RV Park at HIPICO Santa Fe accommodates overnight stabling for horses while providing campground access to public land 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe. This spacious private campground offers approximately 50 sites with restrooms and showers, primarily designed for RVs though some tent camping is permitted. Horse owners benefit from the facility's equestrian focus with discounts for extended stays: 10% off for 4-6 day stays and 15% off for 7-14 day stays. The campground maintains a quiet atmosphere despite its proximity to Santa Fe, with helpful staff assisting equestrian campers. Borrego Mesa Campground features small horse pens at each of its 5-6 campsites, though campers need to create their own gates to secure them properly. The campground sits at over 8,000 feet elevation near the Rio Mario Trail trailhead, providing good access for riders.
Jacks Creek Horse Camp in the Pecos Wilderness provides multiple corral units with ample parking and turnaround space specifically designed for large horse trailers. Located near several trail access points, the camp serves as an excellent base for exploring the wilderness on horseback. Riders can access Cave Creek Trail and Round Mountain, which offers superb views and nice trails through aspen groves. The bathrooms at the camp are well-maintained by active camp hosts, and each site includes large fire rings with cooking grates and picnic tables. Weather typically ranges from upper 70s during the day to low 50s overnight. Some sites have longer, RV-sized pull-ins while others are smaller and more heavily wooded, better suited for tent camping. Potable water is available from a well two miles down the mountain, and leashed dogs are permitted at all times. Together, these horse campsites offer riders a practical range of options, from developed corrals with trailer pull-throughs to high-elevation campgrounds with direct wilderness trail access.
"We even spotted wild horses nearby as we arrived. Weekend shooting practice is audible in the distance, but well away from camping areas, and we never felt unsafe."
"This campground offered amazing views of the Sandia mountains and the surrounding area."
"This is a very spacious private campground southwest of Santa Fe with access to public land. Located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe. There are probably 50 sites with restrooms and showers."
from $55 / night
"I’ve been coming to Fenton Lake for camping with family since I was little and we’ve always loved it. It’s beautiful and well taken care of."
"We typically come up to Fenton Lake once a year and last year was fantastic however this year the park rangers aren’t that friendly (or that helpful)."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $90 / night
"About a 15min drive from the highway. Only 5 or 6 sites. Close to the Rio Mario Trail trailhead. Campsite is at elevation over 8,000ft so it can get chilly at night. Worked great for tent camping."
"Campground is a little off the beaten path, about 30m from the High Drive highway. Dirt roads were nothing to worry about, should be fine for any SUV or sedan."
"During rainy seasons, ruts form with deep mud on some spots driving up."
"It's a nice little place tucked away in the woods. The road to get there is a bit rough, hence the title. By no means, Not a road for a large trailer or 5th wheel. Wild life everywhere.."
"The campground is situated in a beautiful setting and area right at Ghost Ranch."
"The whole ranch has been turned into a top notch facility with campgrounds and motel rooms, horses for rent, classes, and great hiking. The campground is large with several interconnecting loops."
"Rio Chama RV park in Chama, New Mexico, is at the intersection of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the upper Rio Chama. A nice place to stay May 1 thru mid October."
"It's an easy dirt road drive down the river and you will pass many dispersed site and a couple of defined camping grounds."
"The sites on the outside of the loops are decently wooded, smaller and not well suited to RVs. The sites on the inside of the loops have longer, RV sized pull in and little trees."
"Great overnight spot to use as a "home base" with lots of trail access. Multiple units of corrals and plenty of parking and turnaround space for large trailers."
"Stay at Santa Barbara Campground in Northern New Mexico. Was a beautiful spot. Road to Campground was well taken care of Beautiful trails throughout area"
"The trails are absolutely wonderful and well worth taking a few hours to walk part of them. Hard core hikers will use the campground as a starting point for a lengthy hikes."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $80 / night
"There is a trail head with 2 trails, one atv accessible and one hiking/horse that goes up to Indian Lake. Beautiful views and about 1200' elevation change."
"Tent camped at this location in the middle of September (a week before closing). Very beautiful place to watch the leaves change, trailheads close by and picnic tables at each site."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 - $175 / night
GuideThis spot was easy to find and it seems like there are a lot of open spots around. It’s Balloon Fiesta week and only saw two other campsites in use!!
Fairly flat spots, gorgeous views reaching into Albuquerque and the Sandias. And wild horses all around. They do want your food though, so be careful!
TravelerThe campground is situated in a beautiful setting and area right at Ghost Ranch. Campground has sites that are gravel and not very level, as others have noted, making it a bit of a challenge (site 16 in particular). Also note that some electric hookups are 20A only, not 30A. Full hookups at front of campground; tent only at rear. Showers were great and heated; laundry and bathrooms clean. Host and staff friendly. Lots of great hiking trails within walking distance of the campground. 2 small museums worth visiting. We paid $50 for electric hookup. Meal plan is now $50.
LegendNice view, but there were at least two people and 4 dogs in a rundown trailer with no car, so I reckon they have someone else that wasn't around.
LegendSome good hikes, corral (horseback rides), museum, pack in pack out, & bring your own water (drought conditions; there is water available but don't rely on their water if for no other reason to support their conservation of it--don't recall any water hookups). Friendly staff. Did not avail ourselves of meal plan. Beautiful night skies. Still in mid to upper 90s in September (hot in afternoon). Beware that winds can gust suddenly & hard, including strong dust devils (a devil came through & tore up some tents & sunshades including mangling aluminum frames of some shades).
GuideA very nice area for camping. During the rainy season there might even be some water in the creek. But there is a crowded area when you first turn into the road. There was about 20 RVs there when I drove past. They were shooting guns pretty late into the night. Further up the road the sites thin out. The easy access ones fill up quick. If you have some ground clearance there are a few more options.
GuideReally enjoyed this campground. Most of the sites are FCFS and the host comes to you for payment.
The pit toilets were very clean, no flies or anything gross. The road is a bit rough but nothing to unusual for a campground up here.
The scenery is absolutely gorgeous with plenty of aspens amounts the pines.
I will definitely visit again.
LegendLet me start by saying I love that this place was once inhabited by the phenomenal artist Georgia O'Keeffe and there are some cool things to do on the ranch.... But....
This was one of the worst campgrounds I've ever stayed in. The sites are uneven, the campground layout makes no sense, the hook-ups are on the wrong side and some of the sites just piled up on each other.
I booked two nights hoping for a nice experience at the Ranch, but was sorely disappointed. I did enjoy walking the labrynith and seeing the library. I didn't have time for a workshop or guided tour.
The camp host was super nice. There were showers. The laundry left my clothes with a weird chemical smell. Would not recommend camping here, but definitely visit the ranch, especially if you are a Georgia O'Keeffe fan.
GuideWonderful area lots of space can be a little tricky getting to just follow the directions and it is easy
GuideIts a really great place to camp with a view of Albuquerque in the distance. But some of the neighbors who live around there don't respect your privacy. Ive had several people drive very close to my bus through the campsite and have had there unleashed dogs right up by my door upsetting my dog. I made sure I was parked at the end of the road, far away from the neighbors so I wouldn't be disturbed, but some people want to check out what you're doing. Dont get me wrong, I have spoke with some very nice people who were hiking through, but some people are just rude and don't respect your right to be there, like the property belongs to them. Driving an SUV around my bus after dark with their dog loose at my door was not acceptable.
Camping in Santa Fe National Forest spans elevations from 5,300 to 13,000 feet, creating diverse camping conditions across the region. Most equestrian campgrounds sit at 8,000+ feet elevation, resulting in temperature drops to the 40s even during summer nights. The forest contains over 1,000 miles of trails, many accessible to horse riders.
Trail riding opportunities: The Rio Chama area offers excellent equestrian access with multiple riverside trails. "Chama canyon is our weekend go-to place. Only 2 hrs from Albuquerque. Many campsites available (some are dispersed) along the river," notes one visitor to Rio Chama Campground.
Stargazing at high elevations: The minimal light pollution makes this area ideal for night sky viewing. At Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site, campers report exceptional night skies: "This is a Dark Sky Sanctuary. You can clearly see the Milky Way. No light pollution except the beautiful view of the city far away," writes Lauren I.
Wildlife viewing: Many campgrounds offer opportunities to see wild horses, birds, and other animals. "We spent one night in our class c while on our trip to Miami and yeah the road is to be taken slow but it was worth it! There is a tiny art gallery on the side of the road!" mentions Lily C. about Top of New Mexico, where wild horses frequently visit campsites.
Natural water features: Many campsites are positioned alongside creeks and rivers that provide both recreation and ambiance. At Santa Barbara Campground, "All sites are close enough to the river to hear it from a tent. The site has drinking water and pit toilets, but no cell service," according to Jacqueline D.
Well-maintained horse facilities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to equestrians with appropriate facilities. "Great hiking trail leads into Pecos wilderness, another trail leads up to Indian lake. Trailhead is right in the campground, so hike right from your campsite," writes Robin T. about Agua Piedra Campground.
Forest density and shade: The mature pine and aspen forests provide natural cooling during summer months. At Fenton Lake State Park Campground, "We liked spots number 1 and 17 for tent camping. Nice hikes along the creek. Getting a fishing spot may be hard to find sometimes as the small lake is usually circled with people fishing," shares James F.
Road conditions: Many horse campgrounds require navigating rough forest roads. "Road isn't terrible going up, saw many 2WD vehicles. Good amount of spots but many have no shade/not level," notes Nathan M. about Iron Gate Campground.
Seasonal closures: Most higher elevation campgrounds close during winter months, typically operating May through October. "There is a burn notice in effect in May, which was lifted for our June trip - probably because the significant afternoon hail storms on the first two days of our trip nicely saturated everything!" reports Nicole B. about Fenton Lake.
Wildlife interactions: Cattle and wildlife frequently move through campgrounds. "We stayed one night while traveling to North Dakota. Woke up in the morning to a heard of wild horses moving through the area. Google/Apple directions should not be used, they take you to a locked gate," warns Taz G. about Top of New Mexico.
Choose loop-based campgrounds: Some campgrounds feature multiple loops with different characteristics. At Fenton Lake, "Loop 2 - there's a playground next to site 14 and this is a GREAT loop for folks with kids. If you're not a kid person, you'd probably prefer a different loop," advises Nicole B.
Fishing access: Many campgrounds provide easy access to stocked fishing areas ideal for children. "Plenty of sites with tables and grills. This definitely isn't a campsite as they close at sundown so no camping. The fishing is okay here. Better if you have a small boat or kayak and can get further from the shore," explains Lane L. about Fenton Lake.
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather can change rapidly, especially at higher elevations. At Fenton Lake, campers experience "day time temps of 70s - 80s and nighttime drops to the low 40s. There was a burn notice in effect in May, which was lifted for our June trip," according to Nicole B.
Size limitations: Most horse campgrounds near Santa Fe National Forest have restrictions on RV length. "Absolutely do not try to take a camper of any size to this campground unless it's a legit overland type tear or squaredrop, ideally with an articulating hitch," warns Dorrs T. about Iron Gate Campground.
Electric options: Limited electric hookups exist in this region. At Ghost Ranch, "RV spots with hookups are $45 a night! Most guests stay in housing/lodging, so the ranch has a dining hall that serves three meals a day," mentions Mike B.
Seasonal availability: Most higher-elevation campgrounds have limited seasons and services. "Campground is at 8,000 feet of elevation, prepare for cold nights and intermittent rain, hail, and high winds, even during the 'summer' season," notes Nicole B. about Fenton Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Santa Fe National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Santa Fe National Forest is Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Santa Fe National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Santa Fe National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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