Best Campgrounds near Mimbres, NM

The Mimbres Valley and surrounding mountains in southwestern New Mexico feature a diverse range of camping environments, from free dispersed sites to full-service RV parks. Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area, located in the Gila National Forest about 15 minutes north of Mimbres, provides primitive camping with basic vault toilets and trash disposal. City of Rocks State Park Campground, approximately 20 miles south near Faywood, offers developed sites with electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables amid unique volcanic rock formations. Mountain Spirits RV Park in Mimbres itself provides full hookups for RVs, while numerous additional options exist in nearby Silver City, including the highly-rated Silver City KOA and Silver City RV Park.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rain. According to Jorge G., "North Star Road is usually well maintained and most vehicles should make it to at least North Star Mesa. Nothing in terms of services and amenities, but nice hiking nearby. Very clear skies at night." Cell service is spotty or nonexistent at most forest service sites but generally reliable at developed campgrounds closer to towns. Summer brings monsoon storms from July through September, while winter nights can drop below freezing at higher elevations. Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable camping conditions, though spring can bring high winds.

Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area's campgrounds. As Julie K. notes about Upper End Campground at Lake Roberts, "Sites are well spaced out under a stand of ponderosa. Deer, turkeys and javelins are regular visitors; several hiking trails are nearby." Fishing is popular at Lake Roberts, with trout being the primary catch. Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area becomes busy during summer with ATV enthusiasts but remains quiet in winter and shoulder seasons. Campers seeking stargazing opportunities appreciate the minimal light pollution, particularly at the more remote forest service sites. The Continental Divide Trail passes near several camping areas, providing excellent hiking and backpacking opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Best Camping Sites Near Mimbres, New Mexico (99)

    1. City of Rocks State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Faywood, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-2800

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Last week I visited Faywood, New Mexico which is located about halfway in between Silver City and Deming, and I came across a unique terrain with structures of Boulder rocks that are “formed of volcanic"

    "Clean, well run park with many nice sites tucked in the rocks. Best for small rigs and tents, though there is an electric section also."

    2. Railroad Canyon Campground

    7 Reviews
    Mimbres, NM
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-8201

    "This campground is a “little” more hidden from the road than other nearby campgrounds."

    "This campground is a “little” more hidden from the road than other nearby campgrounds."

    3. Upper Gallinas Campground

    5 Reviews
    Mimbres, NM
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-8313

    "I really enjoyed the scenery here, there are restrooms and a long stream that you could sit next to and see all the creatures that are in the stream. The ground is solid for RV’s"

    "Nice and close to get to a picnic table but I'd stay at one of the others before staying here."

    4. Silver City KOA

    8 Reviews
    Arenas Valley, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-3351

    "Close to town and a ton of hiking! Super clean!! Would definitely stay here again."

    "Just not liking the noisy geese at a pond nearby. Nothing they can do about that though!"

    5. Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

    8 Reviews
    Hanover, NM
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-2250

    "Easily accessible from NM-35 and near a couple of general stores in Lake Roberts (10 minute drive north) and Mimbres (15 minute drive south). "

    "There aren’t any numbered sites, but there are makeshift campfires and flat areas all around. The site also has trash disposal and vault toilets. Lots of trees for shade and hammocks."

    6. Mountain Spirits RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Mimbres, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 574-7000

    7. Iron Creek Campground

    3 Reviews
    Mimbres, NM
    10 miles
    Website

    "Nice hiking trails throughout. No cell signal. Most spots are fairly flat with slight adjustment."

    8. Manzanos RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Arenas Valley, NM
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 538-0918

    "Great place and close to sights, yet nestled in a lovely spot."

    "Nice RV park just outside of Silver City with large spaces and junipers between the spaces. We were in #16 which was huge. Full hookups, laundry. Only one bath with a shower."

    9. Rose Valley RV Ranch

    7 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 534-4277

    "Walking around will also involve walking through dirt areas to reach your destination. All in all though it’s a nice, private, roomy park that puts you right near Silver City’s local shops!"

    "The woman behind the counter was so accomodating and the spot we got for 2 nights was huge and very private. The showers were large and clean as well as the rest of the park."

    10. Silver City RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 538-2239

    "It’s close to downtown. There’s a grocery store within walking distance as well as a Dairy Queen and a Lottaburger. Very quiet. Hot showers. Full hookups. All for $35/night plus tax"

    "Great location walking distance to everything. There’s a grocery store around the corner. Super quiet. Woke up to the birds chirping away. Priced fairly and would stay here again."

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Recent Reviews near Mimbres, NM

377 Reviews of 99 Mimbres Campgrounds


  • B
    Sep. 21, 2025

    Desert Cove Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    It's okay

    We stayed the days at site 8. Very easy access for our 28 ft bumper pull. Electricity and water worked great, and the public bathroom/shower was new, clean, and easily accessible. We did notice mice in the campsite and this probably contributed to us finding a rattlesnake in front of the door to the bathroom one night. The lake level is super low and the fishing was slow.

  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Cattlemen Trail - Dispersed Camping

    A little too low desert for me, but still nice!

    Easy access, plenty of hidden spots behind/among the scrub brush and low trees. This is lower desert so there won’t be any tall pines/sprices, but still a few slightly shady spots for the sides of your camper to stay cooler.

    Probab

  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Bear Canyon Road Camp

    Pretty area!

    Pulled my 24 foot (tip to tip) travel trailer up the mountain. Curvy, narrow roads… just be careful and go slow.

    Plenty of campgrounds along the way, as well as these dispersed areas. Plenty of well used sites, as well as some that are less obvious (slightly overgrown but still accessible). I chose the more overgrown one with big open sky for Starlink signal.

    Beautiful area and nice to escape a little bit of the heat in the summer compared to silver city or south of there. About 5-10 degrees cooler and lots of shade.

  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Bear Mountain

    Ehhh...

    I eventually found the campsites thanks to another reviewer mentioning it was not at the coordinates listed. It is just before you reach the summit on road 424D or something like that. Not listed on maps - just a little brown sign on the left as you are driving along. Very tight squeeze of a path. Did not feel like taking my truck through there. 

    Not the prettiest area... and a pretty rough road. You won't need 4x4 or high clearance necessarily, but just not fun to drive on at all. The benefit is that you will not see hardly anyone else because of that lol. The other side of Pinos Altos is MUCH nicer roads, landscape and environment. Try Meadow Creek area. That whole road. Happy camping!

  • Manuel P.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

    Quiet getaway

    Went here without knowing where to stay. During the day there were a lot of UTV's and ATV's, however, it got pretty quiet during the night. People were very respectful and bathrooms were clean. We left our kayaks to go venture around and they were still there when we returned. Also found plenty of firewood around.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    City of Rocks State Park Campground

    Little known Gem! One of our favorites

    We've stayed here several times since 2021. It really is a little known campground that is a hidden gem. Biked to the paek on the last stay. Small hikes and a blast for the kids to explore the rock formations. We've stayed at several sites. This last time we stayed at the RV sites with hookups. No dump station on site. There are very clean bathrooms and showers though.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Low Hi RV Ranch

    Great place!

    Very nice hosts and accommodating. Wide pull through and back ins, very reasonable rates! Saw some very recent damage from an overnight bad storm but easy recovery. Stayed here several times and always good. Pretty area and beautiful views, just a little off the beaten path (only about 5 miles) if looking for a quick overnight stop. But if wanting to stay a bit-great spot!

  • Jonathan E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Safari Campsite

    Sufficient, but small and mediocre

    This site is just a relatively short turn-off road with a loop for turning around and a small, non-dedicated area for pitching a tent as far as I could tell. If you have a camper/RV/van, then it should work fine, but it’s not the best for tent camping. I made it work, but wasn’t super excited about it. Also, there was a bit of trash left behind when I was there, but it wasn’t necessarily a dump.

    Getting to this spot was convenient since it is right off a paved road. There was a bit of car noise here and there, but it wasn’t bad. I heard coyotes singing nearby (from multiple directions) in the evening, but didn’t actually see any wildlife.

    In all, it was alright. Not horrible, not great, just sufficient.

  • Kay B.
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Buckhorn RV Park

    Family vibes!

    We absolutely loved our stay at Buckhorn RV Park! This place is family-owned and run, and you can really feel the care and pride Polly and David put into it. Everything is clean, spacious, and peaceful with gorgeous views all around. They truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and at home.

    One of the best parts was the sense of community—fellow campers were incredibly friendly and helpful, making it feel like more than just a stopover. Plus, we discovered the local Gila Farmers Market on Wednesday mornings just a short drive away. It was filled with amazing people, fresh produce, and handmade goods—definitely worth checking out!

    Whether you're passing through or planning a longer stay, Buckhorn RV Park is a hidden gem you won’t want to miss. Can’t wait to come back!


Guide to Mimbres

The Mimbres Valley area sits at elevations ranging from 5,500 to 7,000 feet in southwestern New Mexico's high desert terrain. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-95°F during daytime hours while dropping 30-40 degrees at night. The region features multiple designated camping areas with varied terrain within the Gila National Forest boundaries, all offering different levels of accessibility depending on vehicle type and weather conditions.

What to do

Explore volcanic formations: At City of Rocks State Park Campground, visitors can hike through unusual rock formations created by volcanic activity. "You can spend hours exploring all the rocks," notes Patricia N., who camped with her grandsons. The park offers designated trails leading through the formations.

Stargazing opportunities: Many campsites in the region provide excellent night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "Each site is named after a constellation you can see in the sky at night from the campground," explains Amaya L. about City of Rocks. The park is recognized for its dark skies, with stars visible from horizon to horizon on clear nights.

Trail access: Numerous hiking options exist throughout the camping areas. The Railroad Canyon Campground provides direct access to forest trails. Mark O. notes, "Railroad Canyon Campground has many trails to access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites." This small campground serves as an effective trailhead for longer wilderness hikes.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the spacing between designated sites. At Rose Valley RV Ranch, "The sites are huge and feel very private, offering a little fenced in, personal yard at most sites," according to Brodie D. This arrangement allows for a more secluded camping experience despite being in a developed campground.

Wildlife viewing: The forest settings provide opportunities to observe local fauna. Mule deer, wild turkeys, and other wildlife regularly visit camping areas throughout the region, especially at dawn and dusk.

Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention the maintenance level of facilities. The Silver City RV Park receives positive reviews for cleanliness. Greg R. states, "The site was clean and level. The bathrooms and showers were clean as well." Even at more rustic sites, visitors note the relative cleanliness of vault toilets and common areas.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Spring brings high winds while summer brings afternoon thunderstorms. "Very unique landscape, great campsites but wow the wind was too much," reports Megan T. about her May visit to City of Rocks. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing at night, particularly at higher elevations.

Road access limitations: Many forest service roads require high-clearance vehicles. After rainfall, mud can make access difficult even for 4WD vehicles in some areas.

Water availability: Most forest service sites lack potable water. Visitors should bring adequate water supplies for their entire stay. Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area offers vault toilets but no water hookups. "One mile off the paved road, plenty of campsites. This campsite has five nice clean toilets. With hiking nearby," notes John A.

Vehicle traffic: Some areas experience regular ATV and dirt bike usage. Beth G. mentions about Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area: "This spot is popular with large crowds and off road vehicle enthusiasts. Expect music until 10pm and the sound of engines." Weekends typically see more traffic than weekdays.

Tips for camping with families

Rock exploration for children: Formations provide natural playgrounds for supervised exploration. At City of Rocks, Patricia N. shares, "Our grandsons loved this place. We went without reservations so there was no open place but they allow the overflow to camp in the group sites if they are empty." The volcanic boulders create natural climbing and hiding features appealing to children.

Insect preparation: Spring and summer bring various insects. Bringing appropriate repellent, particularly for mosquitoes near water sources, is recommended for family comfort.

Vault toilet availability: For families with young children, knowing bathroom access is important. The Upper Gallinas Campground provides basic restroom facilities. According to Charlene H., this campground offers "Outhouses and trash cans available, but that's it. Countless spots to chose from."

Tips from RVers

Site accessibility: RV parking options vary significantly between campgrounds. The Manzanos RV Park has size limitations for larger rigs. "Park navigation a bit tight for big rigs. Not impossible just a bit of a nail brighter," notes Mary F.

Hookup availability: Full hookups are available at specific commercial sites but limited in forest service areas. James B. reports at Mountain Spirits RV Park: "Full hookups (30 amp) with water and sewer. Good cell coverage. Amazing Starlink speeds."

Leveling requirements: Many natural sites require leveling blocks. Cathy C. mentions about City of Rocks, "All dirt and some with a challenge to get level." Bringing leveling equipment is recommended even for developed sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mimbres, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mimbres, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 99 campgrounds and RV parks near Mimbres, NM and 19 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mimbres, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mimbres, NM is City of Rocks State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 19 free dispersed camping spots near Mimbres, NM.