Red Canyon Campground and Turner Inn & RV Park offer glamping and yurt camping options near San Acacia, New Mexico. The area sits at the junction of high desert terrain and the Manzano Mountains, with elevations ranging from 4,600 to over 6,000 feet. Summer temperatures often reach 90°F during daytime hours while dropping to the 50s at night, creating significant temperature swings campers should prepare for.
What to do
Hiking trail access: Red Canyon Campground provides direct access to hiking trails through pine forests. One camper notes, "Right next to trailheads. Great Mountain biking on forest roads that link canyons." The trailheads connect to a network of paths suitable for day hikes.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife. A visitor to Red Canyon Campground reported, "Very green and lush with deer visiting our site at dusk!" Wildlife sightings occur frequently, particularly in early morning and evening hours.
Stargazing: Clear night skies make the area ideal for astronomy. The lack of light pollution creates optimal viewing conditions. According to a camper, "Connectivity was spotty. I did get a phone call while using the bathroom in the lower campground. Beautiful campground with large spaces. Not crowded."
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: The remote location provides quiet camping experiences away from crowds. A visitor mentioned, "There are vault toilets, trash bins, and bear boxes. This campground is nice with sites for RV and tent camping."
Shaded sites: Red Canyon Campground offers sites under tree cover, providing natural cooling during hot days. As one camper stated, "We had a nice shady site, some others seemed more exposed." The pine trees create natural barriers between camping spots.
Level sites with hookups: Turner Inn offers practical amenities for longer stays. A visitor observed, "Campsites are level full hook ups. Nice people they have Wi-Fi nice bathrooms there's a really great grocery store downtown called the B St. Café." These features make extended yurt camping near San Acacia, New Mexico more comfortable.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Red Canyon operates from April through November only. A camper advises, "I'd recommend going before Memorial Day while the sites are still clean." Off-season closures affect facility availability.
Facility limitations: Basic amenities vary between locations. A visitor to Turner Inn & RV Park shared, "It was $36 if I paid cash and that was with a 10% discount." At Red Canyon, "Toilets but no water so come prepared."
Campground conditions: Some sites experience overuse during peak season. A camper warned, "The only issue is it seems a lot of people who come here don't know camp etiquette and leave the sites completely trashed. Fire pits buried and unusable, beer cans and trash everywhere."
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly trails: The moderate terrain suits younger hikers. A visitor stated, "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."
Bring your own water: No drinking water is available at Red Canyon. One visitor advised, "This is the NFS campground in beautiful setting. No reservation required. Toilets but no water so come prepared." Family groups should budget 1 gallon per person per day.
Noise considerations: Red Canyon Campground occasionally experiences unexpected disturbances. A camper reported, "We had a great night with a campfire and a good view of the stars and moon. All was well until someone started illegally cutting down trees at 2 in the morning."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: The two locations offer different levels of service. A visitor noted, "Great camp with most hook ups. They don't have sewer but they do have a dump station. Mostly back in spaces so pay attention what side your door is on and opens to."
TV and radio reception: Despite the remote location, some communication services remain available. One RVer shared, "Very nice place. Good water pressure. Great TV reception from Alb, NM TV stations. Lot of radio stations too." Cell service remains limited to specific carriers and locations.
