Top Tent Camping near Salem, NM

Looking for an adventure where you can explore Salem and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Salem. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Salem, NM (5)


Recent Tent Reviews In Salem

288 Reviews of 5 Salem Campgrounds


  • jam
    Camper-submitted photo from Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground
    Oct. 29, 2024

    Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground

    insights on the Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground

    It’s great to hear about the spacious sites and beautiful surroundings that enhance the outdoor experience. Your mention of nearby hiking trails is particularly helpful for those looking to explore. Sprunki

  • Jeff P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Smokey Bear Campground
    Oct. 28, 2024

    Smokey Bear Campground

    Smokey Bear Historical Park

    This small camp site is next to Smokey Bear Historical Park and museum is in a small town of Capitan, New Mexico.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Cielo Vista RV Park
    Sep. 25, 2024

    Cielo Vista RV Park

    Adequate

    Ok RV PRk. No showers or rest rooms, Needs a serious upgrade. Owner is nice. Lots of permanent trailers. Goat heads are everywhere, along with lots if weeds.

  • Patricia N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from City of Rocks State Park
    Sep. 23, 2024

    City of Rocks State Park

    Fun place especially for kids

    Our grandsons loved this place. We went without reservations so there was no open place but they allow the overflow to camp in the group sites if they are empty.

    You can spend hours exploring all the rocks. 

    With reservations you can get a spot with power but they are closer together. We were very happy with the great place we had. Would love to go again.

  • Loren D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Siesta RV Park
    Jul. 15, 2024

    Siesta RV Park

    beautifully maintained

    The park itself is beautifully maintained, with lush green spaces and well-manicured sites that offer plenty of room for even the largest RVs. Each site is equipped with full hookups, which made our stay comfortable and convenient. We were particularly impressed with the cleanliness of the facilities, including the restrooms and laundry area, which were always spotless. I also get help from africanmag

  • Timothy N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Palomino Campground — Caballo Lake State Park
    Jun. 14, 2024

    Palomino Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

    Great NM State Park

    Very clean and well maintained. Staff were very friendly. No shade for the trailer, but the covered picnic table was good. Electric hookup worked. Water was off due to water system maintenance. We were able to fill up at the campground below the dam. 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.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from South Monticello Campground - Elephant Butte Lake State Park
    Jun. 5, 2024

    South Monticello Campground - Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    Beautiful, Remote, & Inexpensive

    Situated on the edge of a sprawling reservoir along the Rio Grande river, this park is the perfect place to enjoy the vast landscape of the area. The nearby town of Truth or Consequences, NM is small, but has all the services you might need for food, gas, supplies, or soaking in hot springs. 

    The campground is well spaced out, each spot has a picnic table with shade/rain structure (I’ll let you guess which purpose gets more use) and nearly all have electricity and water. That means NO generators! The bath house is clean and offers flush toilets, running sinks and warm showers. All sites are reservation only, but you can do that when you get there as there is plenty of LTE cell service.  We've never seen this place crowded in the winter months.  For what you get at this campground, it’s a bargain at twice the price. 

    The campground is ideal for solar power, as is the New Mexico weather. We also had no problem connecting with Starlink.  Hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing and all other sorts of desert recreation is available right from the campground.  Definitely worth the visit!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dream Catcher RV Park
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Dream Catcher RV Park

    Escapee Park

    Nice level spot, but winds must blow year round in one direction, the trees are actually leaning. Nice check in clerk, but never provided a code to Showers. Locked by the time we tried the doors. Sitting outside at night the winds blew a constant Gasoline Vapor, even filled the RV. Great place for a one night stop, make sure you get the Shower Code!

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Percha Dam State Park
    May. 31, 2024

    Percha Dam State Park

    Great area with shaded areas

    Stayed in the open area not at a site . Area I parked had a big area with shaded trees, very quite at night and had no issues with neighbors

  • Brian and Janet S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from City of Rocks State Park
    May. 29, 2024

    City of Rocks State Park

    Unique and affordable

    $14 for an RV site with electric and water. Good TMobile service.

    They have reservation as well as first come first serve sites.

    Amazing volunteers, so knowledgeable and fun to talk to. You could just walk around the rocks and campground or take one of the trails out into the desert landscape. We had our bikes and were not disappointed!

    Would absolutely come back.

  • Brian and Janet S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Caballo Lake State Park
    May. 26, 2024

    Caballo Lake State Park

    Beautiful place

    When I called about availability we were told there were a lot of dry spots available. Works for us! When we got there the person at gate had no idea where the campgrounds were and would not let us check out sites without paying for day use. The campground had water shutoff on Memorial Day weekend. No bathrooms or showers.

    Management aside, this place is gorgeous. We dry camped by lake right under mountains. Would not pay for campground with no water but for $10 to dry camp by the water, love it.

    Great T-Mobile service. Easy to access.

  • Matthew B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rockhound State Park
    May. 24, 2024

    Rockhound State Park

    Nice Place

    Another really nice place in New Mexico. Near enough to the freeway, but far enough to not notice it. Near enough to town for a quick bite out or supplies, but far enough to not be bothered by it. Quiet and peaceful with good trails for walking the dogs.

    Facilities: Hot water, free showers, flush toilets, soap, dump station, not much more you need

    Cell Service: Good enough Verizon and T-mobile to work remotely

    Starlink: While we didn't need to use it, all sites are open to the sky if you needed to

    Solar: All sites are open to the sky for good solar

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from City of Rocks State Park
    Apr. 26, 2024

    City of Rocks State Park

    DON'T camp at site 28; park management is terrible

    This is an amazing place with beautiful rock formations that you can spend hours exploring. Overall I really enjoyed staying here and seeing the sights. However, I ran into two issues (one major) while camping at site #28:

    1. There is a large wasp nest in the base of the tree at this site. Depending on the time of day, there can be a LOT of wasps flying around throughout the entire area of site#28, making the entire site unusable. Notably, this nest is in the only shaded area of the site, so you have no usable shade. Once you bring food outside, even more come out and they get aggressive. I got stung twice while trying to eat outside. I contacted the park about this by e-mailing the park manager (Gabriel Medrano) twice. He never responded to the e-mails. I also called the park office during business hours, but they did not answer. I left a voicemail, but they never called back. Clearly this park's management does not care about its guests. I later talked to one of the rangers. They said they are not allowed to disturb the wasp nest by spraying it or doing anything else due to directives from management. In other words, the park manager would rather preserve a dangerous pest instead of ensuring visitor safety and park usability.

    2. There is a windmill near site #28 that makes a very loud and annoying metal grinding noise when it turns slowly. It is shockingly loud and at first I thought that there was some sort of metal fabrication factory or construction site nearby. This happens any time of day or night, depending on the wind, and can be clearly heard from most sites on the west side of the campground. It would be loud enough to wake someone in a tent, but probably not an RV. Again, I e-mailed the park manager (Gabriel Medrano) about this, and didn't even get the courtesy of a reply.

  • Crista G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Iron Creek Campground
    Apr. 21, 2024

    Iron Creek Campground

    Lovely quiet free spot

    Clean, quiet campground not far from Emory pass. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Only a handful of people there on Friday night

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rockhound State Park
    Apr. 14, 2024

    Rockhound State Park

    Nice and easy to get there

    RSP is a nice state park. It’s quiet, the area is clean, and the hosts were great. If I were to do it again I would stay at a non electric site. They are closer to the mountains and more separated. For me the electric sites are too close with not enough screening between them.

  • Erin S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground
    Apr. 6, 2024

    Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground

    Beautiful camping in the Organs

    Great campsite right outside of las cruces. Very pretty drive in but easy to fly by if you’re going too fast on the main highway. Good spot to stay if you want to hike any of the trails in the Organ mountains

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from SaddleHawk Ranch
    Apr. 5, 2024

    SaddleHawk Ranch

    Great owners

    Just an overnight after 5hr drive. Lots of different animals at ranch. Provided adapter for 50 to 30 amps. Would stay again!

  • Matthew W.
    Camper-submitted photo from SaddleHawk Ranch
    Apr. 4, 2024

    SaddleHawk Ranch

    Road Trip Campsite

    The animals are cute and the owners are friendly. It’s a quiet place to pull off the highway and spend the night. The night skies are very dark, so it’s perfect for stargazing.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Valley Ranch RV Resort
    Mar. 27, 2024

    Hidden Valley Ranch RV Resort

    Very nice and not expensive, no tent sites

    2-night minimum, at the end of a maintained gravel road. I have a camper van, no hookups, and paid $48 for two nights. Large rec room with full kitchen, satellite tv, pool table, and pop/candy/ice cream for sale. Laundry and hot showers. Very friendly and a majority of sites are long time full timers. Cash or check only, no credit cards. Good wi-fi. Propane available. About 10 miles to town and 30 miles to City of Rocks state park.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dream Catcher RV Park
    Mar. 20, 2024

    Dream Catcher RV Park

    Nicely kept

    Nothing extravagant extra clean. Well taken of. Nicely helpful heated shower rooms. I looked at it Lots of restaurants nearby. There was lots of availability staff very nice

  • Ashlee G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hot Springs Glamp Camp
    Mar. 14, 2024

    Hot Springs Glamp Camp

    Amazing glamping stay!

    Highly recommend this gem. It’s tucked away and such a cozy and slow place to stay. We stayed in a campsite for 5 nights. Highly recommend more than one day so you can enjoy the springs and the town! It has lovely clean hot spring tubs that are open 24/7. It’s an intimate camp so we rarely had to wait for a tub. Also has clean bathrooms and showers and a grill. 2 blocks away from Main Street and 2 blocks from the Rio grande. Great host and great service too.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from SaddleHawk Ranch
    Mar. 13, 2024

    SaddleHawk Ranch

    Great overnight stay

    Camping trailer stay using 30A hookup. Hosts are very friendly. It is a working ranch… enjoyed the horses, donkeys, mules, goats, zebus and chickens! Peaceful dessert setting, highly recommended!!!

  • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Siesta RV Park
    Mar. 5, 2024

    Siesta RV Park

    Needs a refreshing

    This is a small RV park just west of ElPaso. It’s older and could use some maintenance. Sites are level, but very close to. Lots of dust. (This is the desert , so maybe expected) 30/50 amp, water & sewer. Free WiFi and Cable TV No dog park. No pool There is a convenience store and grocery store.



Guide to Salem

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.

What to do

  • Explore Elephant Butte Lake State Park: This park is perfect for fishing and boating. One visitor mentioned, "If you like to fish or have a boat, this is the place for you!" The park also has hiking trails for those who prefer to stay on land.
  • Visit Riverbend Hot Springs: Soaking in the hot springs is a must. A camper shared, "The nighttime serenity and views were stunning," highlighting the relaxing atmosphere after a day of exploring.
  • Hike nearby trails: Trails around the area offer beautiful views. One reviewer noted, "There are plenty of places to hike and fish," making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort said, "The staff was very easy to get a hold of during business hours," emphasizing the helpfulness of the staff.
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer large, private spaces. One camper at Leasburg Dam State Park Campground remarked, "Sites are gravel with a concrete pad; they are generous in size and spaced far enough apart to provide more than sufficient privacy."
  • Family-friendly activities: Campgrounds often have playgrounds and recreational areas. A reviewer at Las Cruces KOA mentioned, "Really nice pool, basketball court, corn hole, playground," making it a great spot for families.

What you should know

  • Reservations are recommended: Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A camper at New Mexico Leasburg Dam State Park noted, "All sites need to be reserved."
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have full hookups. One visitor at Elephant Butte Lake State Park mentioned, "Only vault toilets close to the Lions Beach campground," indicating that some areas may lack running water and showers.
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Percha Dam State Park shared, "The raccoons are amusing if they're not getting into your stuff," so keep an eye on your food!

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with amenities like playgrounds and pools. A parent at Las Cruces KOA said, "Tent spots, covered tent spots, RV spots with 120/30A/50A and water," which makes it easy for families to set up.
  • Plan activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. One camper at Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort mentioned, "Fire pit and shade over picnic table," perfect for family gatherings.
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Keep everyone happy with plenty of food. A visitor at Riverbend Hot Springs suggested, "Free coffee and tea in the morning," which is a nice touch for early risers.

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Caballo Lake State Park Campground noted, "The park is on the lake it's named after," indicating spacious areas for larger rigs.
  • Use online reservations: Many campgrounds are moving to online booking. A visitor at Elephant Butte Lake State Park mentioned, "Had to book online or phone," making it easier to secure a spot.
  • Be prepared for weather changes: The weather can shift quickly, so pack accordingly. A camper at New Mexico Leasburg Dam State Park advised, "The skies at night were clear," suggesting that nights can be chilly.

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

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Salem, NM?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Salem, NM is Railroad Canyon Campground with a 3.4-star rating from 5 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Salem, NM?

    TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Salem, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.