216 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Medanales, New Mexico range from tent and RV sites with hookups to dispersed campsites on public land. The area includes Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, which offers tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and cabin accommodations. Other nearby camping areas include Riana - Abiquiu Lake and Ghost Ranch with similar mixed-use facilities. Several dispersed camping zones can be found on Forest Service and BLM land, including sites along Forest Road 558 and Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62, providing more primitive camping experiences.
Seasonal considerations significantly impact camping near Medanales. Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules, with Riana - Abiquiu Lake only open from April 15 to October 15. Winter brings snow to higher elevations, while summer temperatures can be extremely hot at lower elevations. Access to dispersed camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly during wet weather periods. Cell service varies considerably throughout the region, with better coverage near established campgrounds than in remote areas. A camper noted, "Areas farther from town may be quieter but lack proximity to swimming or boating areas."
The mineral hot springs represent a primary attraction for many campers in the region. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa receives consistently positive reviews for its soaking pools and proximity to hiking trails. A visitor commented, "We absolutely loved our stay at Ojo Caliente. The best part is that you get early access to the pools, you'll have them nearly to yourselves 7:30-10am." Campgrounds near Abiquiu Lake provide water recreation opportunities with scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Some campers mention that while developed sites offer amenities like showers and hookups, the dispersed sites trade comfort for greater solitude and typically free camping. Public lands camping areas, while more rustic, generally offer more privacy and fewer restrictions than established campgrounds.
"There are nice trails that you can hike or mountain bike. Some are near cliff edges and not for the beginners. The lake is nice for New Mexico and sees a lot of use."
"Good views of lake & surrounding area from site. Vault toilet & drinking water a short walk away. Juniper provided minimal privacy. Site has lantern poll, fire ring, trash can & table."
from $10 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The camping area is more of a campground than an RV park, in a positive way. Many of the sites are shaded with mature trees."
"The spots further from sitting have most privacy and are still only a 5 minute walk to entrance (I timed it from our site)."
from $40 - $60 / night
Check Availability"There are trail heads that are a short walk from the campground including a 1.5 mile trail to the visitor center The spots have picnic table and fire rings, there is potable water and vault toilets throughout"
"Shuttle bus takes you to visitor center Where ruins are and access to trails. There is a lovely 2 mile trail from campground that you can also walk to center. Ruins are interesting."
from $20 - $50 / night
Check Availability"Recommend arriving not too late to see if you can get a good spot, we didn’t have shade so had to go find a nice shady bench away from our site for eating lunch / relaxing after our hike."
"All in all we got three meals for our family of 4 and a nights stay while we hiked around trails on the property for less than $100 all in, and the food (upscale summer camp type) was very good."
"We had no clue that this gem was close to us we went for a quick weekend camp we were right next to the creek with amazing views of the mountains."
"Seems to be a common problem, which is too bad because it is a pretty place and convenient to the large rock climbing area nearby."
from $225 / night
Check Availability"While most of the trees in this area were burnt by fires less than 10 years ago, it still provides great views of the valley below and the highest mountains in all of New Mexico! "
"We stayed in site fairly close to the entrance and off to the right on the East spur for 6 days in a 36’ motorhome and Cherokee Trailhawk."
"New Mexico, in general, has some of the least expensive camping in the contiguous 48 states. The road in is a little rough in spots, but a pretty short drive along dirt from the pavement. "
"As others have said, you can get water at the North Lake campground, but there's a pass you'll need to buy to get in. "
"Driving into the camp, you have three options: Walk-In Camping, Camping With Parking Access & Limited Access."
"To begin, the lots are far enough away from fellow campers that you're seldom disturbed by noise or movement."
from $20 / night
Check Availability
TravelerVisited here in the teardrop. Nice paved campground with good sized sites. Was stage 2 fire restrictions when I visited but campsite had a nice fire ring and lantern hooks with two picnic tables and a charcoal grill. All in good shape. It is loud during the day during busy season but everyone respects quiet hours. The goblin colony is a great little hike and there is a small creek to dip your feet into when it gets hot.
TravelerThis was a great spot for my husband and I to stay while we finished up some work. We stayed for 2 weeks and paid $20/night for electric and water hookups. There is a dump station near the camp host. Headed down to the lake to hang out and let our dog walk around and enjoy the water. We were there in the summer so it definitely wasn't busy. The weekends saw an influx in visitors, but even then, it wasn't bad at all. Fellow campers were always respectful, no loud noise or rude people, so that was great.
I removed a start because the dog waste bins were always full. They didn't seem to be emptied the entire time we were there, and out of 2 weeks, we only saw the campground host once. So it was a bit annoying when we couldn't reach her to ask questions or notify her of anything.
Other than, great place!
TravelerThis was pretty disappointing. About 1/3 of the campground is a typical KOA campground with some trees and nice camping spots. The other 2/3 is a gravel parking lot with absolutely no charm, and absolutely no similarity to the photos of the campsites they post online when you're reserving a spot. It is VERY misleading. It seems like the only way to get one of the nicer sites (which just seems like a normal campsite at every campground I've been to) is to pay more for their "Deluxe" sites. And because you don't get to pick a site, you're assigned one, any basic spot is almost guaranteed to be in the gravel parking lot.
You can tell this was just some quick expansion to squeeze in more visitors. The laundry room at the end of the grounds is right next to a manhole, so it smells like sewage. As does one of their "dog parks". It's right next to manhole, so taking our dog there means smelling sewage water.
This campground is WAY overpriced for what you get. Will not be staying at KOA again.
ScoutOn the Rio Grand. Hiking across the street (bring your cell, if you climb high enough you might get a bar or two). Campground host helpful. Rafters use the group shelter during the day, they clear out and gets quiet at night. Saw an eagle flying along the river early in the morning. Showers and bathrooms essentially clean. Has a dishwashing station. A little warm during the day, cools off at night.
GuideSo the coordinates bring you to the end of the town but then bridges you to the start of the national forest area, you’ll pass the paid camping then the dispersed camping starts, the spots are beautifully tucked by the river! You get to be lulled to sleep by running water. You do hear a bit of car traffic but it’s free so no complaints here! We didn’t go too far and found a spot so not sure how many spots there are. Definitely do not have cell service in this area.
GuideReally lovely spot in the National Monument- I suspect it gets passed over for mountain campgrounds, but you have a great view of the Río and the campground is amidst an ocean of sagebrush and high desert plants and flowers. There are a few other campgrounds nearby, and all of them are connected by a gravel walking path that goes in a big meandering loop. It's a really nice trail to take for a long walk at the end of the day. We walked for a while around sunset and it was beautiful. In the morning, several bighorn sheep came out of the gorge probably 75 feet from the campsite and we got to watch them do their thing for a while (a bunch of young males who seemed all about the tussling with each other). Photos were taken from the car on our way out as they were hanging out right by the road.
For other amenities, there were pit toilets and shade structures at the sites. The campsites are not individual "pull in" but its literally a matter of a dozen steps or so from the parking spaces to the campsites.
ScoutOn the positive side, it is free and there’s plenty of room and I met nice people. I wouldn’t wanna stay here for more than a night or so because it’s right next to the landfill which you can hear operating and beep beep beep. No smell.
RangerVery helpful hosts. Found another beautiful spot.
ScoutNice people run the place. Good restrooms with showers. Laundry facilities. Beautiful vistas. Easy on/off Cerillos Road/NM 14 or 599. Have stayed here several times over 20 years, in a friend's camping trailer(s).
Camping spots near Medanales, New Mexico range from primitive dispersed sites to established campgrounds, with elevations varying between 6,000-8,000 feet throughout the region. The area experiences dramatic temperature swings between seasons, with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter nighttime temperatures dropping below freezing. Cell reception varies widely between designated camping areas and more remote forest service roads.
Hiking trail access: The Chimney Rock hike at Ghost Ranch provides panoramic views and geological features. "From our campsite you could see the lake! Beautiful to drive around too. Pueblo land, be respectful!" notes a camper at Riana - Abiquiu Lake about the surrounding area.
Morning soaks: Wake up early for the best hot spring experience. "The best part is that you get early access to the pools, you'll have them nearly to yourselves 7:30-10am and 20% off admission," reports a camper at Ojo Caliente. Many pools have varying mineral content and temperatures.
Mountain biking: Several forest service roads offer technical rides through pinyon-juniper terrain. "There are nice trails that you can hike or mountain bike. Some are near cliff edges and not for the beginners," cautions a visitor to Riana - Abiquiu Lake.
Evening astronomy: The clear, dry air and minimal light pollution create excellent stargazing conditions at higher elevation sites. "I had full service too which was nice. From my site you could see the town below but thankfully it did not impede my view of the stars," notes a camper at Pajarito Springs.
Convenient access to hot springs: Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort offers unique camping-spa combinations. "Great place to soak your cares away. We've stayed here about 6 times. They've definitely upgraded the campground over the years. There is now a separate bath house for the campground," explains a returning visitor.
Private dispersed options: Forest roads provide seclusion for campers seeking quiet. "Wide open dispersed desert camping. FS-558 runs for several miles south of HWY-285. We stayed closer to the highway which is safer without 4WD," explains a camper at Forest Road 558.
Historical connections: Many sites offer proximity to culturally significant locations. "This is one of the nicest Army Corp of Engineer campgrounds I've stayed in. Bonus Tip/ visit Ghost Ranch to learn about the vibrant history of the area," recommends a camper at Riana - Abiquiu Lake.
Year-round options: Unlike some mountain locations that close seasonally, several areas remain accessible throughout winter. "I arrived after dark on December 28th... It was beautiful! I woke up to an inch of snow!" shares a winter visitor to Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62.
Campground closures: Verify operating seasons before planning your trip. "The campground is open April 15-Oct 15," warns a camper about Riana - Abiquiu Lake, while other areas may close during winter months or have limited services.
Access limitations: Many dispersed camping areas require suitable vehicles. "Very inaccessible, was crowded when I got there. Would be good for backpack camping. But not RV's or larger trailers. You'll need good 4x4!" advises a visitor to Pajarito Springs.
Local regulations: Some campgrounds have specific rules about alcohol and fires. "There is NO alcohol allowed in the park so don't get caught with any they will pour it out. 2 Older men were having a beer in their site & they made them pour out 2 cases of beer," warns a visitor to Juniper Family Campground.
Inconsistent amenities: Facilities vary widely between established and primitive sites. "We did have a nice frosty trail run out along a frozen pond and then up the hill to the archeological sites a little to the west- really interesting. In terms of the camp, I was disappointed that the only other vehicle to roll into the campground that night parked at the site right next to mine," shares a camper at Ojo Caliente.
Age restrictions: Check policies before booking with children. "I would have given this property 5 stars but they've become unfriendly to families. Children under 13 are not allowed in the hot springs," notes a visitor to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa.
Meal planning options: Some locations offer unexpected dining conveniences. "Most guests stay in housing/lodging, so the ranch has a dining hall that serves three meals a day. $16 per person per meal but $30 for three meals on a 'meal plan' when you book, and kids eat for free!" shares a parent who stayed at Ghost Ranch.
Safety considerations: Prepare for wildlife encounters, especially in more remote areas. "You're likely to encounter wildlife in the evening if there aren't many campers, as bears are everywhere here. While HIKING at this location in the off season my wife and I encountered large mountain lion tracks," warns a visitor about Black Canyon Campground.
Site positioning challenges: Hookup placement may require extra equipment. "The spaces only had electric and water. The electric and water outlets were placed in an odd location for the site and a dump station is available for extra $20," notes an RV camper at Ghost Ranch.
Accessibility concerns: Carefully research road conditions and site sizes. "Our rig is 29 feet, 3 inches, and we were in a spot that maxed out at 32 feet. We barely fit. We saw very few sites that could have accommodated much more. I don't think any site would have been able to handle more than 35 feet," reports an RVer who stayed at Black Canyon Campground.
Resources for extended stays: Limited services mean planning ahead. "The nearest grocery/convenience store is just down the road, but the selection is pretty limited. The closest town with full services is in Espanola about 30 minutes away," mentions a camper at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa who stayed for several days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Medanales, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Medanales, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 216 campgrounds and RV parks near Medanales, NM and 58 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Medanales, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Medanales, NM is Riana - Abiquiu Lake with a 4.3-star rating from 23 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Medanales, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 58 free dispersed camping spots near Medanales, NM.
What parks are near Medanales, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 11 parks near Medanales, NM that allow camping, notably Abiquiu Lake and Santa Fe National Forest.
Keep Exploring
