Camping near Taos Ski Valley offers diverse accommodation options at elevations ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 feet. The area experiences dramatic temperature fluctuations, with summer days reaching the 80s while nights can dip into the 40s. Most campgrounds and glamping facilities operate seasonally, with peak availability from May through October when mountain roads are reliably accessible.
What to do
Fishing at local streams and ponds: Columbine Campground provides excellent access to fishing spots. According to Patrick M., "All sites sit on a beautifully shaded Creek (Columbine Creek) that feeds the Red River." Many campers report successful trout fishing, with one visitor noting, "The lake provided enough trout for a dinner."
Hiking the Carson National Forest: Cabresto Lake Campground offers access to high-altitude hikes. One camper reports, "Can hike to Heart Lake. 9 mile round trip hike. Saw quite a few backpackers." The area connects to extensive trail systems throughout the forest.
Winter activities beyond skiing: While Taos Ski Valley offers world-class skiing, Rio Grande del Norte provides alternatives during snow season. A visitor shared, "Travel mid March just passing through. Stayed one night. Hidden oasis, great views, clean campgrounds and a lot of option for camping." Winter camping is limited but possible at lower elevations.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Some campgrounds offer well-separated spaces. A camper at Columbine noted, "Each site has more than expected space and offset to adjacent sites. Camp Host are doing an excellent job."
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Taos Valley RV Park gets high marks for cleanliness. According to Timothy N., "Grounds and bathrooms were very clean. The staff was friendly and helpful. In late Sep it was still busy and full, but it was quiet within the RV park."
Proximity to local breweries: Several glamping close to Taos Ski Valley provide easy access to breweries. As Shari G. mentioned about Hotel Luna Mystica, "Across the road from the campground is the Taos Mesa Brewery where you can get amazing craft beers and some great food. It was the perfect place to hang out on a cold, wintery night."
What you should know
Road conditions and vehicle requirements: Several campgrounds require high-clearance vehicles. Regarding Cabresto Lake, one camper warned, "Definitely need an all terrain vehicle for the drive up to lake. Rough dirt road. Got a flat tire."
Weather and seasonal considerations: Mountain weather can change rapidly. At Hotel Luna Mystica, a camper reported, "Surprise! The weather went from day-time highs in the 60's to blizzard conditions with overnight lows in the teens."
Connectivity limitations: Sierra Village Lodge & RV Park has connectivity challenges. A camper reported, "There is NO cell service. Not a bar to be found. And the wifi (free) is REALLY spotty. I had very minimal luck just checking email. Forget about streaming anything."
Campsite availability: Glamping accommodations near Taos Ski Valley often fill quickly. A reviewer at Columbine noted, "every campground in the area are FULL to overflowing with these large groups" during peak season.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly water access: Sites with safe water features keep children entertained. At Columbine Campground, Stefani R. shared, "We hiked a little bit of the Columbine Twining hiking trail - can't wait to go back to be able to hike more!"
Find family-sized sites: Not all spots accommodate larger groups. One camper advised, "Site 1 & 2 appear to have easy access to the stream (in case you've got kids who would like to splash around a little)."
Pack for temperature fluctuations: Mountain evenings get cold even in summer. As one visitor noted, "It's been 80s in the day and 50s at night which is amazing. I have one bar with T-mobile cell phone so I can text and get a little internet."
Tips from RVers
Campsite leveling challenges: Tolby Campground has site limitations. Robert E. warned, "Some sites are short, very few are level, some have a steep slope... The loop to the left side near the host is more level and can handle bigger RVs but overall this is not a big rig campground."
Solar power options: Some glamping sites near Taos Ski Valley work well for solar setups. A camper at Hotel Luna Mystica observed, "The campground is ideal for solar power, as is the New Mexico weather. We also had no problem connecting with Starlink and had LTE in the campground."
Check size restrictions: Many Taos area campgrounds have limitations for larger vehicles. Josh M. shared, "We stayed 3 nights on our first trip with our new rig. The spot was mostly level making set up easy."
