Best Camping near Mills, NM

Looking for the best campgrounds near Mills, NM? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that New Mexico camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Mills, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Mills, NM (18)

Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Mills

Recent Reviews In Mills

61 Reviews of 18 Mills Campgrounds


  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Easy access from I-25, not much privacy

    Great location about half way between Albuquerque and Colorado Springs. I snuck in late one night and napped 2 hours near the pit toilets and left before daylight, so as not to disturb the campers with my brief stay. Pit toilets a plus of course. Can be frosty.

  • Regina Lora G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Springer Lake
    Aug. 12, 2023

    Springer Lake

    pretty good

    Just northwest of the town of Springer, the lake is also stocked regularly with rainbows, and bullheads are also taken. 

    Play elastic man game while enjoy its beauty.

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Capulin RV Park
    Jul. 14, 2023

    Capulin RV Park

    Nice park, small, but convenient to Capulin Volcano

    Capulin RV Park is a pretty nice private RV park across the highway from the Capulin Volcano National Monument entrance road. We stayed one night. Some of the sites are shady. The park streets and sites are crushed limestone. The park was clean and quiet. The sites are very close together; fortunately, it was not full and we had room. Restrooms and showers were clean (did not use shower). Amenities include: common fire ring with seating and view of volcano, swing with view of volcano.

    Stayed in pull-thru campsite #25 which had evening shade and level. It was a crushed limestone site. There was barely enough parking for my 34 ft TT. Neighbors are VERY close. Utilities: 20/30/50A electric in middle of site. Water in middle of site, good pressure. Sewer in middle of site with 4-in screw-on fitting.

    AT&T had two bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 36.6 Mbps down, 7.5 Mbps up. Free WiFi is available, but did not use it.

    The town of Capulin, NM is very small. The closest restaurant is The Sierra Grande Restaurant in Des Moines, NM, which is open year round for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Other restaurants and fast food are available in Raton and Clayton.

    Would stay here again.

  • Christian D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Inn and RV Park
    Apr. 8, 2023

    Cimarron Inn and RV Park

    Good one night stop

    We needed hook up for a night stop in April. We were alone in the campground which is on the side of the hikers in. We had everything we need for a reasonable price. Friendly owner.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Apr. 3, 2023

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Easy to access off 25

    Nice views, level, has a pit toilet, trash and recycling. It was a nice spot to spend a night heading home. There are several picnic tables too. We pulled in around 5pm on a Friday and there were 3 other vans in the camping area with plenty of room.

  • Rhianna W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Capulin RV Park
    Feb. 3, 2023

    Capulin RV Park

    Nice Stop for Volcano

    The couple running the park are very nice. Bathrooms are clean. The water is off for the winter season but they do have water to fill your tanks if you wish. It was $50 for our site for the night.

  • Nikki P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from North Cove - Conchas Lake State Park
    Oct. 17, 2022

    North Cove - Conchas Lake State Park

    Pretty views, WATER OUT

    Nice views of the lake and rocks from Bell Point campground. We stayed in site B19 and it was easy to back in to with our 20' camper. Electric was appreciated, but water was unavailable due to repairs, the dump station and showers were closed - making our stay shorter than expected. There were porta-potties available at the restrooms. The only place around to get water is in the town of Tecumcari, atleast a 30 min drive. If we're in the area and the water gets turned back on, we'd visit again. ATT signal is good and Starlink worked great here, no interruptions in school, work, streaming or gaming. Loved the views, did a bit of hiking around the lake area, saw a boat or two on the lake every now and then. We saw a roadrunner near our site which was really neat

  • Jennifer W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Mills Canyon Campground
    Sep. 20, 2022

    Mills Canyon Campground

    Dry camping

    Rugged beautiful area. Trail to drive down not bad. Can camp by the river. We didn’t end up staying here due to the fact that we had kids and a dog. The area even at campsites have the grass and bushes right up to it. We were concerned about snakes.

  • G
    Camper-submitted photo from Mills Canyon Campground
    Sep. 14, 2022

    Mills Canyon Campground

    NOT WORTH THE TROUBLE!!

    A friend told us about this place, being from California we decided to give it a try. Complete disaster, the road down was so rough we lost our muffler on a new truck, campsite was primitive but ok. What our, now former, friend declined to tell us is that this is a re-location area for bears that wander into the towns of Taos, Red River, Angel Fire etc. First night so many bears came into our camp I thought we were in a bath house in San Francisco, tore up our “ bear proof” cooler and shit everywhere from eating the jalapeños we had among other things in the cooler. Next morning hike went great till we returned to a destroyed truck from another bear, so destroyed we could’nt start it and had to hike out of the canyon for phone service. Six hours later and an $900 towing bill we finally arrived in Cimmaron, NM. Tow truck driver says he hauls about three cars a year out of the Canyon due to bears and meth heads trying to hot wire vehicles and screwing up the ignition. STAY CLEAR OF THIS PLACE.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from South Recreation Area Campground — Conchas Lake State Park
    Jul. 17, 2022

    South Recreation Area Campground — Conchas Lake State Park

    Nice. Quiet.

    Contrary to what's on The Dyrt. There are 3 camping areas on the lake. The south end and the central campgrounds are Army Corp of Engineers. The north area/campground is State Park. I was there over the July 4th weekend on the south end USACE site and it was empty. Lots of boaters, but only a few campers. It is hot and open. Nice rocky plateaus to hike. The lake is down 40 ft. Hasn't been up full for 17 years. About a third of the site have a adobe shelter/lean-to. Which provides some needed shade. You can see how open it is by my pictures.

  • Jeffrey A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cimarron Inn and RV Park
    Jun. 28, 2022

    Cimarron Inn and RV Park

    Nice spot to stay!

    We needed a spot to stay and found a happy location at Hikers Cimarron Inn & RV Park. Their reservation system on their website was easy to use and navigate. The RV spots are level gravel, sites are close together with minimal privacy but convenient to grocery store and restaurants - within a short walk. Owners were friendly and helpful. Bathrooms had showers and were clean but spartan and totally functional.

  • Dare To Everywhere  .
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Jun. 13, 2022

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Nice spot for a night.

    Stayed: 5/20/2022

    Cost: FREE

    Site: N/A

    Vehicle: Buick Verano

    Equipment: Tent

    AT&T and T-Mobile: Good service

    We had an extremely windy night that almost had us take the tent down and car it. If it wasn’t for that, this place was great. It’s a wide open area with trash cans and pit toilets. Nice little spot to setup for a night!

    #DareToEverywhere

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Apr. 9, 2022

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Waterview for free

    Fantastic sites. We got one by itself near and old boat ramp. Level and a pull through. Easy access. Just go straight northbound on the main road till you see the sign for Lake 13. Sites are on the west shore.

  • t
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Dec. 29, 2021

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Free camp site.

    Came across this camp site by using this app ( The Dirt ) it’s helpful and especially when people like ourselves leave reviews like the other people left. First it’s clean and sorta small but great to you off the hwy and take small break. Just like the other’s reviews. I’ll be back when it’s not cold.

  • Becbecandbunny O.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Dec. 9, 2021

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Great spot! Birds galore!

    We stopped for just one night but could easily have stayed longer. Easy to find by just following signs. There were four of us total the night we stayed but it felt spacious nonetheless. Gorgeous setting. Very peaceful. Pit toilets. No water so come prepared.

    We had good TMobile cell connection.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Oct. 17, 2021

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Only stayed for a night but would stay longer

    Came here on a Friday night and shared the place with only 2 other campers. The camping area isn’t huge but a few others could have been there and still had plenty of space. There’s a new picnic tables and several trash bins located in the camping area. There’s also 2 vault toilets that were clean. Not much of a lake left but plenty of birds & beautiful sunsets to watch. Super easy to get to off the interstate and was very peaceful. Free & felt safe! Also had great AT&T service.

  • Dennis P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Oct. 9, 2021

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Limited facilities, unlimited wildlife.

    Camping area has maybe 6 sites, each with a picnic table, but the view looks out onto the lake where hundreds of waterfowl floated. Sandhill cranes were just arriving with many other species. The primitive sites filled up the night we were there, even with a long Class A motorhome. Never saw any official personnel but the sites were mowed and clean. Only reason I don't give this a 5 is the lack of facilities.

  • Madeline S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge
    Oct. 8, 2021

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Remote and quiet

    A bit of the way off the paved road.  Do NOT follow GPS, follow the signs for the Maxwell wildlife refuge.  

    Camping is right next to the lake in an open field with picnic tables and trash.  

    We arrived and there was a schoolie and a van.  Later that evening a class A pulled in next to us but there was plenty of room.  There were some flies but not enough to bother with.

    We have a 43’ fifth wheel and made it there with no problem so definitely big rig friendly



Guide to Mills

Camping near Mills, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: The area is great for hiking. At Mills Canyon Campground, one camper mentioned, "The trail to drive down is not bad. Can camp by the river." This makes it a perfect spot for those who enjoy nature walks.
  • Wildlife Watching: If you’re into birdwatching or spotting wildlife, Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge is a fantastic choice. A visitor noted, "Nothing fancy but great views of the lake and always some amazing waterfowl."
  • Fishing: For fishing enthusiasts, Cove Campground — Conchas Lake State Park offers great opportunities. One reviewer said, "The lake is nice, clear, and warm. Great for bass and walleye."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One happy camper at Soda Pocket Campground shared, "Great views of the area but it does catch the wind!"
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and showers are a big plus. A visitor at Coyote Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Awesome bathroom," highlighting the well-maintained facilities.
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. A camper at Capulin RV Park said, "The couple running the park are very nice," which adds to the overall experience.

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Mills Canyon Campground, have very few amenities. A reviewer warned, "NO drinking water, NO electric hookups," so be prepared to bring your own supplies.
  • Wildlife Caution: Bears are known to roam in certain areas. One camper at Mills Canyon Campground had a rough experience, stating, "First night so many bears came into our camp... tore up our 'bear proof' cooler."
  • Road Conditions: Some access roads can be rough. A visitor at Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge noted, "The drive down the canyon is pretty sketch in a couple of spots."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for spots with amenities like picnic tables and restrooms. Cove Campground — Conchas Lake State Park has picnic tables and is pet-friendly, making it a good choice for families.
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities planned. A camper at Sugarite Canyon State Park mentioned, "There are bear boxes on each site which was good to have in that area!" This can help keep food safe while you enjoy hiking.
  • Pack Extra Supplies: Bring plenty of water and snacks. A visitor at Mills Canyon Campground advised, "Bring way more water than what you think you need."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Road Conditions: Before heading to Capulin RV Park, check the road conditions. One RV traveler noted, "The park was clean and quiet," but road access can vary.
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, consider Raton KOA. A camper mentioned, "Most sites have 20/30 amp service, water, and septic hookups."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can be noisy. A visitor at Raton KOA said, "The neighborhood is very loud," so plan accordingly if you're sensitive to noise.

Camping near Mills, New Mexico, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a memorable experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Mills, NM?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Mills, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 18 campgrounds and RV parks near Mills, NM and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Mills, NM?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mills, NM is Mills Canyon Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 19 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mills, NM?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Mills, NM.

  • What parks are near Mills, NM?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Mills, NM that allow camping, notably Carson National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest.