Best Tent Camping near Prewitt, NM

Recent Tent Reviews near Prewitt, New Mexico

283 Reviews of 5 Prewitt Campgrounds

• L

  Lacy S.

  Traveler

  

  May. 21, 2022

  USA RV Park

  Awesome

  I called at about 8pm desperate to get in somewhere to tent camp. Clark answered the phone and was so kind. The office/store stays open until 9 pm. The grounds are clean and complete with a dog park area. Every tent site had electricity and water. The bathrooms and showers were really clean and I can assume the laundry facilities were the same.

  The tent sites are covered with small gravel so no dirt or sharp plants in the way. The sites are really large and spacious!

  The area is well lit and there were police patrolling the camp off and on during the night.

  I kick myself for not taking pictures. You should definitely stay here.

• K

  Kimberly

  Guide

  

  Mar. 1, 2022

  Quaking Aspen Campground

  Spacious and peaceful

  Stopped in to rest late at night on my way to CA. Super easy to find. Set up our tent right before quiet time. Lots of campgrounds. Perfect for tent camping.

• 

  Jacob W.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 30, 2021

  USA RV Park

  Nice waypoint

  I tent camped here in Aug. 2020 after driving through the Navajo Reservation. I arrived before dusk in the fading heat. The staff was friendly and offered me a cheap brisket sandwich and maybe peach cobbler if there was any left. Well there was some left! I considered hauling it all the way back to El Paso but I’m glad I stopped for the night and got some good rest.

• 

  Tyler G.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 23, 2016

  Quaking Aspen Campground

  Wonderful Base to Explore the Hidden Beauty of the Zuni Mountains

  We used this campground as a starting point for a research trip sampling Precambrian rocks of the Zuni Mountains. I hadn't spent much time in this part of New Mexico, and assumed that the trip was going to be hot and sun-bleached, similar to the desert exposed in nearby Gallup, NM. I was surprised to drive into a beautiful forest just a few minutes off I40.

  The campsite includes basic forest service amenities: pit toilets, picnic tables, and metal-rimmed fire pit/grill sites. What set this apart from other non-hosted campsites for me was the condition of the grounds. The tent camping sites had well maintained, leveled tent pads, maintained gravel roads, and clean facilities. The Sites offered a reasonable degree of privacy, although some of the sites near the middle of the loop road place you in close proximity to your neighbor. The area is moderately wooded with pine and aspen, providing shade throughout the day and easy access to the dirt road that transects the Zuni Mountains, letting you out near the Bandera volcano and ice cave, which is a wonderful drive if you have a high clearance/4x4 and time to drive through.

  We saw abundant wildlife while working in the Zunis, including several brown bears, deer, and elk. While we didn't have any run ins with these guy in camp, be aware that large animals are present in the area and be sure to take necessary bear-proofing precautions.

  Camp fees were $5/night, which is quite the bargain given the well-kept grounds and wonderful scenery. If you're looking for a less-traveled escape from Albuquerque, or just want the chance to explore the under-valued Zuni mountains and western New Mexico landscape (and some pretty interesting geologic features such as orbicular granite), this campground is an excellent place to spend some time on the cheap.

  Photos included are from the Zunis south of the campsite, as I didn't think to take any photos while we were at camp.

• 

  Haley S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 31, 2021

  Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

  Love!

  Stopped here for the night on the way from Tucson to Denver and I'm so glad I did! I was a little nervous bc I'd read reviews saying it fills up fast and to get there before 5, but I got there about 8pm on a Monday in July and only saw one other spot taken. My 2wd car had no problem getting in and out and the ground was great for tent camping. Was solo camping and felt very safe the whole time. I'd love to go back again when I have time to explore the park, everything was SO beautiful.

• 

  J F.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 31, 2023

  Red Rock Park & Campground

  Perfect 1 night stop

  A little nervous by the other reviews but it was getting late and we needed a place to hookup. The website for reserving was difficult to navigate on my phone but it all worked out. No staff on site that we could see so we just pulled into an open spot & hooked up. Beautiful/unique location. Bathrooms were open for us to use, warm, & clean. Didn’t need a key like the reservation had said. Probably not the best campground for tent camping due to gravel lots, but for our 30 ft RV, we had no trouble. We didn’t have a chance to explore the area but would definitely come back.

• 

  Nathan T.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 26, 2022

  Red Rock Park & Campground

  Literally nothing good about this place

  1 star for the following reasons: 1) bathroom is locked until you get a key. 2) Their website says that there are tent sites. You will be pitching a tent in an rv site. 3)Even once you do go to register on their site, an awful experience that is on a timer and will reset mid registration (yes all your info). You have to choose a discount to get the tent by rate. 4) Map is awful, because the numbers of aren't on well lit and there are no signs. Good luck not waking everybody up. 5) There's a train audible from here. 6) the best view is of the stars. 7) Maze to get here.
  All of these reasons are completely verifiable, but i don't suggest it. When i think of campgrounds from hell, this will be my go to. I want my money back.

• 

  Kelley G.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 31, 2020

  Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

  Beautiful overnight stay

  Stopped here for the night as our first campsite after purchasing our travel trailer.

  Gorgeous drive in from 40 to the campsite.

  Awesome pull-through site.

  Only saw one person doing tent camping. Looked like a cold stay Oct 30th-31st.

  Beautiful sunset, unfortunately slept through dawn.

  Moon was so bright we didn’t need a flashlight for the bathroom with a clear path from our site. Bear safe trash through out.

  Each site is spaces a decent amount apart from the rest.

  Quiet time 10 pm - 6 am.

  We saw chipmunks scurrying about in the morning. We were hoping to see more wildlife but can’t complain for pulling in around 3:30 and choosing from about 4 empty sites and leaving by 9 am.

  Very clean and safe toilet area. Incredible views!

  Watch your dogs stepping in cactus. Dogs need to be on leash, but not enforced. Our dog loved this spot but he did sniff cactus too close ouch.

  Highly recommend.

• S

  Steve S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 16, 2022

  Gallo Campground — Chaco Culture National Historical Park

  Hot, dry, sandy, no shade, decent facilities, historical setting

  Face it, you don't go to Chaco Canyon, or Chaco Culture National Historical Park, for the camping experience. You go for the history, archaeology, ruins, mystery, astronomy and appreciation for the peoples who built these great houses 1200 years ago. But the facilities for tent camping are adequate-to-better, with very good restroom facilities and drinking water. No showers - carefully read the descriptions. No T-Mobile coverage to speak of, although if you make the climb up to Pueblo Alto to overlook Pueblo Bonito, I did get a weak signal that was good enough to download emails, but that was it.

  Some of the campsites are closer to each other than others. The camp is arranged in a loop, generally I'd prefer to be toward the far end end of the loop for vehicle privacy. 

  CAUTION: Pay attention to the weather and especially rain in the preceding days. I drove up to Chaco from Grants (from the south) and got stuck in about what turned out to be about a foot of mud under a few inches of standing water in a wash 4.4 miles from the Chaco Visitor's Center. Don't risk it! I drove out to the north on the road that connects to NM 550. That's the much preferred road IMO, and apparently the one also usually recommended by the NPS staff.

• S

  Steve W.

  Guide

  

  May. 17, 2021

  USA RV Park

  Great Spot in Gallup

  This is a really nice RV park on the West side of Gallup with easy access to I-40. It was a perfect overnight stop but would be good for longer stays as well. Access through the park is great, sites are gravel, level, and good size. We had a pull through site which was about 80 feet long and nice and wide. They also have back in sites and tent sites. We had a full hookup site and the connections were in great shape and located just where they needed to be. There are some trees between some sites but most of the area is pretty open. Some of the trees are large enough to block a satellite dish. They offer cable TV but we did not try that. They have free wifi which was decent. The restrooms, showers, and laundry rooms were clean and good size as well. There is a small dog park in the back and there is also a dump station. Check in was easy and the staff were friendly and helpful. They also have a large gift shop and a small area with groceries. They offer a barbeque on some nights which is cooked right there behind the office. Cell service from AT&T and Verizon was great. We paid $37 for one night with Escapees discount. There is clear pride of ownership here.

• 

  Lee D.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 26, 2023

  Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano

  Quiet solitude (at least in the off-season)

  General: There are several options here: RV and tent camping, and cabins. As members of Harvest Host, we were able to stay here for free with the expectation that we would patronize the business. 

  Site Quality: The tent section is behind the cabins, but RVs park in the gravel parking lot with no clearly defined spaces. The section at the top of the fence away from the trading post appeared to be level but otherwise, the lot is sloped. We opted to park closer to the trading post in our campervan, which was also closer to the pit toilet. 

  Bathhouse: During the high season, there is a bathhouse and shower, but it was not open when we were there, but the pit toilet was very clean. When the trading post is open (9-5, later in the summer), there are restrooms inside. 

  Activities: There is a trail to the ice cave (short but there are stairs) and a loop trail leading to the volcano (about 1.5 miles but wear sturdy shoes and you should be in reasonable shape). It was recommended that we do this hike in a counterclockwise direction and this was good advice. The fee is $12 for both and there are markers with an interpretive pamphlet explaining the history and geology of the area. There is a trading post with souvenirs and a small kitchen area where you can purchase some food and beverages. 

  We were the only campers there on a VERY cold late March night so I imagine it would be very different during warmer months. We only heard an occasional car but otherwise, it was very quiet, and the night sky was beautiful. This is a family-run business, and everyone was very welcoming.

• 

  Amber J.

  Guide

  

  Mar. 31, 2021

  USA RV Park

  Convenient, clean, and welcoming!

  We were so grateful to stumble upon USA RV Park on our recent trip through New Mexico.  We were dealing with snow all the way from Colorado to Gallup, and decided about an hour out of Gallup to stop for the night.  We called USA RV Park, and while no one answered, they returned our call within the half hour.  They graciously accommodated our 2 trailers last minute with full hookups!  The campsite itself is large, clean, well marked, and very nice restrooms!  The store was well stocked with what we needed (including a tent repair kit for our pop up!).  The owner, John, was very kind, helpful, and a delight to chat with.  We filled our propane tank up on site and were on our way the next day!  Highly recommend! :)

• 

  Sara S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 25, 2016

  Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

  oasis in the desert

  This was the only lake we saw on our trip to the cattle ranch in New Mexico ;) The park is lovely and we truly enjoyed our time here. There is a nice beach as well as boating and fishing. The campground is broken up into a couple areas. Our site was somewhat shaded, which was nice in the heat of the summer. Very cool sites overlooking the lake. I wouldn’t say the sites are secluded, but it’s still a neat place. I haven’t been to many state parks in New Mexico so it was a unique experience!

• B

  Bernadette T.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 15, 2021

  Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

  Bluewater in the land of enchantment

  The camp sites are well laid out with picnic table. The bath room was primitive and I didn’t check out the showers. The lake and the area is enchanting!! It was my first visit to New Mexico and for sure I will be back! The lake is large and has fishing.

• 

  kristin S.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 31, 2020

  Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano

  Beautiful, cheap and quiet boondocking

  A fun little campground with space to park an RV or rent a cabin. There are no hookups but you’re in a remote part of New Mexico under pines with a Giant night sky above. Plus you’ve got easy access to two fun little explorations... a 1.5 miles hike to the rim of the Bandera volcano and a 1/4 mile hike to the ice cave. It’s a family run business and they have a nice little gift shop and market with a few supplies. Once the park closes for the night, you have the hikes to yourself to take in sunset with lava rock surrounding. It’s a really beautiful area with a lovely family running the business. They charge $20/night for trailer parking but I’m not sure the price of the cabins. They’re also right by Malpais and El Morro national Monuments. Highly recommend for an overnight along your journey through New Mexico!

• 

  GoWhereYouAreDraw N.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 3, 2018

  El Morro National Monument

  Free Camping!

  El Morro National Monument is located on an ancient east-west trail in western New Mexico. The main feature of this National Monument is a great sandstone promontory with a pool of water at its base.

  We only hiked the Inscription Rock Loop but were impressed with the way the park integrated features like water channels into the land using natural elements. Everything was organized and impressive.

• 

  Fain H.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 27, 2016

  Red Rock Park & Campground

  Camping in the southwest

  My first visit to New Mexico and the southwest. Red Rock Park is in Gallup, NM right on the Arizona state line in between Albuquerque and Flagstaff. Church Rock Trial and Pyramid Rock Trail are both about 3 to 3 and a half miles round trip from the campground. Your surrounded by desert on one side and dark red stone on the other, very cool place and trails.

• 

  Robert A.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 3, 2018

  Red Rock Park & Campground

  Freeway campground

  I have stayed at this campground several time it was a New Mexico Stae Park, it has since been turned over to the city of Gallup as a city park. There are several hiking and horseback riding trails around this campground. One of the best is to castle rock a really good hike. Make sure you call to check for availability, there is a rodeo arena near by and will fill up if there is a rodeo.

• 

  Michael M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 30, 2017

  Coal Mine Campground

  Great for a weary traveler

  Visited the coal mine campground after driving a 500 mile day, so it was a set-up eat and crash situation. I did make a reservation on line, but that cost more than the $5 per site fee and was not necessary even though it was memorial day weekend. The fee is great because it is primitive, no electricity, no water at all, not just hookups, but the bathrooms were nice and clean with no sinks.

  If you are prepared for a primitive camp with your own water and batteries for your electronics it is great. They have fire rings, grills, picnic tables and level places for tents.There are also nice back-in sites for boondocking RVs and the road up to the campground is fine for big rigs.

  I ran into two mountain biker's here from Ireland that were riding the Continental Divide trail from The Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Montana. They were staying here since the Trail goes through here. Paddy & Conner were very interesting people and I was fortunate to have run into them here.

  I enjoyed my stay with a peaceful quite nights sleep and a short hike in the morning before breakfast cooked on the campfire. I would recommend this over a hotel stay if your passing through Grant's New Mexico on I40. You can probably get a site for the night anytime your passing through.

• 

  Glen C.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 8, 2024

  USA RV Park

  Clean, organized, and reasonably priced

  Needed an overnight stay along Interstate 40 in New Mexico.  Check-in was quick and easy, the sites are arranged so that RV doors are not facing the neighbor's sewage pipe, which is something I always appreciate.  Most of the sites are pull-through.  The park is well laid out and covered with an attractive reddish-brown gravel.  The facilities were clean, the staff was pleasant.  The park felt safe though the neighborhood around it is economically distressed.  The park is family friendly; there is a dog-park, a nice pool, and attractive common area near the office with tables and statuary with a cute bear theme.  The only negatives are not under the control of the park: trains pass by frequently day and night, and in the evening the mosquitos are voracious.  My wife and I agree that we would return here.

• 

  Tony S.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 14, 2021

  Coal Mine Campground

  Quiet, relaxing basic campground

  Had a relaxing, quiet three night stay from 8/10 - 8/13/21 with our Jayco Octane Lite SL161 toyhauler. The only facilities are clean vault toilets. Some pull through spots for smaller camping units. I would not recommend this campground for large RVs.

  15 sites available with about 8 that I could comfortably park my camper in. All sites have table, barbecue, and fire pit/ring. All sites are reservable online at Recreation.gov. When arriving without a reservation and staying for more than one or two nights be aware that empty sites without a reservation posting may have a reservation that has not been posted. You could wake up and find a reservation posted at your site and have to relocate to another available site. 

  There is a nice hiking trail available from the campground. La Mosca lookout is a nice drive from the campground with beautiful views. Head up to the Gooseberry Trailhead to hike to the top of Mt Taylor the highest mountain in NW New Mexico. 

  Camping fees for this campground are increasing to $10 per night next season.

• 

  Shari G.

  Legend

  

  Jun. 5, 2024

  Gallo Campground — Chaco Culture National Historical Park

  Absolutely worth the effort!

  This campground is not easy to get to, so get your head around that. The last 5 miles of the unpaved road getting to the park boundary will be a challenge, so take it slllooow. It is worth it, and you’ll have fewer crowds at this amazing place. 

  The campground is similar to many national parks, with nicely spaced out, no hook up campsites. The toilets are clean and well maintained, flush toilets, and sinks, but no showers.  Water is available throughout the campground, and there’s a big sink for dumping your dish water. 

  The campground is ideal for solar power, as is the New Mexico weather.  We also had no problem connecting with Starlink, but there was no LTE or phone service to speak of. 

  Hiking in the park is simply stunning. With the ruins of the Chaco Culture all around, you can pick your adventure or simply drive the park loop road, stopping to wander through the remains of this vibrant place that was once the heart of a vast cultural empire. 

  Cycling is also a great option -- bike/ hike your way around the park from the campground. The visitor’s center is good, and worth spending some time in.  The closest town with services is a long long way away, in any direction, so come prepared with your supplies, food, etc. 

  There is a convenience store/ gas station about 20 miles out, but the drive back along the rough road will take an hour in an RV.  

  This park is so worth a visit and the campground makes it easy to stay for as long as you can to soak up the solitude of this simply amazing place!

• 

  Kurt O.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 17, 2023

  Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

  Great camping area

  This is a great area to camp in.... but not in the summer, there is no shade for tent people. This would be a perfect spot for spring and fall. We stayed in the northwest camping site that was about 25 feet from the cliff overlooking 117. Perfect spot. The ground is hard and required a Mason bit and cordless drill to set tent stakes.

• 

  Amy T.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 25, 2019

  Grants KOA Journey

  Not great for tent campers

  The tent area is right beside the I-40 and very loud.

• 

  Jean C.

  Legend

  

  Mar. 1, 2020

  El Morro National Monument

  Beautiful location

  El Morro National Monument features some amazing petroglyphs and the remains of a pueblo, offering fun hikes. Nearby is a free campground, first-come, first-served. There's water available except in winter (and then you can fill containers at the visitor's center) and vault toilets.

  Sites offer picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads. Some, because of their set-up, are better suited to tents than RVs, but because you can't reserve in advance, you'll get to choose what works best for you...assuming there's vacancy. In December it was cold and largely unoccupied, but in warmer months I'm guessing it fills quickly. Sit 5 is handicap accessible and located across from the bathroom.

• m

  marilee S.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 4, 2022

  Joe Skeen Campground

  Beautiful desert view

  It’s a great place to stay outside of Albuquerque. Water is only available at certain times. The bathroom was clean. No showers. Beautiful clear sky & flat spots for tenting

• 

  Jared F.

  Traveler

  

  May. 25, 2019

  Narrows Camp Site

  Not a camp site!!

  This is just a picnic area, if you have a small tent you can make it work for just a night, one plus is you can hike the South Narrows trail!