The Llano area of New Mexico sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offering high-desert camping experiences with significant temperature variations between seasons. Winter temperatures at campgrounds near Llano can drop below freezing, while summer days typically reach 75-85°F with cool evenings in the 40s. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from April through October, though some remain open year-round with reduced services.
What to do
Hiking trails: Hyde Memorial State Park offers multiple walking paths, including the waterfall trail less than 3/4 mile round trip. "The hiking trails were awesome. We booked a reservable with hydro for one night and decided to extend our stay with the first come first serve system," shares a visitor at Hyde Memorial State Park Campground.
Mountain biking: Trails around Taos offer various difficulty levels for cyclists. Angel Nest RV Retreat provides easy access to mountain biking routes. "Minutes from state park, lake access, and Eagle Nest. Close to Angel Fire as well," notes a camper at Angel Nest RV Retreat.
Cultural exploration: The Taos area features historic sites and pueblo communities within short driving distance. "This location is so prime for visiting all the sights in Taos, and there are many. Restaurants are really close enough to walk to and Old Town Taos is 3 miles away," explains a camper at Taos Valley RV Park & Campground.
What campers like
Mountain views: Many campgrounds offer panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. "The park is older but in a charming New Mexico way. They have funky wooden shade structures at some of the sites. Much more vegetation than you would expect from a campground close to town," says a visitor to Taos Valley RV Park.
Walking paths: On-site trails allow for easy exploration without driving. "They do have a small dog trail and walking path at the back of the park, which is nice," notes a camper at Taos Monte Bello RV Park, while another mentions, "Sites are basic, but nice, with fire rings and concrete picnic tables" at Hyde Memorial State Park.
Pet-friendly options: Most rv sites near Llano, New Mexico accommodate pets with dedicated areas. "Smaller camp ground, with modern and very clean bathrooms and showers! Dog friendly, with a small dog park to boot," shares a visitor to Angel Nest RV Retreat.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Cell phone service and wifi through the campground is available though not fast when everyone jumps on at the same time," explains a camper at Taos Valley RV Park.
Altitude adjustment: Campgrounds near Llano sit at elevations above 7,000 feet. "We live at 8000 feet, so the altitude was not a problem for us, but if you are from sea level, be prepared to take your time and handle the altitude," advises a visitor to Hyde Memorial State Park.
Bathroom availability: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "Bathrooms are dated but cleaned daily," notes one camper, while another mentions, "There is no bathhouse yet" at Roadrunner RV Park, making it primarily suitable for self-contained RVs.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "There was a fun playground my kids enjoyed and a nice area at the group shelter. Lots of fun painted rocks my kids found by the stream," shares a visitor to Hyde Memorial State Park.
Stream exploration: Several sites feature small waterways perfect for kids. "The kids enjoyed the steep hikes and the stream that runs along the other side of the camp sites where there are smaller campgrounds for tent camping," notes a family that stayed at Hyde Memorial.
Alternative accommodations: For those not ready for tent camping, look for yurt options. "We walked through the yurt site just above us, and they are stunning, with patios and what appears to be heating. Worth a look," recommends a camper at Santa Fe Skies RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: Many RV sites near Llano, New Mexico require leveling equipment. "Sites were quite level and hookups are easy access. There are both full hookup sites and water and electric only sites," reports a visitor to Taos Monte Bello RV Park.
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult approaches. "The single entrance is a high center risk with lots of scrape marks from RV dragging. Lot is very large gravel and a bit difficult to walk upon," warns a camper at LUXX - Taos RV Park.
Winter considerations: For cold-weather camping, prepare accordingly. "A family trip with the RV and although we did enjoy our stay for the most part, there was a lot left to be desired. The drive up is steep and our RV had a hard time; would not even think of staying up here in the winter," cautions a visitor to Hyde Memorial State Park.