Best Tent Camping near Salem, NM
The Gila National Forest surrounding Salem, New Mexico offers several tent camping options with varying levels of amenities and accessibility. Kingston Campground provides free tent campsites with basic facilities including vault toilets and trash service. Railroad Canyon Campground, located near Hanover, features small walk-in tent sites situated along a creek with access to wilderness trails. Both campgrounds are relatively small, with Kingston offering just a couple of spots and Railroad Canyon limited to 3-4 tent sites, making them suitable for campers seeking quieter primitive tent camping experiences.
Sites at these campgrounds typically feature flat, natural surfaces suitable for tent setup. Kingston Campground sits right off the highway but experiences minimal traffic, making it accessible for most vehicles. Railroad Canyon provides more seclusion from the road compared to other nearby campgrounds. Both locations offer vault toilets but lack drinking water, so tent campers must bring their own supply. Railroad Canyon permits fires in designated rings and allows pets, while Kingston provides trash collection. Seasonal considerations affect accessibility, with Railroad Canyon generally open from April to November, and Kingston serving as a good alternative when higher elevation campgrounds are too cold.
Tent campers frequently appreciate the natural features surrounding these sites. According to reviews, Railroad Canyon Campground offers "many trails to access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites." The small size of these campgrounds contributes to their appeal, with one visitor noting they "were the only people there during our visit." Kingston Campground provides a convenient backcountry tent camping option when weather conditions make higher elevations less hospitable. For those seeking more remote experiences, Sierra Vista Back Side Dispersed camping area offers primitive tent-only sites with no facilities but greater seclusion. Campers note that "the best sites are furthest from the entrance," requiring high-clearance vehicles to access or the willingness to park and walk in to reach the most desirable tent campsites.