The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Nageezi, NM

151 Reviews

Tent campers visiting Nageezi, New Mexico can find several primitive sites with varying levels of amenities and seclusion. The Cuba Highway pulloff on Forest Road 88 offers a basic dispersed camping area for tent setups with no facilities but considerable privacy. About 50 miles north, Navajo Lake's Relax Wild-u-can group campsite provides a more established option with toilets and trash service, though it requires a reservation and prohibits pets and alcohol.

Most tent camping locations in this region lack potable water, making it essential for campers to bring adequate supplies. The dispersed sites typically feature ungraded natural surfaces with minimal development. Cuba Highway pulloff has steep access roads that may present challenges during wet weather, while sites like Simon Canyon Trailhead Basecamp offer picnic tables and vault toilets but no drinking water. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with most dispersed sites permitting campfires when no restrictions are in effect. Wildlife activity is common, primarily cattle grazing in open areas near Forest Road 88.

The tent camping experience near Nageezi provides opportunities for solitude and direct connection with the natural landscape. Drive-in sites like Cuba Highway pulloff accommodate quick overnight stays with minimal preparation, while walk-in areas offer more seclusion from passing traffic. Many locations provide access to hiking trails and natural features, though visitors should be prepared for primitive conditions. The landscape features sage brush and open terrain with limited shade in most dispersed areas. According to one visitor at Cuba Highway pulloff, "We were the only people in the area. Lots of sage brush and we had a full moon that night and the area was lit up bright as a cloudy day!"

Map showing campgrounds near Nageezi, New MexicoExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Nageezi, New Mexico (3)

Show More
Showing results 1-3 of 3 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Nageezi Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Nageezi, NM

7 Photos of 3 Nageezi Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Nageezi, NM

151 Reviews of 3 Nageezi Campgrounds

  • Andrea P.
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Angel Peak NM Badlands | Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful spot! Can get some intense winds

    I loved my stay here--absolutely incredible views, not too crowded.  Covered picknick tables and good pit toilets.  

    I left my tent up while visiting Chaco.  Some wild weather came through and when I got back my tent had nearly gone over the canyon rim despite being staked down and weighted with my sleeping bag and pad.  I'd strongly recommend tying at least one tent line to the shade structure around the picknick table in times of iffy weather.

  • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2024

    Brown Springs Campground

    Very Nice Campground & Free

    Brown Springs OHV Campground : (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

    Overall Rating: 4.5 Price 2024: $ Free Security: No, though patrolled Usage during visit: 3/4s Site Privacy: Dispersed junipers Site Spacing: Good Pad surface: Gravel Reservations: No Campground Noise: No Outside Road Noise: If there are OHVs then there will be a lot. Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: No Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: No Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Pit toilets , moderately clean Showers: No Cell Service (AT&T): 4 bars Setting: amongst rolling hills, juniper and sagebrush Recent Weather: 70s Solar: Great Insects: None during our stay Host: No Rig Size: Large Sites: All 9 or so sites are nice w covered picnic tables.

  • Susan H.
    Apr. 23, 2018

    Angel Peak Scenic View Campground

    Stunning Views

    The entrance is very understated and underwhelming, you will pass a oil construction area as you enter the park. As you continue driving almost instantly notice the gorge. You will pass three day use areas all of which offer amazing views. Continue to drive until you reach the campground (which by the way is free) there are six campsites situated on the rim of the canyon. All campgrounds have picnic tables, some have covered picnic tables with fire rings. There are very well maintained trails that offer spectacular sights from all direction. There is vault toilets that are very clean, but no electricity, trash or water. So trash in, trash out.

  • Nicole J.
    Jun. 27, 2022

    Lake Farmington

    Nice camping spot

    It's a decent place to campout. There is no showers but there is a place to use the restroom. Restroom facilities were very clean and stocked with toliet tissues. The surrounding area was fairly clean. There is a picnic table available at every site with shade. Right now due to fire restrictions, there is no fire or charcoal fire allowed, only camp stoves are accepted. There is a fire burning pit for whenever the fire restrictions are lifted. We got a site near the lake which was very nice and peaceful. You are allowed 2 vehicles per site, up to 8 people per site. There is spaces for small/ large tents and RV as well. (No hookups). At night the gates do locked by themselves so you are unable to leave or enter the Lake after 10pm, gates unlock at 6am. There is a beach like area west of the camping area that allows people to rent any water gear(paddle board, kayak, lake floats). You can fish with a permit. You can call ahead to reserve a spot or you can walk in there is FCFS spots available!

  • Texas Roving Ranger
    Jul. 9, 2024

    Angel Peak NM Badlands | Dispersed Camping

    Tranquil, secluded and scenic boondocking sites

    Just arrived at Angel Peak dispersed campground near Bloomfield NM. It's Monday July 9th 2024. We stayed one night. The gravel road from HWY 550 is in good shape. Only one other camper in the entire area. This is completely dry camping. No potable water nor electricity. However, each site has a fire ring, picnic table and shade shelter. Everything is very tidy. Only a small bit of litter in the fire ring. Clean vault toilet nearby. Strong 5G TMobile cell signal.

  • Hayley K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 27, 2020

    Angel Peak Scenic View Campground

    Perfect Hidden Gem when visiting Bisti Badlands

    Access to the Angel Peak Scenic Area is off US Highway 550, 15 miles south of Bloomfield on County Road 7175. Follow the gravel road along the canyon rim for approximately six miles to reach the campground. It is important to note the gravel road may become dangerous in bad weather. 

    First of picnic areas is a mile down a gravel road. Many RV's seem to be using this for boondocking. I don't blame them, but try and keep them open for day trippers if possible. The Picnic areas are on the rim of the canyon. The campground is 6 miles down the same road.

     Three picnic areas and a campground are located along the canyon rim overlooking Angel Peak and the Kutz Canyon badlands. Three picnic areas(Sage, Castle Rock, and Cliffs). In total there are seven developed sites located along the rim road. Each site has a shelter, tables on a concrete slab, a gravel pathway, and a fire grate. Trash cans are located in all three picnic areas. There are vault toilets available at both Sage and Cliffs picnic areas. These are BLM sites and are incredibly well maintained in the Winter. No electrical hookups or water is available.

    Angel Peak Campground has nine sites available for tent camping. They each have picnic tables on a concrete underfoot, gravel pathways, and fire grates. Picnic shelters are located at three campsites; two with single shelters and one with a double shelter that seems to be a great spot for larger groups. Two accessible vault toilets and trash receptacles are in the campground. 

    There is a nature trail that heads though light brush and along the rim to a beautiful bench that overlooks the incredible canyon.

  • Kelsey M.
    Oct. 24, 2018

    Gallo Campground — Chaco Culture National Historical Park

    Pretty Nice, No Water

    The Gallo Campground is the only campground in Chaco Canyon National Park so reserving ahead of time or getting there earlier in the day depending on the season are very important. The park is very remote so it's a long drive on a potentially very rough road to get in but once you're there the route is well worth the visit.

    I visited on a Wednesday night in mid October. The campground had filled up by about 2pm Wednesday and but was full by about 11am on Thursday.

    There is currently no potable water at the campground but water is available at the Visitors Center a short drive down the road. There are however flushing toilets and running water in the bathrooms. The campsites each have a picnic table and fire pit. I thought the set up of the tent only area was interesting. There is a parking lot area with sites surrounding it on three sides. The set up allows for privacy between the sites which are nestled in among the rocks and plants.

    I wish I had spent more time in Chaco Canyon exploring the sites, hiking, and going on tours. The daily tours and ranger talks provide more insight into the canyon's history than you can get with the self guided booklets.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2018

    Gallo Campground — Chaco Culture National Historical Park

    Car camping tucked Away from the world

    The campsites here are incredible! They are peaceful and tucked under an amazing starry sky. The ruins are unlike any other; visitors walk through the rooms sculpted by the puebloans a whole millienium earlier.

    Gallo is a great car campground that still feels remote and tucked away from the world. Park is accessed from 17 miles of passable dirt road. Driver beware: wet conditions may make muddy roads temporarily impassible by cars not up to the task—call ahead if concerned. Flush toilets are available in campground, but there are no showers or other amenities. There is drinking water by the visitor center, which is only another short drive down the road. Bring all food and supplies because there are no supplies available within 40 minutes of the park and that is at a gas station.

    Note about the few secluded tent only sites (sites 41-49): these sites do not allow you to park directly beside the site. You must walk your gear a short+ distance to a defined tent pad (mind the sizes when you reserve). Also, the way the wind blows through the canyon, sites 46-49 have no wind break, and fires may become too dangerous to light up. We camped in one of these and loved our experience. They have more space, are more private, and quieter. But setting up camp was more of a workout too!

  • Sandra W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2023

    Brown Springs Campground

    Great Free Spot

    This was our first boondocking experience and we were very pleased. The area was beautiful with lots of OHV trails. We had a few spots to choose from and all were spaced out nicely. There was a clean vault toilet. We camped in our bronco but there was plenty of room for trailers. All sites had a covered picnic table and fire ring.

Guide to Nageezi

Tent camping near Nageezi, New Mexico offers access to diverse desert landscapes at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,000 feet. The region experiences dramatic temperature variations, with summer days often exceeding 90°F and nights cooling rapidly to the 50s. Dispersed camping opportunities predominate, with most sites lacking developed facilities and requiring campers to be self-sufficient.

What to do

Fishing access: Simon Canyon Trailhead Basecamp provides direct access to the San Juan River, known for quality trout fishing with several catch-and-release sections. Vault toilets are available, but no drinking water.

Stargazing opportunities: Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88 offers minimal light pollution for night sky viewing. "We had a full moon that night and the area was lit up, bright as a cloudy day!" notes camper Christopher C.

Cattle watching: The open ranges near dispersed camping areas often host grazing cattle. Samantha L. reports from Navajo Lake Relax Wild-u-can: "Many cows wandering about in the area."

What campers like

Immediate privacy: The camping options surrounding Nageezi typically provide significant distance from other campers. "Not much in the area available for hook up rv sites. We decided to boondock here for the night with a generator for AC," notes Samantha L. about her stay at Cuba Hwy Pulloff.

Group accommodations: Navajo Lake Relax Wild-u-can specializes in group camping with provided tents. "Navajo Lake Group Camp offers the perfect setup for groups with 4 separate sites so each tent has their own space. They provide the tents so don't worry about packing them!" reports Jake C.

Last-minute availability: Dispersed camping areas near Nageezi rarely fill up, making them reliable options when plans change. "It was getting late after a full day of driving and I happened to find this site. No amenities, but we were the only people in the area," explains Christopher C. about Cuba Hwy Pulloff.

What you should know

Generator considerations: Some dispersed sites permit generator use for campers requiring electricity. At Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88, one camper notes: "We decided to boondock here for the night with a generator for AC (traveling with dogs)."

Access challenges: Several camping areas feature rough, steep access roads. "The road in is steep for long rigs," warns Samantha L. about Cuba Hwy Pulloff, indicating potential difficulties for larger vehicles.

Trash management: Pack-out requirements apply at most sites, with campers reporting issues with previous visitors not following protocols. "It's a bummer people throw so much trash and glass bottles around. Very pretty site otherwise and nice trails to walk," notes a camper at Cuba Hwy Pulloff.

Tips for camping with families

Group site advantages: Simon Canyon Trailhead Basecamp includes picnic tables and vault toilets, making it more suitable for families than completely undeveloped sites. The drive-in access simplifies gear management when camping with children.

Full moon camping: Time your visit during a full moon for natural nighttime illumination that children may find less intimidating. Christopher C. explains: "We had a full moon that night and the area was lit up, bright as a cloudy day!"

Alcohol restrictions: Families should note that while most dispersed camping areas permit alcohol, Navajo Lake Relax Wild-u-can explicitly prohibits it, potentially creating a more family-friendly environment during busy periods.

Tips from RVers

Boondocking preparation: RVers camping near Nageezi should prepare for full boondocking conditions. "Not much in the area available for hook up rv sites. We decided to boondock here for the night with a generator for AC," reports Samantha L. from Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88.

Length restrictions: Large rigs face access limitations on the steeper forest roads. According to visitor reports, the road into Cuba Hwy Pulloff "is steep for long rigs," suggesting smaller trailers and motorhomes will have better options.

Generator use planning: When camping with pets in summer, generator access becomes important for climate control. One camper specifically mentions using a generator for AC when "traveling with dogs" at Cuba Hwy Pulloff, highlighting the need for temperature management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Nageezi, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Nageezi, NM is Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88 with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Nageezi, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Nageezi, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring