Tent campsites near Los Ojos, New Mexico range from 7,500 to 9,000 feet elevation, creating distinct microclimates that affect camping conditions throughout the season. Weather can change rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common in July and August. Nearby campgrounds experience temperature drops of 30-40 degrees between day and night, particularly in late spring and early fall.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Several campgrounds offer direct access to stocked fishing ponds. At Canjilon Creek Campground, campers can fish in three lakes filled with trout. As one visitor noted, "It has three lakes filled with trout. Lots of areas to explore."
High elevation hiking: Many forest roads lead to trailheads with varying difficulty levels. Kenny Flats Dispersed Camping offers access to open fields and pine forest trails. A camper described it as "beautiful open field and pine trees," making it suitable for day hikes.
Wildlife viewing: The forested areas around tent campsites near Los Ojos support diverse wildlife. One camper at Turkey Creek Road mentioned, "We saw two elk across a swath of sage," while others report frequent bird watching opportunities in early mornings.
What campers like
Seclusion and quiet: Many dispersed camping areas offer privacy away from crowded campgrounds. A visitor at Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 reported, "Stayed one night and saw no one else" and "Multiple pulloffs for unmarked campsites."
Mountain vistas: Campsites at higher elevations provide views across valleys. According to a camper at Turkey Creek Road, "Great views across the river gorge to a meadow on the opposite side of the valley," with morning and evening views particularly noteworthy.
Natural camping surfaces: Most tent sites feature natural clearings with established fire rings. One camper described a typical site: "I found a nice spot with a small fire circle in a small clearing on the south side of the road just past a fork in the road."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Many forest roads require high-clearance vehicles. As noted about Forest Service Road 578, "AWD/4WD needed on the rutted rocky road," and another camper added that some roads "might be tough for an RV."
Limited cell service: Connectivity is spotty or nonexistent at most sites. One camper on Forest Service Road 578 reported, "Cell service drops completely pretty soon after leaving the highway. I sporadically received some messages at my camp site but not reliably."
Cold nights year-round: Due to elevation, temperatures drop significantly after sunset. A camper at Upper Lagunitas Campground advised, "It got cold at night, like 27 F," even during warmer seasons, requiring appropriate sleeping gear.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection considerations: Choose established campgrounds with vault toilets when camping with children. Megan E. recommended Upper Lagunitas, noting it's "Very quiet, remote campground with space between sites. Best for tents."
Day trip planning: Schedule short day trips from base camp to explore nearby areas. The Elk Creek Trail area provides family-friendly hiking options with "bridge over creek, lakes are near by foot," according to one visitor.
Weather preparation: Pack layers for children as temperature fluctuations can be extreme. A camper advised, "High-elevation camping areas can experience subfreezing temperatures at night even in summer months."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most campgrounds near Los Ojos accommodate only smaller RVs or trailers. At Los Pinos, a camper noted, "Ok for small campers but I wouldn't take anything too big as the spaces are small and it is very tight to maneuver."
Limited hookups: No campgrounds in the immediate area offer hookups or dump stations. Chris T. observed that Los Pinos has "4-5 improved campsites with vault toilets" but no other amenities for RVs.
Alternative parking options: Some Forest Service roads offer pullouts suitable for smaller recreational vehicles. A review mentioned Turkey Creek Road has a "wide turn around which we saw someone use to camp with a pop up trailer."
