Camping options near Las Vegas, New Mexico range from riverside sites to mountain lake campgrounds at elevations between 6,500-8,500 feet. The region features ponderosa pine forests surrounding small lakes and rivers with dramatic temperature shifts between day and night, even in summer months. Most campgrounds in this high desert mountain zone experience significant winds in spring and fall.
What to do
Hiking trails near campgrounds: At El Porvenir Campground, trails lead to nearby peaks with expansive views. As one camper noted, "We loved this campground... Our kids loved playing in the gorgeous mountain stream adjacent to the campground" while another mentioned being "determined to get to Herman's Peak."
Fishing opportunities: Morphy Lake State Park offers trout fishing in a mountain setting. A visitor reported, "Trout fishing was very good. Staff was good," while another mentioned, "Caught 1 fish on pink power bait" and observed wildlife including "deer, eagle, foxes as well chipmunks."
Local historic sites: The Las Vegas area features historic architecture and cultural sites. From Villanueva State Park Campground, visitors can explore the region's history. "There is a pleasant hike that leads to a sort of fortification that was historically garrisoned by some Texan insurgents at some point during the Mexican American war," reported one camper.
What campers like
Mountain views and night skies: EV Long Campground offers mountain vistas and clear night skies. One camper described it as a "basic campground 14 miles from town. It is a pretty area with decent fishing." Another visitor mentioned it's "close to Elk Mountain and Hermits Peak for hiking."
Clean facilities: Pendaries RV Resort maintains exceptionally clean bathrooms and facilities. Campers consistently praise the maintenance: "The bathrooms are the best we have ever seen and the water pressure allows you to take a very nice shower," and "Very clean and well kept campground!"
River access: Many campgrounds feature streams or rivers for cooling off. At North Area Campground, a visitor described "a lake for great fishing" while another noted "lots of space between sites; each site has a great view of the lake."
What you should know
Seasonal closures and limitations: Many campgrounds have restricted operations during off-season. A visitor to Las Vegas/New Mexico KOA Journey noted, "The pool (closed due to Covid)" while others mentioned seasonal availability of amenities.
Gate closure times: Several state park campgrounds lock gates after specific hours. One camper warned, "They lock the site up after closing time...only a spike strip exit is open for campers. Wish we would have known before the long, narrow and curvy road 12 miles up the mountain."
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water year-round. A visitor reported, "This time of year water is shut off except for one spigot in entire park. No water at dump station," while another mentioned, "There is no drinking water available."
Weather considerations: High elevation means temperature variations and wind. A camper noted, "Very cool even in July; need blankets" when staying at Morphy Lake State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: South Area Campground offers features for children. A camper shared, "This is a great place to stop and breathe for a while while on the road. Especially with kids... There is a great playground and a perfect view of the lake."
Stream play areas: Several campgrounds feature safe water play areas. One visitor to El Porvenir mentioned, "Our kids loved playing in the gorgeous mountain stream adjacent to the campground."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy spotting local wildlife. At Morphy Lake, a camper reported seeing "lots of wildlife (deer, eagle, foxes as well chipmunks)" and mentioned "Chipmunks were a hoot but need to guard your food."
Dog friendly campgrounds near Las Vegas: Most campgrounds welcome pets with designated areas. When staying at Pendaries RV Resort with pets, campers appreciate the "Wonderful pull through sites with plenty of space!"
Tips from RVers
Site specifications: Gallinas River Campground provides services for RVs despite its small size. A visitor mentioned, "I was about to rate this 3 stars before I went to the comfort station. The clean free hot showers and proximity to Vegas changed my mind."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. A camper at El Porvenir noted, "The road up from Montezuma/Las Vegas is very winding and sometimes close to one lane," adding that "Not all sites would've fit our trailer."
Hookup availability: Electric and water connections vary by campground. At North Area Campground, visitors report, "Site have everything except sewer but they do have a dump station" and "Our site has 30 amp electric and water; there is a dump station on site."
Pet-friendly RV parks: Several RV parks near Las Vegas welcome pets with adequate space. Pendaries RV Resort provides "Wonderful pull through sites with plenty of space" for RVers traveling with dogs.
