Best Tent Camping near Santa Fe National Forest

Camping in Santa Fe National Forest is great if you know what you're in for. There aren't a ton of amenities depending on where you camp and it's in high elevations so during winter months it can get FREEZING. We went in November and it got down to negative temperatures. Thankfully my wife's sleeping bag was rated for -20 but I was not that fortunate. So for sure if you're going in the winter then be prepared! 

Other than this the views up in the mountains were amazing and each site has a picnic table, fire pit, and a location for a tent. 

Definitely would recommend checking out!

We arrived early on a Tuesday and snagged a tree heavy site on the upper loop. 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. Vault toilets are well maintained by the very active camp host, Mark. There is potable water from a well two miles down the mountain and trash, but packing out much that can’t be burned is encouraged. Pick up firewood in Pecos, there is enough dead & down tinder at the site. Dogs allowed on leash at all times, quite time begins at 10pm. The closer we got to the weekend, the more crowded and noisy the site became. One night, multiple campers arrived after dark and noisily set up camp. I’m sure the state parks being closed forced more people into the National Forest, but it’s a great site. There are several trailhead and just down the hill is easy access to creeks and fishing. We had great weather, upper 70’s during the day, dipping to low 50’s overnight. Each site has large fire rings with cooking grates and at least one picnic table, some with two. Sites are close together so try to grab one at the end of the loop for a little privacy.

This was our first time at this lovely National Monument and we simply loved it. The campground was small with only a few spaces for bigger rigs, but we fit without any problem. Love those small spaces! 

The campground is perched on the mesa above the monument’s protected dwellings, artifacts and trails at the valley. You can get there by walking about 2.5 miles from the campground along a stunning trail, or driving around the road. We simply loved hiking here, choosing a different way each day over the four days we were there.  So much to explore!

Campsites have the standard picnic table, bear box locker, and fire ring. The trees were mostly shorter scrub junipers and other high desert trees so there was lots of sunshine for solar powered rig, but no electrical service at any sites.  Nice privacy between sites.

The bathrooms were clean, heated, and had flush toilets and running sinks with potable water, plus a small dish cleaning sink, but no showers. 

The Visitor Center is an awesome CCC structure from back during the depression as are many of the hiking trails in the valley.   We were here for Halloween, so carved our pumpkins in memory and celebration of the people who lived here so many years ago.

Nearby Los Alamos has all the services you need as far as supplies, services and restaurants. But if you can plan your hike to end before 4pm, the cafe at the VC is really worth it!!

Camped 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.

Camp May is a small and seasonal campground located at the base of Pajarito Ski Hill. It is wooded with aspens, ponderosas and more. The temperatures are pleasant throughout the hot summer months, and the nights may be rather cold. There is hiking nearby, mountain biking, and the campground itself is situated near Los Alamos, Valles Caldera National Park, and Bandelier National Monument. Pajarito Mountain occasionally opens up their chair lifts to mountain bikes.

There is no staff onsite. Campsite fees must be paid in town at the aquatic center, and campers can reserve a space in advance. However, the campsites are not numbered, and specific sites are not reservable. If campers want to set up outside of pool hours, they can usually call the county (311) or the non-emergency number to let the county know about camping plans and the plan to pay fees in the morning. There is one group site at the top of the loop and a handful of individual sites; the campground itself is very small and has no more than 10 sites. Camping rings are available at all sites, however it would be wise to check on a fire restrictions before lighting any fires. Los Alamos County typically follows suite with the Santa Fe National Forest Restrictions and takes fire very seriously. The Cerro Grande Fire burned thousands of acres along with around 300 homes in town, and campers will drive past the devastating Las Conchas Fire Scar on their way to Camp May.

Although there is no host, typical camp rules are still enforceable by law enforcement and include quiet hours after 10 p.m., fire restriction adherence, etc. There are vault toilets, which are rather not-smelly, considering. Camp May is situated in bear and mountain lion country; if that isn't enough to keep your idle food in your car, then the super friendly but tenacious golden mantle ground squirrels, and chipmunks should be.

There is a steep dirt road upon accessing the camp. Depending on how recently the dirt road has been groomed will determine the vehicles that can climb into camp. Only smaller pop-ups and trailers would be recommended.