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Tent campgrounds near Medanales, New Mexico offer a range of primitive camping experiences in both established and dispersed areas. Carson National Forest provides several tent-specific options, including Trampas Trailhead Campground and American Springs dispersed camping area. Resumidero Camping Area, located in public lands west of Medanales, features tent sites spread across open meadows and forested areas.
Most tent sites in this region require campers to bring their own water, as drinking water is unavailable at many locations. American Springs requires high-clearance vehicles to navigate the rocky, steep access road with significant washouts. According to reviews, the road "has lots of holes" at Canjilon Creek Campground, where the primitive sites sit at approximately 9,000 feet elevation. Most dispersed camping areas follow standard 14-day stay limits and require campers to pack out all trash. Fire restrictions may apply seasonally, particularly during summer drought conditions when fire danger increases.
Tent campers in the Medanales area can expect solitude and natural surroundings with minimal development. Forest Service Road 578 dispersed camping offers particular privacy, with one camper reporting they "stayed one night and saw no one else." Sites often feature basic amenities like fire rings and occasionally picnic tables, though facilities are minimal. The higher elevation campgrounds provide relief from summer heat, while offering views of mountain peaks and wildlife viewing opportunities. Resumidero Camping Area features hiking trails directly from the campground, with one visitor noting that "camp sites were far apart and you could choose between open meadows or in the trees." Many backcountry tent sites near Medanales provide access to the Rio Grande and mountain trails for day hiking or backpacking excursions.
"Just sad to see bullet casings litter ground and these trees that survived the most intense fire in new mexico are being shot up and destroyed. Shame on anyone doing this"
"Any SUV could handle it but being in an extended length van limits where I can go. Very peaceful with a nice view down the canyon. Elk grazing below were the cherry on top."
"There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango."
"I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285."
"Nice babbling brook alongside campsites, fun for kids to play in (COLD, but shallow), and makes for great white noise.
- Convenient to Santa Fe (20-25 min from downtown)
- drive up the mountain 4"
"If you're tent camping, Big Tesuque is AMAZING!! It's small, but absolutely beautiful. Each site has a picknick table and a tent pad. There are basic toilets. No showers, no sinks."
"This park is very primitive. It has no running water, toilets, or amenities. What it has a lot of, is charm. Hardly met anyone while there. It has three lakes filled with trout."
"Coming from Texas, I almost turned around to go back home with only 4 hours left of my drive because I was so terrified."
"Most campers pitch tent in the wooded area in the center of the parking lot - this is off the west end of the parking lot. Wonderful trails and you get to camp right in the middle of an aspen grove."
"The Trampas Trailhead campground gets 4 stars not because it's a great campground (it's good, don't get me wrong) but because it provides great access to an amazing trail."
"Wonderful trails and mountain views, I have been there 2 times in the last 10 years..."
"This is primitive, so bring all your amenities."
"Make sure you go all the way to the coordinates as there are a ton of great spots off to the left of the road, plenty of room to spread out and some solidly flat spots."
"We expected a campground that was spread out, fire rings and vault toilets. It was perfect. The camp sites were far apart and you could chose between open meadows or in the trees."
ScoutLovely small camping area about 15 mi north of Pecos, NM on NM 63. 2 loops. Good sites for car/tent camping. Well maintained with clean vault toilets. Fire rings and picnic tables. Rained every afternoon (real boomers!) while we were there, but no problem for us. Will definitely visit again!
TravelerWe arrived early on a Tuesday and snagged a tree heavy site on the upper loop. The sites on the outside of the loops are decently wooded, smaller and not well suited to RVs. The sites on the inside of the loops have longer, RV sized pull in and little trees. Vault toilets are well maintained by the very active camp host, Mark. There is potable water from a well two miles down the mountain and trash, but packing out much that can’t be burned is encouraged. Pick up firewood in Pecos, there is enough dead & down tinder at the site. Dogs allowed on leash at all times, quite time begins at 10pm. The closer we got to the weekend, the more crowded and noisy the site became. One night, multiple campers arrived after dark and noisily set up camp. I’m sure the state parks being closed forced more people into the National Forest, but it’s a great site. There are several trailhead and just down the hill is easy access to creeks and fishing. We had great weather, upper 70’s during the day, dipping to low 50’s overnight. Each site has large fire rings with cooking grates and at least one picnic table, some with two. Sites are close together so try to grab one at the end of the loop for a little privacy.
LegendThis was our first time at this lovely National Monument and we simply loved it. The campground was small with only a few spaces for bigger rigs, but we fit without any problem. Love those small spaces!
The campground is perched on the mesa above the monument’s protected dwellings, artifacts and trails at the valley. You can get there by walking about 2.5 miles from the campground along a stunning trail, or driving around the road. We simply loved hiking here, choosing a different way each day over the four days we were there. So much to explore!
Campsites have the standard picnic table, bear box locker, and fire ring. The trees were mostly shorter scrub junipers and other high desert trees so there was lots of sunshine for solar powered rig, but no electrical service at any sites. Nice privacy between sites.
The bathrooms were clean, heated, and had flush toilets and running sinks with potable water, plus a small dish cleaning sink, but no showers.
The Visitor Center is an awesome CCC structure from back during the depression as are many of the hiking trails in the valley. We were here for Halloween, so carved our pumpkins in memory and celebration of the people who lived here so many years ago.
Nearby Los Alamos has all the services you need as far as supplies, services and restaurants. But if you can plan your hike to end before 4pm, the cafe at the VC is really worth it!!
LegendCamped 2 nights at site #38 on the Puerco Loop. Reserved thru rec.gov while at the site. Wonderful campground hosts. Site was not quite level for our campervan, but close enough. 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. No hookups at this site. $6/night with senior pass. Restroom/shower house within walking distance. Facilities & vault toilets were very clean. Hiking trail in campground. AT&T & T-Mobile service. Overall, quiet & peaceful stay.
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!
RangerMy first backpacking adventure in Northern New Mexico took me from Iron Gate Campground to Mora Flats. BEAUTIFUL!
A quick 4-5 mile hike in, we crossed the Pecos River and found a nice, shady spot in valley. It was peaceful, quiet and surprisingly cool for late-July. It rained each afternoon, but we had everything we needed to stay dry and cozy.
The river provided plenty of trout for a nice rice and fish dinner. The sky provided plenty of stars for gazing.
TravelerWe got there on a Friday and had our pick of sites. We picked one right on the river. No electricity. No water. No picnic tables. No trash receptacle. Vault toilets. Camp spaces are spread out. Some of the roads on the campground had deep ruts and pools of mud water but not all. You can see every star on a clear night. The road to the campground is about 6 miles of curvy dirt and gravel single lane. But a woman managed it in a Jaguar so not too bad just go slow. Rustic and relaxing.
ScoutMy husband had the great idea of tent camping just the two of us. Up to this point our tent camping adventures were reserved for grandbaby time. But I said What the hey! Let's do it. I wanted somewhere cooler than home. The Santa Fe area had plenty to keep us busy for the week.
We did not get a tent spot but opted for a small trailer site with electric and water. Our spot was near the bathhouse but not too close. Each site has native trees and plants, so everyone has privacy. The site had a nice flat spot for the tent, picnic table, fire pit and grill. We had more than enough room to set up our awning for a dining area. We loved our little spot for the week.
The bathhouse was clean and very nice. New tile and fixtures. It was a little small for the size of the campground.
They have plenty of activities there for everyone and in the evening it is very quiet.
LegendA nice campground set north of the town of Jemenz Springs. There was a fire ban in place and the Forest Service was planning on closing the entire forest the morning after I showed up. I had enough time to camp and get in one hike to a social spring before they came through and closed everything up for safety. The campground was nice, but there was no water available (it had been shut off in preparation for the closure). The campsites were nice and well spaced with lots of pine trees around each site, so there was a lot of privacy. There was an abundance of pine needle duff covering the ground which would have been great until you considered the fire danger. Each site had a picnic table and fire pit (with bright tape over it to remind you not to use it).
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.
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Medanales, NM is Star Dance with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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