Best Glamping near Ponderosa, NM

Turquoise Trail Campground in Cedar Crest houses premium glamping accommodations at 6,940 feet elevation along the base of the Sandia Mountains. The site includes several glamping options featuring comfortable beds, electricity, and private outdoor areas where guests can enjoy mountain views. Little Dancing Horse Ranch also offers upscale canvas accommodations with picnic tables and toilet facilities in a serene setting. Both locations provide convenient access to Albuquerque while maintaining a secluded wilderness feel. Many sites include climate control systems essential for comfort during New Mexico's temperature variations. "Great place to stay. Convenient drive to Albuquerque," noted one guest about the Turquoise Trail experience.

Outdoor adventures surround these glamping destinations with hiking and mountain biking trails accessible directly from the properties. The Turquoise Trail Scenic Byway connects these accommodations to Santa Fe, allowing guests to explore artisan communities and historic mining towns. Several glamping sites coordinate with local businesses to offer guided experiences and stargazing opportunities, taking advantage of New Mexico's renowned dark skies. A brewery and pizza place adjacent to Turquoise Trail Campground provides convenient dining options after a day of exploration. According to a camper, "The site is clean, well-maintained, and managed. The staff is very friendly and helpful! A grocery/general store is nearby for anything you may have forgotten."

Best Glamping Sites Near Ponderosa, New Mexico (10)

    1. Albuquerque KOA Journey

    47 Reviews
    Monticello, NM
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 296-2729

    "Staff was friendly. Past reviews mentioned that this KOA was in a terrible neighborhood, but it didn’t seem so bad to us and we had no incidents. CG is gated and staffed 24/7."

    "Very tidy, no trash. Nice pull through sites with rock "yards". Bathrooms were clean, staff was friendly. Thr highway noise didn't even bother us. Thanks Albuquerque KOA!"

    2. Turquoise Trail Campground

    33 Reviews
    Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 281-2005

    "they have a dishwashing stations and two bathhouses. The lady at the front desk was helpful and extremely nice. There is a store really close by also!"

    "CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Turquoise Trail Campground, Cedar Crest, NM Turquoise Trail Campground is a small privately owned campground located five miles north of I-40 off Route 14 (exit 175) just outside"

    3. Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA

    14 Reviews
    Bernalillo, NM
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-3616

    "This is a civilized campground located just a few minutes north of Albuquerque. Amenities include a camp store and laundry room."

    "Staff are friendly, there is laundry and Wi-Fi on site, and the campground connects to a brewery a short walk away!"

    4. Red Canyon Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 847-2990

    "The site itself is in a really nice area with lots of pine trees and direct trail access."

    "There are nice fire pits and picnic spots. However, though there are bathrooms at the location, they are really smelly and flies surround them."

    5. Santa Fe KOA

    29 Reviews
    Glorieta, NM
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 466-1419

    "We did not get a tent spot but opted for a small trailer site with electric and water. Our spot was near the bathhouse but not too close."

    "Super clean Polite staff Firewood available Brand new playground 20 min from Santa Fe Showers / bathrooms 30/50 amp Fenced dog parks/fire pit areas fenced for pets Lots of space between units"

    6. Rancheros de Santa Fe

    26 Reviews
    Eldorado at Santa Fe, NM
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 466-3482

    "Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe."

    "This is a pretty sprawling campground, with all kinds of sites(tent only, large sites with only 30 amp service, some sites with full hook up, others with just water& electric and a few water only."

    7. Little Dancing Horse Ranch

    1 Review
    Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM
    29 miles
    Website

    $45 - $68 / night

    "We ended up staying during a rainy weekend, and my tiny Prius C made it up and down the trail twice, albeit very slowly."

    8. Turner Inn & RV Park

    1 Review
    Mountainair, NM
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 847-0248

    "Nice people they have Wi-Fi nice bathrooms there’s a really great grocery store downtown called the B St., Café. It was $36 if I paid cash and that was with a 10% discount"

    9. Trailer Ranch RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 471-9970

    "Restaurants are near-by and be sure to try Tortilla Flats. Showers and toilets are a close walk away and are kept clean by friendly staff. There is a laundry and lines to hang up your clothes."

    "Laundry room and machines are excellent and CLEAN. Bathrooms too :) Bathrooms are really the most important. You absolutely must be here by 5pm as they close at 5:30pm. No kids."

    10. Scaramanga Ranch

    Be the first to review!
    Santo Domingo Pueblo, NM
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (424) 279-4370

    $45 - $65 / night

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Glamping Reviews near Ponderosa, NM

166 Reviews of 10 Ponderosa Campgrounds


  • T
    Jan. 23, 2018

    Santa Fe KOA

    Romantic Tent for Two Please

    My husband had the great idea of tent camping just the two of us. Up to this point our tent camping adventures were reserved for grandbaby time. But I said What the hey! Let's do it. I wanted somewhere cooler than home. The Santa Fe area had plenty to keep us busy for the week.

    We did not get a tent spot but opted for a small trailer site with electric and water. Our spot was near the bathhouse but not too close. Each site has native trees and plants, so everyone has privacy. The site had a nice flat spot for the tent, picnic table, fire pit and grill. We had more than enough room to set up our awning for a dining area. We loved our little spot for the week.

    The bathhouse was clean and very nice. New tile and fixtures. It was a little small for the size of the campground.

    They have plenty of activities there for everyone and in the evening it is very quiet.

  • sThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 17, 2023

    Santa Fe KOA

    Fun KOA - clean & good for kids

    Super clean Polite staff Firewood available Brand new playground 20 min from Santa Fe Showers / bathrooms 30/50 amp Fenced dog parks/fire pit areas fenced for pets Lots of space between units

  • Kayla M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2019

    Turquoise Trail Campground

    Loved it!

    Enjoyed the site! They had RV, cabins and tent camp sites. My friend and I are tent campers and there was more than enough space for the vehicle and both our tents. They have showers (limited to 5 mins but better than nothing!), they have a dishwashing stations and two bathhouses. The lady at the front desk was helpful and extremely nice. There is a store really close by also! They have charcoal grills at the tent sites and one communal fire pit. We paid about $20. Would absolutely go back again! The sad part is the museum is closed due to lack of funding 😭

  • Alex M.
    Jun. 16, 2022

    Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA

    Excellent urban camping

    This is a civilized campground located just a few minutes north of Albuquerque. Amenities include a camp store and laundry room. I arrived without a reservation and was able to find a nice tent site with plenty of shade and wooden fences on three sides for privacy. Water and electricity were also available at my site.

    This being an urban campground, there was some traffic noise from nearby roads and freeways. However, the campground quieted down at night and I slept well. The bathrooms were very well appointed, and required a code to enter.

  • Dave V.
    Sep. 4, 2018

    Turquoise Trail Campground

    Clean and close to the mountains and Albuquerque

    CAMPGROUND REVIEW: Turquoise Trail Campground, Cedar Crest, NM

    Turquoise Trail Campground is a small privately owned campground located five miles north of I-40 off Route 14 (exit 175) just outside the east side of Albuquerque. Tucked along the base of the Sandia mountains, at 6940’ elevation. http://www.turquoisetrailcampground.com/

    There is plenty of visible signage to guide you down Snowline Dr into the campground.

    As you approach the office/museum on the right, the RV/Camper loop is visible on the left (which appeared full). Behind the office building are two tent loops (upper and lower). There are two very clean bathroom/showerhouses located between the office and tent loops. A laundry room and dishwashing sink is located at the back of the office building. *This is also the only water access for the tent loops.

    RV sites have full hookups. Tent sites have only a leveled, gravel tent pad, picnic table and standing grill. Only stove fires were permitted at our visit due to open fire restrictions.

    Tent sites are separated by scrub brush, which offered partial privacy between most sites, but you will hear your neighbors. The outer tent sites back up to a residential area, with a fence separating. Bring earplugs for undisturbed sleeping, as road noise from Route 14 can be heard, along with local dogs randomly in the distance.

    At $20 a night, the campground is convenient and sufficiently met our needs as we traveled west on a tight itinerary.

    Shower tokens are provided with your nightly fee. Each token gives you 7 minutes of shower time.

    There is plenty to do nearby, with bike trails and hiking trails…though nothing of particular interest in the campground itself.

    The bustling city of Albuquerque is the next exit west, so you are still very close to shopping, eateries, and nightlife.

  • Rebecca H.
    May. 2, 2021

    Albuquerque KOA Journey

    Serviceable RV Park with clean bathrooms

    The campground was pretty much a large parking lot, with rows of RVs. Our reservation said we would have a fire ring or grill but were told the one nearby was just for tent campers. There was a communal propane grill, and propane available for purchase, but the store was already closed when we realized the situation. A fire ban prevented us from using our own charcoal grill. On the plus side, my kids enjoyed a game of mini golf, the bathrooms were clean and staff friendly.

  • GThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 10, 2023

    Trailer Ranch RV Resort

    Super clean in town adults only rv park

    Convenient bus service into a busy downtown Santa Fe was helpful as parking can be a problem. Restaurants are near-by and be sure to try Tortilla Flats. Showers and toilets are a close walk away and are kept clean by friendly staff. There is a laundry and lines to hang up your clothes. Traffic noise is the payment for being in-town Santa Fe.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Rancheros de Santa Fe

    Short drive to quaint campground from Santa Fe

    We were very excited on our first night to settle into our campsite after a long day of adventuring. Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe.

    Upon entry the staff was very friendly and welcoming and we felt like this would be a great place to call home away from home.

    The campsites were laid out well with room between campers and because it was the end of a weekend, they were not entirely at capacity which made for a pleasant sense of space in the great outdoors.

    Our campsite was positioned in the "high road" tent site area which is a primitive campsite without additional amenities. Each campsite has a fire ring and also a picnic table for campers to utilize and a pad site for tents slightly raises from ground level.

    It made for a beautiful night sleep under the chilly New Mexico skies.

    By morning we ventured up to the public showers and restrooms which were clean and had amazon water pressure and hot water to set the morning in motion perfectly.

    The facility also offers a pool and theater room during summer months so while we didn't get to take advantage we were excited to know upon return we would have these features available.

    🐰🐰🐰🐰⚪️

    Overall we give this campground a 4 of 5 Bunniea! The only things we noticed which kept it from a 5 were the lack of wifi reach in the back sections of the campground, wouldn't have been a big deal but cell service in the off grid location was also patchy so the wifi would have been handy. And the pad site was not designed for a tent quite our size. Our tent is a 12x8 and had a little side hang on on the 12 foot end.

  • A
    Dec. 28, 2021

    Turquoise Trail Campground

    Great spot

    Great spot to car camp for the night. I definitely appreciated the HOT , running water and nicely kept bathroom.


Guide to Ponderosa

The high desert terrain surrounding Ponderosa, New Mexico offers glamping experiences at elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,000 feet above sea level. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly between day and night, with summer highs reaching the 90s and evening temperatures dropping by 30+ degrees. Canvas accommodations and climate-controlled options provide shelter from the region's intense sun and occasional afternoon thunderstorms.

What to do

Explore mountain biking trails: Red Canyon Campground provides direct access to forest roads that link multiple canyons. "This is the NFS campground in beautiful setting. No reservation required. Right next to trailheads. Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons," notes one visitor to Red Canyon Campground.

Visit local breweries: Several campgrounds are located near craft breweries where you can unwind after a day of exploring. "It's located next to a little brewery and pizza place. The pizza and beer were both really good I would check that place out while you stay. Ale Republic it's called," shares a camper from Turquoise Trail Campground.

Stargaze after dark: The mountains around Ponderosa offer exceptional night sky viewing opportunities away from city lights. "There were a ton of stars at night which was great," reports a visitor who appreciated the dark skies at Turquoise Trail Campground, where the 7,100-foot elevation provides clear viewing conditions.

What campers like

Easy access to Santa Fe: Several glamping options in Ponderosa serve as convenient bases for visiting nearby cultural sites. "This park had more airstreams than I have ever seen in one park. It was fun to be a part of the airstream community! The park is clean and our site was very level with convenient and very clean hook-ups," shares a visitor to Trailer Ranch RV Resort, which offers transportation options into downtown Santa Fe.

Pet-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds welcome four-legged companions with dedicated facilities. "The staff here are awesome, very friendly & always available to help with anything you need. Easy pull through spots. The playground has the best swing set and is all sand, very fun for kids of all ages," notes a visitor to Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA.

Hiking trails on property: Several glamping sites feature walking paths without needing to drive elsewhere. "We loved the little hiking trail!" writes a camper about Rancheros de Santa Fe, where a short trail winds through the back of the property, allowing guests to stretch their legs without leaving the campground.

What you should know

Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds near main roads experience traffic sounds. "Every review will tell you about the noise from highway, and it is no joke!! We were so tired we did not care. But it is BAD! If you are looking for peace and quiet - THIS IS NOT THE PLACE!" warns a visitor to Albuquerque KOA Journey.

Seasonal operation: Check opening dates before planning a winter trip. "We decided to rent a van and take a 10 day trip and just kept hitting dead ends but that makes half the adventure doesn't it?? A cold front came thru and we wanted a campsite last minute with electric to run our space heater in the van, but this location was closed even though it came up on the list available," explains a traveler who attempted to visit Santa Fe KOA.

Water conservation: Some campgrounds have limited water access or restrictions. "This is the NFS campground in beautiful setting. No reservation required. Right next to trailheads. Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons. Toilets but no water so come prepared," notes a camper at Red Canyon Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Consider cabin options: For families needing more shelter, cabins provide comfortable alternatives. "My children and I stayed 2 nights in a camping cabin at the Bernalillo KOA in May, 2017. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout our booking process, even when we needed to make changes. The cabin was clean and neat, the KOA showerhouse was as well. They had a nice pool with plenty of shade and an outdoor movie in the evenings which my kids enjoyed."

Look for playgrounds and activities: Some sites offer dedicated children's facilities. "They have a playground hot tub and a bounce pad for the kids. It was safe and quiet we will definitely stay again," shares a visitor about Albuquerque Central KOA.

Pack for temperature changes: Prepare for significant temperature fluctuations. "There is a little road noise from Route 14 that can be heard, along with local dogs randomly in the distance," notes a camper at Turquoise Trail, suggesting families bring earplugs for undisturbed sleeping, especially important for light sleepers and children.

Tips from RVers

Level sites matter: Many glamping locations in the Ponderosa region have gravel pads requiring some adjustment. "The site had full hookups and a picnic table but was not level. Was not a bad experience, but with other campgrounds in the area, I would not camp here again," reports an RVer about their experience at Turquoise Trail Campground.

Check dump station placement: Some hookup configurations may require adjustments. "On our full hook up site the dump sight was in a bad place. We would of had to un hook from our truck to fully hook up. We only stayed one night and didn't use any of the facilities," warns an RVer about their experience at Albuquerque Central KOA.

Consider site location within campgrounds: Position impacts comfort and convenience. "Stayed twice - once with full h/u, once with W/E. The FHU was a far better location with concrete pad, much less highway noise, and much better bathrooms. Sites are decent distance apart, not on top of each other but can certainly see each other. Sites are all nice and flat."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Ponderosa, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Ponderosa, NM is Albuquerque KOA Journey with a 4-star rating from 47 reviews.

What is the best site to find glamping camping near Ponderosa, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 glamping camping locations near Ponderosa, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.