Best Tent Camping near Ponderosa, NM

Recent Tent Reviews near Ponderosa, New Mexico

448 Reviews of 13 Ponderosa Campgrounds

• 

  Kayla M.

  Traveler

  

  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 😭

• 

  Carly R.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 1, 2020

  Turquoise Trail Campground

  Convenient clean campground

  Clean facility overall. Tent sites have their own loop with trees separating. Each spot has a gravel tent pad, picnic table and grill. Cost was $20 and included a shower token (5 min).

  There were quite a few RVs and tent camping was about 50% full. Great spot while we were passing through.

• 

  Platinum P.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 9, 2022

  Santa Fe Treehouse Camp

  Secluded with fantastic views!

   andTreehouse camp is located on a mesa which offers 180 degree views.  You feel secluded, yet only 30 minutes to Santa Fe and all it has to offer.  There are a variety of camping scenarios from tent camp sites to rustic cabins in trees.  Imagine having showers, toilets, electricity, full outdoor kitchen, and water at your disposable.  Owners are extremely knowledgeable about outdoor everything, and natural healing concepts.  We went in an RV

• 

  Roxy V.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 6, 2020

  Albuquerque KOA Journey

  Nice Campground

  We stayed here only overnight as part of our cross-country trip. Overall, nice for a quick stay but would not for an extended visit.

  Pros: Everyone there was friendly and accomodating. They have personel maintaining the gate 24/7. Restrooms & showers were clean. They offer RV sites, cabin rentals (which we were told they were all booked but saw no one there- possibly closed due to pandemic though), and tent sites. We tent camp. The site had a fire ring, picnic table, a shaded area, and is covered in pea gravel. The shaded area is not waterproof or "fully" covered. But seems it would help with the heat to provide some shaded comfort. It rained the night we were there, and I was unable to get all of our tent spikes into the ground for our rainfall (think there may have been concrete a few inches below). If you are staying for an extended time, I recommend bringing a tarp that you can tie to the shaded area to help with heat / rain. Each tent site is separated by a privacy wall (see pic). The best part was the sunrise! Absolutely stunning as you are literally at the base of the mountains. You just have to ignore the giant Geico billboard on highway in your view.

  Cons: 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! You can see the highway wall in my pics. It appeared to be in what seemed as "not the best part of town". It is fully gated 24/7 which I appreciate, but makes you wonder where you are staying. However, we did not have any issues, and the few people we saw were all very polite. We arrived later in the evening and ran out to get a quick bite, but everything closes at 9p so be mindful.

  Pandemic note: We stayed here 6/1/20-6/2/20. Everyone was wearing masks, VERY mindful of social distancing, and you could not even go in to the office - they come out to you.

  I would recommend this only as a quick stop-over / last option campground.

• 

  Ali B.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 27, 2021

  Santa Fe KOA

  Pricey but safe and clean

  As with many KOA’s a bit pricey but clean and reliable. Tent sites are near the road and are a bit dusty and noisy with road traffic. There is a current drought and requests to minimize water. One tent site is set apart - near a water holding area … not a great smell but away from the road. The smell they said is drought related.

• L

  Lloyd S.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 14, 2019

  Cochiti Recreation Area

  Cochiti lake NM.

  This is a great U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground. Great level sites with water and 50amp power for RVs and water at tent sites. Clean restrooms with showers. No sewer hookups but dump stations. Stays are limited to14 days, RVspaces are $20 tent sites are $14, 50% discount if you have an Access pass. Fishing docks at the lake, boating (no wake) hiking trails and lots to see and do in the area.

• 

  Jennifer A.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 8, 2019

  Coronado Campground

  Urban campground

  We stayed here for our annual Cub Scout camp out. We tent camped around a group site. It’s next to the Coronado Monument and the Rio Grande with an awesome view of the Sandia mountains.

• J

  James T.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 25, 2021

  Rancheros de Santa Fe

  interesting campground

  I enjoyed this campground. I stayed at a tent site. even though sites were close together the terrain made it kind of neat. $33 for the night

• W

  Walter and Winnie G.

  Traveler

  

  May. 15, 2022

  Manzano Mountains State Park Campground

  Quiet park. Clean and Shady.

  Nice tall shade trees at all sites. Clean facilities (vault toilets). Some tent sites have brick wind structures around their picnic tables, which can be a handy especially with NM spring winds.

• T

  Traci M.

  Scout

  

  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.

• 

  Jayston M.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 2, 2024

  Mother Bosque Gardens

  Wonderful hybrid camping concept

  Airbnb for tent camping, overnight parking for van camping, full access to home amenities - this was exactly what we needed for a one night stop. The hosts were quick to respond, communicative, warm and accommodating; the site is peaceful and has a genuinely good energy. I love the whole setup and would definitely stay there again.

• 

  Dave V.

  Legend

  

  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.

• 

  Emily C.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 14, 2021

  Hidden Valley RV park

  Sweet little spot

  We got there during night check in but went in to talk with the camp host in the morning. She was very sweet and kind! The bathrooms are being remodeled and are so pretty! Best showers ever! The tent sites were small but nice for a night. However it was bright with a light right outside the tent.

• 

  Mikayla M.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 28, 2021

  Santa Fe KOA

  Fine for a one night stay

  We tent camped and the spaces are well maintained and include a little fire pit, picnic table, place for your car, and fairly flat space for the tent. It’s easy to get to from the highway, but that’s also the downside because you can hear all of the traffic. The bathrooms were clean and have a code to enter, we arrived at night to just get a spot so we didn’t have a packet to tell us the code but another camper gave it to us. Overall a nice and convenient spot.

• 

  Jean C.

  Legend

  

  Mar. 1, 2020

  Santa Fe KOA

  Compact campground with pull thru sites

  Stopped by this KOA to see what it offered for possible future stays. It's a compact campground that provides pull through sites as well as back-in and tent sites. They offer everything from 50 amp electric to cable TV. Sites are clean and neat. There's a dog park for your pets. Bathrooms are clean with hot showers. They have cabins available as well.

  Great location for exploring Sandra Fe, Bandelier, and other national monuments.

• 

  Jason J.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 9, 2021

  Turquoise Trail Campground

  Great location

  Excellent for a my stop into Albuquerque to see the Sandia Mountains (the view from the top of the tram is better than the view from the top of the road up, by the way - if you are hiking, you’ll see both; If not, maybe that will affect your decision on how to go up) and Petroglyph National Monument (well worth your time). Campground tent sites were spaced fairly well and level. Facilities were sufficient. Overall, a pleasant experience and provided what I needed.

• 

  Alex M.

  Legend

  

  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.

• 

  Jennifer A.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 6, 2021

  Red Canyon Campground

  Nice Campground, loud nighttime visitors

  There are vault toilets, trash bins, and bear boxes. This campground is nice with sites for RV and tent camping. We camped here one night with our scout troop. I did have spotty T-Mobile service, others had phone service as well but I’m not sure of their provider. We had a great night with a campfire and a good view of the stars and moon. All was well until someone started illegally cutting down trees at 2 in the morning. After an annoying couple of hours they were gone, most of our group were wide awake and tried to go back to sleep. We stayed at the site till afternoon with no other problems, just a group of tired scouts.

• 

  Crystal C.

  Legend

  

  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.

• 

  Karen B.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 11, 2020

  Turquoise Trail Campground

  Good location

  Not too far off the highway and only about a mile and a half to a decent grocery store. Location is secluded and quiet. Staff was friendly and got us to our site quickly. We have a small RV which fit nicely into our spot but larger RVs were stacked close together as the space between sites was small. Looked like lots of sites had multiple vehicles so seamed crowded. RV sites are gravel with a little grass between. Not much shade and it was very hot in July. Could use some updates and additional spacing.
  Tent sites were not being used but liked a little shadier and had trees between. Some small cabins available. Showers and bathroom was basic but clean.

• 

  Mauriel O.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 19, 2018

  Coronado Campground

  Pretty Nice little spot

  Found this Campground to be pretty nice overall! Mainly RV's and Campers, in fact I didn't see a single tent or tent site during our stay. The Lots are fairly close together and all have a little covered picnic table area next to the drive through RV slots. Bathrooms and showers worked just fine, though my girlfriend said the womens shower would turn itself off every 30 seconds or so (the mens worked just fine).

  It's about 20 minutes north of albuquerque which is nice since you're far enough away to be out of the hustle and bustle but close enough to explore the city. We went for the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta and we could see the balloons from the campgrounds early in the morning.

  There's also a Bad Ass Coffee down the street which is one of my favorites!

• 

  Crystal C.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 29, 2018

  Cochiti Recreation Area

  Great Views and Access to Tent Rocks

  We checked out this campground as an option when traveling to the Tent Rocks and it was a great place. The campground was clean and sites were not to close together. We noticed a good mix of both tent and rv campers on the property.

  For tent camping with no hook ups it was only $12 which fit the perfect price point. These sites included a pad for the tent as well as fire rings and awnings with tables.

  The view of the sunset here was impressive to say the least and I was so in awe of the colors in the sky I forgot to take a picture, that doesn’t happen often!

  Bathrooms were just the right size for the amount of people who were coming and going and best of all, hot showers!! That in itself is nice to find when you are traveling in the southwest sometimes.

  We were only about 15 miles from the Tent Rocks on very nice roads so it was perfect!!

• 

  Katriza L.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 23, 2021

  Cochiti Recreation Area

  Very clean but no shade

  We stayed at the Buffalo Grove Site #66 for one night. If you have an RV/trailer, Buffalo Grove is the best loop as all have 30/50 Amp, city water hookup, covered table, lantern and paved sites. There are other loops in the campground that may have 50 amp and no water or 15/30 amp with water and gravel. The Juniper loop requires a 100ft hose for shared spigots.

  Some sites in Buffalo Grove are drive through or back-in. Decent space between camps and some privacy but there’s not a lot of large shrubs, extremely scarce actually and no trees whatsoever making all sites at this campground super hot with full sun. We were praying for the rain to come. There are tent sites available but I can’t imagine withstanding this kind of heat in July. We hardly saw anyone hanging outside during the day.

  According to their map, there should be a playground right behind our site but it is nonexistent and clearly has been for some time and they’ve never updated their maps for it. The check-in was quick and simple, they gave us a map to our site and they were very friendly! The bathroom and shower facility close to our campsite was very clean and showers are free. There’s working water fountains outside of the bathroom. There’s no sewer hookups but there are two dump stations with water near the campground host location just outside of the Buffalo grove loop. There are no stores or laundry facilities inside the campground however if you drive past this campground you’ll find a mini mart, gas station, and laundry place.

  If you go down to the boat ramp there’s covered picnic tables right off the shoreline with a bathroom on the left and you can walk on the shoreline to the right and find several picnic tables with no shade. The fishing and swimming are down a different road and the swimming area is by far the most popular area. They don’t allow pets here (at swimming area, OK at campgrounds) and there was literally no one fishing (unless you’re on a boat)!

  Alcohol is not permitted and currently there’s fire restrictions that are not allowing fires (wood or charcoal, but propane is fine) though there are no fire rings in the Buffalo Grove area, not sure if that’s the case for other loops.

  Tent Rocks is about 5 minutes away but they are currently closed. The crest dam road is also currently closed at this time. Overall a great stay, we would come back - preferably in the spring!

• 

  Katriza L.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 30, 2021

  Manzano Mountains State Park Campground

  Our new favorite spot!

  We love it here! We stayed for a weekend at campsite #6. Ours and A few other sites have RV hookups (electric only). No sewer hook up but dump station on site with water. There are multiple Drinking water spigots available; one next to our campsite 6, at the group shelter, by the dump station, and another spigot at the office / visitor center (closed right now) but that had a lock on it. Some sites have a nice brick and metal shelter and a charcoal grill, but all sites seem to have a picnic table, and fire ring. This is a pretty small electrical loop campground and some sites are pretty close, separated by trees, and vary in driveway length. There’s tent sites (some have good privacy) as well as day-use only sites that look very clean and with shelter. Our site had the picnic table and charcoal grill on one side of the driveway and the fire pit on the other side which is kind of weird but that just means we can drive in or back in depending on our awning side preference. I saw in some reviews that this was a problem for people.

  Behind our site there’s a horseshoe area and group site not too far after. The group site has a small parking lot across the way for it and has a large shelter area with nice cement tables and large grills. Next to the office there’s a trail for the outer loop and nature trail. There are several trails within the park and all are pretty easy (kid-friendly) and not too long. This is a pet-friendly campground with dog stations to pick up after your pet. Make sure to bring your own firewood and kindling as gathering is not allowed in the area. There is phone signal for t-mobile and Verizon as well. Vault toilets were clean but no showers.

  There is no lake or stream/river in the state park. The nearest lake is Manzano Lake it’s about 10 minutes from the campground in the small town of Manzano. Fishing and picnicking, not a very large lake - more like a pond really but still beautiful and something to see and do. Currently the lake just opened and there’s a sign at the entrance that the fish have not been stocked. Not much for some decent stores around but a grocery store in Mountainair (25 mins away) Also nearby is the Quarai Ruins (15 mins) to check out which has some trails and also pet friendly so long as they’re on a leash.

  Also, getting here by GPS, just takes you to where the pavement ends on HWY-131 but you’ll need to go another mile on unpaved road to get the the campground. Just follow the signs for the state park. Also, make sure to check on weather because although the unpaved road is typically well-grated and maintained; when it rains hard - it tends to wash out which makes the last mile to the state park hard for some. Also, there’s not gas stations nearby to this camp.

  Overall a great and beautiful place to stay. Definitely bring some bug spray and repellent, lots of flies and mosquitoes to be had! There’s not a whole lot to do besides relax, eat, and check out some trails so bring your own entertainment as we brought a remote control all-terrain car, frisbees, lawn darts, board games, card games, etc to entertain the kids. We would definitely recommend the place and we will certainly be back!

• 

  Bradley H.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 12, 2021

  Coronado Campground

  Coronado Campground

  Very nice RV/Tent park. Operated by the town of Bernalillo, New Mexico. Prices range from $10.00 per night for tents and $20.00, $30.00, $35.00 per night for Rvs. Great view of the Rio Grande and Sandia Mountains. Just 15 minutes from Albuquerque. All RV sites have electric but most have electric(30 amp) and water. None have sewer hookup but there is a dump station on the property. We stay here every time we come to New Mexico. Highly recommend this campground!

• C

  Celina M.

  Legend

  

  May. 12, 2019

  Mother Bosque Gardens

  Tranquility near Old Town

  Mother Bosque Gardens is a little retreat in an urban Albuquerque neighborhood. I’ll admit, for me, it was a first for camping in a backyard (that wasn’t my own). Ernesto and Michaela, our hosts, were immediately welcoming and kind. They feel like we could have known them for a lifetime, even though we’ve only met for minutes. Upon arrival, they gave us the tour, and even offered to share a bowl of the aromatic soup simmering upon their stove.

  Campsite and Amenities

  The campsites (I believe there are two tent sites) are located on the two opposite sides of the house. They are both very private and remarkably quiet. The quiet was surprising being in a city, but it was quieter than many campgrounds we’ve stayed where other groups of campers may be playing music or chatting (loudly) by the fires. The campsite has a private entrance through a gate; parking is off the street. Our campsite space in the side yard, had a table, a couch, and a grill. As stated on the website, and in the Dyrt details, there are no campfires allowed. Michaela and Ernesto welcomed us to use their kitchen, although we preferred some mother and daughter time outdoors during our stay. The tranquil backyard is towered over by old growth trees, and the gardening is exquisite. We shared the space with hummingbirds and roses. The clean bathroom is inside the home where there is a shower available. Michaela and Ernesto even offered the use of their towels. My daughter quickly pointed out that there is Wi-Fi.

  Location

  The location is very near to the Rio Grande River and the Bosque, which is the natural forest that runs along the Rio Grande. My daughter and I left early in the morning to explore the banks of the flooded Rio Grande (May), and noted the many remarkable birds: violet green swallows swooping along the river exposing their vibrant colors, ducks, egrets, herons, a red-tailed hawk, and several Canadian Geese. We sadly missed the wily roadrunner with three babies in tow. The Rio Grande Nature Center State Park was an excellent starting point for the Bosque. 

  Mother Bosque Gardens is also located only a few miles from the heart of old Albuquerque, including Old Town, the zoo, the botanical gardens, and the excitement of Central Avenue.

  Practical Pointers

  As noted on the website, the camp space can only accommodate an 8X8 tent; it may accommodate two smaller tents. We’ve shared a photo of a standard 2-person backpacking tent set up in the space. I believe the website lists a maximum of three campers in the site. A family with children exceeding a total of 3, who can manage to sleep in tents that meet the size restriction, might consider contacting Michaela and Ernesto for permission to bring more than three. Finally, there is a small walk from the parking at the front of the house to the campsite, so plan to make sure your gear is portable enough to carry it the 75-ish feet (I’m not a good judge of distance so it may be anywhere from 40 feet to 100).

  Final Impression

  My daughter and I planned to spend a day in Albuquerque for some quality time. In honor of new experiences, we tried something new for us by staying at Mother Bosque Gardens. We were both incredibly happy that we did. We had a wonderful experience not only camping in a beautiful garden, but from the opportunity to meet Michaela and Ernesto. We were welcomed strangers, but I couldn’t help but feel like we departed from friends.

  Fine print about my ratings 

  When I use a star rating system, I truly do consider 3 out of 5 to be average and expected. Anything above three stars is superb and awe-inspiring. I save 5 out of 5 for what I feel is the most enchanted locations. After all, dishing out a 5 for every spot I like wouldn’t help other campers (as it doesn’t help me in return). I consider it rather difficult to provide a star rating for Mother Bosque Gardens because it was such a unique experience for me. As hosts, I would absolutely give Ernesto and Michaela a 5 out of 5. The campsite has some natural limitations as compared to a traditional site, so while the campsite was very comfortable, when compared with large campsites surrounded Giant Sequoias or a serene alpine lake, well…that’s just hard to beat. So, I’ve settled on a 4 out of 5.

  Booking with The Dyrt

  I had the honor and pleasure of booking this trip through The Dyrt even as they were still rolling out the bookings. I found the process to be simple and effective.

• 

  Junaid A.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 22, 2024

  Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

  My True Review about Top of the New Mexico

  Top of New Mexico" near Albuquerque is a fantastic camping spot if you love open spaces and beautiful desert views. The sunsets here are breathtaking, and you might even spot wild horses roaming around. There's plenty of space for tents or RVs, and it's quiet and well-maintained, making it a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature. It can get a little windy, but that just adds to the experience. The road to get there winds through some houses, but once you arrive, you're surrounded by pure nature. also the food is so good, there are many food brands like subway menu who offers quality fast food services.