Best Tent Camping near Los Ojos, NM
Several tent campgrounds surround Los Ojos, New Mexico, primarily within Carson National Forest where primitive tent-only sites offer access to the region's mountainous terrain and forest landscapes. Upper and Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds provide established tent camping options, with basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables. Both campgrounds allow tent camping from approximately June through October, though seasonal closures may vary depending on weather conditions.
Most tent camping areas near Los Ojos feature primitive conditions with limited facilities. Sites typically have fire rings and flat tent pads on natural surfaces, but campers should bring their own water as drinking water is not available at most locations. Vault toilets are present at established campgrounds like Upper Lagunitas and Los Pinos, but dispersed camping areas lack all facilities. According to one visitor, "The area is small but there are a few ponds full of trout," though they noted concerns about site maintenance. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing more remote tent campsites, especially after rain when forest roads can develop deep ruts.
Several dispersed tent camping options exist on forest service roads throughout Carson National Forest. These sites offer more seclusion than established campgrounds and typically have no fees. A review mentioned that Forest Service Road 578 provides "nice secluded camping with multiple pulloffs for unmarked campsites," though four-wheel drive is needed on the rutted rocky roads. Tent campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, as trash collection is minimal or nonexistent at most sites. The higher elevation camping areas provide cooler temperatures during summer months, but can experience subfreezing temperatures at night even in late spring and early fall, requiring appropriate cold-weather tent gear.
