Tent camping near Medanales, New Mexico ranges from primitive to dispersed sites across public lands in Carson National Forest. Most locations sit between 7,000-9,000 feet elevation, with temperature ranges of 30-75°F during camping season. Summer afternoon thunderstorms are common, particularly in July and August, requiring campers to prepare for rapid weather changes.
What to do
Fishing at high elevation lakes: Carson National Forest offers multiple stocked lakes at Canjilon Creek Campground where "three lakes [are] filled with trout" and the campground sits "at around 9,000 foot level" according to visitors.
River activities: Taos Junction Campground provides access to water recreation with one camper noting, "The best part about camping here is you can kayak down the river. We always rent from a local rafting business." Another visitor mentions "The Rio Grande was cold but worth the swim."
Wildlife viewing: The higher elevations near tent camping areas provide opportunities to see local fauna. Reviewers at Taos Junction Campground report "breathtaking views, big horn sheep elk" while campers at American Springs mention "Elk grazing below were the cherry on top."
Hiking from camp: Several camping areas offer direct trail access. One camper at Big Tesuque Campground mentions "nice trails in the area" while another describes "trails leading into the mountains" with convenient access.
What campers like
Isolation and privacy: Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 provides genuine solitude with one camper reporting they "stayed one night and saw no one else." Another camper described it as a "secluded camp area" with "many open areas to camp right off the highway."
Mountain views: The elevation provides scenic vistas across multiple camping areas. One visitor at Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 notes they "could see the snow capped peaks of the Sangre de Cristo range on the eastern horizon." At American Springs, campers mention it "gives you a good view of Los Alamos and some snow covered peaks."
Water features: Most tent sites near Medanales have access to streams or rivers. Taos Junction Campground offers "beautiful views of the Rio Grande & mountains" while Big Tesuque Campground features "two creeks running along either side" making it ideal for summer cooling.
Natural environments: Resumidero Camping Area provides varied terrain with one camper noting, "The camp sites were far apart and you could chose between open meadows or in the trees." Similarly, Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 features "a nice mix of sage, juniper, and pine trees."
What you should know
Access challenges: Many dispersed camping areas require appropriate vehicles. American Springs has a "gnarly road" where "the road is quite rocky and there's a large washout." One camper advises "I highly recommend a four-wheel-drive high clearance to get back into the camp spots."
Limited facilities: Most tent camping options have minimal amenities. Canjilon Creek Campground "has no running water, toilets, or amenities" while Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 is described as "primitive dispersed camping" without services.
Temperature variations: The mountain location means significant day-night temperature swings. A camper at Big Tesuque Campground noted it was "chilly, even in July" while another at Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 reported "it got cold at night, like 27 F."
Site availability: Popular areas fill quickly during peak seasons. Taos Junction Campground can get busy with one visitor noting the site is "dusty & a little wild" with some competition for prime spots during summer.
Tips for camping with families
Accessible water play: Several locations feature child-friendly water access. Big Tesuque Campground has a "nice babbling brook alongside campsites, fun for kids to play in (COLD, but shallow)" which provides natural entertainment.
Wildlife education opportunities: The diverse ecosystems offer wildlife viewing for children. Taos Junction Campground campers mention seeing "bighorn sheep" and "elk" which provides educational opportunities for younger campers.
Higher elevation comfort: Aspen Basin Campground provides cooler temperatures during hot months with one camper describing it as "delightful, fresh and peaceful" with "great trees, full streams, lots of shade."
Tent site selection: When camping with children, consider proximity to facilities. Big Tesuque Campground allows you to choose sites "close to the parking lot, but sacrificed privacy" which can be easier for families with younger children and lots of gear.
Tips from RVers
Road condition awareness: Access roads to many camping areas present challenges for larger vehicles. At Canjilon Creek Campground "the road has lots of holes" making travel difficult for anything but high-clearance vehicles.
Site size limitations: Most tent camping areas near Medanales have restricted space. At Big Tesuque Campground, "campsite tent pads are small/limited" with one family noting they "usually would use 3 small tents, but had to limit ourselves to 2."
Smaller RV options: While most areas are tent-focused, some accept smaller RVs. Taos Junction Campground offers "nice grills at the tent sites along with tables" but limited turn-around space for larger vehicles.
