Santa Fe National Forest is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Discover great camping spots near Santa Fe National Forest, reviewed by campers like you.
$43 - $65 / night
"This was a great location to explore the city and the staff was really nice. The bathrooms are clean and the laundry facility is nice as well. "
"Perhaps their roadside sign had recently blown down? It was hard to see, but a fine stay."
"I am here to do some work, so privacy was necessary. Laundry room and machines are excellent and CLEAN. Bathrooms too :) Bathrooms are really the most important."
"Very clean well managed park. Location can’t be beat. Bus stops right in front of entrance for a 15 minute bus ride to downtown historic area. Sites are well spaced. Lots of trees for shade."
"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"
"We did not get a tent spot but opted for a small trailer site with electric and water. Our spot was near the bathhouse but not too close."
"Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe."
"This is a pretty sprawling campground, with all kinds of sites(tent only, large sites with only 30 amp service, some sites with full hook up, others with just water& electric and a few water only."
$10 - $80 / night
"Good views of lake & surrounding area from site. Vault toilet & drinking water a short walk away. Juniper provided minimal privacy. Site has lantern poll, fire ring, trash can & table."
"Usually lots of others around so not super “off grid” but it’s nice and you can view the lake! Beautiful to drive around too. Pueblo land, be respectful!"
"Top of New Mexico" near Albuquerque is a fantastic camping spot if you love open spaces and beautiful desert views."
"This campground offered amazing views of the Sandia mountains and the surrounding area."
$40 - $60 / night
"We wanted spot 17 but it was booked so we got spot 11, which had some privacy as well. As others have mentioned, the hookups are on the opposite side but they will lend you extensions if you need."
"Campground is rustic. Water and electric only. They do have a dump station but it is an extra cost. Sites were small and some hookups are in strange places."
$18 - $40 / night
"Nice spot All RV sites have water and 30 smp electric. Shower in restroom, clean but only luke warm. Covered picnic tables, pull through sites. Tent area also has covered tables."
"Very nice RV/Tent park. Operated by the town of Bernalillo, New Mexico. Prices range from $10.00 per night for tents and $20.00, $30.00, $35.00 per night for Rvs."
"It’s true they had meal plans, but we were prepared to camp off grid so we didn’t need anything. Instead, we enjoyed the views and the museum and the, swimming pool and horseback riding."
"The campground includes a bath house with laundry room and electric hookups if needed. $30 to tent camp (no electric). Lodging, yurts and cabins, are also available."
"My children and I stayed 2 nights in a camping cabin at the Bernalillo KOA in May, 2017. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout our booking process, even when we needed to make changes."
"The park is very nice and clean. Everyone I talked with was very polite and helpful. I will stay here again. Very close to the Balloon Park, Albuquerque and the town of Bernalillo."
LegendWe stayed at this site on the way back to Texas from our Colorado trip this summer. This is a great National Forest Campground south of Taos in the Carson Forest. The campground is just off the highway and situated in a beautiful mountain pine forest and next to a great trout stream. You have great shade during the hotter summer months. It’s far enough away from the highway that you don’t hear the traffic. It has a huge meadow and group camp site which look fantastic. The individual sites have some privacy between the sites and come equipped with fire pits and picnic tables. We made a reservation but the camp had a number of open sites in the peak summer season. The highlight here is the proximity of great hiking to nearby lakes and fishing in the trout stream. They had great facilities including clean pit toilets and some historic log cabins. They have a camp host and the sites accommodate tents and smaller vans and campers. I would give this another visit on our next trip to NM.
LegendWe were very excited on our first night to settle into our campsite after a long day of adventuring. Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe.
Upon entry the staff was very friendly and welcoming and we felt like this would be a great place to call home away from home.
The campsites were laid out well with room between campers and because it was the end of a weekend, they were not entirely at capacity which made for a pleasant sense of space in the great outdoors.
Our campsite was positioned in the "high road" tent site area which is a primitive campsite without additional amenities. Each campsite has a fire ring and also a picnic table for campers to utilize and a pad site for tents slightly raises from ground level.
It made for a beautiful night sleep under the chilly New Mexico skies.
By morning we ventured up to the public showers and restrooms which were clean and had amazon water pressure and hot water to set the morning in motion perfectly.
The facility also offers a pool and theater room during summer months so while we didn't get to take advantage we were excited to know upon return we would have these features available.
🐰🐰🐰🐰⚪️
Overall we give this campground a 4 of 5 Bunniea! The only things we noticed which kept it from a 5 were the lack of wifi reach in the back sections of the campground, wouldn't have been a big deal but cell service in the off grid location was also patchy so the wifi would have been handy. And the pad site was not designed for a tent quite our size. Our tent is a 12x8 and had a little side hang on on the 12 foot end.
RangerI stayed at a camping cabin. I’d been car camping for a month and had stayed at a camping cabin at las cruces Koa and loved it. This cabin has a heater that was not able to keep the cabin warm - it was really cold maybe 15 at night and I could not get rid of a chill all night even though I was bundled up. Then in the morning I went to close the door and the door handle broke locking me out. Luckily I had my dog and car keys but no one was in office yet and it was bitter cold. They let me cancel my next night and did offer a free night but didn’t refund the money I spent. Loved Santa Fe tho the food and coffee are Amazing!!!
LegendCamped 2 nights at site #38 on the Puerco Loop. Reserved thru rec.gov while at the site. Wonderful campground hosts. Site was not quite level for our campervan, but close enough. Good views of lake & surrounding area from site. Vault toilet & drinking water a short walk away. Juniper provided minimal privacy. Site has lantern poll, fire ring, trash can & table. No hookups at this site. $6/night with senior pass. Restroom/shower house within walking distance. Facilities & vault toilets were very clean. Hiking trail in campground. AT&T & T-Mobile service. Overall, quiet & peaceful stay.
RangerMy children and I stayed 2 nights in a camping cabin at the Bernalillo KOA in May, 2017. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout our booking process, even when we needed to make changes. The cabin was clean and neat, the KOA showerhouse was as well. They had a nice pool with plenty of shade and an outdoor movie in the evenings which my kids enjoyed. It was an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area, including the Jemez Mountains, many pueblos, Bandelier National Monument, Petroglyph National Monument and Kashe Katuwe National Monument.
RangerThe RV Park is about 20 minutes from the old town shops and restaurants so it’s a good location not far off the highway. Grocery is close and nice. Site was good, could have used leveling and more gravel (some sites better than ours). Privacy was good with trees and bushes between sites. We were thankful for the shade trees and fire pit. Picnic table was a little shabby. Pool was closed probably due to COVID-19? They have a store with a few items that was open 8-12 and 4:00-8:00. Laundry room needed cleaning and updating. The reason I can only give this place three stars is the condition of the bathroom and shower area. Needs a good deep cleaning (I recommend a power washer). It also needs updating and painting but if it was clean that would not matter so much. Bugs and hair on the floor and con webs in the stalls. The fan looked like it had never been cleaned. Walls and door definitely need paint. I would also recommend taking the bars off the windows and cleaning them to make it look more inviting. Wish I could give it a higher rating, it has potential.
ScoutSuper 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
TravelerSpot is well maintained. Usually lots of others around so not super “off grid” but it’s nice and you can view the lake! Beautiful to drive around too. Pueblo land, be respectful!
TravelerEasy access pull thru sites each with a picnic table and fire pit. Table is in a covered shelter. Bathrooms were stinky and basic. The guy at the reception was very friendly. The RV park was quiet and the grounds were nice. $35 per night for 30A electric & water 42' pull thru site
Cabin camping near Santa Fe National Forest offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cozy accommodations, perfect for those looking to escape into the wilderness while enjoying modern comforts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I rent a cabin in the Santa Fe National Forest?
To rent a cabin in the Santa Fe National Forest area, make reservations through Recreation.gov or by calling directly. The Santa Fe KOA offers camping cabins that can be reserved online or by phone, located about 20 minutes from Santa Fe. For Forest Service cabins within the National Forest, check the official USFS website for availability, as these typically require booking through the Recreation.gov system. Reservations for popular cabins should be made well in advance, especially during summer and fall seasons, as they tend to book up quickly.
What amenities are included in Santa Fe National Forest cabins?
Amenities in Santa Fe National Forest area cabins vary by location. Camping cabins at Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA include clean accommodations with access to shower facilities and a swimming pool. At Rancheros de Santa Fe, cabins are situated in mountain country with friendly staff. Most basic Forest Service cabins typically include beds/bunks, a table, chairs, and wood or propane heating. Electricity may be limited or unavailable in more remote cabins. You'll generally need to bring your own bedding, cooking equipment, and food. Vault toilets are common, though some more developed sites offer flush toilets and running water nearby.
How much does it cost to stay in a Santa Fe National Forest cabin?
Cabin prices in the Santa Fe National Forest area vary based on amenities and location. At Coronado Campground, basic sites with electric and water hookups cost around $35 per night. Riana - Abiquiu Lake offers both electric hookup sites (Pedernal Loop) and non-electric options (Chama and Puerco Loops) at different price points. Expect to pay approximately $50-100 per night for private campground cabins, while Forest Service cabins typically range from $45-75 per night depending on size and amenities. Most locations require an additional reservation fee, and holiday weekends or peak season may command premium rates.
Keep Exploring
