Cuba is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Cuba is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Cuba, NM. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.
$20 / night
"A hiking trail can be accessed from site #4. Sites #4 & 5 are favorites for some campers because they are a little bit remote from the others. "
"Access to good trails for day hiking. One of the best camping spots I’ve visited. Stayed on a Sunday night - was quiet and peaceful."
$15 - $90 / 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)."
$20 - $75 / night
"Each site is surrounded by ponderosa pines. A small creek flows through the campground."
"The area provides lots of opportunities to hike or drive the many forest roads that are nearby. If you enjoy exploring in an atv/utv the forest roads range from well maintained to pretty rough."
"It’s a bummer people throw so much trash and glass bottles around. Very pretty site otherwise and nice trails to walk. Many cows wandering about in the area."
"It was getting late after a full day of driving and I happened to find this site. No amenities, but we were the only people in the area. We were just thankful for a place to stop."
$20 / night
"This is one of the places to camp in New Mexico"
"**Campground Review: **
Imagine 1.25 Ma ago an eruption blew apart the landscape of Northern New Mexico that would rival the shear volume erupted by the world famous Yellowstone hotspot! "
"The path into the clearing had some deep ruts, but I stayed to the side and my little Corolla did great.
I have metro T-Mobile and had signal depending on where I stood."
$20 / night
"Spot was gravel/ground up asphalt, bit actually close to level.
It was chilly (low 30s) at night but water still turned on.
There is some highway noise but we got a good nights sleep."
"New Mexico is just beautiful and this park really brings that to life. Its a great place for fishing, camping, hiking and breath taking river veiws. Love every picture I took here."
"It's actually only 10 miles off the main road, & 6 miles after the pavement ends, but Google took us down the wrong path."
"While we pulled up to Jemez camping nearby, the park rangers told us it was closed because of Covid, but we could go down the road to this unmarked, unnamed, dispersed camp site. "
"We stayed on the edge of the cliff at the far back right side of the campsite and it was easily one of the top 5 locations that we have camped at."
TravelerQuiet spot, decent separation of sites, water, clean pit toilets, interesting hiking right from the campsite, decent cell connection (xfinity).
RangerWe stayed at Cochiti to be close to Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The area is beautiful and the campground is great. Sites are spacious with paved pads and a parking spot next to your RV sites it has a concrete area with a covered picnic table. We stayed in the Buffalo loop and had 50 amp electric as well as water. The bathhouse was near and was clean and nice
TravelerGreat place to get away for the week. Cattle will walk thru your camp and people were far enough away to enjoy the cool.
GuideThe forest service gate was closed but not locked, and it looks like there’s some pretty recent logging activity. There are still enough trees for shade and some privacy, and it does give a nice view of the cliffs. We had two cars and two tents, and there was room for maybe one more comfortably, or a smallish trailer.
GuideBeautiful forest to camp, spread out spots too!
GuideNot much in the area available for hook up rv sites. We decided to boondock here for the night with a generator for AC(traveling with dogs). The road in is steep for long rigs. It’s a bummer people throw so much trash and glass bottles around. Very pretty site otherwise and nice trails to walk. Many cows wandering about in the area.
LegendNothing wrong with this campground, per se...
The sites are large, and shadier than we'd have thought (we brought a patio umbrella all the way from Chicago and discovered our site was under a large pinion pine, go figure).
The pit toilets and the plumbed facilities are clean and maintained.
Open fires are not allowed.
But, we rarely saw anyone. One couple walking their dog and the camp host who we didn't meet until we were leaving. We joked that all the RV's were "Breaking Bad" meth labs, this being New Mexico. The sense of desolation is enhanced by the wind, the cawing of birds and occasional howls of coyotes or wolves (?). It was downright spooky.
Heron lake is currently at 25% capacity. Which means the boat ramp and marina are perhaps a mile from the current shoreline, dried up and one of the saddest sights you'll see.
However, it was a good base of operations for our trips to Chama to spend the day on the scenic railroad, as well as day trip into Taos.
TravelerThis is such a mixed review. We stayed here the weekend of July 26. We arrived Friday night and found a beautiful campsite on the right side of the entrance with a beautiful view of the canyon below. Watching the sunset over the ridge is breathtaking. We enjoyed our time until Saturday evening right about 8:30 where we were watching the sunset from the ridge. We heard one gunshot, followed by 6 gunshots and the sound of bullets whizzing past us. We immediately ducked behind the car. We had not heard any gunshots the whole day and did not see any hunting areas nearby. Where the sound of the bullets and gunshots were from it felt like someone was shooting directly at our campsite from beside us or in the canyon. We made it to the car and got out to the Hw 4 to flag someone down given that we had no cell service. A man stopped and told us that unfortunately that’s pretty common in the area and it was probably just some drunk assholes and it was not malicious. We were so shaken we could not stay there that night and packed up as quickly as we could. I enjoyed the beauty of this area but would not stay here again after this experience.
GuideThis spot was really beautiful. Went on a weekend, and there were plenty of other people around but there was enough space where it didn't feel too crowded. We drove in, but it's very popular with people traveling by river. Some larger sites fit campers/RVs.
Camping near Cuba, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Cuba, New Mexico, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds near Cuba, NM?
The Cuba area offers several excellent camping options. FR376 Dispersed is considered one of the best free campsites in New Mexico, perfect for those who enjoy four-wheeling. For camping in a forested setting, Clear Creek Campground in Santa Fe National Forest provides drive-in access with amenities like water and toilets. Further exploration along Forest Road 88 reveals additional pulloff camping spots. The region's stunning natural beauty includes canyon views, riverside camping, and secluded wooded areas that make the Cuba area a favorite for both developed and dispersed camping enthusiasts.
What is the best season for camping around Cuba, New Mexico?
Late spring through early fall offers the most pleasant camping conditions around Cuba. Jemez Falls Campground, one of New Mexico's premier camping destinations, is typically most enjoyable from May through September. At higher elevations like American Springs, summer provides relief from the heat with cooler temperatures, while fall delivers spectacular foliage. Summer nights offer amazing stargazing opportunities, though occasional fire bans may be in effect during dry periods. Winters bring cold temperatures and potential snow, especially at higher elevations, making camping more challenging but still possible with proper equipment.
What amenities are available at Cuba, NM campgrounds?
Amenities vary widely across Cuba area campgrounds. Willow Creek Campground — Heron Lake State Park offers spacious, well-spaced sites with full hookups in a wooded setting that provides privacy between campsites. Riana - Abiquiu Lake features a nicely laid out campground with friendly camp hosts, hiking and mountain biking trails, and lake access, though shade and privacy are limited. Most public campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like vault toilets and picnic tables, while dispersed camping areas typically have no facilities. The Cuba Fairgrounds offers reservable sites with more developed amenities for those seeking convenience, while the numerous forest dispersed sites prioritize natural settings over facilities.
Keep Exploring
