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Best Tent Camping near San Mateo, NM

200 Reviews

Tent camping near San Mateo, New Mexico offers several backcountry and dispersed options within the Cibola National Forest. Lobo Canyon Campground provides primitive tent sites surrounded by forest terrain, while Forest Service Road Large Camp offers more secluded walk-in tent locations. The Chain of Craters Hiker Hideout provides a unique backcountry tent camping experience adjacent to El Malpais National Monument, requiring a hike-in approach.

Most tent campsites in this region lack basic amenities such as drinking water, showers, or electrical hookups. Campers should pack in all necessary water and supplies, including portable toilets where required. Forest Service Road Large Camp features established fire rings but limited other facilities. Seasonal considerations affect accessibility, with Lobo Canyon generally open from May through September. The remote nature of these areas means campers must be self-sufficient and practice proper waste disposal. Road conditions vary significantly, particularly when accessing more remote tent locations like Ojito Wilderness, where high-clearance vehicles may be necessary.

Sites farther from established areas provide greater solitude for tent campers seeking immersive wilderness experiences. The Forest Service Road Large Camp offers spacious tent sites with proximity to the Continental Divide Trail, making it popular for backpackers. Tree cover provides important shade during summer months at locations like Lobo Canyon, where tent campsites are nestled among the forest. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound in these natural settings, though proper food storage is essential. A camper at Lobo Canyon observed, "Great quiet dispersed campground with plenty of spots to choose from, nestled in the trees with plenty of shade for summer months." Access to Ojito Wilderness can be challenging, with some visitors reporting difficult road conditions requiring careful navigation for the 9-10 mile journey from Highway 550.

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Best Tent Sites Near San Mateo, New Mexico (5)

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Tent Camping Reviews near San Mateo, NM

200 Reviews of 5 San Mateo 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. (:

  • 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 Mateo

Tent camping near San Mateo, New Mexico offers a serene escape into nature, with various campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts seeking adventure and tranquility.

Tips for tent camping near San Mateo

  • Arrive early at the Joe Skeen Campground to secure a spot, as it fills up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
  • Be prepared for a primitive experience at the Cibola National Forest Lobo Canyon Campground, where amenities like drinking water and toilets are not available.
  • Pack your own firewood and drinking water when visiting the Lobo Canyon, as these essentials are not provided on-site.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near San Mateo, 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 Mateo, NM?

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

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