Top Tent Camping near Santa Clara, NM

Looking for an adventure where you can explore Santa Clara and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Santa Clara. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Santa Clara, New Mexico's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Santa Clara, NM (18)

    Camper-submitted photo from Silver City KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver City KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver City KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver City KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver City KOA
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver City KOA

    1. Silver City KOA

    8 Reviews
    28 Photos
    17 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Roberts
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Roberts
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Roberts
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Roberts
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Roberts
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Roberts

    2. Lake Roberts

    3 Reviews
    8 Photos
    76 Saves

    Lake Roberts is located in the Wilderness Ranger District along NM 35.__It can be accessed via NM 35 or NM 15. NM 15 is__a narrow paved, winding road that may__not be suitable for trucks with trailers.

    • Tents
    • Group
    • Trash
    • Firewood Available
    • Drinking Water
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo from Railroad Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Railroad Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Railroad Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Railroad Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Railroad Canyon Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Railroad Canyon Campground

    3. Railroad Canyon Campground

    5 Reviews
    38 Photos
    21 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • ADA Access
    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    Camper-submitted photo from Forks Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Forks Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Forks Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Forks Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Forks Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Forks Campground

    4. Forks Campground

    5 Reviews
    9 Photos
    78 Saves

    This campground features beautiful cliffs along the West Fork of the__Gila River.This campground is a great place to stop__on the way to the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument (15 miles north). Overnight camping is allowed in the upper portion of Forks; however, the lower portion of the Forks__Recreation Site__along the__West Fork of the Gila River is day use only.

    • Tents
    • Group
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Firewood Available
    • Toilets
    • Alcohol
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Canyon Campground - Lower
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Canyon Campground - Lower
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Canyon Campground - Lower
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Canyon Campground - Lower
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Canyon Campground - Lower
    Camper-submitted photo from Black Canyon Campground - Lower

    5. Black Canyon Campground - Lower

    4 Reviews
    17 Photos
    53 Saves

    This is a beautiful remote camping area. Trail #94 begins at the rear of the campground.Located in a remote area of forest__approximately 30 miles from the Wilderness Ranger District office. This campground is accessible from FR 150, and driving approximately .5 miles from the road, across the stream. You will enter an area with a newer vault toilet__and a beautiful meadow next to the stream.Please be advised - the district recommends high-clearance 4x4 vehicles on FR 150.

    • Tents
    • Standard (Tent/RV)
    • Trash
    • Firewood Available
    • Drinking Water
    • Toilets
    • No image available

      6. Lower Gallinas Campground

      1 Review
      1 Save
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Tents
      • Trash
      • Picnic Table
      • Toilets
      Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Canyon Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Canyon Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Canyon Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Canyon Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Rocky Canyon Campground

      7. Rocky Canyon Campground

      2 Reviews
      5 Photos
      9 Saves

      This is a fairly small campground and is popular with horse riders and hunters.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Tents
      • Picnic Table
      • Toilets
      • Alcohol
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Scorpion Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Scorpion Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Scorpion Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Scorpion Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Scorpion Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Lower Scorpion Campground

      8. Lower Scorpion Campground

      5 Reviews
      6 Photos
      36 Saves

      Lower Scorpion Campground is a partially developed campground within walking distance of the West Fork of the Gila River. The campground is located less than one mile from the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument just off NM State Highway 15. Drinking water is available, tables and grills are provided at select sites. Vault toilets are available on site. Camping is free of charge and first-come, first-served.

      • Tents
      • Group
      • Drinking Water
      • Toilets
      • Alcohol
      • No image available

        9. Kingston Campground

        1 Review
        9 Saves

        Small campground located along the north side of New Mexico Highway 152, near mile marker 40, near Middle Percha Creek, on the eastern edge of the small town of Kingston, NM.

        • Tents
        • Standard (Tent/RV)
        • Trash
        • Toilets
        • No image available
        Showing results 1-10 of 18 campgrounds

        Recent Tent Reviews In Santa Clara

        213 Reviews of 18 Santa Clara Campgrounds


        • UThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Manzanos RV Park
          Oct. 17, 2024

          Manzanos RV Park

          Great option in Silver City

          Man, free pulled pork BBQ every Sat. evening garnered this place the 5th star!  :) 

          Stayed 4/23- 4/30. 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. Naturalized pet relief area with some desert vegetation. Dirt road to the place from Kirkland. No playground so saw no kids staying there. Seemed like mature, respectful RVers. Some folks were extended stay, seemed like any long term residents were in a different area; overall nice, neat, quiet, and tidy. John keeps things in good order.

          BTW, in Silver City for Tour of the Gila, cool to see the stage races.

          Food aside: Heated up some frozen Bertolli pasta dinner and then: nothing on Sat. night because, free BBQ!!  Donations appreciated.

        • Patricia N.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from City of Rocks State Park
          Sep. 23, 2024

          City of Rocks State Park

          Fun place especially for kids

          Our grandsons loved this place. We went without reservations so there was no open place but they allow the overflow to camp in the group sites if they are empty.

          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. Would love to go again.

        • TThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping
          Aug. 13, 2024

          Meadow Creek Dispersed Camping

          Meadow Creek,NM

          Road is a little rough but well worth it. No one camped near us. Was able to let the dogs roam without fear. Lots of wood in the area. A small creek along the road. Good hiking area. Will definitely go back.

        • AThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Dream Catcher RV Park
          Jun. 2, 2024

          Dream Catcher RV Park

          Escapee Park

          Nice level spot, but winds must blow year round in one direction, the trees are actually leaning. Nice check in clerk, but never provided a code to Showers. Locked by the time we tried the doors. Sitting outside at night the winds blew a constant Gasoline Vapor, even filled the RV. Great place for a one night stop, make sure you get the Shower Code!

        • LThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Percha Dam State Park
          May. 31, 2024

          Percha Dam State Park

          Great area with shaded areas

          Stayed in the open area not at a site . Area I parked had a big area with shaded trees, very quite at night and had no issues with neighbors

        • Brian and Janet S.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from City of Rocks State Park
          May. 29, 2024

          City of Rocks State Park

          Unique and affordable

          $14 for an RV site with electric and water. Good TMobile service.

          They have reservation as well as first come first serve sites.

          Amazing volunteers, so knowledgeable and fun to talk to. You could just walk around the rocks and campground or take one of the trails out into the desert landscape. We had our bikes and were not disappointed!

          Would absolutely come back.

        • Brian and Janet S.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Caballo Lake State Park
          May. 26, 2024

          Caballo Lake State Park

          Beautiful place

          When I called about availability we were told there were a lot of dry spots available. Works for us! When we got there the person at gate had no idea where the campgrounds were and would not let us check out sites without paying for day use. The campground had water shutoff on Memorial Day weekend. No bathrooms or showers.

          Management aside, this place is gorgeous. We dry camped by lake right under mountains. Would not pay for campground with no water but for $10 to dry camp by the water, love it.

          Great T-Mobile service. Easy to access.

        • E
          Camper-submitted photo from City of Rocks State Park
          Apr. 26, 2024

          City of Rocks State Park

          DON'T camp at site 28; park management is terrible

          This is an amazing place with beautiful rock formations that you can spend hours exploring. Overall I really enjoyed staying here and seeing the sights. However, I ran into two issues (one major) while camping at site #28:

          1. There is a large wasp nest in the base of the tree at this site. Depending on the time of day, there can be a LOT of wasps flying around throughout the entire area of site#28, making the entire site unusable. Notably, this nest is in the only shaded area of the site, so you have no usable shade. Once you bring food outside, even more come out and they get aggressive. I got stung twice while trying to eat outside. I contacted the park about this by e-mailing the park manager (Gabriel Medrano) twice. He never responded to the e-mails. I also called the park office during business hours, but they did not answer. I left a voicemail, but they never called back. Clearly this park's management does not care about its guests. I later talked to one of the rangers. They said they are not allowed to disturb the wasp nest by spraying it or doing anything else due to directives from management. In other words, the park manager would rather preserve a dangerous pest instead of ensuring visitor safety and park usability.

          2. There is a windmill near site #28 that makes a very loud and annoying metal grinding noise when it turns slowly. It is shockingly loud and at first I thought that there was some sort of metal fabrication factory or construction site nearby. This happens any time of day or night, depending on the wind, and can be clearly heard from most sites on the west side of the campground. It would be loud enough to wake someone in a tent, but probably not an RV. Again, I e-mailed the park manager (Gabriel Medrano) about this, and didn't even get the courtesy of a reply.

        • Crista G.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Iron Creek Campground
          Apr. 21, 2024

          Iron Creek Campground

          Lovely quiet free spot

          Clean, quiet campground not far from Emory pass. Pit toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Only a handful of people there on Friday night

        • Heather K.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Silver City RV Park
          Apr. 20, 2024

          Silver City RV Park

          Great spot for a night or two

          I stayed here for CDT Days. 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.

        • Melissa S.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Gold Gulch Road
          Mar. 30, 2024

          Gold Gulch Road

          Nice place to pull over for the night

          We came in after dark, but the roads were clear and it was easy to set up. Quiet.

        • jThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Valley Ranch RV Resort
          Mar. 27, 2024

          Hidden Valley Ranch RV Resort

          Very nice and not expensive, no tent sites

          2-night minimum, at the end of a maintained gravel road. I have a camper van, no hookups, and paid $48 for two nights. Large rec room with full kitchen, satellite tv, pool table, and pop/candy/ice cream for sale. Laundry and hot showers. Very friendly and a majority of sites are long time full timers. Cash or check only, no credit cards. Good wi-fi. Propane available. About 10 miles to town and 30 miles to City of Rocks state park.

        • KThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Dream Catcher RV Park
          Mar. 20, 2024

          Dream Catcher RV Park

          Nicely kept

          Nothing extravagant extra clean. Well taken of. Nicely helpful heated shower rooms. I looked at it Lots of restaurants nearby. There was lots of availability staff very nice

        • Greg R.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Silver City RV Park
          Mar. 9, 2024

          Silver City RV Park

          Cute, Smaller Campground - Fairly priced

           This camp ground is conveniently located to Old Town Silver City.

          The staff is friendly, the site was clean and level. The bathrooms and showers were clean as well. They were very fairly priced. I booked for one night but may well stay for two.

           They have a nice laundry facility. It was a quiet enjoyable stay! I would come back again.

        • Jorge G.
          Camper-submitted photo from Celebration Well Dispersed Camping
          Mar. 4, 2024

          Celebration Well Dispersed Camping

          Low-key dispersed sites

          A handful of sites located on the other side of Skates Canyon from Sapillo Campground. Close to great hiking around the CDT and fishing in Lake Roberts. Most of the sites sit on the shades of ponderosa and there's plenty of space for group camping.

          This is as bare as it gets. No services, no cell signal, no trash disposal, not even a pit toilet. Some sites have rock rings for campfires but that's about it. Please recreate responsibly and leave no trace. Pack out whatever you pack in.

          Quiet during the winter, but gets busy during the summer as evidenced by how well worn the dirt paths around the area are.

        • David R.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from City of Rocks State Park
          Mar. 3, 2024

          City of Rocks State Park

          Very quiet , big sky!

          The park is far away from everywhere and offers a very quiet and peaceful experience. The rocks are spectacular as is the night sky. The visitor center appears to have limited hours so I had to go online to learn more. There are trails that take you up into the rocks and into the desert.

        • James P.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Lordsburg KOA
          Mar. 2, 2024

          Lordsburg KOA

          Nice campground

          Level gravel sites. FHU worked fine; appears to be maintained. Nice staff, well stocked store. Would stay here again.

        • Brodie D.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Rose Valley RV Ranch
          Feb. 26, 2024

          Rose Valley RV Ranch

          Nice park in Silver City!

          We liked Rose Valley Ranch and would stay again. We didn’t talk to a soul our entire 3 day stay. We kind of felt isolated which isn’t a bad thing necessarily if you’re not looking for that sort of thing. The sites are huge and feel very private, offering a little fenced in, personal yard at most sites. The bathrooms were very clean and also private feeling. There is only one dumpster and it was very far from our site. 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!

        • Jorge G.
          Camper-submitted photo from Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area
          Feb. 21, 2024

          Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

          Near Great Hiking, no fees

          Sapillo Creek lies straddling the original branch of the CDT. This is a free, national forest dispersed campsite with a couple pit toilets and very few other amenities, no cell signal either. 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). 

          Popular with the local crowd during peak camping/ATV season, so be mindful that there might be some related noise during the summer; but generally sees little use during winter and the shoulder seasons.

        • James B.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Mountain Spirits RV Park
          Jan. 28, 2024

          Mountain Spirits RV Park

          Good stay for two days

          Stay for two days to allow us to visit Gila lift Dwellings. Full hookups (30 amp) with water and sewer. Good cell coverage. Amazing Starlink speeds. Staff was awesome and they filled our propane for us.

        • Garrett L.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Dream Catcher RV Park
          Jan. 23, 2024

          Dream Catcher RV Park

          Truly a Dream

          Great view of the mountains depending on which side you’re on. Staff was very friendly and the spots were very well maintained

        • JThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from City of Rocks State Park
          Jan. 1, 2024

          City of Rocks State Park

          Unbelievable

          Wonder of the world. Beautiful rock maze in the middle of nowhere. Some water and electric spots but the best are dispersed. Water is available on site.

        • Felix G.
          Camper-submitted photo from Ridge Park RV
          Dec. 25, 2023

          Ridge Park RV

          Nickel and dimed to death

          This is a very nice park as far as scenery, the staff which is a husband and wife, are friendly enough. With no offense to anyone else who has written positives on this park, we don't mean to rain on your parade. But the one thing that really threw us back was, is that there are virtually no amenities, that come without a cost, if a person wants to take a shower, let's say for 5 minutes, that cost you$3, for yourself, and three more dollars for your spouse, add that up daily then multiply by weekly and then by monthly. And you can see that that is insane for the cost, and one does not find out about this until you get to the campground and fill out the paperwork and then they let you know this at the last minute, I am a handicap person, and needless to say, I count on Campground showers as there are roomier, and we make sure that we pay more than enough in our stay, so that we can enjoy such. But sadly for the month that we were there between November the 20th to December 20th. There was nothing very pleasurable, about our stay there. On top of that, there is no internet, nor do they have any Commerce with any service that has internet service, even though other RV parks in that region have them. There is no cable either. So basically the only thing that you get is your spot, running water, trash, and Sewer, for 425 per month. Needless to say as a forwarding to anybody, if you plan to travel between that park there and Silver City New Mexico it is approximately 12 miles between the two, but the expence gets up there quik, bth ways if you drive a truck. We camped at Ridge Park RV& Campground in a Travel Trailer.



        Guide to Santa Clara

        Camping near Santa Clara, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an action-packed getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

        What to do:

        • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails around the area. One camper mentioned, "I spent two weeks here at three different sites... I genuinely had a relaxing time," highlighting the peaceful hiking opportunities.
        • Rock Climbing: The City of Rocks State Park Campground is known for its unique rock formations, making it a great spot for climbing. A visitor shared, "You could just walk around the rocks and campground or take one of the trails out into the desert landscape."
        • Wildlife Watching: Many campers enjoy spotting local wildlife. One reviewer noted, "I also saw the most wildlife from this site (marmot, roadrunner, jack rabbit, and more)."

        What campers like:

        • Affordable Rates: Campers appreciate the low prices. A reviewer at the City of Rocks State Park Campground mentioned, "$14 for an RV site with electric and water."
        • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and well-maintained sites are a big plus. One camper stated, "The bathrooms/comfort station are clean and fairly new."
        • Friendly Staff: Campers often rave about the helpful staff. A visitor said, "Amazing volunteers, so knowledgeable and fun to talk to."

        What you should know:

        • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like the Gila Hot Springs Campground, lack certain amenities. A camper noted, "NO showers, NO trash, NO water hookups."
        • Remote Locations: Many sites are quite remote. One camper shared, "While I was ready to get back to civilization... I genuinely had a relaxing time."
        • Wildlife Caution: Be aware of wildlife, especially at sites like the Forks Campground. A visitor mentioned, "There are scorpions and tiny little rodents that come out at night."

        Tips for camping with families:

        • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds that allow pets and have space for kids to play. The Silver City KOA is a great option, with one camper saying, "Very friendly staff and owner."
        • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or hiking gear to keep everyone entertained. A family shared, "We had our bikes and were not disappointed!"
        • Pack for Comfort: Ensure you have warm clothing for chilly nights. One camper advised, "Can get cold at night if you are in a tent, bring warm clothing."

        Tips from RVers:

        • Check Site Sizes: Some sites may not accommodate larger RVs. A reviewer at the Cattlemen Trail mentioned, "My express van with chunky tires was able to clear the bumps in the roadway."
        • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, consider places like the Rose Valley RV Ranch, where one camper said, "The sites are huge and feel very private."
        • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have poor reception. A visitor at the Upper Scorpion Campground noted, "There is no cell service from silver city to the campground."

        Camping in Santa Clara, NM, and its surrounding areas provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone!

        Frequently Asked Questions

        • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Santa Clara, NM?

          According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Santa Clara, NM is Silver City KOA with a 5-star rating from 8 reviews.

        • What is the best site to find tent camping near Santa Clara, NM?

          TheDyrt.com has all 18 tent camping locations near Santa Clara, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.