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Pajarito Springs Dispersed camping near Los Alamos offers multiple pet-friendly sites with widely spaced camping areas, allowing plenty of room for dogs to explore. Located in Santa Fe National Forest directly off Highway 4, this free camping area features several options for camping with pets. Sites are spaced between 100-300 yards apart, providing privacy for campers with active dogs. While there are no amenities like drinking water or toilets, the area allows campfires in established fire rings when no fire restrictions are in place. Dogs should remain leashed as coyotes are active in the area—multiple campers have reported hearing and seeing coyotes during early morning and evening hours.
Camp May's shaded campsites provide pet-friendly accommodations with basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and pit toilets. This small seasonal campground is situated near Pajarito Ski Hill in a wooded area with aspens and ponderosas, keeping temperatures pleasant for pets during hot summer months. The campground serves as an excellent base for accessing nearby dog-friendly hiking trails and mountain biking paths. Wildlife is abundant in the area, so pets should be kept secure—the campground is situated in bear and mountain lion country, and numerous chipmunks and ground squirrels will investigate unattended food. White Rock Visitor Center RV Park offers another pet-friendly option with electrical hookups plus a dedicated dog run area featuring artificial turf, water pump, and bowl. All campsites in the Los Alamos area require pets to be leashed when outside vehicles or tents.
"Campground is nestled in a bug group of dense pines and only a 15-20 minute drive from Los Alamos."
"Before I visited here in December I had not heard of Bandelier NM; it's a wonderful place for exploring outside Santa Fe and Juniper Campground provides rustic sites without hookups (dump station and water"
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Some sites in Buffalo Grove are drive through or back-in."
"General: 80 campsites in four loops: Juniper (1-34), Elk Run (35-50), Buffalo Grove (51-66) and Ringtail Cat (67-80). "
from $15 - $20 / night
Check Availability"Your are behind a huge solid waste transfer station but you’d never know besides the huge hill. No smell or garbage anywhere."
"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. "
"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."
"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"We stayed a few nights to explore Los Alamos and the park."
"Very clean, fine for what it is: a place to park your RV while visiting Los Alamos area. Electric worked fine. The Visitor Center is re-opened, so bathrooms are available while it is open(8am-5pm)."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"The location is close to stores and restaurants that are about 10 minutes away...that we needed after discovering a damaged tire."
"Nice dog park and walking trail. Would of liked to of heard the music tomorrow night, but alas we have to get home."
from $76 - $106 / night
Check Availability"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."
"I stayed 4 nights bc it was so close to hiking and town. Very dusty and packed some trash out that was left behind. Pretty quiet with beautiful sunrises and sunsets."
"Can get a bit crowded and hard to find a spot away from people, but plenty of room."
GuideCampground is nestled in a bug group of dense pines and only a 15-20 minute drive from Los Alamos. Quite a few hiking trails in the areas to explore the high desert mesas and escape the heat of Albuquerque.
TravelerFound a great spot here, stayed a week and it’s like we had the whole place to ourselves. 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.
ScoutThis is one of the places to camp in New Mexico
RangerThese coordinates are a rough estimate, but this entire forrest road is filled with amazing campsites you can simply pull off and camp in. currently there’s a fire ban, so it makes it hard to stay warm at night, but the stars are amazing. it’s quiet. it’s lovely. there’s canyon walls for miles. it’s really amazing. some of these pics are from the nearby canyon that’s a bit of a walk up the road, but most are from our campground. loved our first experience camping in New Mexico!
GuideRio Chama RV park in Chama, New Mexico, is at the intersection of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the upper Rio Chama. A nice place to stay May 1 thru mid October. The train passing by twice a day is an exciting event and it's a short walk to the train yard.
Pull through sites have great shade and full hookups with 30 or 50 amp electrical service. Spacious tent sites with full service restrooms nearby. Pet friendly with dog park and free wifi. A great place for fishing, train watching and relaxing.
TravelerWe stayed a few nights to explore Los Alamos and the park. It's convenient to have the grocery store within walking distance, and there's a YMCA in Los Alamos where you can purchase shower passes for $5. Nice staff at the visitor center as well.
ScoutThis county facility is basically a parking lot with spaces sized for RVs- excellent for what it is. The electrical(20-30-50amp) pedestals are on a common island between every 2 sites so(except for end sites) so you are side door-to-side door with your neighbor. The sites being angled at 45 rather than 90 degrees means this is somewhat mitigated. Very clean, fine for what it is: a place to park your RV while visiting Los Alamos area. Electric worked fine. The Visitor Center is re-opened, so bathrooms are available while it is open(8am-5pm). Everything is relatively new and generally in good condition. Good potable water supply and dump station with non-potable water(this seems to be free and available to the public). There is a Smiths supermarket, restaurants, etc across the street.
There are a few downsides, the first of which can be very significant:
1. Sites are not specifically assigned. If a space is vacant, it is available to be taken. There is a vending kiosk near the nice dog park area, from which you buy a ticket good for that day if there is an open space; it is not for a specific site. This is all fine if you have two vehicles and will be leaving one to“hold your place” while you are out exploring the area. BUT, for people with only one vehicle(e.g., class B or C or even A without a toad), you are abandoning your place when you leave to drive anywhere, and it is open to anyone taking it while you are gone. If you return and there is any open space, you can take it, but the RV park is generally full almost every night, and if you return and all spaces are taken, your$20“ticket” is useless- you are out of luck. I guess you could try parking in the adjacent large regular parking area, but that is not sanctioned. I spoke with the County about this, suggesting they consider a way to deal with this.
2. Sites are all sloping downhill toward the Fire Station, you will very likely need to use blocks if you don’t have a mechanical leveling system. The slope is greater toward the Fire Station.
3. Several of the sites are blocked off for the Los Alamos National Lab Exhibit Trailers, reducing the actual number of RV spaces available.
4. Commute hours traffic is horrendous on the road(Road 4) into and out of the park, so plan accordingly. Traffic noise didn't bother us.
ScoutSuper clean Polite staff Firewood available Brand new playground 20 min from Santa Fe Showers / bathrooms 30/50 amp Fenced dog parks/fire pit areas fenced for pets Lots of space between units
GuideDrive 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. Dispersed sites to the right of entrance and a few when you first pull in. I wouldn’t advise going down left road, as it gets really tight and not many places to turnaround. Didn’t see sites that way, but we didn’t get far before turning around.
Pros:
Cons:
Dispersed camping near Los Alamos offers options at elevations ranging from 6,200 to 8,000 feet, creating significant temperature variations between sites. Santa Fe National Forest surrounds much of Los Alamos County, providing numerous camping spots within a 30-minute drive of town. Summer temperatures typically reach 85°F during the day but can drop below 50°F at night even in July, requiring campers to pack layers regardless of season.
Mountain biking on Pajarito trails: Near Juniper Family Campground, numerous trails offer cycling options for various skill levels. The trails connect to the extensive Los Alamos trail network, allowing rides directly from camp to town. "The campground is perfection. The layout of the campground allows for both RV and tent camping, while still having your own quiet area. Plenty of water filling stations, and bear boxes," notes Anthony G.
Hike Los Conchas Trail: Located about 10 minutes from Dispersed on 4 camping area, this relatively flat 3-mile round-trip trail follows the Jemez River through meadows filled with wildflowers. "I also went on a hike at Los Conchas Trail maybe 10 minutes up the road (away from Jemez Springs) and was shocked by the beauty!! What a wonderful hike!" shares Cassidy O.
Soak in natural hot springs: Visit Spence Hot Springs, accessible via a 15-minute hike from Highway 4. The upper pool features a small cave for a unique soaking experience. "My last day there I hiked to the hot springs at Spence Hot Springs Trail, there is a pull off but not clearly marked. It's a 15 minute walk to lukewarm pools you can bathe in," reports a camper who stayed at Dispersed on 4.
Canyon views from secluded spots: The ridge at Dispersed on 4 offers spectacular vistas for those with appropriate vehicles. "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. Even in July, it was a perfect 60-65 degrees at night and in the upper 70's low 80's during the day," explains Tiffany J.
Clean facilities at established campgrounds: White Rock Visitor Center RV Park maintains well-kept amenities for pet owners. "There's a dog run area with artificial turf and a water pump and bowl. It was clean and well kept," reports Amber O. The park offers convenient access to nearby attractions while providing essential services.
Pleasant temperatures in forested areas: Higher elevation camps provide relief from summer heat. "Camp May is a small and seasonal campground located at the base of Pajarito Ski Hill. It is wooded with aspens, ponderosas and more. The temperatures are pleasant throughout the hot summer months, and the nights may be rather cold," explains Celina M.
Road conditions can be challenging: Many dispersed sites require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain. "If it has rained the access is washed out and mud holes and ruts and mud will require a 4x4. Access to the spots we were at were up a short steep ridge, again glad for the 4x4. Ground clearance is a must," warns G.Neri about Dispersed on 4.
Wildlife awareness is essential: The entire region is bear and mountain lion country. "Camp May is situated in bear and mountain lion country; if that isn't enough to keep your idle food in your car, then the super friendly but tenacious golden mantle ground squirrels, and chipmunks should be," cautions Celina M.
Cell service varies widely: Don't count on connectivity at all sites. Some dispersed areas have spotty service at best. "We have T-mobile and there was relatively no reception here. We had just enough to send out and receive a text message every once in a while but not strong enough for a phone call," reports Tiffany J. about Dispersed on 4.
Choose campgrounds with designated hiking trails: Jemez Falls Campground offers easy access to family-friendly waterfall hikes. "Stayed here 2 nights and had a great time. This campsite is in a great location to see the falls, and has a good layout. The pit toilets were clean, and well maintained," notes Ryan S.
Look for camp hosts at established sites: They provide valuable local information and security. "The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful when we had questions," adds Ryan S. about Jemez Falls Campground, highlighting the benefit of staying at managed facilities when camping with children.
Pack for temperature swings: Even summer nights get cold at these elevations. "Also, its going to get colder than you think at night. Bring a fleece or warm jacket at the least," advises G.Neri about camping near Los Alamos, where nighttime temperatures can drop 30+ degrees from daytime highs.
Reserve online at White Rock: The reservation system has changed at dog-friendly campgrounds near Los Alamos. "When we got here, there was a QR code on the electrical box that took me to an online reservation site. I called the parks department and the lady I talked to said they changed it about 6 months ago and it was no longer first come first served," explains Amber O. about White Rock Visitor Center RV Park.
Size limitations at Camp May: The steep access road makes this unsuitable for larger rigs. "Unwisely, we decided to go here in a large RV. DON'T!" warns Joel E. about attempting to access Camp May in an oversized vehicle.
Prepare to level at White Rock: The parking area slopes significantly. "Sites are all sloping downhill toward the Fire Station, you will very likely need to use blocks if you don't have a mechanical leveling system. The slope is greater toward the Fire Station," advises Rick F. about staying at the White Rock RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Los Alamos, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Los Alamos, NM is Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument with a 4.7-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Los Alamos, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 113 dog-friendly camping locations near Los Alamos, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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