Best Campgrounds near Playas, NM
The region around Playas, New Mexico supports a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites across desert and mountain terrain. Granite Gap offers free dispersed camping with tent and RV access approximately 30 miles northeast of Playas, while Rusty's RV Ranch in nearby Rodeo provides developed sites with full hookups for RVs and cabin accommodations. Lordsburg KOA, located about 40 miles north, offers additional amenities including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options. The area's campgrounds range from basic dispersed sites to full-service facilities with varying levels of amenities.
Road conditions and accessibility vary considerably throughout the region, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate sandy or rocky terrain. As one camper noted about Granite Gap, "A bit sandy of a drive. You have to open and close a gate but it is not locked. Some camp sites at the bottom. But if you go up to the dead end keep to the left." Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F in lower elevations, making spring and fall the preferred camping seasons. Winter brings cooler temperatures, especially at higher elevations in the nearby Chiricahua Mountains. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at many sites, with visitors to Rusty's RV Ranch reporting, "We have t-mobile and I will tell you we had no service here. We hooked up to their park wi-fi but could barely check our email."
Several campgrounds in the Chiricahua Mountains, including Sunny Flat Campground, receive consistently high ratings for their natural beauty and wildlife viewing opportunities. According to a visitor, "Each site has the standard picnic table, bear locker, fire ring and lots of shade. The bathroom is a vault toilet, kept clean by the volunteer camp host." The area attracts birders, hikers, and those seeking dark skies for stargazing. Most established campgrounds provide basic amenities such as vault toilets and picnic tables, while dispersed sites typically offer no facilities. Visitors commonly mention the region's remote character, with limited services and supplies available. Campers should arrive prepared with adequate food, water, and fuel, as grocery stores and gas stations are sparse throughout the area.
