El Morro RV Park and Cabins sits at an elevation of around 7,000 feet in the high desert region of western New Mexico. The area experiences cool nights even in summer months, with temperatures often dropping into the 50s after sunset. The campground's location near volcanic landscapes and ancient cultural sites makes it an ideal base for exploring both natural and historical attractions within a 30-minute drive.
What to do
Hike the Zuni Mountains trails: Several hiking paths near Quaking Aspen Campground offer outdoor adventures at elevations around 8,000 feet. "Amazing hiking and mtb'ing trails. And, a nice lake," notes camper Tommy B. The trails feature pine and aspen forests with cooler temperatures than surrounding areas.
Visit El Malpais National Monument: Located just across from Lavaland RV Campgrounds, this volcanic landscape offers unique geological features. One visitor mentioned, "It's not scenic by any means but, it is close to Mal Pais National Monument (across the street) and the people that work here are super nice." The monument features ancient lava flows and unique rock formations.
Explore the Continental Divide Trail: This famous long-distance trail passes through the region. A camper at Coal Mine Campground encountered "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."
What campers like
Peaceful camping environments: The region offers quiet camping experiences away from crowds. At Coal Mine Campground, a visitor enjoyed a "relaxing, quiet three night stay" and noted that "all sites have table, barbecue, and fire pit/ring." Many campsites in the area provide basic amenities with enough privacy for a restful experience.
Diverse accommodation options: Beyond traditional camping, the area offers various lodging styles. USA RV Park provides comfortable facilities for travelers: "Clean showers, a nice heated pool very friendly staff," reports one camper. Another mentioned they have "full hookups with military and good sam discounts."
High elevation climate benefits: The elevation provides natural cooling during hot months. A visitor to Quaking Aspen noted, "The elevation at which the cg is at is 8000' makes for cool days and nic crisp cool nights, even in the summertime." This natural air conditioning creates comfortable camping conditions when lower elevations experience intense heat.
What you should know
Limited water availability: Many campgrounds in the region have no running water. A Quaking Aspen Campground visitor reported it as a "PRIMITIVE campground with trails and fishing but NO WATER." Always bring adequate water supplies when staying at primitive sites in the area.
Reservation systems vary: While some campsites allow advance booking, others follow different protocols. At Coal Mine Campground, "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."
Weather preparation essential: Temperature fluctuations can be significant. One camper at Quaking Aspen mentioned, "We were here in August and it was pleasantly cool." Another noted, "When summer heat was beginning to knock everywhere else in late May, it was serious blanket weather up here."
Tips for camping with families
Consider campground amenities: Some locations offer more family-friendly facilities than others. At USA RV Park, families appreciate that "We were able to get pizza delivered to our RV site which was a big hit with the kids." However, another campground review cautions, "There is no kid amenities at this property."
Explore educational opportunities: The region offers learning experiences through geological and historical sites. Near Quaking Aspen Campground, families can discover "under-valued Zuni mountains and western New Mexico landscape (and some pretty interesting geologic features such as orbicular granite)."
Wildlife awareness: The area has diverse wildlife that can enhance family experiences. A camper noted, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: RV sites vary widely across campgrounds. At Quaking Aspen Campground, "Small campground with massive campsites. This campground could easily squeeze double, if not triple, the sites out of these woods, but someone decided to let everyone breath a little here."
Cell service expectations: Digital connectivity fluctuates throughout the region. One camper at Coal Mine Campground reported, "Sporadic 4g Verizon network (was VERY slow when it was up), sometimes no service. But, we were surprisingly able to watch end of game 4 Knicks/Pacers playoff, once it finally loaded!"
