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Best Equestrian Camping near Mayhill, NM

59 Reviews

Horse-friendly campgrounds in the Mayhill, New Mexico area include options for equestrians, though facilities specifically designed for horses are limited. High Country Arena provides accommodations with electric and water hookups suitable for RV travelers with horses, situated in the mountainous terrain with scenic views. The grounds are noted for exceptional cleanliness and mountain vistas, making it appropriate for overnight stays while traveling with equine companions. Most visitors find the location convenient for accessing nearby riding trails throughout the Lincoln National Forest.

Several dispersed camping areas near Mayhill offer alternatives for horse owners seeking more primitive experiences. West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed camping area provides free camping with fire rings in a remote forest setting with adequate space for horse trailers. Located on Bureau of Land Management property, these sites feature dirt pull-offs surrounded by trees, offering privacy while accommodating horses. The area connects to multiple riding routes and provides 1-2 bars of cell service, allowing equestrians to stay connected while enjoying the natural surroundings. Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area offers additional options with basic toilet facilities and proximity to trails suitable for day rides.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Mayhill, New Mexico (12)

    1. High Country Arena

    1 Review
    Mayhill, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 687-2146

    $40 / night

    2. Upper Karr Canyon Campground

    4 Reviews
    Lincoln National Forest, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 682-7570

    "There are plenty of trails and campsites in the trees. Not a super popular area so they aren't too many people to fight over campsites with. They're are bathrooms there near the parking lot."

    3. Camp Tall Pines

    Be the first to review!
    Weed, NM
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 687-4101

    4. Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park

    23 Reviews
    Holloman Air Force Base, NM
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 479-6124

    "If you do one thing in New Mexico--and it would be a shame if you only did one thing, but I digress--full moon camping at White Sands National Monument might be it."

    "The hike from the parking lot is barely 2 miles, but when you get to the site there is just seas of white surrounding you. And if at all possible try to camp here during a full moon."

    5. Twin Spruce RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Ruidoso Downs, NM
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-4310

    6. Baca Campground

    12 Reviews
    Lincoln, NM
    45 miles

    "There were a few other campers around but it was nice that we weren’t right on top of each other. Close to Ruidoso which is always fun to explore."

    "We live in Roswell and it is only a short drive to this campground. We got there around 5 or so on a Saturday night and it was not busy at all."

    7. Three Rivers Campground

    6 Reviews
    Nogal, NM
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 257-4095

    "It was also super quiet since it was so far away from the road. The actual camp was in the trees and great views of the surrounding mountains. Each spot has a table, fire pit, and gazebo."

    "Good little camp ground..stow your food away from tent had a bear visit while there..also the road getting there is prone to flash floods"

    8. Skyline Campground

    4 Reviews
    Ruidoso, NM
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-4095

    "Me and two of my buddy's went there and had a great time hiking and just hanging around camp and chilling."

    "Lots of camping spots and great hiking trails to go on! Gets a little windy since you’re at the top, but totally worth it!"

    9. Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area

    4 Reviews
    Nogal, NM
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-4095

    "Good base camp for some of the best hiking around Ruidoso (Big Bonito Trail, Argentina Trail, etc.)

    Be prepared for lots of dust with the dirt road uphill from sites."

    "We had a great night drove through the entire area and off roads to find a nice quiet area we had our son and two big doggos and had plenty of space for them to roam."

    10. West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed

    2 Reviews
    Capitan, NM
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 244-4605

    "Easy to find and not a rough drive. I saw several dirt pull offs surrounded by trees before parking. This was a very private remote area in the forest."

    "Probably not the place to stay in high summer but otherwise really great location."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mayhill, NM

59 Reviews of 12 Mayhill Campgrounds

  • Damon T.
    Jul. 7, 2016

    Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park

    Camp on the moon!

    If you do one thing in New Mexico--and it would be a shame if you only did one thing, but I digress--full moon camping at White Sands National Monument might be it. As the sun sets on the Sacramento Mountains, the valley is lit orange and red as the dunes fade from white through amazing hues of tan. The full moon then lights the sand bright white and the Organ Mountains to the west loom as black teeth in the west. Sunrise repeats the process.

    Camping at White Sands takes a small amount of planning, but is well worth it. You must claim a spot the of your arrival and pay a small fee. This is done at the visitor's center which has a great museum. My advise is to get there early to get a spot then head up to Cloudcroft to the east for a cooler hike in the pines then return an hour or two before sunset.

    Once at the trailhead, the camp sites are 1/4 to 1/2 mile of hiking away. This is sand hiking, so plan on a slower pace. The trail is a lollipop marked by posts every couple hundred yards with camp sites in the valleys between camp sites. No campfires are allowed, and you must camp by the post with your campsite number. You must bring all of your water (plan on at least one gallon per person per day) and pack out all of your waste. The trailhead has dumpsters and pit toilets.

    Bring a camera and tripod for amazing moon shots and a decent bag because it can get cold at night.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 3, 2023

    Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area

    Secluded spot with bathrooms

    A lot of dispersed camping areas don't have toilets, but this one does.

    Lots of first come first served campsites along the little creek. Not much privacy when it's busier (warmer months).

    Good base camp for some of the best hiking around Ruidoso (Big Bonito Trail, Argentina Trail, etc.)

    Be prepared for lots of dust with the dirt road uphill from sites.

    In the summer there are horse riding camps set up to provide trail rides.

    Can get snowed in in the Winter months.

  • K&S Adventures !.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2024

    Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area

    Night at Bonito Dispersed!

    We had a great night drove through the entire area and off roads to find a nice quiet area we had our son and two big doggos and had plenty of space for them to roam. Lots of trails nearby and the lake of course!

  • James G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 20, 2024

    Three Rivers Campground

    Clean, quiet, and beautiful!

    This was a really nice spot we stumbled upon. It's about 13 miles off the 54 on BLM land. The road was smooth (though gravel most of the way). It was also super quiet since it was so far away from the road. The actual camp was in the trees and great views of the surrounding mountains. Each spot has a table, fire pit, and gazebo. There are also a few trailheads at the back of camp. The only downside was that it cost $15.

  • J
    Feb. 13, 2024

    Upper Karr Canyon Campground

    Quiet and spacious, but be cautious of the area...

    First off, this was a luxury free campsite! Paved road, and picnic tables right next to the parking area! It was packed on Easter Sunday; an RV with many loud children was parked across the way, presumably for the long weekend, but, once they left, peace and quiet. The trail (or many meadows that were connected, more like) was very nice and serene, I saw not another person. There is no cell signal to be had here at all (Verizon), I had to go to the overlook point closer to the Village to even get a single bar, but you can get pretty good signal with a transistor radio, and many nearby stations, NOAA weather comes in very clear. Speaking of that, while watching the sunset there, I was attempted to be followed by what seemed like another onlooker once it got dark. I let them know very quickly I knew what they were up to, and they went on their way. I still would stay again, but, if that makes you nervous, I'd avoid.

  • AJCOOK The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 12, 2025

    Three Rivers Campground

    Nice area

    Good little camp ground..stow your food away from tent had a bear visit while there..also the road getting there is prone to flash floods

  • Alex K.
    Sep. 4, 2018

    Upper Karr Canyon Campground

    Great place to hike away into your own campsite

    They're a few areas that have a camp site established there but we chose to hike off into the trees and find our own spot. There are plenty of trails and campsites in the trees. Not a super popular area so they aren't too many people to fight over campsites with. They're are bathrooms there near the parking lot. They could be a little better but are just fine. Great place to cool down when coming from the basin and the 95+ degree days in the summer. Does get snow in the winter months and will drop below freezing. Beautiful pine trees surround the area. May run into deer or elk while out there.

  • A
    Dec. 31, 2021

    Upper Karr Canyon Campground

    A parking lot with amenities

    This is a parking lot with bathrooms, picnic tables, and fire rings that you cannot drive up to. This is more suited for tent campers and hikers. You cannot drive any where else besides the parking lot and would not be ideal for RVs or camper vans as the picnic tables/fire rings are not very close to the parking lot. We ended up not staying the night as it wasn’t realistic for our van and there was constant traffic of cars people stopping just to use the restrooms.

  • Jorge G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 28, 2024

    Three Rivers Campground

    Tread Carefully, Fragile Ecosystems

    Three Rivers Campground finally reopened "for good" at the start of 2024 after some stops and starts due to fires around the area.

    This place is unique as it is one of the few places you can camp on the Western edge of Sierra Blanca / the White Mountain Wilderness. Tons of hiking opportunities with 3 separate trails originating at the campground.

    Well maintained dirt roads lead up to the campground. There's a single spot where water flows over the road but it was only an inch or so deep and padded with concrete.

    $6 per vehicle per night. Hosts present and active. Very nice couple watching over the sites.

    Please tread lightly, leave no trace, and be gentle with the wilderness. This place has gone through a lot of fire related hardships.

Guide to Mayhill

Horse camping in New Mexico offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventure, perfect for equestrian enthusiasts looking to explore the great outdoors with their horses.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • At Upper Karr Canyon Campground, you can enjoy serene trails that wind through beautiful meadows, ideal for horseback riding.
  • The High Country Arena provides easy access to mountain trails, making it a great base for equestrian exploration.
  • Three Rivers Campground features multiple hiking trails that are also suitable for horseback riding, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature.

Tips for equestrian camping near Mayhill, New Mexico

  • When visiting High Country Arena, ensure you have enough supplies, as it’s a private site with limited amenities.
  • At Upper Karr Canyon Campground, be prepared for a hike-in experience, which means packing light and planning your route carefully.
  • Always check the weather conditions before heading to Three Rivers Campground to ensure a safe and enjoyable ride through the trails.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mayhill, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mayhill, NM is High Country Arena with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mayhill, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Mayhill, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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