Looking for the best campgrounds near Ocate, NM? Ocate is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Ocate, reviewed by campers like you.
$20 - $35 / night
Angel Fire RV Resort is a luxurious, amenity-filled destination. There are 102 total RV campsites at Angel Fire, 93 of which are pull-thru, and the remaining 9 are pull-in. There is 75-feet of paved and level parking at each site.
The resort has a wealth of amenities, including electricity and sewer hookups at every site, a general store, wi-fi, cable TV, a clubhouse, a small fitness center, a dog park, swing sets, firepits, horseshoe pits, a putting green, and more.
$60 - $96 / night
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH SITE BEFORE YOU BOOK. NOT ALL SITES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO RVs.
PLEASE READ…
Nestled in the Carson National Forest@ 9000ft in the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the southern region of the Colorado Rockies lies Enchanted Circle Campgrounds. E<< is a quiet, exclusive, totally unique, primitive campground that generally has open camping sites during the camping season of May 1st until October 31st.
E<< was Voted #1 Campground in NM for 2020, 2021, and 2022." Number #4 in the Country by Forbes!
There are 7 Private campsites.
Site#1: This is the smallest campsite, but it overlooks the valley and lakes and is most often the favorite. It is not large enough for any camper beside teardrops, popups, and anything smaller than 16 ft. It is best served as a tent site.
Site#2: is located in the middle of the ranch. It is one of the larger of the spots and perfect for campers and trailers. It overlooks the valley and has 2 fire pits and hammocks. A great site for more than one trailer or RV. It is also easily accessible.
Site#3: It is the most remote. It sits on top of a pretty large cliff system that the Ute Indians actually lived in and has some of the best views. It is on top of a cliff though and is not the best fit for groups with small children. TRAILERS CANNOT GET TO SITE 3, due to tight turns.
Spot 4. This spot is great for larger groups. It is the furthest spot from the gate. It is nestled in the middle of a valley full of Aspens. There are Hammocks, giant fire pits, pergolas, Log Benches, and plenty of space to explore.
Spot 5. It is the flattest spot on the entire ranch, and the easiest to access. This spot is our stargazer site, it has the biggest views and is the most open site@ECC. There are trees, but it is mainly the sky. This site was built and intended for Large RVs and Motor Homes larger than 34 ft. But, If it is available, feel free to book it whether or not you are in a tent or RV.
Spot 6 was also built for Larger Rvs Or larger Groups with multiple tents. It is also very accessible to Motorhomes and large units. It is a mix of all of the environments we have here, with Big skies, Big trees, big views, and great privacy.
Spot 7 is Identical to spot 6. Big RVs, Big Skies, Big Views. Easy accessibility.
Spot 8 is only accessible to tents. It is the newest and most remote site. Surrounded by forest it is tucked away and feels the wildest.
At ECC, you are surrounded by trees and wildlife no matter what spot you choose. Each spot usually has a campfire grill, cast iron skillet, dutch oven, coffee pot, grilling utensils, shovel, hatchet, trash can, hammocks, and other small necessities. With Covid 19, we have removed all of the cooking utensils, cast iron, and coffee pots. You will need to bring these items with you. We have also added handwashing stations and Antibacterial hand soap at each site. We are also Sanitizing the entire campsite after each checkout to ensure all of our guest Safety to the best of our abilities. Numerous trails wander their way through the pine forest, with many more hiking opportunities within a short drive. The Ranch has both long and short nature hikes that allow for views of local flora, fauna, and wheeler peak. We have too many to count, primitive and natural mountain bike trails, and many more to discover or trail blaze. We also offer Coleman 49CC mini bikes for rent by the day to explore all over the ranch. They are great fun.
ECC has 7 natural ground(underground) fed springs that run year-round. 3 spring-fed ponds, 2 of which are stocked with rainbow trout as well as native brown trout, and crawfish. The natives are very picky eaters and require more patience than I usually have. Many of our campers seem to have what it takes as they are caught often, but the rainbows bite on a few different things, you just have to find the right one, and then it's game on. We stock the ponds at the beginning of the season each year. You can keep what you catch, up to 2 per person per day. But, you are also more than welcome to catch and release as often as you like. We have just about every terrain here as well, from prairie and marshland to cliffs and mountainous forests. We have a little over 900 feet of elevation change on the ranch. We have numerous species of wildlife that call the ranch home. We have elk, mule deer, turkeys, bobcats, prairie dogs, beavers, bears, and the occasional mountain lion. We also have our horses, goats, pigs, and chickens free-roaming within the fenced ranch. It is really important to leave all objects you find on the land where you found them(bones, things at the sweat lodge, etc) because this is sacred land and we all need to respect that.
Our Ranch can accommodate individuals, families, and both large and small groups. We also love to support Veterans, LEO, and Emergency Services. We will cover one night, for up to 4 campers, for any of those professionals.
The biggest draw to ECC besides ECC itself is its proximity to Angel Fire and the Ski and Mountain Bike Resort. Located just 5 miles from Town. There is plenty of exploring to do both on the ranch and in town. We are also located within 15 minutes of 3 State Parks. Come check it out! It might just be your favorite secret spot.
$75 / night
This alpine lake park is located on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway and is surrounded by the stunning scenery of the high mountains of the Moreno Valley, including views of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico.
At 8,200 feet in elevation, Eagle Nest Lake State Park offers a cool retreat from the summer heat for fishermen, boaters, campers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. An abundance of animals makes Eagle Nest Lake an ideal location for wildlife viewing. Known for fishing and it’s a serene setting, we welcome you to visit this glacial valley park.
Want to visit?:
This park offers developed campsites with fire grills, picnic tables, and a shade structure for your comfort. The park is known for its opportunities in birding, hiking, biking, paddlin,g and fishing. Campsites are by reservation only, but we do offer first come-first serve sites in the off-season. Please be aware of winter closures. Check Parks Alerts for more information
Wildlife watchers and seasonal recreationists are invited to use the primitive camping area (located adjacent to Lake 13) year-round for up to 5 days. The camping area continues to be available during the annual fishing season from March 1 to October 31. Vault toilets can be found at the entrance road to the lake. Be sure to come fully prepared as no facilities are provided. Parking or staging unattended vehicles is prohibited.
Agua Piedra, located in the Carson National Forest, is nestled near the Rio Pueblo and Agua Piedra Creek. The campground contains many shaded areas to camp, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.
Visitors to the Agua Piedra campground and group shelters can also enjoy fishing in the Rio Pueblo River, which is a tributary of the mighty Rio Grande. The river is stocked with rainbow trout and there is a small pier in the day use area.Hiking to Serpent Lake and Cordova Canyon, which are both within seven miles of the campground and group shelters, are also favorite activities for visitors. Also popular is further exploration of points of interest in the Pecos Wilderness, as well as within the Sangre De Cristos Mountains, the southernmost Rocky Mountain range.
Agua Piedra campground and group shelters are located in a mixed forest of spruce, fir and aspen trees, which provide some shade throughout the day. At an altitude of 8,100 feet, temperatures can cool off during the summer nights.
For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.
Sipapu Ski Resort, the town of Vadito, and the town of Penasco is within 3 - 17 miles from the campground and group shelter. Most services are available in Taos, NM, 25 miles north of the campground or Espanola, NM, 45 miles southwest.
$150 / night
Elevation of this campground is__5,760 feet and offers__6 camping units.
Campground Facilities:
Due to parking and campsite size limitations, the maximum RV length allowed is 18 feet.
Non-Reservation Sites:
26 Developed Sites
No Water
No Electric
No Dump Station
$20 - $35 / night
Angel Fire RV Resort is a luxurious, amenity-filled destination. There are 102 total RV campsites at Angel Fire, 93 of which are pull-thru, and the remaining 9 are pull-in. There is 75-feet of paved and level parking at each site.
The resort has a wealth of amenities, including electricity and sewer hookups at every site, a general store, wi-fi, cable TV, a clubhouse, a small fitness center, a dog park, swing sets, firepits, horseshoe pits, a putting green, and more.
$60 - $96 / night
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH SITE BEFORE YOU BOOK. NOT ALL SITES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO RVs.
PLEASE READ…
Nestled in the Carson National Forest@ 9000ft in the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the southern region of the Colorado Rockies lies Enchanted Circle Campgrounds. E<< is a quiet, exclusive, totally unique, primitive campground that generally has open camping sites during the camping season of May 1st until October 31st.
E<< was Voted #1 Campground in NM for 2020, 2021, and 2022." Number #4 in the Country by Forbes!
There are 7 Private campsites.
Site#1: This is the smallest campsite, but it overlooks the valley and lakes and is most often the favorite. It is not large enough for any camper beside teardrops, popups, and anything smaller than 16 ft. It is best served as a tent site.
Site#2: is located in the middle of the ranch. It is one of the larger of the spots and perfect for campers and trailers. It overlooks the valley and has 2 fire pits and hammocks. A great site for more than one trailer or RV. It is also easily accessible.
Site#3: It is the most remote. It sits on top of a pretty large cliff system that the Ute Indians actually lived in and has some of the best views. It is on top of a cliff though and is not the best fit for groups with small children. TRAILERS CANNOT GET TO SITE 3, due to tight turns.
Spot 4. This spot is great for larger groups. It is the furthest spot from the gate. It is nestled in the middle of a valley full of Aspens. There are Hammocks, giant fire pits, pergolas, Log Benches, and plenty of space to explore.
Spot 5. It is the flattest spot on the entire ranch, and the easiest to access. This spot is our stargazer site, it has the biggest views and is the most open site@ECC. There are trees, but it is mainly the sky. This site was built and intended for Large RVs and Motor Homes larger than 34 ft. But, If it is available, feel free to book it whether or not you are in a tent or RV.
Spot 6 was also built for Larger Rvs Or larger Groups with multiple tents. It is also very accessible to Motorhomes and large units. It is a mix of all of the environments we have here, with Big skies, Big trees, big views, and great privacy.
Spot 7 is Identical to spot 6. Big RVs, Big Skies, Big Views. Easy accessibility.
Spot 8 is only accessible to tents. It is the newest and most remote site. Surrounded by forest it is tucked away and feels the wildest.
At ECC, you are surrounded by trees and wildlife no matter what spot you choose. Each spot usually has a campfire grill, cast iron skillet, dutch oven, coffee pot, grilling utensils, shovel, hatchet, trash can, hammocks, and other small necessities. With Covid 19, we have removed all of the cooking utensils, cast iron, and coffee pots. You will need to bring these items with you. We have also added handwashing stations and Antibacterial hand soap at each site. We are also Sanitizing the entire campsite after each checkout to ensure all of our guest Safety to the best of our abilities. Numerous trails wander their way through the pine forest, with many more hiking opportunities within a short drive. The Ranch has both long and short nature hikes that allow for views of local flora, fauna, and wheeler peak. We have too many to count, primitive and natural mountain bike trails, and many more to discover or trail blaze. We also offer Coleman 49CC mini bikes for rent by the day to explore all over the ranch. They are great fun.
ECC has 7 natural ground(underground) fed springs that run year-round. 3 spring-fed ponds, 2 of which are stocked with rainbow trout as well as native brown trout, and crawfish. The natives are very picky eaters and require more patience than I usually have. Many of our campers seem to have what it takes as they are caught often, but the rainbows bite on a few different things, you just have to find the right one, and then it's game on. We stock the ponds at the beginning of the season each year. You can keep what you catch, up to 2 per person per day. But, you are also more than welcome to catch and release as often as you like. We have just about every terrain here as well, from prairie and marshland to cliffs and mountainous forests. We have a little over 900 feet of elevation change on the ranch. We have numerous species of wildlife that call the ranch home. We have elk, mule deer, turkeys, bobcats, prairie dogs, beavers, bears, and the occasional mountain lion. We also have our horses, goats, pigs, and chickens free-roaming within the fenced ranch. It is really important to leave all objects you find on the land where you found them(bones, things at the sweat lodge, etc) because this is sacred land and we all need to respect that.
Our Ranch can accommodate individuals, families, and both large and small groups. We also love to support Veterans, LEO, and Emergency Services. We will cover one night, for up to 4 campers, for any of those professionals.
The biggest draw to ECC besides ECC itself is its proximity to Angel Fire and the Ski and Mountain Bike Resort. Located just 5 miles from Town. There is plenty of exploring to do both on the ranch and in town. We are also located within 15 minutes of 3 State Parks. Come check it out! It might just be your favorite secret spot.
$75 / night
This alpine lake park is located on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway and is surrounded by the stunning scenery of the high mountains of the Moreno Valley, including views of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in New Mexico.
At 8,200 feet in elevation, Eagle Nest Lake State Park offers a cool retreat from the summer heat for fishermen, boaters, campers, hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts. An abundance of animals makes Eagle Nest Lake an ideal location for wildlife viewing. Known for fishing and it’s a serene setting, we welcome you to visit this glacial valley park.
Want to visit?:
This park offers developed campsites with fire grills, picnic tables, and a shade structure for your comfort. The park is known for its opportunities in birding, hiking, biking, paddlin,g and fishing. Campsites are by reservation only, but we do offer first come-first serve sites in the off-season. Please be aware of winter closures. Check Parks Alerts for more information
Guide
Picnic table, running water in spigots, fire ring and a view. We drove our van right to the spot. Clean pit toilets. $7/night
Ranger
Stayed in #21. Sites 13 and 30 a!so good but avoid campsites downwind of toilets. No water while we were there. Very nice & helpful host. Several 1st come/1st serve sites but seems to fill up fast. Bathrooms cleanish & well used. Several convenient to back of campground. Trees. Good spot for screen tent.
Ranger
Stayed in spot R1 which is pretty small/crowded in, but near river and trees. Lovely duck and geese ponds and river walk, also dog park. Clean restrooms and showers but no changing stalls in either mens/womens shower. Very quiet and affordable. Near to grocery. Grounds are well-kept and healthy & green (lots of trees, shrubs, beautiful walk by river). Sorry pics are a bit washed out, doesn't do it justice.
Guide
We had 50 amp, full hookups and stayed for a week. Stable power, good water pressure and threaded sewer connectors. The sites are level, decently spaced and easy to access. The wonderful lady that runs the place (Marti) is warm, friendly and very appreciative of business. If you’re in the area, I recommend staying here. If you’re close by, I’d recommend the same!
Traveler
Nice place! Great views! It's a quite place with a gathering hall to watch TV or charge your devices if need be. I would definitely stay there again!
Guide
We enjoyed our 2 nights here and would stay again next time we are in Taos. Easy access to all the activities in the area. Grounds and bathrooms were very clean. The staff was friendly and helpful. In late Sep it was still busy and full, but it was quiet within the RV park. We had a full hookup site and all services worked as expected. Wifi was available, with repeaters around the park. Mobile service was solid. The showers worked well and were clean. The only negative was the noise from the adjacent streets with what sounded like street racing, finally quieting down around 1AM.
Ranger
We camped right to. The Red River, the site was fairly clean but we cleaned up what the campground host failed to pick up.
Picnic table and fire ring. Pit toilet was clean.
This is a great place to stay and it allows for day trips into Taos and Valle Vidal which is a spectacular trip. We saw large herds of bison roaming and had to wait for 20 minutes while they crossed the dirt road.
Traveler
20 gravel sites in the desert about 6 miles NW of Taos. Only issue is there was only 1 men's room and 1 woman's room. But since we were smallest rig in our Sprinter van it wasn't an issue as I think others in Class A and C rigs had their own showers.
Traveler
We stayed overnight after hiking the Tolby Creek Loop nearby the campground. Pleasant shady place with occasional highway noise. No cell service.
Guide
Made the reservation online. $14/night for a leveled site with covered table, fire pit and a water spigot. Had a great night. Felt very safe and noise was minimal. Would definitely stay again when in the area.
Guide
There are so many campsites to choose from, all along the Hondo Rio. It's peaceful and quiet. We brought our four dogs and 13 year old. There's so much to do to keep them busy. The dogs love the river and to run through it. No one really bothers anyone. There are toilets at some of the sites. Very clean. We had storms while camping. At least six rock/mud slides on the road. I don't know who, but someone managed to clean it all up in record time. We've had a great time, even with the rain and hail. We will definitely come back.
Guide
Very small, but quiet and secluded primitive campground. Several sites appear to be overgrown or have too much debris to be usable. There are a couple sites that could fit a small trailer. All are suitable for tents or a van. The bathroom is still out of order. Mobile coverage was spotty, worked better if you went up to the nearby trailhead. The road up to the campground is in good shape, 4x4 not required. Overall traffic was very low. There was a little bit of firewood cutting nearby, with a few trucks making multiple trips. A few families were up on Sat for picnics. UTVs were minimal. There are a few dispersed options in the area.
Traveler
Yes, it can get packed but be prepared to go early enough to find a good spot. I prefer camp sites 7 through 10, even the very first site when you first come in since they are right near the river. If you really want to experience the haunt of the campground I prefer the campsites in the back 11 through 16.
I have not experienced the haunts until I camped at spot 15, this past Labor Day weekend on Friday night August 30, 2024. I went to bed and about 12 am I heard a voice say Hello to me. Then the last night my friend and I were by the fire we did not have any more neighbors as they left that Sunday, we had our trash bag hanging from my friends canopy there was no wind and that trash bag was swaying back and forth rapidly. Was definitely an experience.
The hikes are the best especially if you have time to go to the lake which you want to get an early start, just follow the trail in the back past the reservation spot to get to the trail and follow up get to the fork in the trail and hang a left to the lake. I love the camp site always clean restrooms and fun experience for the paranormal.
Guide
This is a wonderful little campground on the way to Taos Ski Valley. Sites are right on a creek & have picnic tables. From what we could tell, there are 2 different locations that we saw on the road, highway 150, one with sites 4-6 & further North where we stayed sites 1-3. We were able to find a level place to park the van & I took a dip in the creek in the morning. Refreshing! Camping is FREE at this campground for up to two weeks! There is no garbage here, so pack it in & pack it out.
Guide
Even with a couple and a new born up the hill I never heard them from our campervan! Serene surroundings and even and beautiful place to camp during a thunderstorm!
GuideAbsolutely magical! My tent got rained out but I just haven’t had the opportunity to waterproof the tent. When it’s not wet season I’m sure this would be just even more magical. The bathroom was easily accessible, fire pits are great. Picnic tables were marked up, but the sound of the River was so worth all of it.
Traveler
There are two campsites I3 and I2 that are cliffside campsites with amazing views.
It is first come first serve. I didn’t have any issues finding a spot, there was only one other campsite that was occupied when I visited.
Hiking trails down to the Rip Grande river are close by.
Traveler
I pull a small trailer and the road in was rough. I was concerned about being able to turn around. When I got to the spot where there are six or eight camping spots, finding one suitable for a trailer was difficult, but I did it. This is more suitable to car camping.
There is an open area that would be good for group camping. There are three or more RVs that appear to be permanent features. That was strange. Looked like fishing camps. I didn't want to drive the steep road down to this area.
Personally, I wish I had stopped a the forest service campsites up hill from this location, but if you are in a car and want to tent camp here, I don't see a problem,
Guide
Really like this KOA. At first thought it was out of the way but really like it. Just off I25. Nice Big Rig friendly. Some of the sites I went by thought was not level but then you look closer the pad itself was very level. Nice pool.
Guide
We enjoyed our stay. It was very clean and gorgeous Mountain Views. The showers were clean and they did have laundry facilities. We enjoyed the small play area and the stream.
RangerThis has been once of the best places we have stayed, There is no electric hook ups at the site. I can hear noise from the road but it really didn’t bother us. We did have river access at our site. Camp host was great. We stayed another night as we really enjoyed the area.
LegendPretty good location with nice views. For us we were visiting family and they were close by. Not far at all from downtown Taos. CE, the owner was probably one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She took the time at check in to give all of the information to enjoy our stay. She also, gave us local info and maps of points of interest, restaurants and activities. The grounds keeper was very friendly as well, asking us if we needed anything during our stay. The gravel sites are long and pretty wide offering some privacy. The hook ups were well placed and worked well during our stay. When in Taos, we will return here.
Traveler
We stayed at camp site #27, which was the biggest and spacesious site, 10/10 the weather was wonderful and if you camp during the week you can pick any spot you want! Caught plenty of trout and overall had a great time. Site #30 was probably the other best one as it was in the back and last camp site and right next to the water. Only downside to that one is father back to walk with camp gear.
Traveler
Easy road in from I25. Basically a big level parking lot with sites on the outer loop that easily accommodate big rigs. One side has a view of the mountains. The other side has a view of the forest and creek. No power. No water hookups but there is a central spigot that can be used to refill. No black dump anywhere in the park. Good Verizon and T-Mobile signal. Cool weather even in July. Despite the negatives I loved the area. NOTE - most park trails are closed until the end of July due to calving season.
TravelerEasy easy in and easy out. Great spot to ride motorcycles out do not select sites near toilet.
Traveler
This is your quintessential mom n pop RV stop in all the right ways. Owners are super helpful in guiding us to our site (which is necessary as there are some spots that are a tight squeeze). They have a great restaurant attached that we utilized for breakfast. They have live music on Friday and Saturday nights, and a farmers market that set up on property on Wednesday if i remember correctly. A lot of full time residents and everyone was so lovely and helpful. Eagle Nest Lake is literally across the road and a wonderful trail to walk or bike. We definitely will stay here anytime we are back in the area.
Guide
Some camp sites are very large and only for 18 and over, super nice, and next to big trails. Some camp sites are incredible tight and congested. There are lots of trails, fishing, and side-by-side action.
Dog friendly, but lots of dogs.
Staff is accommodating and you can trail walk, street walk, and free shuttle into town.
Camping near Ocate, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there's something for everyone in this scenic area.
Camping near Ocate, New Mexico, has its perks and quirks. With the right planning, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor experience!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Ocate, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Ocate, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 136 campgrounds and RV parks near Ocate, NM and 22 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Ocate, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ocate, NM is Coyote Creek State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 11 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ocate, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 free dispersed camping spots near Ocate, NM.
What parks are near Ocate, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Ocate, NM that allow camping, notably Carson National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest.
