Camping options around Playas, New Mexico exist within a high desert environment at approximately 4,500 feet elevation. This remote region experiences dramatic temperature swings between day and night, with summer highs reaching 95°F and winter nights dropping below freezing. The Playas area borders the Chiricahua Mountains, creating a unique transition zone where desert meets mountain terrain.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: Rusty's RV Ranch offers dedicated astronomy infrastructure with concrete pads built for telescope setups. "Very nice place, well maintained. Very quiet place too. Perfect for astronomer/stargazing. Concrete pad (could support 2 telescopes) are available with power outlet to run all astronomy gear. Bring some tie down, the wind could be very strong," notes Francois T.
Mountain hiking: Explore the Coronado National Forest trail system near Sycamore Campground, which offers creek-side hiking options. "The campground is situated right next to a mountain stream that is cool to explore. It's a little tough to get to but it's worth it," shares Cody B. Some trails lead to seasonal waterfalls and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Wildlife viewing: The diverse ecosystem supports numerous bird species, deer, and wild turkeys. At Sycamore Campground, one camper mentioned, "Saw many deer and turkeys in the area. Plenty of shade available; unfortunately, only stagnant pools of water in the creek this time of year."
What campers like
Quiet, remote setting: Gold Gulch Road dispersed camping offers peaceful nights under dark skies. "A place like from some safari movie, beautiful sunset, you can see a herd of cows. Plenty of room for everyone and an easy route," reports Dawid M. Many campers mention the lack of noise and light pollution as key benefits.
Spacious campsites: Lordsburg KOA provides larger-than-average sites for RVs. "We travel with our fifth wheel and a utility trailer aka triple tow. It's hard to find RV parks that can accommodate 60 plus feet rigs. The staff is very friendly and there's plenty of space to navigate to the site with more than enough space in between the rigs," writes Bill L.
Pet-friendly policies: Most campgrounds in the area welcome pets. SMCadventures4u notes at Rusty's RV Ranch: "Nice sites that are well spaced. All roads and sites are dirt, so it can get a bit dusty, especially when the wind blows."
What you should know
Limited services and supplies: The Playas area is extremely remote with few services. "Bring supplies because the closest place for decent shopping is Douglas, AZ about 55 miles south," advises one camper at Rusty's RV Ranch. Plan ahead with all necessary provisions.
Variable road conditions: Access to some camping areas requires travel on unpaved roads. A reviewer at Glamping @ Solar City rated their stay highly but didn't comment on the road conditions. Other campers note that high-clearance vehicles may be needed for certain campgrounds after rain.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity is spotty throughout the region. "AT&T was about four bars of 4g and Verizon is one bar of 4g, not very good," reports a camper at Rusty's RV Ranch. Prepare for limited or no phone service, especially in more remote camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education opportunities: Schedule morning or evening wildlife viewing sessions when animals are most active. Cole M. mentions, "Nice, small campground with pit toilets, fire rings and bear boxes. Saw many deer and turkeys in the area."
Temperature preparation: Due to significant temperature fluctuations, pack clothing layers for all weather conditions, even in summer. Nights can drop 30-40 degrees from daytime highs, requiring warm sleeping bags year-round.
Water requirements: Most dispersed camping areas and some established campgrounds lack water sources. "Mid week in September and we were the only people at the campgrounds. Nice clean bathrooms, picnic tables, fire pit, and bear box. Campgrounds are next to a creek with a trailhead leading to a waterfall," shares Monique R. about Sycamore Campground.
Tips from RVers
Level sites: RVers appreciate the well-maintained sites at several campgrounds. James P. notes about Lordsburg KOA: "Level gravel sites. FHU worked fine; appears to be maintained. Nice staff, well stocked store. Would stay here again."
Easy access from highways: For those traveling through the area, some campgrounds offer convenient overnight stops. "We stayed the night. Arrived around 11:00. The office is split hours with morning and afternoon. We arrived during the break. Check in was like after hours. Our site was listed and a map was provided," writes Michael C.
RV size considerations: The remote location means planning ahead for big rigs. Ray & Terri F. share about their experience: "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 28 for 5 nights in early/mid September. The CG is clean, well maintained. The CG roads are gravel, as are the sites. The sites themselves are all level."
For those seeking yurt camping near Playas, New Mexico, options are limited but available. While traditional yurt camping in Playas, New Mexico isn't widespread, Lordsburg KOA offers yurt accommodations within driving distance of Playas. These structures provide a comfortable alternative between tent camping and cabin lodging.
