Best Campgrounds near Santa Fe, NM

Camping options around Santa Fe, New Mexico range from free dispersed sites on public lands to full-service RV parks and campgrounds. The Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite offers primitive camping on Bureau of Land Management land north of the city, while established campgrounds like Santa Fe KOA and Los Sueños de Santa Fe RV Park provide amenities including hookups, showers, and toilets. Several campgrounds are conveniently located within city limits, making them ideal bases for exploring the historic downtown area, while dispersed camping opportunities exist in the surrounding Santa Fe National Forest.

The camping season in this high desert region extends year-round at many sites, though higher elevation areas may close during winter months. Road conditions vary significantly between developed and dispersed camping areas. "We loved it. Very spacious. Fire pits here and there," noted one visitor about the Santa Fe BLM dispersed camping area. Many dispersed sites lack amenities like drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Summer monsoon season (July-September) brings afternoon thunderstorms, while winter brings snow at higher elevations. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and campers should check current regulations before planning campfires.

Location plays a significant role in campground selection, with proximity to downtown Santa Fe being a major consideration for many visitors. Several RV parks within city limits offer convenient access to attractions and services. According to one camper, "Great base camp for checking out SF. Planned on 2 day stay, ended up staying 6. Bike trails are close and awesome." Urban campgrounds typically feature more amenities but come with higher costs and more road noise. Those seeking quiet natural settings may prefer the dispersed camping options in the national forest or on BLM land, though these sites lack amenities and may require high-clearance vehicles to access. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some also offering cabin rentals.

Best Camping Sites Near Santa Fe, New Mexico (149)

    1. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    42 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    5 miles

    "I often camp by Diablo Canyon, which has wonderful sunsets and decent off trail hiking.  There's even a cave for those who know where to find it. "

    "20 minutes from Santa Fe, super convenient, spread out enough, some good stars at night. Check our other reviews about the left turn."

    2. Santa Fe Skies RV Park

    36 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 473-5946

    $71 - $91 / night

    "Great views all around. About 20 minutes from Santa Fe Plaza. The lots are nice and flat and the hookups are super easy."

    "We enjoyed our stay at Santa Fe Skies.  There is a large building with multiple shower and bathroom stalls so you can take a long shower if you want to."

    3. Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite

    27 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    5 miles

    "Given the area described has piles of trash and little else to recommend it, it seems a shame to be close to gorgeous wilderness and stare at rubbish."

    "Lots of available space and only about a 15min drive into Downtown, Santa Fe. Lots of trash upon entering, however continue further along and it isn't so bad."

    4. Santa Fe KOA

    29 Reviews
    Glorieta, NM
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 466-1419

    "Super clean Polite staff Firewood available Brand new playground 20 min from Santa Fe Showers / bathrooms 30/50 amp Fenced dog parks/fire pit areas fenced for pets Lots of space between units"

    "Stayed here for a week with the family close to Santa Fe and Pecos national forest. Managers very friendly and can be quite entertaining if you hang around for a bit."

    5. Rancheros de Santa Fe

    26 Reviews
    Eldorado at Santa Fe, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 466-3482

    "Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe."

    "Great place in a beautiful wooded hillside southwest of Santa Fe about 15 mins or so. They have a pool, a small dog park and a great little hiking trail with good views of the surrounding mountains."

    6. Black Canyon Campground

    29 Reviews
    Tesuque, NM
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 753-7331

    $20 / night

    "Only 20 minutes from Santa Fe (and Trader Joes) but feels much more remote. They're not kidding when they warn about no cell service (there is a payphone if you need it, though!)"

    "Also, conveniently located if you want to explore the history and culture of beautiful Santa Fe."

    7. Trailer Ranch RV Resort

    12 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 471-9970

    "Convenient bus service into a busy downtown Santa Fe was helpful as parking can be a problem. Restaurants are near-by and be sure to try Tortilla Flats."

    "Bike trails are close and awesome. Friendly staff and guests. Best place in the city to stay. Only negative is the Cerrillos road race track noise. Santa Fe locals like loud and fast rides."

    8. Los Sueños de Santa Fe RV Park & Campground

    13 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 473-1949

    $43 - $65 / night

    "The location could not be better! The sites were very clean and easy to get into with a class A."

    "Perhaps their roadside sign had recently blown down? It was hard to see, but a fine stay."

    9. Cochiti Recreation Area

    36 Reviews
    Cochiti Lake, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 465-2557

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Really enjoyed a one night stay on our way from Santa Fe to Albaquerque."

    "25 miles from Santa Fe and 50 miles from Albuquerque. concrete pads and concrete picnic table with charcoal grills with rock pebbles filled in and desert landscapes. very well spaced out and different"

    10. Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

    30 Reviews
    White Rock, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 672-3861

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Before I visited here in December I had not heard of Bandelier NM; it's a wonderful place for exploring outside Santa Fe and Juniper Campground provides rustic sites without hookups (dump station and water"

    "There are trail heads that are a short walk from the campground including a 1.5 mile trail to the visitor center The spots have picnic table and fire rings, there is potable water and vault toilets throughout"

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Recent Reviews near Santa Fe, NM

975 Reviews of 149 Santa Fe Campgrounds


  • EARL G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 3, 2025

    Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite

    Trashy

    Sadly this place is a dump, hard to find a spot that doesn't have a pile of trash around it. Luckily it's close enough to Santa Fe and not crowded that I will deal with it for the evening. Decent enough views if you ignore the trash

  • Emma G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 30, 2025

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Beautiful, roads are fine for low clearance vehicle

    Beautiful! Just make sure to not follow google maps and take Llano Del Norte instead of Palomino

  • Joe W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2025

    Taos Junction Campground

    Cheap and quiet

    Primitive campground with very clean vault toilet. Hiking nearby and walking distance to the Rio grande river.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Dispersed Camping off FS 542

    Altitude 7,200, rough road

    We stopped at the first spot we found, a large spot on the left that looks like it used to have bathrooms. The road further up was too rough, and we don't often say that. We walked up there, and it looks like it's probably okay once you get past the wash outs and large rocks in the road near the top of the hill. There was a van up there, and we've seen others going up and down. This large spot was great for us. We didn't use the fire pit because it was too windy last night. Cold night.

  • Emma G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    Totally fine

    Pretty rough road, my Subaru was fine but couldn’t get far. A bit busy, especially for late October. Totally fine place to camp but not my favorite.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 23, 2025

    BLM Orilla Verde Recreation Area

    Lone Juniper Campground

    Pay site with vault toilets right on the river. 4 sites at this campground. Picnic tables at all sites. Fire ring and bbqs also. No internet ATT. Quiet so far. With access pass, $5 for 2 nights.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Coronado campground

    Great mountain vibes

    Awesome stop over in the city. The view of the mountains from the sites are incredible. It is very close to the road so sometimes there is noise but its background.

    The playground is great. There is sites with electric and water and sites without.

    It was comfortable and felt relatively clean with good vibes for a city rv park

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Jemez Falls Campground

    Nice setting with adjacent trails.

    Most sites level. Ryan, campground host was very helpful and professional. Sites well-spaced and relatively private. Trees and shade everywhere. Short hike to Jemez Falls. About 4 miles to Valle Calderas and a couple more to Bandalere.

    Vault toilets very clean and convenient to most sites.


Guide to Santa Fe

Camping near Santa Fe, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are amazing trails right from the campgrounds. At Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument, one reviewer said, "The hiking right from the campground is great - the two hikes are definitely worth doing."
  • Exploring National Monuments: Visit Bandelier National Monument, which is just a short drive from Cochiti Recreation Area. A camper mentioned, "Cochiti Army Core of Engineer CG: Good location to visit both Albuquerque (50mins) and Santa Fe (35 mins)."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for wild horses at the Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site. One visitor shared, "The wild horses are active. I saw them in the neighborhood coming through."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review for Black Canyon Campground noted, "The campground was very well maintained," highlighting the picturesque setting.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of the sites. A visitor at Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite mentioned, "It’s a pretty nice and mostly flat area of land... Pretty quiet."
  • Accessibility: Campgrounds like Santa Fe Skies RV Park are conveniently located near stores and restaurants. One camper said, "The location is close to stores and restaurants that are about 10 minutes away."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Many sites, like Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed, lack basic facilities. A reviewer pointed out, "If it is still open, you’ll see a lot of trash. Certain sites looked better than others."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds, such as Jemez Falls Campground, are only open from April to November. A visitor noted, "Reservation system ran till the end of September, then First come First served came into effect."
  • Wildlife Caution: While wildlife is a draw, it can also be a concern. One camper at Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite mentioned, "Was nice till someone robbed my campsite."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Santa Fe KOA, which offers a game room and a playground. A reviewer said, "Super clean... Lots of space between units."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of nearby attractions. A camper at Cochiti Recreation Area mentioned, "Bandelier National Monument is 1 1/2 hrs away."
  • Pack Essentials: Since some sites lack amenities, be prepared. A visitor at Jemez Falls Campground noted, "It is a nice campground to spend a night or two as it does not have showers."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds, like Rancheros de Santa Fe, have varying site sizes. A reviewer said, "Some sites were small, traffic noise depending on where site located."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need more amenities, consider places like Santa Fe Skies RV Park, which offers electric hookups. One camper mentioned, "The sites are a bit tight from the adjoining sites."
  • Be Mindful of Weather: Elevation can affect temperatures. A visitor at Black Canyon Campground noted, "Summer temps were very comfortable during the day and cool overnight."

Camping around Santa Fe offers a unique blend of nature and culture. With a little planning, you can enjoy all that this beautiful area has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Santa Fe, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Santa Fe, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Santa Fe, NM and 39 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Santa Fe, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Santa Fe, NM is Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 42 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Santa Fe, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 39 free dispersed camping spots near Santa Fe, NM.

What parks are near Santa Fe, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Santa Fe, NM that allow camping, notably Santa Fe National Forest and Cibola National Forest and Grasslands.