Red Canyon Campground provides primitive camping near Mountainair, New Mexico at an elevation of 6,500-7,000 feet in the Manzano Mountains. The campground features vault toilets, trash bins, and bear boxes for food storage, but no drinking water. Camping season typically runs from April to November, with site accessibility dependent on weather conditions.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: Access multiple trailheads directly from Red Canyon Campground. "Right next to trailheads. Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons," notes John H., who reminds visitors to "come prepared" as there's "no water" available at this National Forest Service site.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Visit the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge near Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel for diverse wildlife habitats. "We stayed there on a Friday night, so we could get up bright and early for our hiking the next day," shares one camper who appreciated the park's location "just a 5 minute drive from the NWR."
Mountain biking on forest roads: Navigate forest service roads connecting multiple canyons in the Manzano Mountains. Red Canyon camper John H. recommends the area for "great mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons," while advising visitors to bring sufficient water supplies.
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural separation: Manzano Mountains Camp offers dispersed camping with natural vegetation providing site boundaries. "This area is very wooded. Could get muddy when it rains. Lots of sites. Big rig friendly," notes Greg R. about this free camping option.
Wildlife encounters: The wooded settings around Red Canyon attract local wildlife. Jacob S. reports, "We stayed in the camping area near the trailhead. Very green and lush with deer visiting our site at dusk!"
Night sky viewing: The distance from urban light pollution creates optimal stargazing conditions. Bob C. from Red Canyon Campground mentions, "Beautiful campground with large spaces. Not crowded," which contributes to unobstructed night sky visibility.
What you should know
Weather and seasonal considerations: The Manzano Mountains experience rapid weather changes, particularly during monsoon season (July-September). Roger J. from Manzano Mountains Camp notes the area "gets muddy if it rains" and advises planning accordingly.
Campground cleanliness varies: Some sites experience heavy use and occasional misuse. "I'd recommend going before Memorial Day while the sites are still clean," advises Carson P. from Red Canyon, who observed that "a lot of people who come here don't know camp etiquette and leave the sites completely trashed."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region. "Connectivity was spotty. I did get a phone call while using the bathroom in the lower campground," reports Bob C., indicating reception varies even within short distances at Red Canyon.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cuervo Mountain RV Park and Horse Hotel offers dedicated play facilities for children. Jessica P. notes, "The playground was nice for our daughter," making it suitable for families with younger children looking for equestrian camping near Mountainair.
Kid-friendly trails: Choose gentle terrain for hiking with children. Gavin J. from Red Canyon shares that there are "Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground," making this location suitable for families with varied hiking abilities.
Bathroom facilities: Evaluate restroom conditions before selecting a campground. Atheena T. warns about Red Canyon's facilities: "though there are bathrooms at the location, they are really smelly and flies surround them," which may present challenges for families with young children.
Tips from RVers
Overnight vs. extended stays: At Cuervo Mountain RV Park, Nancy D. shares it has "sites [that] are pull thru which is great for overnight," while noting "many sites appear to be long term campers." Jessica P. adds, "most overnighters stay in row A."
Noise considerations for horse motel accommodations: Turquoise Trail Campground provides equestrian camping near Mountainair with varying noise levels. Kelly S. notes, "The view to the campground was beautiful but the campground was so full and RVs so close together," which affects the ambient sound level for horses and riders.
Highway noise awareness: Proximity to major roads impacts some equestrian facilities. A Kiva RV Park visitor mentions the location is "almost literally right next to the interstate. There's no denying those traffic noise is real," though they found it manageable: "We slept with no issues, but if traffic noise doesn't act like white noise for you...you might want to look somewhere else."
