Camping sites near Hillsboro, New Mexico range from free primitive locations in the Gila National Forest to developed state parks along the Rio Grande. The area sits at elevations between 4,200 and 7,000 feet, creating distinct temperature differences between riverside and mountain forest campgrounds. Summer daytime temperatures often reach 90-100°F at lower elevations while mountain sites can be 15-20 degrees cooler.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Caballo Lake State Park offers both lake and river fishing options at its Riverside Campground. "We tent camped at the Riverside campground below the dam over Easter 2014. The Rio Grande flowed shallow and muddy," notes one camper, though fishing conditions vary seasonally depending on water levels.
Rock climbing: Luna Park Campground provides access to both sport and trad climbing routes. "This seemed like it'd be a good spot to hang out and climb a little without being too much of a 'climbing trip'... There are 2-3 camp sites here and a handful of both sport and trad routes," explains one visitor who camped there with family.
Hiking trails: Multiple trailheads originate from forest campgrounds in the area. At Railroad Canyon Campground, "many trails access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites," according to a visitor who appreciated the convenient trail access.
Wildlife viewing: The riparian areas provide good birding opportunities. At Percha Dam State Park, visitors have spotted "1 painted bunting, summer tanagers, Bullocks orioles, sandhill cranes - even a couple of vermillion flycatchers." The park also serves as "a refuge for many types of ducks, and a small herd of deer sleep in the grassy sites along the river."
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Upper Gallinas Campground offers free sites near a year-round creek. One visitor shared, "there are restrooms and a long stream that you could sit next to and see all the creatures that are in the stream. The ground is solid for RVs." Another camper described it as "a great free place to pull off for the night."
Star gazing: The area's dark skies make for excellent night viewing. At Luna Park Campground, visitors note the "stars are impeccable." Another camper stated simply, "stars come out at night," highlighting this as a standout feature of their camping experience.
Water recreation: Caballo Lake offers multiple recreation options. "A little rocky but beautiful lake. You can either stay on the north side of the damn where the lake is or stay on the south side where the Rio grande runs," explains one camper who "tried swimming across the Rio Grande."
Historical exploration: The historic mining town of Kingston and ghost towns are accessible from campgrounds. From Hillsboro RV Park, visitors can explore nearby historical sites, with one camper noting "lake valley ghost town is worth the ride" from this "great rural campground."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Many forest service campgrounds operate only from April through November. In December 2021, a camper reported, "The four campgrounds in this area (Iron Creek, Railroad Canyon, Upper and Lower Gallinas) are all closed... Perhaps just for the season. Contact NFS for status."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require high-clearance vehicles. Luna Park Campground access "requires a high clearance vehicle or very careful driving" as "the roads are tough up to it," according to visitors.
Variable water levels: The Rio Grande's flow varies considerably by season, affecting recreation options. "The river doesn't run most of the year," noted one camper at Percha Dam State Park.
Facility limitations: Most forest campgrounds have minimal amenities. At Iron Creek Campground, campers found "about 10 sites, most of them shaded with picnic tables and fire rings. Has garbage collection, and a vault toilet." The campground offers "no cell signal" but remains "usually peaceful and quiet."
Tips for camping with families
Shaded campsites: Look for spots with natural tree cover for summer camping. At Appaloosa Campground, "there are a few tall trees but there are shrubs and some small Juniper and Pinyon trees," providing partial shade in an otherwise exposed area.
Avoid stickers: Several campgrounds have goathead thorns that can injure feet and damage bicycle tires. At Percha Dam, visitors warn of "goathead thorns everywhere, watch your dog's paws."
Swimming options: Caballo Lake RV Park offers family-friendly water activities. "Great place to kayak especially when the sun rises you will see it over the mountains. My favorite part about caballo lake is floating down from elephant butte to caballo lake in a giant floaty," reports one family camper.
Level campsites: Most Caballo Lake State Park campgrounds have flat, even sites suitable for both tents and RVs. The Riverside campground has "very easy access and large pull through sites," making setup simpler with children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Appaloosa Campground offers variable hookup levels for different needs and budgets. "Level, stone covered sites. Picnic tables under gazebo covering. Various levels of hookups. FHU to none. Ours has H2O and electric," notes one RVer.
Dump stations: Not all parks with hookups have dump stations on-site. At Percha Dam State Park, "no RV dump station on site; you'll need to go to Caballo SP to dump," advises an RVer with a 36-foot fifth wheel.
Site sizing: Many older campgrounds weren't designed for larger modern rigs. At Percha Dam State Park, "campground was built for smaller campers but a few can handle big rigs. Our site was good for our 36' 5th wheel," reports one camper.
Ground conditions: Surface materials vary by campground. At Appaloosa Campground, the "ground is pretty hard and rocky so wouldn't be good for tent camping," making it more suitable for self-contained units.
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