Mills Canyon Campground offers primitive camping in northeastern New Mexico at an elevation of around 5,700 feet. Located in a deep canyon carved by the Canadian River, this area has a high desert climate with temperature swings of up to 30 degrees between day and night. Seasonal considerations play a major role in camping here, with summer temperatures often exceeding 90°F and limited shade available at many sites.
What to do
Explore historic ruins: Visit the remnants of Melvin Mills' orchard empire within Mills Canyon Campground. A camper notes, "Not very much available in terms of hiking, but what there was went along the Canadian River, and yielded some interesting, crumbled old structures. Definitely take the time to read a little bit of the history once you have a signal again!"
Wildlife viewing: The canyon area hosts diverse wildlife including deer, owls, and occasionally larger predators. One visitor reported, "We could hear owls every night, and saw a mountain lion one morning."
Water recreation: During summer months, the Canadian River provides cooling relief. A camper shared their experience: "The river runs right by the campground so we were able to swim every night. We stayed Memorial weekend and only had two other campers in the area."
Visit Capulin Volcano: The nearby Capulin RV Park offers convenient access to Capulin Volcano National Monument. A visitor mentioned, "Visited Capulin Volcano (very cool). The volcano has several big but portable telescopes. During day we were invited to look at the sun through one."
What campers like
Solitude and quiet: The remoteness of Mills Canyon attracts those seeking peace. One camper remarked, "I had the place to myself, but that's because it was too hot for most sane people to stay longer than a few hours."
Dark skies for stargazing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. A visitor at Cove Campground shared, "We saw a roadrunner near our site which was really neat."
Clean facilities: Despite the primitive nature, visitors appreciate the maintained amenities. A reviewer noted, "The bath house was recently renovated and very clean. The only downside to the park was that the tent pads we rock and gravel making it very difficult to stake a tent."
Covered picnic areas: Protection from sun and wind is highly valued. A visitor commented, "Each camp site has a covered wind break area for eating lunch."
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access to some camping areas requires appropriate vehicles. A camper advised, "Recommend high clearance truck, 4-wheel drive, or similar" for reaching Mills Canyon, while adding, "Contrary to current listing, there is NO POTABLE WATER and NO FIREWOOD in this campground."
Insect preparedness: Depending on season and recent rainfall, mosquitoes can be problematic. One camper warned, "We were eaten alive even though we sprayed with bug spray often. Our tent was swarmed with them such that we heard them buzzing our tent all night."
Water system closures: Winter brings maintenance challenges at NRA Whittington Center Campground. A visitor noted, "The water is off for the winter season but they do have water to fill your tanks if you wish."
Pack extra supplies: The remote location means limited access to services. "No gas in the general area so fuel up before you get there," advised one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Turn wildlife sightings into learning experiences. A camper mentioned, "Deer cover the campground," making it ideal for wildlife watching with children.
Ranger programs: Some parks offer educational materials for children. A visitor shared, "Friendly staff - the rangers gave the kiddos a coloring book and badge when we got here."
Swimming spots: During warmer months, look for safe water access. According to a visitor, "We stayed at bell point campground and although it's still a Rocky hike to the beach the views are breathtaking."
Tips from RVers
Space considerations: RV sites vary dramatically between locations. At Capulin RV Park, a reviewer noted, "Neighbors are VERY close," while another described it as "a crushed rock lot with pull through sites - nothing scenic here."
Utility availability: Check seasonal availability of hookups. A camper shared, "Electric was appreciated, but water was unavailable due to repairs, the dump station and showers were closed - making our stay shorter than expected."
Connectivity options: For those needing to stay connected, signal varies by location. One tech-savvy camper reported, "ATT signal is good and Starlink worked great here, no interruptions in school, work, streaming or gaming."
