Best Tent Camping near Gallup, NM

Tent Camping Reviews near Gallup, NM

194 Reviews of 4 Gallup Campgrounds

• 

  Jean C.

  Legend

  Mar. 1, 2020

  El Morro National Monument

  Beautiful location

  El 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.

  Read More
• 

  Tyler G.

  Guide

  Jun. 23, 2016

  Quaking Aspen Campground

  Wonderful Base to Explore the Hidden Beauty of the Zuni Mountains

  We 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.

  Read More
• 

  William M.

  Traveler

  Apr. 25, 2021

  Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

  Lakefront camping

  Uncrowded when we were there State park located right on a man-made lake. unfortunately, the lake level is extremely low! Decent sites each with picnic table and fire pit some with shade canopies others with a little natural tree cover, not a lot of privacy. Pit toilets, no drinking water available except at maybe the RV sites with hookups and at the pump outstation? Weak cell signal. Seems more suited for RV's.

• J

  Jennifer Y.

  Scout

  Jul. 21, 2024

  Quaking Aspen Campground

  Nice campground

  Nice campground, camp sites are nicely spaced, plenty of shade under the pines, sites have picnic tables and fire pits, clean vault toilets, well maintained campground

• m

  mark F.

  Ranger

  Jun. 6, 2024

  Quaking Aspen Campground

  Great sites no direct hiking

  Claen vault toilets, well spaced and quiet sites. We'll maintained. No water. No hiking from campground. Some trails and dispersed camping 1/2 mi down road south.

• 

  Amber J.

  Guide

  Mar. 31, 2021

  USA RV Park

  Convenient, clean, and welcoming!

  We 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! :)

  Read More
• 

  Robert A.

  Guide

  Sep. 2, 2018

  El Morro National Monument

  Summer Camp

  Spent two nights here in June, very nice campground each site has a picnic table, fire ring and trash can nearby. Lots of trees for shade. Water is available at the visitor center a short drive away. El Morro is a great place to explore. Highly recommend this place to stay

• A

  Anna H.

  Guide

  Mar. 27, 2022

  Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

  Camped under a ridiculous amount of stars

  In was a dreamy March evening, Colton, Elliot, and Ed drove in to Bluewater lake state park at 9:30 PM. It was post staff hours but we were allowed to park outside and do an easy, flat hike into the camp site. Lots of clean, empty sites, plus clean bathroom . The campsite numbers were hard to find but it’s chill. Got super cold during this time of year at night, so come ready with hats, gloves, and sleeping pads.

• J

  Jennifer W.

  Traveler

  Apr. 11, 2024

  Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

  Nice find

  Great campground. Not far off I-40. Lots of sites. Most have a level, gravel tent pad, table and fire ring. Vault toilets in abundance. One bathroom with sinks and flush toilets. Separate shower house was closed when we were here. Some electric sites. Some large level pull thrus. Most sites have at least a glimpse of the lake. There were horses roaming through the campground. Mostly empty this April midweek. Good trails for hiking. I only saw one water pump in the park. There is an EV charging station.