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Best Campgrounds near Mountainair, NM

340 Reviews

Dispersed and established camping options surround Mountainair, New Mexico, in the Manzano Mountains region. Manzano Mountains State Park Campground offers RV sites with electric hookups and a dump station, while Red Canyon Campground provides more primitive camping with basic amenities like picnic tables and vault toilets. The area includes both free dispersed sites on public lands and developed facilities with varying levels of services. Turner Inn & RV Park in Mountainair proper offers full hookups with showers and toilets for RVs, as well as tent camping and cabin options for those seeking more comfort.

Road conditions vary considerably throughout the Manzano Mountains area, with some campgrounds requiring travel on unpaved roads. "Make sure to check on weather because although the unpaved road is typically well-grated and maintained; when it rains hard - it tends to wash out which makes the last mile to the state park hard for some," noted one visitor to Manzano Mountains State Park. Limited services and amenities exist in this rural area - campers should arrive with adequate supplies as the nearest substantial shopping is in Mountainair, about 25 minutes from some camping areas. Most campgrounds in the region are accessible year-round, though higher elevation sites like Red Canyon Campground operate seasonally from April through November. Cell service is generally available but may be limited in more remote locations.

The Manzano Mountains provide a peaceful camping experience with opportunities for hiking on multiple trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. Several visitors mention the stargazing as exceptional, with one camper describing the area as "peaceful under the Milky Way." The region offers a mix of forested mountain terrain with cooler temperatures than nearby Albuquerque, making it a welcome escape during summer months. Some campgrounds like Manzano Mountains Camp allow free dispersed camping for those seeking more solitude, though amenities are minimal or non-existent. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, though campers should practice proper food storage. Most campsites in established campgrounds include fire rings or grills, though fire restrictions may apply during dry periods, particularly in summer and fall.

Map showing campgrounds near Mountainair, New MexicoExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Mountainair, New Mexico (63)

    1. Manzano Mountains State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 469-7608

    $15 - $90 / night

    "Behind our site there’s a horseshoe area and group site not too far after."

    "Well off the beaten path, but worth a few nights of peace and solitude. Went in July and the weather was cool in the 80's most of the time, cooling to the upper 40's at night."

    2. New Canyon Campground

    6 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    8 miles
    Website

    "This is a very neat place and new mexico is just neat in general. Great service too."

    "its own kind it is not like timber forest that I am used to camping in (I'm from the north west with huge trees) however there were beautiful sunsets every night, the low vegetation sort of takes away from"

    3. Red Canyon Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 847-2990

    "Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground. We had a nice shady site, some others seemed more exposed."

    "However, though there are bathrooms at the location, they are really smelly and flies surround them."

    4. Turner Inn & RV Park

    1 Review
    Mountainair, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (505) 847-0248

    5. Manzano Mountains Camp

    2 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 346-3900

    "Took awhile to get here, well off the beaten path. Ponderosa Pines, oak and juniper scrub. Ample supply of downed trees to use as firewood. Gets muddy if it rains."

    6. Sky City RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    10 miles
    +1 (866) 393-5875

    "Although we spent most of our down time near Milan we decided to keep driving after reading a crime report posted on a review on this app."

    7. Capilla Peak Campground — Cibola National Forest And Grasslands

    3 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    15 miles

    $10 / night

    "Easy access to the Crest Trail and the hike to Osha Peak is an easy two miles.  Past Osha Peak you enter a pretty nasty burn scar and the trail becomes harder to follow. "

    "A hiking trail was close. And the views were fantastic."

    8. Manzano Mountain Retreat

    1 Review
    Mountainair, NM
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 280-4042

    $20 - $55 / night

    "The Manzano Mountain Retreat is a large venue with tons to check out and nearby mountains to enjoy.  Check them out and leave a review about your stay on the Dyrt!"

    9. Bosque Dispersed Campground

    3 Reviews
    Ponderosa, NM
    19 miles
    Website

    "it is very secluded from the outside interuptions"

    "There is a nice trail as well (Trail #174)."

    10. The Sherwood Escape

    2 Reviews
    Tome, NM
    19 miles
    +1 (505) 236-8584

    $18 - $20 / night

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Recent Camping Photos near Mountainair, NM

61 Photos of 63 Mountainair Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Mountainair, NM

340 Reviews of 63 Mountainair Campgrounds

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    San Lorenzo Canyon Dispersed

    Canyon Paradise

    Be sure to go past the spot the dyrt tells you to turn and look for the BLM sign that marks the road. It is easy to see. If you go under the freeway you went to far it is right before that to the left.

    We drove back here with our 4x4 pick up pulling a trailer. The road to get back here is rough, steep in the beginning, and full of sand! We did fine, and someone in a review said stop at the cottonwood trees because no place else for bigger rigs to turn around. So we stopped at the FIRST clump of cottonwoods because there was a huge turn around spot. This spot has very deep sand. We did fine getting ourselves turned around and facing toward the exit of the canyon but it did require some 4 wheel drive. After getting set up we decided to walk down the canyon. That’s when we discovered the row of cottonwoods we think they meant. It is probably less than a mile from the spot we had and the ground here appeared to be solid and easy for turning around. There was also a fire pit and it looked like you could even pull into the trees to park. Right before these trees there is a pull off with some information and a hiking trail. No cell coverage back here and you have to know the weather in the surrounding area since you are camping in a canyon! The road into the canyon has one spot that is a big dip! We did fine but it is a knuckle dragger for sure! Once here there are slot canyons everywhere. So much hiking. The night sky is gorgeous. We will definitely be back, now that we know the layout of the canyon and the dispersed sites.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2025

    San Lorenzo Canyon Basecamp

    Stay here to explore the canyon

    So we discovered that if you go past the turn that the dyrt tells you to take you will find the actual San Lorenzo Canyon road. It is marked and easy to find. It was about 2 miles past the area the dyrt had marked. This spot has a few dispersed spots right after you start down the road. If you have 4 wheel drive and can unhook and leave your trailer or if you have an ATV I would suggest parking here and then driving into the canyon. The sites are large and level and out here you have cell service. You are close to the freeway but the road noise wasn’t to bad. We would most definitely come back here to stay.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Altitude 7,200, rough road

    We stopped at the first spot we found, a large spot on the left that looks like it used to have bathrooms. The road further up was too rough, and we don't often say that. We walked up there, and it looks like it's probably okay once you get past the wash outs and large rocks in the road near the top of the hill. There was a van up there, and we've seen others going up and down. This large spot was great for us. We didn't use the fire pit because it was too windy last night. Cold night.

  • OThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2025

    Sky City RV Park

    Safe, Easy Highway Acess, and QUIET

    This was an unplanned stop following a six hour tire mishap. Although we spent most of our down time near Milan we decided to keep driving after reading a crime report posted on a review on this app. This was our first time on the app and found it worked very well to help us find a good alternative on Sky City Casino Resort. The flat camp ground had a lot of gravel, was meticulously maintained and the dogs appreciated the planted drought tolerant shrubs. The vast scrub land surrounding the park was posted with beware of snake signs and our Bassett hound was a magnet for stickers under and between her big paw pads. I did see security cruising the park that’s spaces were mostly occupied. We used the electricity, water, and sewer which all worked as expected. Watch camp site was generous in size, well marked on one side and all pull through, The club house was posted closed for the season and to NOT PARK without first checking in at the casino hotel registration desk despite a message left on one of the website phone numbers. Our check in information did not include info for WiFi or bathrooms, I looked but did not see bathrooms or showers nearby. The Casino and Hotel and fast food and trucker parking lot were all a quick drive or a longer stroll. We felt safe, comfortable and experienced no disruptions.

  • kszakos The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Gallinas Site

    Easy to get to, plenty of space

    After a couple of fall starts at other sites, this was a great relief. We didn’t stop at the first campground, as several people were there. We drove about a mile in and found a really nice spot.

  • Kevin K.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Albuquerque KOA Journey

    Very nice KOA

    This KOA has a lot of pull thru sites and they have decent space sizes. Each site has a small picnic table and there are some sites with pet pens. The laundry is open 24 hours and was clean.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    High Desert RV Park

    Very good

    Easy pull thru. Site was long enough. I did not have to disconnect and I could drop the tailgate of the toy hauler. I parked in the opposite direction. Most people would for a better view. I had more sky to the northwest and a good view of I 40.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Isleta Lakes & RV Park

    Good stop.

    Large park with a choice of gravel or concrete. Sites are good size but not set up well. Beautiful fishing lake. Casino with all the amenities.

  • Rob S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Escondida Lake Park & Campground

    Trashy

    The price is right for a spot with water and power at 22. Bathrooms are dirty and trash everywhere. It smells like a dead animal is close by too, however that may be without fault. Place is full, but not a pleasant vibe here. Also no picnic table at this particular site.

Guide to Mountainair

Camping near Mountainair, New Mexico offers an escape to the high desert mountains where summer temperatures stay cooler than nearby Albuquerque. The Manzano Mountains region sits at elevations between 6,000-9,000 feet, creating a unique transition zone between desert scrubland and alpine forest. Winter camping requires preparation for overnight temperatures that can drop below freezing, while summer brings afternoon thunderstorms typical of mountain environments.

What to do

Hiking options: The Crest Trail near Capilla Peak Campground provides access to Osha Peak via a 2-mile route. "Easy access to the Crest Trail and the hike to Osha Peak is an easy two miles. Past Osha Peak you enter a pretty nasty burn scar and the trail becomes harder to follow," notes one camper.

Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife spotting at Red Canyon Campground where deer frequently visit campsites. A camper reports, "Very green and lush with deer visiting our site at dusk!" The Manzano Mountains support diverse wildlife including deer, small mammals, and occasionally bears and boars.

Mountain biking: Forest roads connect various canyons throughout the region. "Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons," mentions a visitor to Red Canyon Campground. Most routes are intermediate to advanced due to rough terrain and elevation changes.

What campers like

Night skies: Without major light pollution, the Manzano Mountains offer exceptional stargazing conditions. At Manzano Mountains State Park Campground, one camper appreciated "Dirt road to campground is in good condition, cell service was 4g, clean, well stocked pit toilets, a number of trail options, most sites appear level, lots of shade, safe."

Cool mountain climate: Even during peak summer months, the higher elevations provide relief from desert heat. A camper at Manzano Mountains State Park noted: "Went in July and the weather was cool in the 80's most of the time, cooling to the upper 40's at night."

Pine forest fragrance: The distinctive scent of ponderosa pines adds to the sensory experience. One visitor mentioned they "Loved the smells of camping near the ponderosa pines. Clean facilities, not very crowded. Felt like we had the place to ourselves!"

What you should know

Road conditions: Many campgrounds require travel on unpaved roads that can become challenging after rain. At Bosque Dispersed Campground, "The road in/out is NO JOKE - primitive for sure and requires 4x4." Checking weather forecasts before arrival is essential.

Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal amenities. Red Canyon Campground offers "Toilets but no water so come prepared," according to one reviewer. Stock up on supplies in Mountainair as the next closest shopping is significantly farther.

Cleanliness issues: Some campgrounds suffer from occasional misuse. A Red Canyon Campground visitor warned: "The only issue is it seems a lot of people who come here don't know camp etiquette and leave the sites completely trashed. Fire pits buried and unusable, beer cans and trash everywhere."

Tips for camping with families

Best time to visit: Early summer provides ideal conditions before monsoon season begins. A visitor to Manzano Mountains Camp noted: "This area is very wooded. Could get muddy when it rains. Lots of sites. Big rig friendly."

Kid-friendly trails: Several areas offer easy hiking options suitable for children. "Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground" were highlighted by a visitor to Red Canyon Campground.

Site selection: Look for sites with windbreaks for more comfortable camping. Walter and Winnie G. observed at Manzano Mountains State Park: "Some tent sites have brick wind structures around their picnic tables, which can be a handy especially with NM spring winds."

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Mountainair area offers limited full-hookup options. Turner Inn & RV Park in town provides the most services. "Campsites are level full hook ups. Nice people they have Wi-Fi nice bathrooms there's a really great grocery store downtown called the B St., Café. It was $36 if I paid cash and that was with a 10% discount," reports one RVer.

Site leveling: Many forest campgrounds have uneven sites requiring leveling blocks. At Manzano Mountains State Park, one camper noted "Sites are gravel, but not very level. Each site has a picnic table, grill & fire pit."

Satellite connectivity: Dense tree cover at some campgrounds can interfere with satellite reception. One camper at Manzano Mountains State Park mentioned it was "quiet. lots of trees, hard to find a spot for starlink."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mountainair, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mountainair, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 63 campgrounds and RV parks near Mountainair, NM and 9 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mountainair, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mountainair, NM is Manzano Mountains State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 16 reviews.

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

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Mountainair, NM.

What parks are near Mountainair, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 parks near Mountainair, NM that allow camping, notably Cibola National Forest and National Grasslands and Cibola National Forest and Grasslands.

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