Best Campgrounds near Los Alamos, NM
Are you in need of a campground near Los Alamos, NM? Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Los Alamos. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Los Alamos camping trip.
Best Camping Sites Near Los Alamos, New Mexico (141)
1. Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument
30 ReviewsWhite Rock, NM7 milesWebsite+1 (505) 672-3861$20 - $50 / night
"Campground is nestled in a bug group of dense pines and only a 15-20 minute drive from Los Alamos."
"Juniper CG @ Bandelier NM: May 2024
Juniper CG @ Bandelier NM: May 2024 Visited El Chamayo, Los Alamos, and the beautiful Valles Caldera National Preserve
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)"
2. Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)
18 ReviewsLos Alamos, NM6 miles"If you go left from the entrance, be prepared for a rough ride. I would say tent camping only. Go right and there are plenty of spaces to choose from. Los Alamos is only 15 minutes away."
"Drive up is a bit winding and steep, but we managed just fine in our Subaru and saw a ton of passenger cars heading up the mtn. Not sure I’d want to drive it in any inclement weather though."
3. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed
42 ReviewsSanta Fe, NM18 miles"I often camp by Diablo Canyon, which has wonderful sunsets and decent off trail hiking. There's even a cave for those who know where to find it. "
"Wide open space to pick your spot next to a Juniper or two.
Hardly anyone here, just the coyotes howling. Appreciated access to a pit toilet."
4. Cochiti Recreation Area
34 ReviewsCochiti Lake, NM17 milesWebsite+1 (505) 465-2557$15 - $20 / night
"Some sites in Buffalo Grove are drive through or back-in."
"Visitors center has lots of information, and there are hiking trails. Not close to any major shopping, but there is a small store nearby and a laundry mat next to the store."
5. Jemez Falls Campground
28 ReviewsJemez Springs, NM18 milesWebsite+1 (575) 829-3535$20 / night
"This is one of the places to camp in New Mexico"
"Jemez is a short drive out of ABQ and close enough to be convenient for Santa Fe and Los Alamos residents. We drove up on a Sunday afternoon and found a clean campground to setup in."
6. Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite
26 ReviewsSanta Fe, NM18 miles"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."
"Close by, easy to find, plenty of space. Little trash left behind by some people. Overall, a great place for the night."
7. White Rock Visitor Center RV Park
7 ReviewsWhite Rock, NM6 milesWebsite+1 (505) 662-8170$20 / night
"We stayed a few nights to explore Los Alamos and the park."
"The ranger at Manhattan project site in Los Alamos referred me to this campground as the perfect lunching point to bandelier National monument."
8. American Springs
4 ReviewsLos Alamos, NM6 miles"Probably not a must have, but I highly recommend a four-wheel-drive high clearance to get back into the camp spots here, but there are a handful of spots."
"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"
9. Santa Fe Skies RV Park
35 ReviewsSanta Fe, NM25 milesWebsite+1 (505) 473-5946$71 - $91 / night
"The location is close to stores and restaurants that are about 10 minutes away...that we needed after discovering a damaged tire."
"This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."
10. Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park
16 ReviewsJemez Springs, NM19 milesWebsite"While we pulled up to Jemez camping nearby, the park rangers told us it was closed because of Covid, but we could go down the road to this unmarked, unnamed, dispersed camp site. "
"We stayed on the edge of the cliff at the far back right side of the campsite and it was easily one of the top 5 locations that we have camped at."
Recent Camping Photos near Los Alamos, NM
235 Photos of 141 Los Alamos Campgrounds
icarus
Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)
Nancy B.
American Springs
Robin T.
Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument
Austin C.
Tetilla Peak
Stacy R.
Cochiti Recreation Area
shannon C.
Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite
Matt P.
Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed
Ryan S.
Jemez Falls Campground
Taylor B.
Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park
Tyler G.
Redondo Campground
The Dyrt
San Antonio Campground
Maya T.
FR376 Dispersed
Recent Reviews near Los Alamos, NM
821 Reviews of 141 Los Alamos Campgrounds
shannon C.
GuideOjo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Weekend hot springs with wife !
Nice little campground next to hot springs . Nice level site . Hook up were on passenger side and towards front of TT we had enough hose and cords to reach . It says they have loaners if needed . 20% discount if you camp and visit hot springs. Hot springs were very relaxing. No fire or outside smoking . On site bathroom and shower however we didn’t use or check them out . Had a great week end with wife
Adria L.
TravelerSanta Fe Skies RV Park
Fenton lake
Everything is online now did realize that the fishing was bad but still a great place to go and relax
- KKathy S.Traveler
Coronado campground
Really nice tent sites
I love the tent shelters. We slept inside instead of setting up a tent again. Nice shower and toilets. Beautiful view. A bit noisy at night with a highway not far enough away. I am staying an extra night…
Stefanie S.GuideRancheros de Santa Fe
Great Little Park
We stayed here just a few nights when we first started our journey. It's a nice little park, and we LOVED the hiking trails in the back! The bathrooms and laundry room were very clean and well kept. The pool and "game room" were also nice. The area we stayed in was clearly for people just staying a few days. One thing I appreciated was the use of hedges to hide the neighboring sewer and hookups. Sites are close, so this helps. It is pretty tight in there, so maneuvering can be challenging if you have a bigger rig. But overall it was a nice place to stay.
- SSamantha L.Guide
Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88
Quick place to pull off and camp
Not much in the area available for hook up rv sites. We decided to boondock here for the night with a generator for AC(traveling with dogs). The road in is steep for long rigs. 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.
Justin M.TravelerCarson National Forest La Junta Canyon
Nice quiet spot near Hwy 64
Beautiful forest with aspen, pine, fir, and spruce trees. The forest road is in good shape with several well spaced out dispersed camping sites.
Jeff V.TravelerSante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed
Beautiful but a but a ahlf hoour to an hour from Santa Fe
I often camp by Diablo Canyon, which has wonderful sunsets and decent off trail hiking. There's even a cave for those who know where to find it.
I've also camped down by the river for the access to water for splashing about and cooking, but the area is popular with Mexican families and sometimes attracts a party crowd.
There are plenty of more remote spots off the main gravel road that would be even quieter. The terrain is juniper and oak, with cottonwoods by the river.
Temperatures run hot in the summer and freezing in winter, although it is the best choice for winter camping near Santa Fe. Summers the wife and I most often drive up Artist Road and camp at Big Tesuque or the skiiiway at the top, but we did choose Buckman this summer when thunderstorms pounded the mountains.
It does take time to drive the gravel road, and there's not much for ordinary folks around Las Campanas, the wealthy housing division between the camping and town. You might get to Airport Road and Cerrillos under an hour, but getting to the Plaza will take longer.
Cell service is spotty.
Kaytlin R.TravelerDispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park
Beautiful and Unsafe
This is such a mixed review. We stayed here the weekend of July 26. We arrived Friday night and found a beautiful campsite on the right side of the entrance with a beautiful view of the canyon below. Watching the sunset over the ridge is breathtaking. We enjoyed our time until Saturday evening right about 8:30 where we were watching the sunset from the ridge. We heard one gunshot, followed by 6 gunshots and the sound of bullets whizzing past us. We immediately ducked behind the car. We had not heard any gunshots the whole day and did not see any hunting areas nearby. Where the sound of the bullets and gunshots were from it felt like someone was shooting directly at our campsite from beside us or in the canyon. We made it to the car and got out to the Hw 4 to flag someone down given that we had no cell service. A man stopped and told us that unfortunately that’s pretty common in the area and it was probably just some drunk assholes and it was not malicious. We were so shaken we could not stay there that night and packed up as quickly as we could. I enjoyed the beauty of this area but would not stay here again after this experience.
- Andrea P.Guide
Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area
Beautiful scenery, plenty of sites and a good pit toilet
This spot was really beautiful. Went on a weekend, and there were plenty of other people around but there was enough space where it didn't feel too crowded. We drove in, but it's very popular with people traveling by river. Some larger sites fit campers/RVs.
Guide to Los Alamos
Camping near Los Alamos, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a base for outdoor adventures, there are plenty of options to explore.
What to do:
- Hiking: There are great trails right from the campgrounds. For example, at Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument, one reviewer mentioned, "The hiking right from the campground is great - the two hikes are definitely worth doing."
- Exploring National Monuments: Visit Bandelier National Monument for stunning views and ancient Pueblo dwellings. A camper shared, "We enjoyed visiting the ancient Pueblos, especially climbing the 140 feet to the Alcove house."
- Fishing and Boating: At Riana - Abiquiu Lake, you can enjoy fishing and boating. One visitor noted, "There is also a volleyball net and a very nice modern playground."
What campers like:
- Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Cochiti Recreation Area. A reviewer said, "Great views of mountains and pastel sunrises and sunset."
- Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of places like Black Canyon Campground. One camper mentioned, "Summer temps were very comfortable during the day and cool overnight. Perfect camping weather."
- Friendly Hosts: Campground hosts often receive praise. At Rancheros de Santa Fe, a visitor said, "The owners are super kind, firstly. Our site was great."
What you should know:
- Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed, have few facilities. A reviewer warned, "If it is still open, you’ll see a lot of trash. Certain sites looked better than others."
- No Showers: Many sites, such as Jemez Falls Campground, do not have showers. One camper noted, "It is a nice campground to spend a night or two as it does not have showers."
- Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A camper at Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite mentioned, "If you put up a hummingbird feeder they will love you."
Tips for camping with families:
- Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Santa Fe Skies RV Park, which has a walking trail and is close to town. One family said, "The park is super clean. I highly recommend this park."
- Plan Activities: Make sure to have a mix of activities. A reviewer at Cochiti Recreation Area mentioned, "Good location to visit both Albuquerque and Santa Fe."
- Pack Snacks and Games: Keep kids entertained with snacks and games. A camper at Rancheros de Santa Fe noted, "The facilities were clean and accessible."
Tips from RVers:
- Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Santa Fe KOA mentioned, "Some of the spots were a little tight once you get your slides out."
- Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Cochiti Recreation Area offer electric hookups, which can be a big plus. One camper said, "All sites have paved driveways, canopies, and charcoal grills."
- Be Prepared for Wind: Some areas can be windy, especially at Riana - Abiquiu Lake. A visitor noted, "Wind gusts are common so tie down the tumbleweeds or they'll escape!"
Camping near Los Alamos, New Mexico, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the stunning scenery!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Los Alamos, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Los Alamos, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 141 campgrounds and RV parks near Los Alamos, NM and 42 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Los Alamos, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Los Alamos, NM is Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument with a 4.7-star rating from 30 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Los Alamos, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 42 free dispersed camping spots near Los Alamos, NM.
What parks are near Los Alamos, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Los Alamos, NM that allow camping, notably Santa Fe National Forest and Abiquiu Lake.
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