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Best Tent Camping near Jemez Pueblo, NM

603 Reviews

The Jemez Mountains surrounding Jemez Pueblo in northern New Mexico offer multiple primitive tent camping options across varied terrain and elevations. Dispersed tent camping is available at American Springs, which provides secluded sites at higher elevations, while Road 378 near Fenton Lake offers more accessible tent-friendly clearings. The Cibola National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest lands provide most of the tent camping opportunities in this region, with elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet.

Road conditions vary significantly between tent camping areas, with many requiring high-clearance vehicles to access the more remote primitive tent setups. American Springs features a particularly rocky access road with a large washout, making it challenging for standard passenger vehicles. Most dispersed tent sites include established fire rings but lack amenities such as toilets or drinking water. Campers must bring all necessary supplies, including water and waste disposal bags. Fire restrictions are common during summer and early fall dry periods. One visitor noted that "the road is quite rocky and there's a large washout just past the first site. Any SUV could handle it but being in an extended length van limits where I can go."

Many tent campsites near Jemez Pueblo offer significant privacy, with clearings spaced well apart to minimize neighbor noise. The Road 378 area near Fenton Lake features multiple tent-friendly clearings that can accommodate several tents while maintaining separation between groups. Wildlife sightings are common, with campers reporting elk, coyotes, and various bird species. Walk-in tent sites are available at some locations, offering additional seclusion for those willing to carry gear a short distance. The higher elevation ensures cool nights even during summer months, making sleeping in tents comfortable with proper gear. A camper described their experience at Fenton Lake dispersed camping: "Even on July 4th this site wasn't busy. We only saw one other camper since most people choose to pay for a campground right on the lake."

Map showing campgrounds near Jemez Pueblo, New MexicoExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico (14)

    1. Ojito Wilderness

    2 Reviews
    Jemez Pueblo, NM
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 761-8700

    2. Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Jemez Springs, NM
    20 miles
    Website

    "The road is a bit rough, but easy access and close enough to the lake that I drove over to kayak after setting up camp."

    "This campsite is beautiful and right next to the lake. Perfect for some chill camping. There are multiple clearing along this road. Each one is big enough for several cars and even a couple groups."

    3. American Springs

    4 Reviews
    Los Alamos, NM
    26 miles

    "Just sad to see bullet casings litter ground and these trees that survived the most intense fire in new mexico are being shot up and destroyed. Shame on anyone doing this"

    "Any SUV could handle it but being in an extended length van limits where I can go. Very peaceful with a nice view down the canyon. Elk grazing below were the cherry on top."

    4. Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    26 Reviews
    Tijeras, NM
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 346-3900

    "When you turn into Juan Tomas (FS 542) Rd - be sure to go straight down nearly to the very end of the road. You’ll see signs marking campsites (refer to photos). Sites were large with fire rings."

    "There are multiple site identified with lot signs and fire rings. Some of the spots are Easier to access than others. Be prepared for a road that in rough shape."

    5. Mother Bosque Gardens

    6 Reviews
    Albuquerque, NM
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 688-9721

    $45 - $50 / night

    "Upon arrival, they gave us the tour, and even offered to share a bowl of the aromatic soup simmering upon their stove."

    "Airbnb for tent camping, overnight parking for van camping, full access to home amenities - this was exactly what we needed for a one night stop."

    6. Horseshoe Springs Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Jemez Springs, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 438-5300

    7. Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88

    3 Reviews
    Cuba, NM
    36 miles

    "It’s a bummer people throw so much trash and glass bottles around. Very pretty site otherwise and nice trails to walk. Many cows wandering about in the area."

    "It was getting late after a full day of driving and I happened to find this site. No amenities, but we were the only people in the area. We were just thankful for a place to stop."

    8. Resumidero Camping Area

    2 Reviews
    Gallina, NM
    35 miles

    "We expected a campground that was spread out, fire rings and vault toilets. It was perfect. The camp sites were far apart and you could chose between open meadows or in the trees."

    9. Manzanita Rec Zone Dispersed Camping - Sandia District

    4 Reviews
    Ponderosa, NM
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 281-3304

    "A bit less traveled than other nearby campground. Road almost more accessible to this camp ground for low clearance. Might scrape a bit going up final ramp to Cedro peak one, but not terribly either."

    "Have to drive up the forest service road off the pavement. A little rough but I have a lifted outback no issues! Highly recommended."

    10. Star Dance

    1 Review
    Youngsville, NM
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 901-2936
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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Jemez Pueblo, NM

17 Photos of 14 Jemez Pueblo Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Jemez Pueblo, NM

603 Reviews of 14 Jemez Pueblo Campgrounds

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2024

    Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

    Fascinating National Monument in Northern New Mexico

    This was our first time at this lovely National Monument and we simply loved it. The campground was small with only a few spaces for bigger rigs, but we fit without any problem. Love those small spaces! 

    The campground is perched on the mesa above the monument’s protected dwellings, artifacts and trails at the valley. You can get there by walking about 2.5 miles from the campground along a stunning trail, or driving around the road. We simply loved hiking here, choosing a different way each day over the four days we were there.  So much to explore!

    Campsites have the standard picnic table, bear box locker, and fire ring. The trees were mostly shorter scrub junipers and other high desert trees so there was lots of sunshine for solar powered rig, but no electrical service at any sites.  Nice privacy between sites.

    The bathrooms were clean, heated, and had flush toilets and running sinks with potable water, plus a small dish cleaning sink, but no showers. 

    The Visitor Center is an awesome CCC structure from back during the depression as are many of the hiking trails in the valley.   We were here for Halloween, so carved our pumpkins in memory and celebration of the people who lived here so many years ago.

    Nearby Los Alamos has all the services you need as far as supplies, services and restaurants. But if you can plan your hike to end before 4pm, the cafe at the VC is really worth it!!

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2023

    Riana - Abiquiu Lake

    Great views, great hosts

    Camped 2 nights at site #38 on the Puerco Loop. Reserved thru rec.gov while at the site. Wonderful campground hosts. Site was not quite level for our campervan, but close enough. Good views of lake & surrounding area from site. Vault toilet & drinking water a short walk away. Juniper provided minimal privacy. Site has lantern poll, fire ring, trash can & table. No hookups at this site. $6/night with senior pass. Restroom/shower house within walking distance. Facilities & vault toilets were very clean. Hiking trail in campground. AT&T & T-Mobile service. Overall, quiet & peaceful stay.

  • Tim W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2023

    Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area

    Will go again

    We got there on a Friday and had our pick of sites. We picked one right on the river. No electricity. No water. No picnic tables. No trash receptacle. Vault toilets. Camp spaces are spread out. Some of the roads on the campground had deep ruts and pools of mud water but not all. You can see every star on a clear night. The road to the campground is about 6 miles of curvy dirt and gravel single lane. But a woman managed it in a Jaguar so not too bad just go slow. Rustic and relaxing.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Redondo Campground

    Set back in the pines

    A nice campground set north of the town of Jemenz Springs. There was a fire ban in place and the Forest Service was planning on closing the entire forest the morning after I showed up. I had enough time to camp and get in one hike to a social spring before they came through and closed everything up for safety. The campground was nice, but there was no water available (it had been shut off in preparation for the closure). The campsites were nice and well spaced with lots of pine trees around each site, so there was a lot of privacy. There was an abundance of pine needle duff covering the ground which would have been great until you considered the fire danger. Each site had a picnic table and fire pit (with bright tape over it to remind you not to use it).

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Rancheros de Santa Fe

    Short drive to quaint campground from Santa Fe

    We were very excited on our first night to settle into our campsite after a long day of adventuring. Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe.

    Upon entry the staff was very friendly and welcoming and we felt like this would be a great place to call home away from home.

    The campsites were laid out well with room between campers and because it was the end of a weekend, they were not entirely at capacity which made for a pleasant sense of space in the great outdoors.

    Our campsite was positioned in the "high road" tent site area which is a primitive campsite without additional amenities. Each campsite has a fire ring and also a picnic table for campers to utilize and a pad site for tents slightly raises from ground level.

    It made for a beautiful night sleep under the chilly New Mexico skies.

    By morning we ventured up to the public showers and restrooms which were clean and had amazon water pressure and hot water to set the morning in motion perfectly.

    The facility also offers a pool and theater room during summer months so while we didn't get to take advantage we were excited to know upon return we would have these features available.

    🐰🐰🐰🐰⚪️

    Overall we give this campground a 4 of 5 Bunniea! The only things we noticed which kept it from a 5 were the lack of wifi reach in the back sections of the campground, wouldn't have been a big deal but cell service in the off grid location was also patchy so the wifi would have been handy. And the pad site was not designed for a tent quite our size. Our tent is a 12x8 and had a little side hang on on the 12 foot end.

  • Jeff V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 24, 2025

    Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite

    Why not camp just a bit further out on Buckman Road?

    Given the area described has piles of trash and little else to recommend it, it seems a shame to be close to gorgeous wilderness and stare at rubbish.

    Head out just a bit further and turn onto the well maintained dirt Buckman road?  There are canyons to explore and access to the Rio grande at the road's end, offering water in an area with next to none otherwise. 

    If these lowlands are too hot in the summer, drive up Artist Road to Big Tesuque or the ski-way at the end of the road, where shade, cold streams, and elevation keep nights pleasant even in July or August. 

    You won't be any further from Santa Fe, although it can take awhile to drive from the river or ski-way to town if you park as far away as possible.  

    All of the above sites have fire rings and vault toilets, and Big Tesuque and the ski-way have some sites with picnic tables as well.  Firewood can be scavenged, especially if one gets away from the immediate campsite area.

  • Katriza L.
    Jul. 23, 2021

    Cochiti Recreation Area

    Very clean but no shade

    We stayed at the Buffalo Grove Site #66 for one night. If you have an RV/trailer, Buffalo Grove is the best loop as all have 30/50 Amp, city water hookup, covered table, lantern and paved sites. There are other loops in the campground that may have 50 amp and no water or 15/30 amp with water and gravel. The Juniper loop requires a 100ft hose for shared spigots.

    Some sites in Buffalo Grove are drive through or back-in. Decent space between camps and some privacy but there’s not a lot of large shrubs, extremely scarce actually and no trees whatsoever making all sites at this campground super hot with full sun. We were praying for the rain to come. There are tent sites available but I can’t imagine withstanding this kind of heat in July. We hardly saw anyone hanging outside during the day.

    According to their map, there should be a playground right behind our site but it is nonexistent and clearly has been for some time and they’ve never updated their maps for it. The check-in was quick and simple, they gave us a map to our site and they were very friendly! The bathroom and shower facility close to our campsite was very clean and showers are free. There’s working water fountains outside of the bathroom. There’s no sewer hookups but there are two dump stations with water near the campground host location just outside of the Buffalo grove loop. There are no stores or laundry facilities inside the campground however if you drive past this campground you’ll find a mini mart, gas station, and laundry place.

    If you go down to the boat ramp there’s covered picnic tables right off the shoreline with a bathroom on the left and you can walk on the shoreline to the right and find several picnic tables with no shade. The fishing and swimming are down a different road and the swimming area is by far the most popular area. They don’t allow pets here (at swimming area, OK at campgrounds) and there was literally no one fishing (unless you’re on a boat)!

    Alcohol is not permitted and currently there’s fire restrictions that are not allowing fires (wood or charcoal, but propane is fine) though there are no fire rings in the Buffalo Grove area, not sure if that’s the case for other loops.

    Tent Rocks is about 5 minutes away but they are currently closed. The crest dam road is also currently closed at this time. Overall a great stay, we would come back - preferably in the spring!

  • Roxy V.
    Jun. 6, 2020

    Albuquerque KOA Journey

    Nice Campground

    We stayed here only overnight as part of our cross-country trip. Overall, nice for a quick stay but would not for an extended visit.

    Pros: Everyone there was friendly and accomodating. They have personel maintaining the gate 24/7. Restrooms & showers were clean. They offer RV sites, cabin rentals (which we were told they were all booked but saw no one there- possibly closed due to pandemic though), and tent sites. We tent camp. The site had a fire ring, picnic table, a shaded area, and is covered in pea gravel. The shaded area is not waterproof or "fully" covered. But seems it would help with the heat to provide some shaded comfort. It rained the night we were there, and I was unable to get all of our tent spikes into the ground for our rainfall (think there may have been concrete a few inches below). If you are staying for an extended time, I recommend bringing a tarp that you can tie to the shaded area to help with heat / rain. Each tent site is separated by a privacy wall (see pic). The best part was the sunrise! Absolutely stunning as you are literally at the base of the mountains. You just have to ignore the giant Geico billboard on highway in your view.

    Cons: EVERY review will tell you about the noise from highway, and it is no joke!! We were so tired we did not care. But it is BAD! If you are looking for peace and quiet - THIS IS NOT THE PLACE! You can see the highway wall in my pics. It appeared to be in what seemed as "not the best part of town". It is fully gated 24/7 which I appreciate, but makes you wonder where you are staying. However, we did not have any issues, and the few people we saw were all very polite. We arrived later in the evening and ran out to get a quick bite, but everything closes at 9p so be mindful.

    Pandemic note: We stayed here 6/1/20-6/2/20. Everyone was wearing masks, VERY mindful of social distancing, and you could not even go in to the office - they come out to you.

    I would recommend this only as a quick stop-over / last option campground.

  • Heather Y.
    Apr. 18, 2018

    Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

    Great Rustic Camping in Bandelier National Park

    There are 3 loops in the campground with various sized spots and amount of shade. We were initially drawn to loop C but there was a group that had 8-10 cars in two camping spots so we opted for loop B instead. We found a great spot with trees to hang our hammocks while still being able to keep our solar panels in the sun.

    There are trail heads that are a short walk from the campground including a 1.5 mile trail to the visitor center

    The spots have picnic table and fire rings, there is potable water and vault toilets throughout the campground as well as a dump station at the entrance/exit. You pay at an automated machine at the entrance, in April there were plenty of spots to chose from and the campground was probably about 50% full. Cost is $12/night.

Guide to Jemez Pueblo

Dispersed tent camping in the Jemez Mountains offers solitude at elevations between 7,000-9,000 feet where temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer months. The terrain surrounding Jemez Pueblo features volcanic formations, mesa tops, and deep canyons that create distinctive camping microclimates. Many sites require hikers to carry in all water supplies as natural springs are scarce and often seasonal.

What to do

Hiking from camp: Forest Road 88 near Cuba provides direct access to hiking trails through sage-covered mesas. A camper noted, "Lots of sage brush and we had a full moon that night and the area was lit up, bright as a cloudy day!" at Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88.

Wildlife observation: The higher elevation dispersed sites offer opportunities to spot large mammals. At American Springs, one visitor reported, "Very peaceful with a nice view down the canyon. Elk grazing below were the cherry on top."

Stargazing: The dry air and minimal light pollution create excellent night sky viewing conditions. Campers at Resumidero Camping Area appreciate the combination of "open meadows or in the trees" allowing for both sheltered camping and clear sky views.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: The Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed area offers well-spaced clearings. One camper mentioned, "The clearings are far enough apart that you can make some noise without bothering the other campers."

Unexpected solitude: Despite popular nearby established campgrounds, dispersed sites remain less crowded. A camper at Fenton Lake observed, "The road is a bit rough, but easy access and close enough to the lake that I drove over to kayak after setting up camp."

Diverse terrain options: Manzanita Rec Zone Dispersed Camping offers sites with varying levels of tree cover. A visitor noted it's "A bit less traveled than other nearby campground. Road almost more accessible to this camp ground for low clearance."

What you should know

Road condition challenges: Many access roads deteriorate significantly after rainfall. At Dispersed Camping off FS 542, campers warn about specific hazards: "There are multiple site identified with lot signs and fire rings. Some of the spots are easier to access than others. Be prepared for a road that in rough shape."

Designated camping rules: Forest Service regulations require using established sites with fire rings. One camper cautioned, "We actually almost got a ticket parking at one of the next to the road spots on the way in. The ranger said if it doesn't have a metal ring, it's not a legit spot and you can get ticketed."

Waste management issues: Human waste can be problematic in popular areas. A reviewer at Road 378 noted, "The poop that littered this campsite made this site basically uninhabitable. A bummer but when nature calls, literally, you gotta do what you gotta do."

Tips for camping with families

Temperature preparation: Pack extra layers regardless of season. At Fenton Lake dispersed camping, a visitor warned, "It does get cold at night since at approximately 8,000 elevation."

Wildlife awareness: American Springs offers good wildlife viewing but requires appropriate food storage. A camper described, "Elk grazing below were the cherry on top."

Site selection for space: Larger family groups should look for meadow sites. At Resumidero Camping Area, campers found that "The camp sites were far apart and you could chose between open meadows or in the trees. Hiking trails from the campground."

Tips from RVers

Length restrictions: Most forest roads have tight turns limiting larger rigs. At Cuba Hwy Pulloff, a camper warned, "The road in is steep for long rigs. It's a bummer people throw so much trash and glass bottles around."

Leveling challenges: Many tent camping areas near Jemez Pueblo have uneven terrain. One RVer at Dispersed Camping off FS 542 noted, "There will be one large spot to the left and a right turn to the others. The road through where the others are is VERY tight."

Water conservation: No hookups mean careful water management. A camper advised, "It's primitive camping no water no outhouse" when describing Manzanita Rec Zone conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Jemez Pueblo, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Jemez Pueblo, NM is Ojito Wilderness with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Jemez Pueblo, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Jemez Pueblo, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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