Best Cabin Camping near Ocate, NM

We stayed at this site on the way back to Texas from our Colorado trip this summer. This is a great National Forest Campground south of Taos in the Carson Forest. The campground is just off the highway and situated in a beautiful mountain pine forest and next to a great trout stream. You have great shade during the hotter summer months. It’s far enough away from the highway that you don’t hear the traffic. It has a huge meadow and group camp site which look fantastic. The individual sites have some privacy between the sites and come equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. We made a reservation but the camp had a number of open sites in the peak summer season. The highlight here is the proximity of great hiking to nearby lakes and fishing in the trout stream. They had great facilities including clean pit toilets and some historic log cabins. They have a camp host and the sites accommodate tents and smaller vans and campers. I would give this another visit on our next trip to NM.

This is the best rv park in Red River. The river runs right through the park. There is a trout pond, playground, pavilion with live music on most Fridays during the summer and they also have condos and cabins. The staff is so helpful and friendly. If you want to get out of the heat of the summer this is the place to be. Red River is 8,750’ above sea level in the mountains. Daytime temp is in the 70°s and nights are in the 50°s all summer long.

Beautiful well maintained campgrounds. On the Red River. Easy in and easy out. Probably one of the best in New Mexico.

I had been boondocking up in the mountains in the rain all week and needed FHU to recharge.

Can't remember the price I paid, but it was very reasonable.  Minutes from state park, lake access, and Eagle Nest.  Close to Angel Fire as well.

Owner was super nice and invited me to come to the clubhouse for some chili - which was excellent!

Views were shockingly good.  Because of the weather I felt like I was in the Scottish highlands or something, not New Mexico lol.

Could use this as a stopover or a legit home base to explore surrounding areas.

Great spot for group camping of 20-40 campers. Nice shaded/wooded area for primitive tent camping with plenty of space to spread out. Gorgeous open meadow at base of camp area perfect for group games, sports. 1930s cabin with tables for meals and cooking under shelter. Campfire ring and outdoor table. Vault toilet. Beautiful views of Sangre de Cristos and Carson National Forest. Trail to Indian Lake is an easy hike of 2.5 Miles each way and perfect for families or hikers with the need for low-impact trails. There is an awesome swimming hole just a few miles west on Hwy 518 past Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort—worth the short drive!

Only a few cons—water onsite is listed as potable but smells and tastes so strongly of sulphur that it cannot be tolerated for drinking or cooking. Make sure to haul in water. Also tent camping area in woods is not level so there will be some incline. Important for those with circulatory issues.

Tent camped at this location in the middle of September (a week before closing). Very beautiful place to watch the leaves change, trailheads close by and picnic tables at each site. The site didn’t have an actual tent pad but we easily found a spot to pitch a tent. Will definitely be back!

Overall the campsite was great. I think we saw the host but maybe not, however, everything was still very well maintained. At night, when everyone is settling, with a clear sky, you get an amazing view of the stars. The only downside is that you can kind of hear the road traffic in the morning. Not too bad but it’s noticeable. I’ll be coming back for sure though.

We enjoyed our weekend. The creek is very close and accessible, which is probably the highlight. There are plenty of hammock and shade trees. Sipapu resort is very close, so I was able to take my kid for a break from camping to get some “real food” ;) at the cafe. The pit toilets were really clean. My kid mentioned that specifically.

The negatives: Our site was really close to another site, which was not awesome. I prefer campgrounds where the sites are a bit farther apart. The road was not well maintained, but it wasn’t really a problem.

ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS :) beautiful scenery and very clean! i liked the set up of the camp ground, very spacious but still felt like a nice community. 10/10 must see.

There is a trail head with 2 trails, one atv accessible and one hiking/horse that goes up to Indian Lake. Beautiful views and about 1200' elevation change.

Potable water available at camp host's location. It has sulfer but the smell cleared after half a day sitting in the sun. We brought our own to drink though.

Some campsites were more separated and others were close together if you were with a group. River runs along the camp for fishing, and they were catching fish.

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!

Good price for the experience. 25$ for a tent and 2 people. 5$ charge for each additional person.

The view is superb. Camping sites are a little close but not a problem. My only complaint is the bathroom. Disgusting Lol. But absolutely a must stop place to camp.

Very large rv park with full hookups, showers, laundry, and community building. Was not busy when we were here, so we did not have anyone next to us, but the sites are very close to each other. The lake and boat launch are just down the road. Set off the main highway enough that you don't hear alot of traffic noise. Staff were very nice and accommodating. Wonderful views of the mountains.

Nice rv park..not a lot of space between spots but you have lots to do beside sit at rv..owners are awesome and always helping rvers..

Very clean and well kept campground!

This is a frequent repeated visit for us. It’s quiet, beautiful, and welcoming. Wonderful pull through sites with plenty of space!

The campground is rustic but not trashy.  Very well kept and maintained.  Up in the mountains, cool and picturesque.  Very much worth the cost.  It is a passport America and they do offer military discounts.  There is a food truck just off the property that serves the best Philly cheesesteak sandwich ever!  There is also a coffee bar. The bathrooms are the best we have ever seen and the water pressure allows you to take a very nice shower.  Will definitely go back

Very nice campground that was almost full during the pandemic. Beautiful pines, lots of amenities,clean and quiet. We hiked to the abandoned turquoise mine and took in the views from atop the hill. And we got the Passport America discount!

We have been coming here for 20+ years. Love roadrunner,so relaxing and fun,the river is beautiful and sounds amazing.