E
Elizabeth W.
Guide
GuideChiflo Campground
Clean pit toilet. Water was off for the season. Set up for tent camping. Nice paved road to the campground. Beautiful view of the gorge with trails. Muddy when wet.
Tent Camping near Tierra Amarilla, NM
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Tent campsites near Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico range from established campgrounds to remote primitive sites within Carson National Forest. Upper and Lower Lagunitas Campgrounds provide tent-specific sites with vault toilets and picnic tables, while Los Pinos offers walk-in tent camping along a river. Dispersed backcountry tent camping is available along Forest Service Road 578, approximately 25 miles east of town.
Most tent campgrounds in this region operate seasonally from June to October due to high elevation and snow conditions. Sites typically feature minimal amenities, with vault toilets at established campgrounds and no facilities at dispersed locations. Campers should bring all water supplies as no drinking water is available. Fire restrictions vary seasonally, with several areas permitting campfires in designated rings when conditions allow. A recent review noted, "Access is easy at Los Pinos with 4-5 improved campsites with vault toilets, most sites on or very near the river." Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended for reaching remote tent sites, particularly after rain when forest roads develop ruts.
Tent camping in this region offers exceptional solitude and natural surroundings. The dispersed sites along Forest Service Road 578 provide particularly secluded experiences with one camper sharing that they "didn't see anyone else camping or driving by" during their stay. Many tent sites sit at elevations around 9,000 feet, offering cooler summer temperatures and expansive views of surrounding mountains. Wildlife sightings are common, with elk and various bird species frequently observed from campsites. Hikers can access numerous trails directly from camping areas, particularly near Upper Lagunitas where reviewers mention "lots of trails, bridge over creek, lakes are nearby by foot." During peak summer weekends, arrive early to secure the limited number of prime tent sites at established campgrounds.
Best Tent Campgrounds near Tierra Amarilla (29)
1. Canjilon Creek Campground
"This park is very primitive. It has no running water, toilets, or amenities. What it has a lot of, is charm. Hardly met anyone while there. It has three lakes filled with trout."
2. Lower Lagunitas Campground
"The trek across northern New Mexico was truly breathtaking. We were fortunate enough to see tons of big Rams as well as an abundance of wildlife and plentiful bird watching."
3. Upper Lagunitas Campground
4. Los Pinos
5. Elk Creek Trail
"Parked on edge of flat in trees close to creek. Nice ambient noise. Fire rings, metal and stone. Plenty of room. Two vault toilets were clean plenty if TP."
"Sites were neatly set up and spaced apart with campfire rings at each one."
6. Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping
"There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango."
"I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285."
7. Turkey Creek Road
"A long dirt road takes you winding up switchbacks into a beautiful mountain scenery."
"We didn’t drive too far in as there were a few decent dispersed pull outs within the first mile."
8. Cruces Basin Campground
9. Star Dance
10. Forest Road 37
"Good options up the roads past the marker Plenty of wood around the spot I took
Roads in good shape when I was here, no problems in a sedan
Decent Verizon coverage
Spot I stayed at was 37.35608°"
"Just pulled in trying to beat the weather there could be more spots up the rd but I found this one! Really pretty drive in and real close to the springs in town about 13 min away"
Drive Time
- 1 hr 32 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 2 hrs 10 min from Farmington, NM
- 2 hrs 21 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 34 min from Pueblo, CO
Recent Tent Camping Photos near Tierra Amarilla, NM
12 Photos of 29 Tierra Amarilla Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Tent Camping Reviews near Tierra Amarilla, NM
443 Reviews of 29 Tierra Amarilla Campgrounds
- mmelissa D.Guide
Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Camping spots are close and tight. But nice to be on the grounds of Ojo Caliente Resort
- Mike M.
TravelerOjo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
Awesome campground at one of the nicest hot springs you’ll ever visit. Great farm to table restaurant and wine bar. New Mexico at its best.
- AAnthony M.Guide
Forest Road 37
Not bad
Just pulled in trying to beat the weather there could be more spots up the rd but I found this one! Really pretty drive in and real close to the springs in town about 13 min away
- RRoy R.Guide
Free Dispersed Camping
Free Dispersed Camping
This easy to miss spot is a free camping area near the ranger station. The road to get to the sites is probably only a couple hundred meters from the ranger station so slow down if you are going West on 64 and turn around if you reach the station going East on 64.
The actual camping spots are towards the very end of the road where they form a sort of triangle. There are three picnic tables with what look like fire rings. But there is a lot of open space around those three tables if they happen to be taken by any chance. I did notice that most boondockers would just park their vehicles on the side of the road along the way. So basically the entire area seems to be available for boondocking. There are no trash cans, water, more vault toilets. It's packed everything out. There are a couple of vault toilets at the ranger station and you can actually walk from the campsite area because there are trails that lead to the ranger station.
Very pretty area. Very quiet. Few vehicles on the nearby road.
Ben F.TravelerBig Arsenic Springs Campground
Amazing views, no water
All the campgrounds in the wild rivers area are very well maintained, the sites have sturdy pavilions, picnic tables and grills. Sites are nicely spaced and some have amazing canyon views. Vault-style toilets that are kept clean and stocked. Bring your own water, their "well is broken" as of Oct. 2026, so if you run out you're looking at a 20 mile drive round trip to buy a couple gallons at the local grocery store.
- NNathaniel S.Traveler
Ghost Ranch
Beautiful area; challenging camping
The 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.
Bill R.
RangerLittle Arsenic Springs Campground
Remote, wild, beautiful and small.
We stayed here for two nights in early May, 2026. Camped back from the rim ,wanting shelter from the wind/rain/snow rather than the view. Really enjoyed the area, walked some of the rim trail, stopped by the visitor center(limited hours) and hiked to the river at the bottom of the gorge. The hike was spectacular and the weather was as wild as the gorge. Rain, wind and snow battered us as we climbed back out.
No water(they're working on restoring it) and a long way from anything like gas, supplies, etc.
Would definitely like to return in the future.
- MMark M.
LegendGhost Ranch
Campground avg but overall lots of things to do
Some 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).
Guide to Tierra Amarilla
Camping near Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico offers a rugged backcountry experience at elevations typically between 8,000-9,500 feet. The region sits at the northern edge of Carson National Forest where dense pine forests and mountain meadows dominate the landscape. Winter snowpack often restricts tent camping in Tierra Amarilla to the June-September window, with many remote sites requiring high-clearance vehicles.
What to do
Trout fishing access: Both lakes and streams provide fishing opportunities throughout the Carson National Forest area. At Canjilon Creek Campground, campers can fish three stocked lakes. "It has three lakes filled with trout. Lots of areas to explore. Plenty of wood to forage for," reports one visitor.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings offer prime wildlife viewing times. At Turkey Creek Road dispersed sites, campers regularly spot wildlife in nearby meadows. "I saw two elk across a swath of sage," shares one camper who stayed in the area.
Hiking network: Multiple trail systems connect camping areas to alpine lakes and meadows. "Lots of trails, bridge over creek, lakes are nearby by foot," notes a camper who visited Elk Creek Trail.
What campers like
Seclusion and privacy: Forest Service Road 578 provides particularly isolated camping spots away from crowds. One reviewer noted, "Private and beautiful... Stayed one night and saw no one else. Multiple pulloffs for unmarked campsites."
Accessible water features: Many tent sites are positioned near creeks or small lakes. At Los Pinos, "Most sites were on or very near the river," according to a recent visitor.
Natural campfire settings: Where permitted, established fire rings enhance the primitive camping experience. As one camper at Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 described, "I found a nice spot with a small fire circle in a small clearing on the south side of the road just past a fork in the road."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many forest roads develop deep ruts after rainfall. "RVs will not make it, so it's nice and quiet. AWD/4WD needed on the rutted rocky road," warns a camper about Forest Service Road 578 access.
Limited facilities: Even established campgrounds offer minimal amenities. One camper described Upper Lagunitas Campground as "Very quiet, remote campground with space between sites. Best for tents."
Environmental concerns: Some areas suffer from visitor impacts. At Lower Lagunitas Campground, a visitor observed "Lots of trash in the area... wish the state would enforce laws up in these parts. The roads around and leading to are washboard and washed out in places from the rain."
Temperature variations: High elevation camping means significant day-to-night temperature swings. A camper at Forest Service Road 578 reported, "It got cold at night, like 27°F."
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed sites: Families with young children benefit from campgrounds with basic facilities. At Elk Creek Trail, a visitor notes the area offers "Fire rings, metal and stone. Plenty of room. Two vault toilets were clean plenty of TP."
Consider accessibility needs: Some campgrounds allow easier vehicle access than others. For Los Pinos, a camper advises, "Access is easy. There are 4-5 improved campsites with vault toilets."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Tierra Amarilla, NM?
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Tierra Amarilla, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Tierra Amarilla, NM is Canjilon Creek Campground with a 4.0-star rating from 1 review.
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tent camping near
Tierra Amarilla, NM?
What is the best site to find tent camping near Tierra Amarilla, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 tent camping locations near Tierra Amarilla, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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