The Manzano Mountains provide a mountainous backdrop for camping sites near Tome, New Mexico, with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 7,100 feet throughout the region. The area's high desert climate offers cooler temperatures than nearby Albuquerque, with summer highs typically 5-10 degrees lower. Many campsites require advance planning during peak season from May through September when weekend occupancy can reach 95%.
What to do
Mountain biking on forest roads: Red Canyon Campground serves as an excellent base for mountain biking enthusiasts. "Great camp with most hook ups. They don't have sewer but they do have a dump station. Mostly back in spaces so pay attention what side your door is on and opens to," notes Eric P. The campground connects to trails and forest roads that link several canyons.
Stargazing at higher elevations: Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site offers exceptional dark sky viewing opportunities. "This is a perfect hidden gem for campervanning. Beautiful sunrise and sunset. Wild horses in the area. And, you can clearly see the Milky Way. No light pollution except the beautiful view of the city far away," writes Lauren I.
Brewery visits: Several campgrounds are located near local breweries. At Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA, campers appreciate the convenient location. "But the best part is there is a brewery you can walk to from the campground. They serve organic pizza and cold beer. What more do you need?" says Doug W.
What campers like
Wild horse encounters: Some dispersed camping areas feature unexpected wildlife viewing. "We stayed one night while traveling to North Dakota. Woke up in the morning to a heard of wild horses moving through the area," reports Taz G. from Top of New Mexico. Another camper noted, "Wild horses roamed around our site after sunset. Pretty epic."
Kid-friendly amenities: Turner Inn & RV Park provides level sites with full hookups in a family-friendly environment. "Campsites are level full hook ups. Nice people they have Wi-Fi nice bathrooms there's a really great grocery store downtown called the B St., Café," shares Mary L.
Natural surroundings: The pine forests create a pleasant camping environment at Red Canyon Campground. "The site itself is in a really nice area with lots of pine trees and direct trail access," notes Carson P. Another camper mentioned, "Beautiful secluded spot in the Manzanos. Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground."
What you should know
Road conditions for dispersed sites: Access to some dispersed camping areas requires careful driving. At Top of New Mexico, "Pretty rough getting here as neighbors are sabotaging the road making it narrow using loose gravel & boulders on turns. There is now a locked gate on Palomino to keep non-locals out!" warns Cher & Walter P.
Site maintenance concerns: Some public camping areas have cleanliness issues. "The only issue is it seems a lot of people who come here don't know camp etiquette and leave the sites completely trashed. Fire pits buried and unusable, beer cans and trash everywhere," explains Carson P. about Red Canyon Campground.
Highway noise: Proximity to highways affects some campgrounds. At Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA, "I would give the place 5 stars but one of the good things, access, means you can hear the interstate," notes Doug W. Another reviewer mentioned similar noise issues at other sites closer to major roads.
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: KOA locations offer specific features for children. "The playground has the best swing set and is all sand, very fun for kids of all ages," shares Karla D. about Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA. Another camper noted, "This KOA is secure with plenty of activities for kids."
Movie nights: Some campgrounds offer evening entertainment. "They had a nice pool with plenty of shade and an outdoor movie in the evenings which my kids enjoyed," writes Jennie R. about Albuquerque North / Bernalillo KOA.
Trail accessibility: Look for campgrounds with easy access to beginner-friendly paths. "Nice kid-friendly trails adjacent to the campground," mentions Gavin J. about Red Canyon. These shorter trails provide outdoor activity options without overwhelming younger campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When booking glamping sites or RV spots near Tome, New Mexico, consider site orientation. "Mostly back in spaces so pay attention what side your door is on and opens to," advises Eric P. about Red Canyon Campground.
Utilities placement: The location of hookups can affect your stay. "On our full hook up site the dump sight was in a bad place. We would of had to un hook from our truck to fully hook up," notes Frank about Albuquerque Central KOA.
Size considerations: Some glamping and RV sites have limitations. "We have a small RV which fit nicely into our spot but larger RVs were stacked close together as the space between sites was small," explains Karen B. about Turquoise Trail Campground.
