Best Tent Camping near Grants, NM
Cibola National Forest surrounding Grants, New Mexico offers several primitive tent camping options with varying levels of accessibility and amenities. Lobo Canyon Campground provides tent campsites in a forested setting, operating seasonally from May to September. Chain of Craters Hiker Hideout offers a unique backcountry tent camping experience near El Malpais National Monument, while Forest Service Road Large Camp provides more accessible dispersed camping options for tent campers seeking solitude.
Most tent-only camping areas near Grants require self-sufficiency, as amenities are minimal. Lobo Canyon Campground lacks drinking water, picnic tables, and trash facilities, requiring campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste. Chain of Craters Hiker Hideout requires visitors to bring portable toilets due to wildfire damage to facilities. Forest Service Road Large Camp features established fire rings but no other amenities. Surface conditions vary from compacted dirt to natural forest floor, with some sites offering shade from ponderosa pines and juniper trees. Seasonal considerations include potential closures during fire restrictions and limited access during winter months.
Tent campers frequently report exceptional solitude at these primitive sites. According to reviews, Lobo Canyon Campground offers remarkable quiet, with one visitor noting they were "the only campers in the campground." The dispersed nature of these sites provides ample space between campers. Forest Service Road Large Camp sits adjacent to the Continental Divide Trail, making it ideal for hikers seeking walk-in tent sites. Mujeres Valley Campground, though farther from Grants, offers more amenities including drinking water, showers, and toilets while maintaining a tent-friendly atmosphere with both drive-in and walk-in options. Campers note that sites nestled among trees provide welcome shade during summer months, with plenty of spots to choose from even during peak season.