Best Campgrounds near Santa Clara, NM

Santa Clara, New Mexico serves as a gateway to diverse camping opportunities in the Gila National Forest region. Campgrounds like City of Rocks State Park offer established sites with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and picnic tables. The area features a mix of developed RV parks such as Silver City RV Park and Rose Valley RV Ranch that accommodate tent camping, RVs, and cabin rentals. Dispersed camping options can be found at locations like Bear Mountain and Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area, providing more primitive experiences within 30 miles of Santa Clara.

Camping access throughout the region varies seasonally, with some Forest Service campgrounds operating from April through November. Many campgrounds maintain year-round availability, though weather conditions affect accessibility, particularly at higher elevations. Summer brings warmer temperatures ideal for camping, while winter months can see freezing temperatures at night. Visitors should check current conditions before traveling, as New Mexico has implemented various camping restrictions in recent years. Cell service is spotty in remote areas, with some clearings offering limited connectivity. "This is a very isolated campsite. It's about an hour to an hour and a half of off-road driving to get to," noted one camper about a site in the broader Gila region.

The Gila National Forest area surrounding Santa Clara provides notable camping experiences with diverse natural features. Campers frequently mention the peaceful settings and proximity to hiking trails, particularly along the Continental Divide Trail. Sites near Lake Roberts offer fishing opportunities, while hot springs access is available at several locations within driving distance. Mixed-use campgrounds accommodate various camping styles, from tent sites to full RV hookups. One visitor described City of Rocks State Park as "a unique terrain with structures of Boulder rocks formed of volcanic ash and sculpted by wind and water into rows of monolithic blocks." Wildlife sightings are common, with visitors reporting deer, turkeys, and various bird species at campgrounds throughout the region.

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Best Camping Sites Near Santa Clara, New Mexico (82)

    1. City of Rocks State Park Campground

    36 Reviews
    Faywood, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-2800

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Last week I visited Faywood, New Mexico which is located about halfway in between Silver City and Deming, and I came across a unique terrain with structures of Boulder rocks that are “formed of volcanic"

    "Clean, well run park with many nice sites tucked in the rocks. Best for small rigs and tents, though there is an electric section also."

    2. Silver City KOA

    8 Reviews
    Arenas Valley, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-3351

    "Close to town and a ton of hiking! Super clean!! Would definitely stay here again."

    "Just not liking the noisy geese at a pond nearby. Nothing they can do about that though!"

    3. Silver City RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 538-2239

    "It’s close to downtown. There’s a grocery store within walking distance as well as a Dairy Queen and a Lottaburger. Very quiet. Hot showers. Full hookups. All for $35/night plus tax"

    "Great location walking distance to everything. There’s a grocery store around the corner. Super quiet. Woke up to the birds chirping away. Priced fairly and would stay here again."

    4. Rose Valley RV Ranch

    7 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 534-4277

    "Walking around will also involve walking through dirt areas to reach your destination. All in all though it’s a nice, private, roomy park that puts you right near Silver City’s local shops!"

    "The woman behind the counter was so accomodating and the spot we got for 2 nights was huge and very private. The showers were large and clean as well as the rest of the park."

    5. Manzanos RV Park

    5 Reviews
    Arenas Valley, NM
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 538-0918

    "Great place and close to sights, yet nestled in a lovely spot."

    "Nice RV park just outside of Silver City with large spaces and junipers between the spaces. We were in #16 which was huge. Full hookups, laundry. Only one bath with a shower."

    6. Continental Divide Park & Camp

    3 Reviews
    Arenas Valley, NM
    7 miles
    Website

    $25 - $35 / night

    "Nice Park just outside/south of the Gila National forest. Perfect spot if one wants to park and then drive into the Kila forest or cliff dwellings."

    "Perfect location to leave our trailer and go out exploring!"

    7. Cherry Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Arenas Valley, NM
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-8201

    "There’s a short, informal trail at the north end of the campground past the bathroom. The trail goes about 0.25 miles out; so 0.5 mile round trip. A nice evening or morning stroll or both."

    "My only complaint would have to be that it’s pretty close to the Main Street so you will hear some cars passing by but other than that, it’s a great place to camp"

    8. Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

    8 Reviews
    Hanover, NM
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-2250

    "There aren’t any numbered sites, but there are makeshift campfires and flat areas all around. The site also has trash disposal and vault toilets. Lots of trees for shade and hammocks."

    "Easily accessible from NM-35 and near a couple of general stores in Lake Roberts (10 minute drive north) and Mimbres (15 minute drive south). "

    9. Bear Mountain

    4 Reviews
    Silver City, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 388-8201

    "It is a tight squeeze to get a truck back there, Tacoma, but we got tucked in just fine. Also there’s a woodsy sign leading into the forest! Cool to see an iconic owl!"

    10. McMillan Campground

    2 Reviews
    Arenas Valley, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 538-2771

    "After not finding a campsite at the other near one called Cherry Creek. We ended up at McMillan campsite. Super close to the restroom but not close enough where it is unsanitary."

    "Lots of trees, two outhouses, a good few tables and designated campfire circles, all around nice if but a little muddy depending on the time of year"

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Recent Reviews near Santa Clara, NM

283 Reviews of 82 Santa Clara Campgrounds


  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Cattlemen Trail - Dispersed Camping

    A little too low desert for me, but still nice!

    Easy access, plenty of hidden spots behind/among the scrub brush and low trees. This is lower desert so there won’t be any tall pines/sprices, but still a few slightly shady spots for the sides of your camper to stay cooler.

    Probab

  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Bear Canyon Road Camp

    Pretty area!

    Pulled my 24 foot (tip to tip) travel trailer up the mountain. Curvy, narrow roads… just be careful and go slow.

    Plenty of campgrounds along the way, as well as these dispersed areas. Plenty of well used sites, as well as some that are less obvious (slightly overgrown but still accessible). I chose the more overgrown one with big open sky for Starlink signal.

    Beautiful area and nice to escape a little bit of the heat in the summer compared to silver city or south of there. About 5-10 degrees cooler and lots of shade.

  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Bear Mountain

    Ehhh...

    I eventually found the campsites thanks to another reviewer mentioning it was not at the coordinates listed. It is just before you reach the summit on road 424D or something like that. Not listed on maps - just a little brown sign on the left as you are driving along. Very tight squeeze of a path. Did not feel like taking my truck through there. 

    Not the prettiest area... and a pretty rough road. You won't need 4x4 or high clearance necessarily, but just not fun to drive on at all. The benefit is that you will not see hardly anyone else because of that lol. The other side of Pinos Altos is MUCH nicer roads, landscape and environment. Try Meadow Creek area. That whole road. Happy camping!

  • Manuel P.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

    Quiet getaway

    Went here without knowing where to stay. During the day there were a lot of UTV's and ATV's, however, it got pretty quiet during the night. People were very respectful and bathrooms were clean. We left our kayaks to go venture around and they were still there when we returned. Also found plenty of firewood around.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    City of Rocks State Park Campground

    Little known Gem! One of our favorites

    We've stayed here several times since 2021. It really is a little known campground that is a hidden gem. Biked to the paek on the last stay. Small hikes and a blast for the kids to explore the rock formations. We've stayed at several sites. This last time we stayed at the RV sites with hookups. No dump station on site. There are very clean bathrooms and showers though.

  • John H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dipping Vat Campground

    After a torturous drive in, the campground was... meh.

    We were warned.  The trip to the campground was 50ish miles of very rough dirt roads.  Took over two hours to make the drive.  We arrived at the campground mid-day and were pretty surprised.  As mentioned in another review, there are two loops.  There is a sunny loop and a shady loop.  We opted for the sunny loop for the view of Snow Lake.  We tow a 19' travel trailer and there were very few sites that would accommodate it.  I have to say that the sites were very overgrown and far from level. In the sunny loop, you can see every other camper there.

    The shady loop seemed pretty nice although again, the sites were smallish and not at all level.

    The bathrooms were clean and well cared for and there were well maintained water spigots for drinking water.

    Dripping Vat is on the Continental Divide Trail (hiking) and we had a steady stream of through hikers.

    Snow Lake is a small 90-acre lake with a nice boat ramp.  The scenery was spectacular and overall, we enjoyed our stay.  Its Just not a place we will return to.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Low Hi RV Ranch

    Great place!

    Very nice hosts and accommodating. Wide pull through and back ins, very reasonable rates! Saw some very recent damage from an overnight bad storm but easy recovery. Stayed here several times and always good. Pretty area and beautiful views, just a little off the beaten path (only about 5 miles) if looking for a quick overnight stop. But if wanting to stay a bit-great spot!

  • Jonathan E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2025

    Safari Campsite

    Sufficient, but small and mediocre

    This site is just a relatively short turn-off road with a loop for turning around and a small, non-dedicated area for pitching a tent as far as I could tell. If you have a camper/RV/van, then it should work fine, but it’s not the best for tent camping. I made it work, but wasn’t super excited about it. Also, there was a bit of trash left behind when I was there, but it wasn’t necessarily a dump.

    Getting to this spot was convenient since it is right off a paved road. There was a bit of car noise here and there, but it wasn’t bad. I heard coyotes singing nearby (from multiple directions) in the evening, but didn’t actually see any wildlife.

    In all, it was alright. Not horrible, not great, just sufficient.

  • Kay B.
    Jun. 11, 2025

    Buckhorn RV Park

    Family vibes!

    We absolutely loved our stay at Buckhorn RV Park! This place is family-owned and run, and you can really feel the care and pride Polly and David put into it. Everything is clean, spacious, and peaceful with gorgeous views all around. They truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and at home.

    One of the best parts was the sense of community—fellow campers were incredibly friendly and helpful, making it feel like more than just a stopover. Plus, we discovered the local Gila Farmers Market on Wednesday mornings just a short drive away. It was filled with amazing people, fresh produce, and handmade goods—definitely worth checking out!

    Whether you're passing through or planning a longer stay, Buckhorn RV Park is a hidden gem you won’t want to miss. Can’t wait to come back!


Guide to Santa Clara

Dispersed camping opportunities near Santa Clara, New Mexico extend beyond the Gila National Forest into surrounding areas with various terrain types. Located at elevations ranging from 5,800 to 7,500 feet, the region offers temperature variations that can fluctuate 30-40 degrees between day and night. Forest Service roads provide access to numerous camping spots where visitors can stay up to 14 consecutive days before needing to relocate at least 5 miles away.

What to do

Mountain biking on Continental Divide trails: Near Continental Divide Park & Camp, visitors can access several trail systems. "Nice Park just outside/south of the Gila National forest. Perfect spot if one wants to park and then drive into the Kila forest or cliff dwellings," notes one camper.

Explore unique rock formations: The volcanic rock formations at City of Rocks State Park provide a distinctive landscape for exploration. "You can spend hours exploring all the rocks. With reservations you can get a spot with power but they are closer together. We were very happy with the great place we had," a visitor shares.

Night sky observation: Several campgrounds offer exceptional stargazing due to minimal light pollution. "The park is far away from everywhere and offers a very quiet and peaceful experience. The rocks are spectacular as is the night sky," reports one camper about City of Rocks State Park.

Kayaking at nearby lakes: Lake Roberts is accessible from several camping areas and offers water recreation opportunities. "Lake Roberts is just zip the road for fishing opportunities," mentions a camper at Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: Rose Valley RV Ranch receives praise for its layout. "Nice widely spaced sites separated by nice juniper evergreens. Place is very tidy and well cared for," notes one visitor. Another adds, "The sites are huge and feel very private, offering a little fenced in, personal yard at most sites."

Clean facilities: Visitors frequently mention the upkeep of campground facilities. "The bathrooms were very clean and also private feeling," shares a Rose Valley RV Ranch camper. At Silver City RV Park, a visitor notes, "The staff is friendly, the site was clean and level. The bathrooms and showers were clean as well."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers report wildlife sightings throughout the area. At Bear Mountain, the elevation provides different habitat types. "Stopped here to spend the night in July because it was cooler (~7500 ft elevation), free, quiet and beautiful," shares one visitor.

Community atmosphere: Some campgrounds foster social connections. "Great place to stay on the way out of town if on the way to get on CDR. Can Uber to town if needed," notes a visitor at Silver City KOA.

What you should know

Weather extremes: The region experiences significant temperature fluctuations and seasonal wind. "Very unique landscape, great campsites but wow the wind was too much. We had friends go in spring who said it was windy and we went in mid May and it was the same story," cautions a City of Rocks visitor.

Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "Zero cell signal with verizon," reports a camper at Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area. Another adds, "No cell signal, which is a plus."

Road conditions: Access to some of the best places to camp near Santa Clara requires preparation. At Bear Mountain, a camper notes, "Not the prettiest area... and a pretty rough road. You won't need 4x4 or high clearance necessarily, but just not fun to drive on at all."

Wildlife precautions: Encounters with local wildlife require awareness. "We almost stepped on a camouflage rattlesnake, the bees take over the drinking water (if you turn it slowly, they don't seem to be bothered)," warns a visitor at City of Rocks State Park.

Tips for camping with families

Choose campgrounds with exploration opportunities: McMillan Campground offers spaces suitable for children. "Lots of trees, two outhouses, a good few tables and designated campfire circles, all around nice if but a little muddy depending on the time of year," notes one camper.

Look for sites with educational components: City of Rocks State Park offers learning experiences. "Each site is named after a constellation you can see in the sky at night from the campground," explains a visitor.

Consider accessibility needs: When camping with children, bathroom proximity matters. One camper at McMillan notes, "Super close to the restroom but not close enough where it is unsanitary. Perfect place to camp."

Pack for temperature changes: With significant day-to-night temperature swings, layered clothing is essential. "Chilly nights and early mornings," reports a Sapillo Dispersed Camping visitor.

Tips from RVers

Seek pull-through sites for larger rigs: Campgrounds vary in their ability to accommodate large vehicles. "Sites are long and spacious, level, gravel, wide with shrubbery and some fencing between, adding lots of privacy. Both easy back in and pull through sites," reports a visitor at Rose Valley RV Ranch.

Scout sites before committing: For easier parking, some recommend preliminary inspection. At Rose Valley, one camper advises, "Our site was a pull through but was too tight with other sites to actually pull our 33 ft trailer and truck through. We had to back out. Park navigation a bit tight for big rigs."

Consider proximity to town services: Manzanos RV Park offers a balance of seclusion and convenience. "I chose to stay in town this visit but these spots are much nicer and there are trails and things to see very close," shares a camper comparing options near Santa Clara.

Check for on-site amenities: Laundry and electrical service vary between campgrounds. At Continental Divide Park, a visitor notes, "Very nice campground with full hookups and inexpensive prices. Quiet with many amenities like laundry and super nice room built to hang out with others."

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Santa Clara campgrounds?

Amenities vary widely across Santa Clara area campgrounds. Faywood Hot Springs offers a unique experience with natural hot spring pools alongside camping facilities. Little Vineyard RV Park provides full hookups (30/50 amp), pull-through sites for RVs up to 65 feet, and clean bathrooms and showers that are regularly sanitized. For more basic accommodations, public campgrounds like Mesa Campground typically offer trash bins and access to water. Some sites may have limited amenities—Ridge Park RV, while scenic, has been noted for minimal facilities, so it's wise to check specific amenity lists before booking.

When is the best time of year to camp in Santa Clara?

The best time to camp in the Santa Clara area is typically spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) when temperatures are moderate. Dipping Vat Campground provides a secluded experience that's particularly valuable during busy holiday weekends when other sites are crowded. Winter camping is possible at Lordsburg KOA, though you may encounter some snow. Summer brings high temperatures in this region, often exceeding 90°F, so if camping during this season, sites with shade or water access are preferable. Always check seasonal road conditions, especially for remote sites that require off-road driving.

What are the best camping options in Santa Clara?

The Santa Clara area offers diverse camping experiences. City of Rocks State Park Campground stands out with its unique volcanic rock formations that create a surreal landscape of monolithic blocks, perfect for those seeking distinctive natural surroundings. For a more primitive experience, Gila Lower Box Canyon provides an authentic oasis with lush riparian areas, though it lacks formal sites and hookups. Those needing more amenities might consider the various RV parks in the region which offer convenient access to local attractions.