Best Campgrounds near Mentmore, NM

The landscape surrounding Mentmore, New Mexico features several camping options ranging from developed facilities to remote dispersed sites. USA RV Park in nearby Gallup provides full-hookup sites for RVs along with tent camping areas and cabins, while Six Mile Canyon offers free dispersed camping on public lands approximately 15 miles east of Mentmore. The region includes both established campgrounds with amenities and undeveloped areas where primitive camping is permitted on Bureau of Land Management or National Forest land.

Campground accessibility varies significantly between developed and primitive sites. "While the local area is not the nicest, you won't really need to leave the campground once there. Kids loved the activities. Very little room in between sites but this is built for overnight interstate traffic," noted one visitor about USA RV Park. Most developed campgrounds in the area maintain year-round operations, though some higher-elevation sites like Quaking Aspen Campground operate seasonally from May through September. Cell service is generally reliable near established campgrounds and along Interstate 40, but becomes spotty in more remote areas. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with summer monsoon storms and winter snow affecting road conditions, particularly at higher elevations in the nearby Cibola National Forest.

Campers report high satisfaction with the range of amenities at developed campgrounds in the region. USA RV Park receives consistently positive reviews for its clean facilities, pool, and convenient location near Interstate 40. According to reviews from The Dyrt, the park's patriotic theme and on-site barbecue are popular features. For those seeking more primitive experiences, Turkey Springs and Six Mile Canyon dispersed camping areas provide opportunities for solitude without facilities. Most dispersed sites lack water, toilets, and trash service, so visitors must be prepared to pack out all waste. The Bluewater Lake State Park Campground, located about 30 miles south of Mentmore, offers a middle ground with both modern amenities and a natural setting near water, making it particularly popular during summer months when temperatures in the region can exceed 90 degrees.

Best Camping Sites Near Mentmore, New Mexico (23)

    1. USA RV Park

    60 Reviews
    Mentmore, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 863-5021

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Needed an overnight stay along Interstate 40 in New Mexico. "

    "We were so grateful to stumble upon USA RV Park on our recent trip through New Mexico. "

    2. Red Rock Park & Campground

    17 Reviews
    Rehoboth, NM
    13 miles
    Website

    "I have stayed at this campground several time it was a New Mexico Stae Park, it has since been turned over to the city of Gallup as a city park."

    "My first visit to New Mexico and the southwest. Red Rock Park is in Gallup, NM right on the Arizona state line in between Albuquerque and Flagstaff."

    3. Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    31 Reviews
    Jamestown, NM
    22 miles
    Website

    "Some highway noise if you stay near the entrance but once you head back, it gets quiet. No services or amenities so pack in and pack out. There’s a gas station about 7 minutes away."

    "Quick drive to this surprisingly secluded place to spend the night on our way through."

    4. Quaking Aspen Campground

    15 Reviews
    Fort Wingate, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 287-8833

    $5 / night

    "I hadn't spent much time in this part of New Mexico, and assumed that the trip was going to be hot and sun-bleached, similar to the desert exposed in nearby Gallup, NM."

    "Located about 15min from I-40 is this campground. It offers everything you would expect including tables, fire pits, restrooms, and trash. For only $5 a day you can't beat it."

    5. Turkey Springs

    7 Reviews
    Fort Wingate, NM
    20 miles

    "Easy to get to with no four-wheel drive needed. Many pull-off spots and several pull throughs with lots of shady pines and wonderful breezes and wildlife."

    "I decided to stay at the nearby Quaking Aspen Campground (0.5 mile away) due to this dispersed camping area kinda being a mudpit after the rain 😂 Would be awesome during a dry time!"

    6. Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site

    4 Reviews
    Jamestown, NM
    22 miles
    Website

    "We did have to drive a couple miles to get away from other campers. Was perfectly fine after a day of cross country driving. Camped in a Jeep."

    7. McGaffey Campground

    3 Reviews
    Fort Wingate, NM
    21 miles
    Website

    "There’s an east 3 mile trail for those who like to hike/walk. You are 10 miles from I40 so no vehicular noise to deal with."

    "There is a trail alongside for hiking or bikes. There is no water or cell service, so plan on bringing a couple gallons with you."

    8. Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Prewitt, NM
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 876-2391

    $15 - $90 / night

    "This was the only lake we saw on our trip to the cattle ranch in New Mexico ;) The park is lovely and we truly enjoyed our time here. There is a nice beach as well as boating and fishing."

    "Beautiful New Mexico sunset."

    10. El Morro National Monument

    21 Reviews
    Pinehill, NM
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 783-4226

    "An extremely well maintained campsite situated on a bluff with distant views over the desert and only a short hike to the visitor center."

    "The sites are pretty close to each other and there only 1 bathroom that gets very used. It’s kept clean but smells awful. Drinking water is available as well as grills and fire rings at every site."

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Recent Reviews near Mentmore, NM

215 Reviews of 23 Mentmore Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    USA RV Park

    Great location for a short stop over.

    Easy access. Free for veterans. Store, laundry, pool and propane. Pool and cabins. Tight sites.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    Six Mile Canyon Road Dispersed Site

    Great spot

    Six Mile canyon road off I40 is a bit rough in places. I did fine in my pro master but if it's muddy or wet I wouldn't attempt it without 4WD. Beautiful spot once you find a place though. Not many pull outs

  • Kimberly L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2025

    USA RV Park

    Family owned and friendly

    Nice place for an overnight or longer if you don't mind close neighbors. The family running it are friendly, welcoming, and respectful. Amenities are above par and everything is real clean. You can tell they take pride in the establishment. I prefer more room between sites and less highway noise but they're not overly crowded and it is a convenient location for just traveling through. I went back and forth between giving 4 or 5 stars.

  • Nathan T.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    USA RV Park

    Very nice park

    Showers and restroom are available and very clean, well maintained and quiet.

  • j
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Red Rock Park & Campground

    Very relaxed camping site

    We were looking for a site near Gallup NM to camp for a few days to checkout 4 corners and other places. We read some bad reviews of the campground but decided to give it a try. The online booking was super easy. Almost immediately got conformation with site number and bathroom codes. We were in our RV so the codes were not needed. There is no camp host or office. Just go to your site and hookup. The site was clean with 50 amp power and water, it also had a small BBQ, picknick table and was fairly level. The site was under $25 for the night. We stayed for a couple of nights. The red rocks around the camp were awesome. Trash cans were close to our site and someone picked it up daily. The RV dump was near our site with water to flush the system and top off water before the next adventure. 

    We recommend this campground and would stay here again if in the area.

    John & Meme, Roxy & Zeke

  • Lauren W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    Red Rock Park & Campground

    Easy access and great price

    Stayed here after a long day on the road for some shut eye. Booked online and confirmation was immediately sent via email that included the bathroom door code. Arrived after hours without issue. Showered in the morning and left without ever having to talk to any staff. Would not recommend for tents due to sandy and small sites, but great option for sleeping in your car. Make sure to select dry camping if you aren’t using water or electricity at the site for a discount. One night total was $13.81. Can’t beat that.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    USA RV Park

    Best for location.

    Easy to access. Full hookups or not up to you. Very, very tight on the driver’s side. Laundry, store, propane, very clean restrooms and BBQ on site.

  • Brittany M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping

    Straight forward area

    I stopped in what seemed like the first camping spot, so I didn't risk the harder road further down. I'd say I was only a half mile in. Witnessed a tow truck come and pick up an Audi, but it may have just broken down. Saw several other trucks but no RV/campers. Was on and off windy while I was there for the day. Would try for further down the road next time.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

    Calm and quiet

    It is after Labor Day, the Canyonside Campground is deserted except for myself. I can hear the breeze moving through the pinions. Beautiful New Mexico sunset.


Guide to Mentmore

Camping spots near Mentmore, New Mexico range from high-elevation forest sites at 8,000 feet to lower desert terrain camping. The region experiences dramatic temperature shifts, with summer highs above 90°F at lower elevations while higher-elevation sites like Quaking Aspen Campground remain cool even during peak months. Fall brings vibrant color changes in the aspen groves, making September a popular time for Zuni Mountains camping.

What to do

Hiking on established trails: Visit El Morro National Monument where campers can explore unique geological formations. "The views and stars are breathtaking. Pit toilets well kept, but didn't find any water spigot anywhere," notes Court M. The monument offers ranger programming every weekend during summer months.

Mountain biking in the Zunis: The area near Quaking Aspen Campground offers excellent riding opportunities. "Amazing hiking and mtb'ing trails. And, a nice lake," reports Tommy B. Trails vary from beginner to advanced with most routes well-maintained for recreational riders.

Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings provide the best opportunities for viewing local wildlife. "We saw abundant wildlife while working in the Zunis, including several brown bears, deer, and elk," reports Tyler G. Keep binoculars handy and maintain a safe distance from any large animals.

What campers like

Spacious, separated sites: Many appreciate the well-designed campsites at higher elevations. "Small campground with massive campsites. This campground could easily squeeze double, if not triple, the sites out of these woods, but someone decided to let everyone breath a little here," writes Chip about Quaking Aspen Campground.

Easy access dispersed options: For those seeking more solitude, Turkey Springs offers accessible forest camping. "Lots of options for sites on both sides of 162 before it starts going uphill. Several sites off the smaller two track roads can support good size trailers with lots of flat open space," notes Timothy N.

Clean facilities at established campgrounds: Many reviewers mention the condition of amenities. "Clean showers and warm showers. Vault toilets are very clean as well. A lot of very scenic campsites. Some well shaded with juniper and pinion trees," writes Dan about Bluewater Lake State Park Campground.

What you should know

Seasonal road closures: Several dispersed camping areas close during winter months. "The gate at the end of the road is closed Dec. 15 to March 31. Parked outside the gate for the night. Looks like a nice area if I could get there," reports Dan J. about Six Mile Canyon. Similarly, Turkey Springs road is closed from December 15 through March 31.

Variable cell service: Connectivity depends greatly on location and elevation. "TMobile access was mixed. Sometimes limited LTE, sometimes 5G," notes Timothy N. about Turkey Springs. Signal tends to be stronger at lower elevations and weaker in canyons.

Changing road conditions: Unpaved access roads can deteriorate rapidly during wet weather. "Don't drive the road after a rain," advises Dan J. about Six Mile Canyon - Dispersed Camping. Four-wheel drive vehicles have advantages when accessing more remote sites, especially during monsoon season.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer specific facilities for children. "We were able to get pizza delivered to our RV site which was a big hit with the kids," shares Nicole B. about her stay at USA RV Park in Gallup, approximately 15 miles from Mentmore.

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many sites offer chances to observe local fauna. "Wild horses roaming around the lake were also pretty cool," mentions Austin C. about his visit to Bluewater Lake. Early mornings provide the best viewing times for most wildlife.

Watch for desert hazards: Desert camping requires extra vigilance with children. "Careful of the grass if you have small children. When the prickly pear cactus die and rot away their little hairy spines remain. My toddler fell in a patch of invisible spines," warns Court M. about El Morro National Monument.

Tips from RVers

Water management: Most dispersed camping areas near Mentmore lack water sources. "No running water but there's an outhouse toilet that's clean enough and a dumpster for waste," notes Zoey T. about Quaking Aspen. Fill water tanks before arrival at established campgrounds.

Site selection for larger rigs: Some areas have surprising capacity for larger vehicles. "The forest service website says 22' max trailer but that's not what we found! I'm in a 38' motor home and there were NO tight spots at all! Site 10 is back in but we had 30' to spare," shares Robert G. about McGaffey Campground.

Temperature planning: Higher elevation camps stay cooler in summer. "We stayed at Quaking Aspen Campground for one night but thats all it took. I fell in love with the campground. The big aspen trees, how remote and quiet it was. The elevation at which the cg is at is 8000' makes for cool days and nic crisp cool nights, even in the summertime," reports Charles V.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mentmore, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mentmore, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 23 campgrounds and RV parks near Mentmore, NM and 4 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mentmore, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mentmore, NM is USA RV Park with a 4.5-star rating from 60 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mentmore, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Mentmore, NM.