The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near San Fidel, NM

174 Reviews

Tent campers near San Fidel, New Mexico have several options in the surrounding Cibola National Forest area. Lobo Canyon Campground offers tent sites from May through September, while the more primitive Forest Service Road Large Camp provides dispersed camping opportunities along the Continental Divide Trail. Chain of Craters Hiker Hideout offers a single hike-in tent site within El Malpais National Monument for those seeking more solitude.

Most tent sites in this region lack basic amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient. The Forest Service Road Large Camp features established fire rings but no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Lobo Canyon Campground provides vault toilets during its operational season but no potable water. Campers should pack in all necessary water and pack out all waste. A recent review noted, "This is dispersed camping in the national forest," highlighting the primitive nature of these sites. High-clearance vehicles may be necessary to access some of the more remote camping areas, particularly after rain when forest service roads can become muddy.

The tent camping experience near San Fidel offers significant solitude and natural beauty. The Forest Service Road Large Camp sits directly off the Continental Divide Trail, providing excellent access for hikers. One camper shared that "the surrounding area is gorgeous" with camp spots "nestled in the trees" providing "plenty of shade for the summer months." Most sites remain uncrowded even during peak season, with campers often reporting they were the only ones present. The higher elevation provides cooler temperatures during summer months, making these tent sites particularly appealing when lower elevations experience extreme heat. Chain of Craters Hiker Hideout requires a hike in but rewards tent campers with exceptional privacy and wilderness immersion within the volcanic landscape of El Malpais.

Map showing campgrounds near San Fidel, New MexicoExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near San Fidel, New Mexico (4)

Show More
Showing results 1-4 of 4 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

San Fidel Contest

Enter to Win

Tent Camping Reviews near San Fidel, NM

174 Reviews of 4 San Fidel Campgrounds

  • Michael M.
    Aug. 30, 2017

    Coal Mine Campground

    Great for a weary traveler

    Visited the coal mine campground after driving a 500 mile day, so it was a set-up eat and crash situation. I did make a reservation on line, but that cost more than the $5 per site fee and was not necessary even though it was memorial day weekend. The fee is great because it is primitive, no electricity, no water at all, not just hookups, but the bathrooms were nice and clean with no sinks.

    If you are prepared for a primitive camp with your own water and batteries for your electronics it is great. They have fire rings, grills, picnic tables and level places for tents.There are also nice back-in sites for boondocking RVs and the road up to the campground is fine for big rigs.

    I ran into two mountain biker's here from Ireland that were riding the Continental Divide trail from The Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Montana. They were staying here since the Trail goes through here. Paddy & Conner were very interesting people and I was fortunate to have run into them here.

    I enjoyed my stay with a peaceful quite nights sleep and a short hike in the morning before breakfast cooked on the campfire. I would recommend this over a hotel stay if your passing through Grant's New Mexico on I40. You can probably get a site for the night anytime your passing through.

  • Jean C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 1, 2020

    El Morro National Monument

    Beautiful location

    El Morro National Monument features some amazing petroglyphs and the remains of a pueblo, offering fun hikes. Nearby is a free campground, first-come, first-served. There's water available except in winter (and then you can fill containers at the visitor's center) and vault toilets.

    Sites offer picnic tables, fire rings, and tent pads. Some, because of their set-up, are better suited to tents than RVs, but because you can't reserve in advance, you'll get to choose what works best for you...assuming there's vacancy. In December it was cold and largely unoccupied, but in warmer months I'm guessing it fills quickly. Sit 5 is handicap accessible and located across from the bathroom.

  • G
    Mar. 19, 2021

    Joe Skeen Campground

    Premium free site

    Only 10 sites and all have covered picnic tables, bbq grill and fire ring. Unfortunately maybe 1 or 2 are level sites. A 30’ rv might be the max because of the uneven ground. I have a 22’ TT and had to use extra blocks to level out. When I arrived their were only 2 sites left. The one I didn’t pick was kinda part of a group site where the picnic tables were close otherwise the sites are 100’ or more apart. Half of the sites were occupied by either tents or people sleeping in their cars. Trash bins scattered throughout the park and 2 vaulted toilets in different areas. No water, electricity or dump. Because this area can fill up fast, it’s best to have an alternate plan, especially near the weekends.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 3, 2023

    Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

    Very nice free campground

    Each site has a covered picnic table and fire ring. Fairly exposed to the wind. Vault toilets. BLM dirt road near the entrance you can walk / hike down. Brochures of El Malpais at the entrance to the campground. Got there at 4 pm and only half the sites taken. Not bad for a spring break Saturday. Eventually all the sites filed up. Woke up to a beautiful snow storm. Dogs are allowed on this national monument trails, but discouraged because of the sharp lava rocks.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    Coal Mine Campground

    USFS, 3.5 overall stars, quiet, clean restrooms, near Grants, NM

    No reservations accepted, but no one there so we had our pick (showed up on a Tues. in late May). Mens/womens restrooms look new, 2 of each, side by side. Sporadic 4g Verizon network (was VERY slow when it was up), sometimes no service. But, we were surprisingly able to watch end of game 4 Knicks/Pacers playoff, once it finally loaded! Short walking trail that is not marked well; took a side trip where it forked at the beginning and not sure where it went so, turned around. Right next to Hwy, but there was minimal traffic so no noise. Sheriff drove through once in evening. Some trees, some spots have some shade, elevation ~7000' or so (estimate). Some spots had nice space for multiple tents/sun shades. Most spots are level; those that weren't, were level enough, really not bad. Seemed safe enough. No water available, no hook-ups, no dump station.

  • Candy's Catmobile RV Life-Utube S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2024

    Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

    Best dispersed camping you'll find! Some cell service, read review

    I enjoyed my week at Joe Skeen in April 2024. If you camp near the top of the loop, overlooking the road below you'll get some cell service. I was in camp site 8 and have Tmobile I had 5G 2 bars, but it came in and out. I was still able to stream and use my phone hot spot. Nice cement pads with picnic tables, pavillion, fire pit and BBQ stands. Vault toilets with trash bins, but NO WATER! Be careful if you're towing anything, as my trailer bottomed out and bent the jack stand on my brand new car hauler trailer at the gulley in the road on the way into the campground. They should fill that in!! Check out my Utube journey's at: Candy's Catmobile RV Life on Utube. (:

  • Kelley G.
    Oct. 31, 2020

    Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

    Beautiful overnight stay

    Stopped here for the night as our first campsite after purchasing our travel trailer.

    Gorgeous drive in from 40 to the campsite.

    Awesome pull-through site.

    Only saw one person doing tent camping. Looked like a cold stay Oct 30th-31st.

    Beautiful sunset, unfortunately slept through dawn.

    Moon was so bright we didn’t need a flashlight for the bathroom with a clear path from our site. Bear safe trash through out.

    Each site is spaces a decent amount apart from the rest.

    Quiet time 10 pm - 6 am.

    We saw chipmunks scurrying about in the morning. We were hoping to see more wildlife but can’t complain for pulling in around 3:30 and choosing from about 4 empty sites and leaving by 9 am.

    Very clean and safe toilet area. Incredible views!

    Watch your dogs stepping in cactus. Dogs need to be on leash, but not enforced. Our dog loved this spot but he did sniff cactus too close ouch.

    Highly recommend.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 27, 2023

    Grants KOA Journey

    Convenient to many activities

    General: Conveniently located close to I40, there are 20 pull-through 50-amp sites, 16 pull-through 30-amp sites, five back-in water/electric sites (ok for tents), five tent-only sites (no hookups) and four cabins. Other amenities include showers, laundry, a short (approx. 1/3 mile) walking trail, free WiFi, and a playground. We were welcomed by a very friendly staff and offered a cookie upon check-in. But perhaps the best amenity is the dinner service. You have a choice of several entrées, sides, and pie, choose your 10-minute delivery window, and the food is delivered directly to your site! A free continental breakfast is included as well. 

    Site Quality: As we expected, there is little privacy/separation between the sites. Our site (A) was located right next to the playground so expect to hear children playing if you are in this site (assigned by staff upon check-in). The sites are all gravel and level.

    Bathhouse: Three all-in-one toilet/sink/shower combos and one additional bathroom. All were very clean, and the shower was very welcome after many days without one! There were two hooks, a bench, a garbage can, electrical outlet all in the room. There was a little drainage issue but there was an additional drain in the room. There is a code to access the restrooms. 

    Activities: There is so much to do in the area! The campground itself has a short walking path where pets are permitted. Outside of the campground, you can go to Ice Caves/Bandera Volcano (about 30 miles away) and a bit further, El Morro National Monument. One exit east takes you to El Malpais National Monument with more trails (note the Ranger Station and Visitor Center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays but you can still visit). Chaco Canyon is about two hours north. There are also several museums in the area and also a stretch of Route 66 (be sure to pose your car and yourself for a selfie in the Route 66 Arch!) Note you will hear an occasional train and road noise from I40. 

    As far as the campground itself is concerned, it is nothing special but the amenities more than make up for it! We highly recommend the pie!

  • m
    Jun. 4, 2022

    Joe Skeen Campground

    Beautiful desert view

    It’s a great place to stay outside of Albuquerque. Water is only available at certain times. The bathroom was clean. No showers. Beautiful clear sky & flat spots for tenting

Guide to San Fidel

Tent camping near San Fidel, New Mexico provides access to Cibola National Forest at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 8,500 feet, creating significantly cooler summer temperatures than surrounding lowlands. The volcanic landscape features unusual lava formations and cinder cones, with juniper and ponderosa pine forests providing natural shade. Forest service roads in the area can become impassable after heavy monsoon rains, typically occurring in July and August.

What to do

Hiking the Continental Divide Trail: Access the iconic long-distance trail directly from Forest Service Road Large Camp. One camper notes, "This spot is fairly wide open spacious, right off the Continental Divide Trail, and has two fire rings."

Explore volcanic landscapes: The region contains ancient lava flows and cinder cones. Primitive camping at Chain of Craters Hiker Hideout puts you in the heart of this unique terrain. Ashley F. cautions, "Due to wildfire there is no longer a bathroom. Please ensure you bring a portable toilet, no cat-holes."

Stargazing: The remote location and minimal light pollution create exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. The open areas around dispersed sites provide unobstructed views of constellations and the Milky Way.

What campers like

Peace and solitude: Campsites in the national forest rarely feel crowded. At Cibola National Forest Lobo Canyon Campground, Lauren M. appreciated that "There were plenty of spots to choose from. The surrounding area is gorgeous!"

Natural shade coverage: Many sites feature tree cover that helps moderate temperatures. Lauren M. also mentioned her "camp spot is nestled in the trees and has plenty of shade for the summer months."

Established fire rings: Despite the primitive nature of dispersed camping near San Fidel, some sites contain established fire rings. Mike V. pointed out that Forest Service Road Large Camp "has two fire rings" making campfire setup easier for visitors.

What you should know

Pack in all water: None of the tent camping areas near San Fidel provide drinking water. Bring adequate supplies for your entire stay.

Seasonal closures: Some facilities operate on limited schedules. As Lauren M. discovered in April, "the picnic area was closed" at Lobo Canyon Campground.

True wilderness camping: Prepare for self-sufficient tent camping with minimal amenities. Ralph J. summarized the experience: "We were the only campers in the campground. Loved the quiet. This is dispersed camping in the national forest."

Tips for camping with families

Vehicle access considerations: Most dispersed camping areas require driving on unpaved forest roads. Higher clearance vehicles perform better, especially after rain. Access Forest Service Road Large Camp "via forest service road 456 until it turns into FSR 239," according to Mike V.

Bathroom planning: With limited or no toilet facilities, families need portable waste solutions. The Chain of Craters Hiker Hideout no longer has bathrooms due to wildfire damage, requiring campers to bring portable toilets.

Weather preparation: Temperature swings between day and night can be significant at higher elevations. Pack extra layers even in summer months when nighttime temperatures can drop below 50°F.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Large RVs and trailers face significant limitations on forest roads. The tent camping areas near San Fidel generally accommodate smaller RVs or vans rather than large motorhomes.

Limited leveling space: Dispersed sites rarely offer perfectly flat parking areas. Bring leveling blocks and choose sites carefully to avoid excessive tilting.

No hookups available: All camping near San Fidel is primitive without water, electric, or sewer connections. RVers must be fully self-contained with sufficient water storage and waste capacity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near San Fidel, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near San Fidel, NM is Cibola National Forest Lobo Canyon Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near San Fidel, NM?

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

Keep Exploring