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melissa D.
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GuideOjo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Camping spots are close and tight. But nice to be on the grounds of Ojo Caliente Resort
Tent Camping near Ojo Caliente, NM
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Tent campers exploring the area near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico will find several primitive camping options with varying levels of amenities and accessibility, from basic tent campsites with picnic tables and toilets to free dispersed sites with more solitude. Taos Junction Campground offers tent sites with picnic tables and toilets, while those seeking more solitude can find dispersed camping along Forest Service Road 578 or at the Dispersed Camping Near Taos location, both offering free tent camping with fewer amenities but more privacy.
Most tent sites in this region lack developed facilities, with many campgrounds providing only basic amenities like fire rings and vault toilets. Higher-elevation camping areas may require high-clearance vehicles to access, particularly after rain or snow. A visitor commented, "The road is a bit rough, but easy access and close enough to the lake that I drove over to kayak after setting up camp." Many dispersed sites have unofficial fire rings but no potable water, requiring campers to pack in all necessary supplies. Sites typically operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with 14-day stay limits common throughout the national forest lands.
Walk-in tent sites provide additional seclusion for backcountry campers willing to carry their gear short distances from parking areas. Several campgrounds feature creek-side tent pads that offer natural white noise and cooler temperatures, particularly welcome during summer months. A camper noted, "If you have an RV, Hyde Park State Park is where you want to be. If you're tent camping, Big Tesuque is AMAZING! It's small, but absolutely beautiful." Many tent-specific areas feature superior tree coverage for hammock camping and shade protection during mid-day heat. Nighttime temperatures drop significantly even in summer months, particularly at higher elevations where backcountry tent camping areas are often situated, requiring appropriate cold-weather gear regardless of season.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Ojo Caliente (44)
1. Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
"There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango."
"I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285."
2. Dispersed Camping Near Taos
"This is primitive, so bring all your amenities."
"Make sure you go all the way to the coordinates as there are a ton of great spots off to the left of the road, plenty of room to spread out and some solidly flat spots."
3. Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping
"Right off the road, literally. it hidden behind some trees so the barrier between the site and road makes for a little privacy. Great spot for a day or two right next to a creek so you fall asleep to"
"First coms first served with mostly tenting spaces."
4. Canjilon Creek Campground
"This park is very primitive. It has no running water, toilets, or amenities. What it has a lot of, is charm. Hardly met anyone while there. It has three lakes filled with trout."
5. Cuchilla Campground
"Sites are right on a creek & have picnic tables."
"Picnic tables were marked up, but the sound of the River was so worth all of it."
6. Trampas Trailhead Campground
"The Trampas Trailhead campground gets 4 stars not because it's a great campground (it's good, don't get me wrong) but because it provides great access to an amazing trail."
"Wonderful trails and mountain views, I have been there 2 times in the last 10 years..."
7. Star Dance
8. La Junta - Wild Rivers Rec Area
"Each campsite had a concrete pad and awning."
"The sites are fairly primitive but the location is one of the greatest around. It’s a decent drive up here from Taos but you won’t be disappointed once you get here."
9. Cebolla Mesa
"There was not a lot spots here, but these spots are tucked right beside a big gorge with a trail down to the river. The trail leads down to the Rio Grande and is challenging. Peaceful and good views."
"Beware drive in can be muddy if raining 4wd recommended and AWD is fine too. Front or Rwd is doable but at your own risk. Bathroom Firepit Table There are only 4 available spots."
10. Big Tesuque Campground
"Nice babbling brook alongside campsites, fun for kids to play in (COLD, but shallow), and makes for great white noise.
- Convenient to Santa Fe (20-25 min from downtown)
- drive up the mountain 4"
"If you're tent camping, Big Tesuque is AMAZING!! It's small, but absolutely beautiful. Each site has a picknick table and a tent pad. There are basic toilets. No showers, no sinks."
Drive Time
- 53 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 1 hr 42 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 2 hrs 56 min from Farmington, NM
- 3 hrs 19 min from Pueblo, CO
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Ojo Caliente, NM
33 Photos of 44 Ojo Caliente Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
fs road 438
Cebolla Mesa
Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping
Capulin Campground
Cuchilla Campground
Aspen Basin Campground
Goat Hill CampgroundA
Big Tesuque Campground
Enchanted Circle Campground E<< - #1 Campground in NM
Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed
Cow Creek Dispersed Camping AreaR
Tent Camping Reviews near Ojo Caliente, NM
960 Reviews of 44 Ojo Caliente Campgrounds
Dave B.GuideEagle Nest Lake State Park Campground
Nice
Great views of lake and surrounding mountains. Washrooms are very clean with great showers
Ward M.GuideSanta Fe Skies RV Park
Expensive.. nice facility… I stayed 2 nights.. needed to use the laundry.. wash machines are super tiny and $3.25 a pop… I used 3 and 1 didn’t dispense enough water. Then another $3.25 for the dryer… at least it was big. People are friendly.
- Mike M.
TravelerOjo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Awesome campground at one of the nicest hot springs you’ll ever visit. Great farm to table restaurant and wine bar. New Mexico at its best.
- JJohn L.Guide
Questa Lodge & RV Resort
Good spot for campingn
Limited review due to rains. Nice area for quiet camping or for access to wilderness areas, hiking. Taos and Red River are 1/2 hour away for touristy stuff. During heavy rains river did not leave its banks. Sites are tight, best ones are by the river. Nice walking path by river but noticed many dog walkers not picking up after their dogs. Clean bathroom and laundry facilities. Some septic drains too high to drain properly, should be fixed. Had to move in order to dump tanks.
- RRoy R.Guide
Free Dispersed Camping
Free Dispersed Camping
This easy to miss spot is a free camping area near the ranger station. The road to get to the sites is probably only a couple hundred meters from the ranger station so slow down if you are going West on 64 and turn around if you reach the station going East on 64.
The actual camping spots are towards the very end of the road where they form a sort of triangle. There are three picnic tables with what look like fire rings. But there is a lot of open space around those three tables if they happen to be taken by any chance. I did notice that most boondockers would just park their vehicles on the side of the road along the way. So basically the entire area seems to be available for boondocking. There are no trash cans, water, more vault toilets. It's packed everything out. There are a couple of vault toilets at the ranger station and you can actually walk from the campsite area because there are trails that lead to the ranger station.
Very pretty area. Very quiet. Few vehicles on the nearby road.
Ben F.TravelerBig Arsenic Springs Campground
Amazing views, no water
All the campgrounds in the wild rivers area are very well maintained, the sites have sturdy pavilions, picnic tables and grills. Sites are nicely spaced and some have amazing canyon views. Vault-style toilets that are kept clean and stocked. Bring your own water, their "well is broken" as of Oct. 2026, so if you run out you're looking at a 20 mile drive round trip to buy a couple gallons at the local grocery store.
- NNathaniel S.Traveler
Ghost Ranch
Beautiful area; challenging camping
The campground is situated in a beautiful setting and area right at Ghost Ranch. Campground has sites that are gravel and not very level, as others have noted, making it a bit of a challenge (site 16 in particular). Also note that some electric hookups are 20A only, not 30A. Full hookups at front of campground; tent only at rear. Showers were great and heated; laundry and bathrooms clean. Host and staff friendly. Lots of great hiking trails within walking distance of the campground. 2 small museums worth visiting. We paid $50 for electric hookup. Meal plan is now $50.
Jeff V.GuideBlack Canyon Campground
Good but not as good as free camping just a few miles further
Hyde Memorial State Park, like many NM state parks, is more campground than park. There are additional campsites, some with 3 walled shelters at the park, so you're not limited to this particular campground, whose only real advantage is an illegal trailhead to the city reservoir, left by firefighters a couple of decades ago (look for a trail near the top off the campground loop hike).
It's illegal to go to the reservoir, but enough folks do it to keep the use trail well trodden. It's doubtful you'd be cited, but possible.
Personally I'm allergic to paying for camping if I can and still sore about paying $70 a night in Big Sur a decade ago when everything but a private campground was fully booked. So here's my cheap advice:
Drive another 6 miles to Big Tesuque, a free Forest Service campground with picnic tables, vault toilets, fire rings and a stream for water and enjoy the freedom from fees. If Big Tesuque is packed, drive up to the Ski Basin at the top and camp there, it never fills up for some reason, and also has picnic tables, vault toilets and fire rings.
There's also a dirt USFS road off the north side of Artist Road just above Hyde Park and a trailhead at the eastern edge of the stat epark that leads to the stream: this means shelpping your stuff a couple of miles though, downhill on the way in.
Point is, you can pay for camping here, but you need not if your prefer holding onto your cash, by driving just a few miles further.
Guide to Ojo Caliente
Carson National Forest near Ojo Caliente, New Mexico offers primitive camping at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 9,000 feet, with temperature fluctuations of 30-40 degrees between day and night common even in summer months. The area's mixed conifer and juniper landscapes provide natural windbreaks for tent campers, though seasonal restrictions affect accessibility, particularly during monsoon season from July through September when afternoon thunderstorms are frequent.
What to do
Fishing access: Taos Junction Campground serves as a convenient base for anglers targeting the Rio Grande. "We had a great time camping here. Very cheap only $6 to camp all ages all year. They have nice grills at the tent sites along with tables. With lots to do including fish and hiking trails," notes Jennifer H.
River activities: Tent camping in this area provides access to the Rio Grande for water recreation. "I come to Taos once a year. The best part about camping here is you can kayak down the river. We always rent from a local rafting business. The tour guides have never failed to impress," writes Christy L. about Taos Junction Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Camp at higher elevations for opportunities to spot local fauna. "Breathtaking views, big horn sheep elk," reports a visitor at Taos Junction Campground. At Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578, a camper noted, "I saw two elk across a swath of sage."
What campers like
Natural sound barriers: Creekside tent camping provides natural white noise to mask other campers. At Cuchilla Campground, "While next to the Highway, the highway sounds are mostly drowned out due to the beautiful sounds of the river flowing," explains Michael N.
Hot springs proximity: Some dispersed sites offer quick access to natural hot springs. "It's only a mile walk to the hot springs down below where the bridge is. You can go fishing over there as well as rock climbing," writes Toni K. about Dispersed Camping Near Taos.
Camping beach access: A few tent sites feature sandy beach areas along waterways. "We pulled our 19' RV with solar right up to the river and our dog was in and out of the river all day," says Jason A. about Cuchilla Campground, adding that there are "about 15 dispersed spots along HWY 150, on the river, in the trees, with one really nice beach spot."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many tent camping areas require careful vehicle planning. "My Tacoma had no problem on the dirt road, which has ruts and might be tough for an RV," warns Jacob W. about Forest Service Road 578. Another camper adds, "AWD/4WD needed on the rutted rocky road."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely by location. At Forest Service Road 578, "Cell service drops completely pretty soon after leaving the highway. I sporadically received some messages at my camp site but not reliably," reports Kala J.
Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans frequently affect camping plans. At Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping, one camper mentioned, "Fire pits but they were off limits due to fire season." Always check current restrictions before planning to use fire rings.
Tips for camping with families
Creek exploration opportunities: Shallow water features provide natural play areas for children. At Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping, "There are so many campsites to choose from, all along the Hondo Rio. The dogs love the river and to run through it," notes Melissa J.
Sheltered sites: Look for camping areas with natural protection from elements. "The shelter provides nice shade," mentions Cheryl M. about Taos Junction Campground, an important consideration for family camping in the summer heat.
Bathroom access: For families, campgrounds with toilet facilities reduce logistical challenges. At Big Tesuque Campground, "Each site has a picknick table and a tent pad. There are basic toilets," though the reviewer notes there are "No showers, no sinks."
Tips from RVers
Length constraints: The primitive nature of roads near Ojo Caliente limits RV options. "RVs will not make it, so it's nice and quiet," notes Kala J. about Forest Service Road 578, making this more suitable for tent camping only.
Level parking challenges: Finding flat areas for larger vehicles requires planning. At Cuchilla Campground, "We were able to find a level place to park the van," reports Tara S., adding that "Camping is FREE at this campground for up to two weeks!"
Power management: No electrical hookups exist at dispersed sites, requiring alternative solutions. Jason A. mentions bringing a solar setup to Cuchilla Campground with their 19' RV, demonstrating how self-contained power systems are essential for RV camping in these remote locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent
campsite near Ojo Caliente, NM?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ojo Caliente, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ojo Caliente, NM is Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find
tent camping near
Ojo Caliente, NM?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ojo Caliente, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 44 tent camping locations near Ojo Caliente, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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