Newcomb is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Newcomb. Find the best campgrounds near Newcomb, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
Gallo Campground is located within Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Tucked among the fallen boulders and cliffs of Gallo Wash, the campground offers camping in a rugged environment, surrounded by petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, inscriptions and a high desert landscape. The area is remote with no services. Please be prepared with plenty of food, water, shade, sunscreen and cold weather necessities. Traveling to Chaco Two roads access Chaco Culture National Historical Park. From the north, Road 7900 turns off of US Hwy 550/44 three miles east of Nageezi and fifty miles west of Cuba. Continue on Road 7900 for five paved miles then turn right onto Road 7950 where the payment will continue for several miles. The rest of the sixteen miles are unpaved. From the south, turn north onto NM Rt. 57 for twenty miles of rough unpaved road. When the unpaved roads are wet (rain, snow, etc.) they can be difficlut to traverse and vehicles can become stuck in thick mud or slide off the slippery road. Please keep in mind that there is no phone service and it is sometimes difficult to get tow service along these roads. Please contact us at 505 786-7014 for the latest road conditions. Marijuana on Federal Lands Posted: May 27, 2022 With the legalization of marijuana in the State of New Mexico, Chaco Culture National Historical Park would like to provide clarification regarding the use and possession of marijuana on Federal lands. The recently passed New Mexico State law, which allows for limited recreational marijuana use under certain conditions, has no bearing on Federal laws which continue to identify marijuana as a Schedule I illegal drug, and prohibit its use. Possession of marijuana or use of any amount of marijuana is still prohibited in Chaco Culture National Historical Park, its facilities, concessions, and campgrounds.
The Visitor Center is located one mile from the Gallo Campground which offers a staffed information desk. There is an additional charge for Park entry separate from the camping fees. All campers are required to pay entrance fee at the Visitor Center or present a vaild pass. The Visitor Center offers a brief introductory information, a 25-minute introductory video and a bookstore with many selections of educational materials, books and gift items. After checking in at the Visitor Center, one can drive the canyon loop road where there are six front country and our backcountry hiking trails that lead to ancient cultural sites.
Gallo Campground is located in a lowland desert surrounded by canyon walls, arroyos and wash with plenty of southwestern desert plants and brushes, but there are no trees.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is isolated from various towns and cities. Within two to three hour drive, there are some attractions such as Aztec Ruins, Salmon Ruins, Mesa Verde National Park, El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Four Corners Monument, Navajo Nation Headquarters and Museum in Window Rock, Arizona.
$60 / night
The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a rolling landscape of badlands which offers some of the most unusual scenery found in the Four Corners Region. Time and natural elements have etched a fantasy world of strange rock formations made of interbedded sandstone, shale, mudstone, coal, and silt. The weathering of the sandstone forms hoodoos - weathered rock in the form of pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, and other unusual forms. Fossils occur in this sedimentary landform. Translated from the Navajo language, Bisti (Bis-tie) means "a large area of shale hills." De-Na-Zin (Deh-nah-zin) takes its name from the Navajo words for "cranes". Because of the climate, most of the visits occur in the late spring/early summer and in the fall. Since this is a Wilderness Area, it is closed to motorized vehicles and mechanical forms of transportation (mountain bikes included). Also prohibited are campfires, collecting fossils or petrified wood, climbing on delicate geologic features, traveling in groups of more than eight people, and trespassing on adjacent tribal lands. Permits are required for uses such as grazing, scientific research, and commercial guiding. Though these trailheads are off regularly maintained roads, they are not paved. County Road 7500 can become extremely slick and impassible when wet. Conditions of roads can change at any time due to weather. Drivers should avoid dirt roads during rain or snow. Drivers should be cautious of wash-out following rain or snowmelt. Though camping in the Wilderness is a rewarding experience, there are no water sources. Visitors must carry all the water they will need for the duration of the trip.
The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department (NPRD) manages the Cottonwood Campground and collects fees for camping. There are about 90 individual campsites available and 2 group tent sites. Each site includes a parking space, picnic table and grill. There are 3 restroom facilities that include sinks and flushable toilets, but no showers. No hookups are available, but a dumpstation is located in Loop 1. Limited services are available during winter months. GROUP SITES: Reservations for group campsites are required. Sites are for tent camping only. No reservations are accepted for RVs. RVs: Sites cannot accommodate vehicles more than 40 feet, including vehicles-in-tow. Full hookups are available in the surrounding areas of Gallup, NM; Monument Valley, UT; and Holbrook, AZ.
$14 - $20 / night
Bisti Trailhead To reach the Bisti Trailhead, Drive NM 371 just under 36 miles south of Farmington (from the San Juan River crossing) or just under 45 miles north of Crownpoint (from the intersection of 371 and Navajo Service Route 9), and turn east on Road 7297 (a gravel road). Drive Road 7297 for approximately 2 miles to a T-intersection and turn left. Drive just under one mile to the Bisti Trailhead, which is just south of a broad wash on the east side of the road. There is another, smaller parking area 1/4 mile further north.
De-Na-Zin Trailhead To reach the De-Na-Zin Trailhead by the best route drive US 550, 12 miles south of the Speedway Gas Station south of Bloomfield or 4 miles north of NM 57 and turn west onto County Road 7500. Drive approximately 11 1/4 miles to the De-Na-Zin Trailhead (on the right side of the road). A trail leads from the parking area approximately 3/4 mile to the De-Na-Zin Wash. An alternative route that includes a section of rougher dirt roads that are more prone to weather related hazards is to drive NM 371 approximately 43 3/4 miles south of Farmington (from the San Juan River crossing) or approximately 37 1/4 miles north of Crownpoint (from the intersection of 371 and Navajo Service Route 9), and turn east on County Road 7500. Drive approximately 13 1/4 miles on Road 7500 to the De-Na-Zin parking area (on the left side of the road).”
This is a newly developed campground and OHV park within the popular Glade Run Recreation Area. Opened in May of 2019, this recreation park features a small riding track for young people, a skills training track, ten developed campsites, toilets, and a pavilion. A ten (10) site dry developed campground with a vault toilet at the Brown Springs OHV Area. An OHV training area with parking, tot-lot, training pan, skills trail, group shelter, and vault toilet at the Brown Springs OHV Area.
$11 - $31 / night
We provide friendly service in a warm environment just miles from many local sights and activities for all ages! Whether you want to explore the outdoors or enjoy quality time with the family, Bluffview RV Park is the place to stay. So come and have fun!
$40 - $45 / night
Gallo Campground is located within Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Tucked among the fallen boulders and cliffs of Gallo Wash, the campground offers camping in a rugged environment, surrounded by petroglyphs, a cliff dwelling, inscriptions and a high desert landscape. The area is remote with no services. Please be prepared with plenty of food, water, shade, sunscreen and cold weather necessities. Traveling to Chaco Two roads access Chaco Culture National Historical Park. From the north, Road 7900 turns off of US Hwy 550/44 three miles east of Nageezi and fifty miles west of Cuba. Continue on Road 7900 for five paved miles then turn right onto Road 7950 where the payment will continue for several miles. The rest of the sixteen miles are unpaved. From the south, turn north onto NM Rt. 57 for twenty miles of rough unpaved road. When the unpaved roads are wet (rain, snow, etc.) they can be difficlut to traverse and vehicles can become stuck in thick mud or slide off the slippery road. Please keep in mind that there is no phone service and it is sometimes difficult to get tow service along these roads. Please contact us at 505 786-7014 for the latest road conditions. Marijuana on Federal Lands Posted: May 27, 2022 With the legalization of marijuana in the State of New Mexico, Chaco Culture National Historical Park would like to provide clarification regarding the use and possession of marijuana on Federal lands. The recently passed New Mexico State law, which allows for limited recreational marijuana use under certain conditions, has no bearing on Federal laws which continue to identify marijuana as a Schedule I illegal drug, and prohibit its use. Possession of marijuana or use of any amount of marijuana is still prohibited in Chaco Culture National Historical Park, its facilities, concessions, and campgrounds.
The Visitor Center is located one mile from the Gallo Campground which offers a staffed information desk. There is an additional charge for Park entry separate from the camping fees. All campers are required to pay entrance fee at the Visitor Center or present a vaild pass. The Visitor Center offers a brief introductory information, a 25-minute introductory video and a bookstore with many selections of educational materials, books and gift items. After checking in at the Visitor Center, one can drive the canyon loop road where there are six front country and our backcountry hiking trails that lead to ancient cultural sites.
Gallo Campground is located in a lowland desert surrounded by canyon walls, arroyos and wash with plenty of southwestern desert plants and brushes, but there are no trees.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park is isolated from various towns and cities. Within two to three hour drive, there are some attractions such as Aztec Ruins, Salmon Ruins, Mesa Verde National Park, El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, Canyon De Chelly National Monument, Four Corners Monument, Navajo Nation Headquarters and Museum in Window Rock, Arizona.
$60 / night
The Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness is a rolling landscape of badlands which offers some of the most unusual scenery found in the Four Corners Region. Time and natural elements have etched a fantasy world of strange rock formations made of interbedded sandstone, shale, mudstone, coal, and silt. The weathering of the sandstone forms hoodoos - weathered rock in the form of pinnacles, spires, cap rocks, and other unusual forms. Fossils occur in this sedimentary landform. Translated from the Navajo language, Bisti (Bis-tie) means "a large area of shale hills." De-Na-Zin (Deh-nah-zin) takes its name from the Navajo words for "cranes". Because of the climate, most of the visits occur in the late spring/early summer and in the fall. Since this is a Wilderness Area, it is closed to motorized vehicles and mechanical forms of transportation (mountain bikes included). Also prohibited are campfires, collecting fossils or petrified wood, climbing on delicate geologic features, traveling in groups of more than eight people, and trespassing on adjacent tribal lands. Permits are required for uses such as grazing, scientific research, and commercial guiding. Though these trailheads are off regularly maintained roads, they are not paved. County Road 7500 can become extremely slick and impassible when wet. Conditions of roads can change at any time due to weather. Drivers should avoid dirt roads during rain or snow. Drivers should be cautious of wash-out following rain or snowmelt. Though camping in the Wilderness is a rewarding experience, there are no water sources. Visitors must carry all the water they will need for the duration of the trip.
The Navajo Parks and Recreation Department (NPRD) manages the Cottonwood Campground and collects fees for camping. There are about 90 individual campsites available and 2 group tent sites. Each site includes a parking space, picnic table and grill. There are 3 restroom facilities that include sinks and flushable toilets, but no showers. No hookups are available, but a dumpstation is located in Loop 1. Limited services are available during winter months. GROUP SITES: Reservations for group campsites are required. Sites are for tent camping only. No reservations are accepted for RVs. RVs: Sites cannot accommodate vehicles more than 40 feet, including vehicles-in-tow. Full hookups are available in the surrounding areas of Gallup, NM; Monument Valley, UT; and Holbrook, AZ.
$14 - $20 / night
Bisti Trailhead To reach the Bisti Trailhead, Drive NM 371 just under 36 miles south of Farmington (from the San Juan River crossing) or just under 45 miles north of Crownpoint (from the intersection of 371 and Navajo Service Route 9), and turn east on Road 7297 (a gravel road). Drive Road 7297 for approximately 2 miles to a T-intersection and turn left. Drive just under one mile to the Bisti Trailhead, which is just south of a broad wash on the east side of the road. There is another, smaller parking area 1/4 mile further north.
De-Na-Zin Trailhead To reach the De-Na-Zin Trailhead by the best route drive US 550, 12 miles south of the Speedway Gas Station south of Bloomfield or 4 miles north of NM 57 and turn west onto County Road 7500. Drive approximately 11 1/4 miles to the De-Na-Zin Trailhead (on the right side of the road). A trail leads from the parking area approximately 3/4 mile to the De-Na-Zin Wash. An alternative route that includes a section of rougher dirt roads that are more prone to weather related hazards is to drive NM 371 approximately 43 3/4 miles south of Farmington (from the San Juan River crossing) or approximately 37 1/4 miles north of Crownpoint (from the intersection of 371 and Navajo Service Route 9), and turn east on County Road 7500. Drive approximately 13 1/4 miles on Road 7500 to the De-Na-Zin parking area (on the left side of the road).”
This is a newly developed campground and OHV park within the popular Glade Run Recreation Area. Opened in May of 2019, this recreation park features a small riding track for young people, a skills training track, ten developed campsites, toilets, and a pavilion. A ten (10) site dry developed campground with a vault toilet at the Brown Springs OHV Area. An OHV training area with parking, tot-lot, training pan, skills trail, group shelter, and vault toilet at the Brown Springs OHV Area.
Ranger
Stayed in site 12 which was wedged between handicapped spot next to toilets and next RV over. Very small area although other campsites did not all appear so small.
Nice dog-friendly hike on wajiji trail which begins from campground, crosses road and is out and back of~3.2 mi in total. Otherwise, dogs not allowed on trails in park.
As noted here, the road can be rough, and we accessed Chaco off Hwy 550 (we were told that accessing Chaco from other direction can be even more dicey if roads are wet). Road was washboard and beware of steel protrusions on sides of road which can be sharp. We made it fine in camper van but went slow.
Traveler
Plenty of spaces and happy to get one with shade on my camper. $20, no pass discounts. Reasonably clean, fairly quiet. No complaints
TravelerThis is a great central location to both the north and south canyon road. Self pay at the entrance, $20 a night no services. The park was quiet, well treed and clean. A number of bathrooms, older but clean and well stocked. Lots of garbage pails. Dump station easy to access with working black tank sprayer. Park was 1/3 full by the evening.
Scout
Juste pour vous partager ma mésaventure(Mieux vautêtre averti pouréviter les mêmes erreurs;)) 2 points importants: 1- L'indien Howard Smith(qui ne ressemble plusà la photo de son site depuis de nombreuses années) n'accepte les paiements que sur place en cash- Donc si vousêtes contacter avant, ce sont des pirates! Il est au courant, cela lui arrive régulièrement, mais il considère que c'est pas de sa faute, surtout qu'on est européens, et que les pirates sont tous desétrangers... 2- Hogan- C'est une aventure en soit unique. Mais si je ne pensais pas avoir payer d'avance, j'aurais fait demi-tour. Un lit de camps, une petite planche sur des parpaings avec un matelas qui dépasse... Rien de bon pour passer une bonne nuit en soit! J'ai regretté de ne pas dormir dans ma tente au final. Sachant qu'onétait 6 et qu'on l'avait dit, On peut dormirà l'aise sur ces matelas tachéà 3, pas plus... Les toilettes sont des toilettes de camping car. Le camping en lui même est idéalement situés et les camping car sont donc surement content du séjour.
TravelerBeautiful grove of trees. Maintenance people apparently not allowed to clean up bugs in bathrooms. Floodlights at night a bit bright.
Traveler
Free BLM campground. Modern and well kept. Only a few others there the night we stayed so it was quiet and peaceful
TravelerWe came on a Sunday in July and there were only 2 other campers there. Very quiet, the only thing missing was electric outlets that only worked in 1 of the 3 restrooms, but that wasn’t an issue. Great place to camp if you plan to visit canyon de Chelly
Legend
OHV trails are all over. I am not a OHV guy, but looks to be OHV haven. Flat and hilly areas for lots of fun. I’d stay away during heavy rain.
LegendBrown 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.
Legend
Dunes OHV Area NM south Farmington: We did not have a good feel regarding safety so did not stay. Could be just us. Looks to be a great OHV area. Nobody was there the day we visited. Dispersed.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 1 Price 2024: $ Free Security: No Usage during visit: Empty. Site Privacy: No Site Spacing: Dispersed Pad surface: Dirt Reservations: First come first serve Campground Noise: Surely noisy if OHVs are playing Outside Road Noise: no Through Traffic in campground: Could be No amenities Cell Service (AT&T): No bars Setting: open desert OHV Recent Weather: 70s Solar: Yes Insects: None during our visit Sites: Dispersed though a couple broken down covered picnic areas, one w grill.
LegendThis campground is not easy to get to, so get your head around that. The last 5 miles of the unpaved road getting to the park boundary will be a challenge, so take it slllooow. It is worth it, and you’ll have fewer crowds at this amazing place.
The campground is similar to many national parks, with nicely spaced out, no hook up campsites. The toilets are clean and well maintained, flush toilets, and sinks, but no showers. Water is available throughout the campground, and there’s a big sink for dumping your dish water.
The campground is ideal for solar power, as is the New Mexico weather. We also had no problem connecting with Starlink, but there was no LTE or phone service to speak of.
Hiking in the park is simply stunning. With the ruins of the Chaco Culture all around, you can pick your adventure or simply drive the park loop road, stopping to wander through the remains of this vibrant place that was once the heart of a vast cultural empire.
Cycling is also a great option -- bike/ hike your way around the park from the campground. The visitor’s center is good, and worth spending some time in. The closest town with services is a long long way away, in any direction, so come prepared with your supplies, food, etc.
There is a convenience store/ gas station about 20 miles out, but the drive back along the rough road will take an hour in an RV.
This park is so worth a visit and the campground makes it easy to stay for as long as you can to soak up the solitude of this simply amazing place!
GuideThis place is such a gem. We arrived late at night with a 39 foot toy hauler. No problem backing up in spot #1. Beautiful stars, complete silence after the last OHV left around 10 pm. All we had to do was filling a permit online and email it to BLM. We woke up to the magnificent high desert. The spots are spacious and clean with a fire pit and a table on a concrete slab. You are not right on your neighbor. The bathrooms are clean and accessible. Spot #10 is ADA compliant and very spacious. It is probably a 3 miles drive on a dirt road. 4 wheel drive not required. Only 3 spot were occupied when we pulled up. There is a trail right out of the campground. Best of all - absolutely FREE.
GuideGallo Campground is the place to stay to visit the Chaco Canyon ruins. It's very small and very difficult to get to given the state of the dirt roads through tribal lands. Unless an RV is designed for this type of environment, it would be better to stay elsewhere and drive in with an AWD vehicle. The location is remote so be sure to bring drinking water and all the food you need. There is very little water in the region, so the facilities are limited. There are bathrooms and a place to wash dishes, but nothing else. The camp hosts are kind and helpful. We were able to view the Milky Way on one night of our stay. The visitor center is nearby, but most of the artifacts have been removed for safe keeping as there are issues with the building. They have an excellent selection of books on Chaco to purchase. The trails are well kept and closely watched by the rangers due to the sacred nature of the fragile structures. It was well worth any inconvenience for the privilege of seeing this amazing, sacred place.
GuideWe trully enjoyed our stay. Close to the sights. The campground is a little rough along the edges but the sites are great. There is a great hiking trail that starts at the campground and goes to the canyon. Howard the owner is very friendly and a wealth of information.
TravelerPaved roads and pads, picnic tables, picnic fire pits, flush bathrooms, water and sewer (1 per loop), all in a beautifully trees setting. Birds singing. Conveniently located near the visitor’s centre and at the halfway point where you choose the north or south scenic drive.
GuideI didn’t realize some sites are for RVs and some are for tents. I sleep in the back of my pick up truck and was stuck in the middle of RVs running their generators. Still loved the area. Great hiking right off the campground. Nice restrooms. 
TravelerWe drove up Hwy 491 from I40 and were surprised there were no sites all the way up to Farmington or Shiprock. We chose this site but got there when it was already dark. Apple Maps to ok us directly to the site. It’s about 3 miles on a long dirt road. The road was dry when we visited so we had no problems. We drove into the tents sites on a Tuesday night and found several vacant.
The site itself was layered with gravel. There’s a covered picnic table and large fire ring in each site. We are tent campers and appreciated not setting the tent in the mid or dirt. The other sites are close but not so close you are forced to make conversation. That’s a choice here!
We didn’t hike while here but you could easily have some fun out there!
TravelerWarning if it is raining or has been raining it WILL be muddy and quickly becomes impassable.
Now that we got that out of the way this site is absolutely gorgeous! Most of the drive to the site is a dirt road a bit bumpy but so worth the amazing peaceful camp area. The grounds are very well-kept
GuideNear the entrance to Canyon de Chelly Nat'l. Monument, it was ablaze with fall colors. Nice toilet facilities and spacious sites fairly far apart. No hook-ups so I couldn't give it 5 stars, but even then it was within walking distance to a restaurant at a quaint lodge.
TravelerWell-spaced sites under gorgeous cottonwood trees in bright yellow fall foliage (beware if allergic!). Basic services as listed, except no internet that we could find. Verizon = 3 bars. Ranger told me he's never seen the campground fill up. Great staging location for both North Rim and South Rim exploration. Private homes surround the park, fairly close. Stray dogs come around but were not aggressive. $20 for camper van.
TravelerThis 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.
ScoutRV spot that has tent sites. They gave us an RV site because the tent sites were full. Maybe a little pricey but we were running out of daylight - the staff were really nice and the park is quiet even though it's near a main road. Bathrooms were nice!
LegendBasic campground run by a local with various sized campsite. There's a pit toilet. Nothing around the area and about 10 miles from town.
Traveler
This is a very well maintained and clean basic rv park. The only amenities are sewer water and electricity. We had the windows open at night, and being just off the main road, we didn't hear any traffic. If we pass thru again we'd definitively stay again.
ScoutWe got our permit at the nearby BLM office. The sand/gravel road to the Campground is decent, but almost got stuck in soft spots in our 21' motor home. Campsites are nice, with mostly level parking spots, and picnic site under hard roof shade--a good thing, as the New Mexico August sun was hot, and the Campground pretty much treeless.
Scout
Already posted
ScoutI stayed there last summer..only a few campsites. No shade.on a plateau over the lake.there is a bathroom. We saw a man on a kayak sucked down into the intake for Farmington water.yes he died. After that came puppy adoptions..wow After 7 days u must leave. Local stores are near. The camping price is not senior attractive. But if u need a place to wish u could camp by a lake.. Don't go here.
Camping near Newcomb, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a base for exploring the area's natural wonders, there are plenty of options to consider.
Camping near Newcomb, New Mexico, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Newcomb, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Newcomb, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 32 campgrounds and RV parks near Newcomb, NM and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Newcomb, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Newcomb, NM is Gallo Campground — Chaco Culture National Historical Park with a 4.4-star rating from 25 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Newcomb, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Newcomb, NM.
What parks are near Newcomb, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 parks near Newcomb, NM that allow camping, notably Canyon De Chelly National Monument and Mesa Verde National Park.
