area. Their shop is absolutely GREAT. The laundry area, showers, dish-washing area and other services are excellent. Sites include electric, water and a picnic table. A dump station is positioned right by the exit. We had an unexpected delay for four days due to a medical situation, and they recommended a doctor who helped immensely, and they worked with us day to day to keep us in our spot as needed. Highly recommend this RV Park! Great folks!
GuideGreat place to stop & relax. Laundry room large & comfortable. Bathrooms clean. Friendly staff. Only negative is that tent spots don’t have much shade & one picnic table needs replacing.
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.
GuideI would give this a 5-star rating except it didn't have hook-ups. Still, for $5/night you can't go wrong. Everything was clean: vault toilets, smooth gravel driveways, gravel tent pads, and almost no litter anywhere. Sites were spaced far enough apart we hardly knew there were others camping nearby. We camped in a 30' fifth-wheel and had no problems maneuvering. Some sites have pull-thrus and others are easily backed-in. We'll stay here again.
LegendThis place was fantastic. The rates are dirt cheap, but the park is worth many times more. I came in without a reservation and found a huge pull-through campsite on the hill, with a clear view of the lake (it is indeed blue). There was a deep and broad terrace for picnic table and tent, and some pines for shade. It was a little windy when I visited, but not uncomfortably so. It was dark and quiet at night, and I slept well.
The bathroom nearest my campsite was a vault toilet, but a clean one. Real bathrooms are available at the visitor center, a long walk north of my tent.
I recommend following the trail at the north end of the campground for a nice view of the dam (it was a 10 to 15 minute hike for me, narrow but level). The lake is also open for boating and fishing, with a launch ramp near the campground.
The only downside I can think of was the trash I found at my campsite, mostly bottle caps. I spent a few minutes picking it up before I left.
LegendStayed here after visiting bandera volcano and ice caves... about an hour away. The campground was very clean and well maintained. Fire ring, pad for a tent and a picnic bench were at each site. Bathroom was very clean. Water was also available. Awesome night sky and very quiet. Small campground with 9 sites. I didn’t visit the monument but loved the area and campsite. I would definitely stay here again.
ScoutCampgrounds easy to access. I did not have a site reservation, buit there were lots of vacent pads available. Nice view of the lake. Only drawback was the all night incessant winds. They were strong, gusty and loud. So strong they collapsed my tent on top of me. Notmuch sleep that night. It might have been where I was (pad 44), They were still strong in the morning, but I noticed they were less/non existant at the campsites near the main entrance. Just bewaye and be prepared.
Tent camping near Gallup, New Mexico offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures the region has to offer. With a variety of campgrounds catering to tent campers, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Gallup, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Gallup, NM is 4 R's Primitive camping with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Gallup, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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