Best Tent Camping near Lemitar, NM
Tent campgrounds near Lemitar, New Mexico include several primitive options scattered across the surrounding mountains and high desert terrain. Bear Trap Campground offers four basic tent sites at 8,500 feet elevation in the Gila National Forest, while New Canyon Campground provides tent-only camping with rock climbing opportunities. Springtime Campground, located near Magdalena, serves as another tent camping destination with Adirondack shelters and shaded sites.
The approach to these tent sites varies significantly in difficulty and required vehicle capabilities. Bear Trap Campground features a rough, narrow access road with hairpin turns that is passable with all-wheel drive vehicles but challenging for larger vehicles. Most campgrounds operate as pack-in, pack-out facilities with limited or no amenities. Bear Trap offers only a pit toilet with no drinking water available. Springtime Campground may require 4x4 vehicles depending on precipitation conditions. Seasonal availability is important to consider, with sites like Hughes Mill Campground only open from May to October, while Bear Trap remains accessible through September, though nights become chilly at higher elevations.
These tent camping areas offer distinct wilderness experiences away from developed areas. Many sites provide access to hiking trails and forest service roads for exploration. Bear Trap Campground sits in an isolated mountain setting with spacious, mostly flat sites overlooking the mountainside. Springtime Campground features a trail starting from the last campsite that climbs to higher elevations with panoramic views. Wildlife sightings are common in the area, including deer and occasionally larger mammals. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "There are no frills here...just 4 camp sites and a pit toilet in an isolated setting," making these locations ideal for tent campers seeking backcountry solitude rather than amenities.
