Salem is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$30 / night
"I come out here to mostly kayak, fish & walk my dogs. Kayaking is best when the sunrises because you get a beautiful view of it rising behind the mountains."
"This is a pretty normal lake campground. Not a lot of shade or privacy but picnic tables and covered outdoor spaces. There are bathrooms close by and they seem fine."
$30 - $35 / night
"Can’t canp near the water, but can stay at sites within walking distance. Grills and bathrooms, nice to sit in a tube and float down and has a trail to hike back up after the ride"
"Tucked in next to the Rio Grande, Perch Dam Campground is quiet, clean, and enjoyable. The bathrooms were spotless and well maintained, as were the pit toilets in the dispersed area. "
$15 - $30 / night
"You can't beat New Mexico State Parks. Water and electric hook-ups for $18. Great views and a concrete picnic shelter to boot."
"Like many New Mexico State Parks, Leasburg Dam offers beautiful views and nice facilities. We have the facilities here to be among the best. We love the adobe shelters!"
$30 - $35 / night
"Being physically limited and having to walk clear across the campground was very difficult. Otherwise everything was great."
"It was nice to walk along the riverbank with the dogs."
"Close to the water from camping sites....Grills tables and shade area...."
"My favorite part about caballo lake is floating down from elephant butte to caballo lake in a giant floaty."
$35 / night
"Quiet at night, just some road noise from the highway. The lake is great with easy access for kayaking at the boat ramp. We would stay here again."
"There are numerous trails outlined by rocks, and there's a variety of trails to go down to the Caballo Lake reservoir."
"We stopped at this KOA for one night while passing through New Mexico. We had a great view of the valley below and our site had everything we needed--full hookups."
"We only stayed one night but this was a convenient location or far off the highway. Bathroom was clean and staff was nice. Large clean dog park. Nice views of the city."
$30 / night
"Nice walking trails and spots with some privacy and full hook ups."
"Dispersed camping is available down by the lake near the boat ramp. Cell coverage is iffy, at best. Comfort Stations are clean, toilets have running water."
$35 - $60 / night
"The water was high so we couldn’t camp to close to the river edge. It was so nice to see all the stars at night. It is very sweet as well."
GuideWe stayed on the B loop in spot 86, with a 40 foot motorhome. It was easy to get in and out. We have a water hook up and a thirty amp.Hookup but no sewer. According to their website, the B loop is waterfront, but that just means it has the best water view, we are about three quarters of a mile from the actual lake.
The actual campground is very quiet. There's more fifth wheels in class c.Motorhomes down on the actual beach dispersed camping. It looks like a ton of fun but a little risky driving on the sand. I talked to a guy that had to get towed out of the sand yesterday. People are loading their boats and jet skis right on the beach.
The RV site has a nice concrete pad with a cover over it and a picnic table. There are a few little trees as well.
Great cell service for AT&T and Verizon
TravelerTent camping 6/5/25. Almost all of the spots are full, unless you go much farther back onto what seems to be a rough dirt road. I parked and then put my tent a little ways out. Everyone is very quiet, but you can hear cars from the highway. Beautiful clear sky and view of the mountains. Very clean and well maintained.
TravelerCamp was clean and quiet with lots of available spaces midweek. You have to have a reservation prior to arrival. And don’t get confused and fill out the paper registration at the entrance. That is for day picnicking
GuideStayed here for a couple of nights, walked the trails. Used the dump station and everything was good. Nice camp spots.
GuideThis place has so much spots to choose from, cool names the camp grounds have, I stayed at two different spots when I went there with my travel trailer and it was a good experience.
GuideI showed up here with my travel trailer, I think it was a good place to park and enjoy the view and night time breeze.
ScoutThis is a campsite predominantly for RV and fifth wheels, but can accommodate tent camping. It’s quite expensive for an overnight camp outing but also doesn’t shut the gate to set up late at night. The morning is gorgeous looking over the lake…can’t find many hikes around it though.
TravelerRight along the river. Many pull-offs to choose from. Take your pick. Most are flat. Some are shaded. We use solar for charging and had plenty of sunshine!
GuideThere are 55 total campsites here. First come, first serve. Smaller RVs only as a winding road takes you here and the spots are small. Sites are close together but there is good privacy between spots. The views are amazing! Good cell signal.
Camping near Salem, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.
Camping in Salem, NM, and the surrounding areas offers a variety of experiences for everyone. With beautiful parks and friendly campgrounds, it’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, Salem, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 81 campgrounds and RV parks near Salem, NM and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Salem, NM is Appaloosa Campground — Caballo Lake State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 13 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Salem, NM.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 parks near Salem, NM that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
Keep Exploring
