Best Equestrian Camping near San Acacia, NM

Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel in Bernardo offers spaces for equestrian travelers with dedicated horse facilities. The campground provides both RV and tent sites with hookups for electric, water, and sewer connections. Horse stalls and an exercise area accommodate equine guests, while the park maintains clean facilities with showers, toilets, and laundry services. Highway noise from nearby I-25 is noticeable but not overwhelming. The motel operates year-round and accepts Good Sam and Passport discounts for overnight stays.

Located approximately 30 minutes from San Acacia, Water Canyon Campground provides trail access for horseback riding with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets available at no cost. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping, though the narrow, rocky dirt road requires careful navigation for larger vehicles. Equestrians frequently visit the area, occasionally allowing children to interact with their horses. Several hiking trails connect to the campground, and dispersed camping options exist further up forest roads for those seeking more remote horse camping experiences. The campground typically operates from March through November, though seasonal closures may affect availability.

Best Equestrian Sites Near San Acacia, New Mexico (4)

    1. Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel

    4 Reviews
    La Joya, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 861-0693

    "Kiva RV Park is just a 5 minute drive from the NWR, so we stayed there on a Friday night, so we could get up bright and early for our hiking the next day."

    2. Water Canyon Campground

    13 Reviews
    Magdalena, NM
    21 miles
    Website

    "You don't often find free developed camping at the end of a paved road in New Mexico, but Water Canyon is one of those exceptions. "

    "Every year, we drive from Texas to Apache National Forest. Cibola is halfway. Every year, we make sure to stay the night at Water Canyon. First: the views. Secondly, the amenities."

    3. Red Canyon Campground

    8 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 847-2990

    "Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground. We had a nice shady site, some others seemed more exposed."

    "However, though there are bathrooms at the location, they are really smelly and flies surround them."

    4. Manzano Mountains Camp

    2 Reviews
    Mountainair, NM
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 346-3900

    "Took awhile to get here, well off the beaten path. Ponderosa Pines, oak and juniper scrub. Ample supply of downed trees to use as firewood. Gets muddy if it rains."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near San Acacia, NM

27 Reviews of 4 San Acacia Campgrounds


  • Patrick B.
    Oct. 16, 2022

    Water Canyon Campground

    Can't beat the price (for now)

    You don't often find free developed camping at the end of a paved road in New Mexico, but Water Canyon is one of those exceptions.  It seems to be one of those spots that people don't take the time to get off the highway to explore -- on a weekday in July there was only one other campsite occupied.

    There are about a dozen campsites, vault toilets, trash cans, a group campsite at the bottom of the hill and easy access to some great hiking trails, all about ten minutes outside of Socorro and an hour from Albuquerque.

    While the campground is free for now, I did see some notices posted about the Forest Service taking public comment on levying a $10 per night fee per site.

  • J
    Aug. 19, 2020

    Water Canyon Campground

    A solid stop

    Every year, we drive from Texas to Apache National Forest. Cibola is halfway. Every year, we make sure to stay the night at Water Canyon. First: the views. Secondly, the amenities. A level spot, with a fire ring, table and maintained vault toilets for $0. The most spacious spots are the first two, after that a six man tent is the largest tent you’ll fit on a level spot. We have never really explored further than our camp site, as our children are small and out number us. But for 12-36 hours, it is a beautiful stay that includes campfires, lizards and the occasional equestrian that lets our kids treat their horses. Treasured memories, unplugged and free.

  • Reuben
    Nov. 3, 2020

    Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel

    Humble but still pretty nice

    We live in Albuquerque, but wanted to spend a day hiking the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Kiva RV Park is just a 5 minute drive from the NWR, so we stayed there on a Friday night, so we could get up bright and early for our hiking the next day.

    The folks running the place were very friendly. Led us to our spot and made sure everything was okay for us. It's a fairly humble place...gravel roads and parking spots. No concrete to be seen. Each slot has a fairly wide planted area, but this is not patches of green lawn. They have mature native trees and shrubs that are well maintained. Plenty of big cottonwood trees provided shade. The place is clearly run on a low budget, but is well maintained and there is pride in the work here. When we visited, it appeared to be nearly full, and it felt like perhaps 50/50 mix between long-term residents and overnight(or nearly overnight) visitors. There is a large corral area for horses. We walked over to it but there were no horses there. There's a little dog park, a bathhouse and laundry. We didn't use any of those amenities, so I can't comment. I believe the laundry is listed as free.(This is not the case with the wifi, which was complex and had a fee.) I just used my hotspot from my Verizon service and because we had 4 bars, that worked just fine for streaming some Netflix that night.

    We really like the place. Lots of neighbors, but everyone was very friendly, and no late partying. A few kids. But really, it was all very pastoral and nice. We'd stay here again. 

    Not all was perfect. Aside from the less-than-friendly wifi: 1) The sewer hookup is just an open pipe. No threads. A little stinky when you take the cover off.  2) It is almost literally right next to the interstate. There's no denying those traffic noise is real. We slept with no issues, but if traffic noise doesn't act like white noise for you...you might want to look somewhere else. We're lucky; but I know this is a deal-breaker for some.

    They do offer a Good Sam discount of 10%, so with tax, we paid $34. Well worth it. Very nice stay.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 4, 2023

    Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel

    Horse Motel

    Park is very nice. Spots are accessible and park is clean. Stables for horses with exercise area. A little bit noisy from interstate but not to bad.

  • Gavin J.
    Jun. 2, 2021

    Red Canyon Campground

    Relaxing weekend getaway

    Came recommended by a friend. Beautiful secluded spot in the Manzanos. Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground. We had a nice shady site, some others seemed more exposed.

  • S
    Sep. 8, 2019

    Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel

    Nice for overnight

    Nice place for an overnight stay. Owner is nice, laundry, showers & restrooms. Close to highway, which you hear, but nice stop for just an overnight. Takes Good Sam & Passport.

  • Melinda J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 4, 2025

    Water Canyon Campground

    Water canyon

    There are campsites available but not for big rigs. We have a 40 foot toy hauler and the dirt roads and narrowness would not allow for us. If you have something maybe 18’ or less and 4wd you could probably make it fine. We stayed right at the entrance near the picnic area. Spoke with fire inspector from the forest service and he said it was fine. The location was decent. Pretty quiet except for early morning vehicles driving up the road to the observatory and lab? We didn’t make the drive up as we have a dually and the road is pretty narrow.

  • Atheena T.
    Apr. 12, 2025

    Red Canyon Campground

    Red Canyon

    This is an amazing campsite. There are nice fire pits and picnic spots. However, though there are bathrooms at the location, they are really smelly and flies surround them.

  • J
    Apr. 19, 2021

    Red Canyon Campground

    Nice location

    This is not the state park campground. This is the NFS campground in beautiful setting. No reservation required. Right next to trailheads. Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons. Toilets but no water so come prepared.


Guide to San Acacia

Water Canyon Campground features hiking trails and dispersed camping options near San Acacia, New Mexico. Located at the base of the Magdalena Mountains at approximately 6,000 feet elevation, the area receives moderate snowfall in winter months and summer temperatures typically range 10-15 degrees cooler than the Rio Grande valley. The surrounding pine and juniper woodlands support wildlife including mule deer and various bird species.

What to do

Explore remote canyon trails: Water Canyon offers several hiking paths for all skill levels. "There are about a dozen campsites, vault toilets, trash cans, a group campsite at the bottom of the hill and easy access to some great hiking trails, all about ten minutes outside of Socorro and an hour from Albuquerque," notes Patrick B. about Water Canyon Campground.

Visit wildlife refuges: The Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge provides excellent hiking opportunities just minutes from some campgrounds. According to Reuben at Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel, "We live in Albuquerque, but wanted to spend a day hiking the Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge. Kiva RV Park is just a 5 minute drive from the NWR, so we stayed there on a Friday night, so we could get up bright and early for our hiking the next day."

Mountain biking on forest roads: The Manzano Mountains offer excellent mountain biking terrain connecting multiple canyons. John H. describes Red Canyon Campground as having "Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons. Toilets but no water so come prepared."

What campers like

Free camping options: Several areas near San Acacia offer no-cost camping. According to Laura M., "This is a FREE campground but plans are in the works to started charging in 2 years at $10/night. There are gravel tent and parking pads, picnic tables, fire rings, pit toilets and garbage."

Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see local wildlife. Jacob S. reports about Red Canyon Campground: "We stayed in the camping area near the trailhead. Very green and lush with deer visiting our site at dusk!"

Peaceful environment: The wooded areas of the Manzano Mountains provide quiet camping away from urban areas. Roger J. describes Manzano Mountains Camp as "Remote and quiet. Took awhile to get here, well off the beaten path. Ponderosa Pines, oak and juniper scrub. Ample supply of downed trees to use as firewood."

What you should know

Road conditions vary: Some horse campgrounds near San Acacia, New Mexico have difficult access roads. Melinda J. warns about Water Canyon: "There are campsites available but not for big rigs. We have a 40 foot toy hauler and the dirt roads and narrowness would not allow for us. If you have something maybe 18' or less and 4wd you could probably make it fine."

Limited amenities: Most dispersed camping areas lack running water. John H. notes about Red Canyon: "Toilets but no water so come prepared."

Weather considerations: The Manzano Mountains area can get muddy after rainfall. Greg R. observed that Manzano Mountains Camp is "very wooded. Could get muddy when it rains. Lots of sites."

Facility conditions: Restrooms at some campgrounds require maintenance. Atheena T. reports that at Red Canyon Campground: "This is an amazing campsite. There are nice fire pits and picnic spots. However, though there are bathrooms at the location, they are really smelly and flies surround them."

Tips for camping with families

Look for sites with equestrian encounters: Children may enjoy meeting horses at some campgrounds. Jacqueline C. shares about Water Canyon Campground: "We have never really explored further than our camp site, as our children are small and out number us. But for 12-36 hours, it is a beautiful stay that includes campfires, lizards and the occasional equestrian that lets our kids treat their horses. Treasured memories, unplugged and free."

Consider noise factors: Highway noise can affect sleep quality for sensitive children. Greg R. notes that Kiva RV Park has "Little noise from I25 but very pet friendly."

Be prepared for overnight disturbances: Some campgrounds experience unexpected nighttime activity. Jennifer A. reports: "All was well until someone started illegally cutting down trees at 2 in the morning. After an annoying couple of hours they were gone, most of our group were wide awake and tried to go back to sleep."

Tips from RVers

Rig size limitations: Many forest roads near San Acacia have restrictions for larger vehicles. Laura M. advises: "The sign at the beginning of the dirt road said trailers not advisable but one came down before we started up so we went for it. We have a 26 foot class C. Dirt road driving experience necessary. The road is quite narrow, rocky and has a couple washouts and tight turns but not impossible to navigate....use your best judgement!"

Consider highway proximity: Some RV parks are located near major highways, which creates a noise/convenience tradeoff. Reuben notes: "It is almost literally right next to the interstate. There's no denying those traffic noise is real. We slept with no issues, but if traffic noise doesn't act like white noise for you...you might want to look somewhere else."

Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Water Canyon Campground typically operates from March through November, while Red Canyon Campground is available from April to November.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near San Acacia, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near San Acacia, NM is Kiva RV Park & Horse Motel with a 3.8-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near San Acacia, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near San Acacia, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.