Best Campgrounds near Torreon, NM

The mountainous terrain surrounding Torreon, New Mexico provides access to both established campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities within the Santa Fe National Forest and Jemez Mountains region. Fenton Lake State Park Campground, approximately 30 miles northwest of Torreon, offers year-round camping with electric hookups and water access for both tent and RV campers. Free dispersed camping can be found at Camel Head Camp and along Forest Road 88 near Cuba, where primitive sites accommodate tent camping with minimal amenities. The Vista Linda Campground in Santa Fe National Forest provides a middle ground with basic facilities including toilets and trash service but without electrical connections.

Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, with many dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate rough forest roads. As one camper noted, "The interior roads get pretty rough the further in you go, with some fairly large rocks and deep ruts." Elevation plays a major role in camping conditions, with sites like Fenton Lake sitting at 8,000 feet experiencing "cold nights and intermittent rain, hail, and high winds, even during summer." Cell service is limited or nonexistent at most campgrounds, though some visitors report spotty text messaging capability. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, particularly in summer months, and campers should check current regulations before planning to build campfires.

Visitors consistently praise the stargazing opportunities and peaceful atmosphere at dispersed sites. According to one review, "Even in July, it was a perfect 60-65 degrees at night and in the upper 70s-low 80s during the day." Fishing is popular at Fenton Lake, though anglers recommend arriving before 7am to secure good spots. Wildlife awareness is important, with bears active in the Jemez Mountains area. Campgrounds near water features tend to fill quickly, especially on summer weekends. The region's volcanic history has created distinctive landscapes with canyon walls and cliff views that campers frequently highlight in reviews. Most established campgrounds have vault toilets but limited or no shower facilities, requiring self-sufficiency for longer stays.

Best Camping Sites Near Torreon, New Mexico (60)

    1. Camel Head Camp

    1 Review
    Torreon, NM
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 761-8700

    "Tucked into the ledge. Probably a mess in a rain storm but a wonderful spot to disperse camp."

    2. Vista Linda Campground — Santa Fe National Forest

    18 Reviews
    Jemez Springs, NM
    28 miles
    +1 (575) 829-3535

    $20 / night

    "Vista Linda NM : Adjacent to the highway. Don’t be fooled, though. Beautiful, peaceful, clean, and the most helpful host.
    Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

    (71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)"

    "We only stayed for one night but we enjoyed this location! The surrounding views were fantastic. Walking along the Jemez River was a great evening activity."

    3. Fenton Lake State Park Campground

    16 Reviews
    Jemez Springs, NM
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 829-3630

    $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)."

    4. Jemez Falls Campground

    30 Reviews
    Jemez Springs, NM
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 829-3535

    $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! "

    5. Cuba Fairgrounds

    1 Review
    Cuba, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 404-5903

    $10 - $20 / night

    6. Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88

    4 Reviews
    Cuba, NM
    22 miles

    "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."

    7. Rio De Las Vacas Campground

    7 Reviews
    Cuba, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 289-3264

    $20 / night

    "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."

    "Clear Creek was full so we camped her for the night and had a great place to park the pop up and our friends were out behind us in their tent. Very beautiful area!"

    9. Jemez Boondocking

    3 Reviews
    Jemez Springs, NM
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 438-5300

    10. Dispersed on 4 - Fenton Lake State Park

    16 Reviews
    Jemez Springs, NM
    33 miles
    Website

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Torreon, NM

283 Reviews of 60 Torreon Campgrounds


  • Emma G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Pajarito Springs (Dispersed)

    Totally fine

    Pretty rough road, my Subaru was fine but couldn’t get far. A bit busy, especially for late October. Totally fine place to camp but not my favorite.

  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2025

    Coronado campground

    Great mountain vibes

    Awesome stop over in the city. The view of the mountains from the sites are incredible. It is very close to the road so sometimes there is noise but its background.

    The playground is great. There is sites with electric and water and sites without.

    It was comfortable and felt relatively clean with good vibes for a city rv park

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2025

    Jemez Falls Campground

    Nice setting with adjacent trails.

    Most sites level. Ryan, campground host was very helpful and professional. Sites well-spaced and relatively private. Trees and shade everywhere. Short hike to Jemez Falls. About 4 miles to Valle Calderas and a couple more to Bandalere.

    Vault toilets very clean and convenient to most sites.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88

    FR 88 - dispersed camping 10-19-25

    Right off hwy - beginning of has limited spots (25’ or less total length) as you start going up the road it gets way rutted / washboarded out - I would recommend 4x4 - some spots need high clearance. Cell service ATT - 1 / 2 bars at the bottom as you go up the road you get better service

  • Kristin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Camp May Road

    Perfect for a close camp to Los Alamos

    Easy to find pull off spots, lots of good trees. The road is closed Monday-Thursday due to being on lab property. Overall beautiful spot!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Gallo Campground — Chaco Culture National Historical Park

    Impressive, ancient ruins and a good visitor center

    Seeing the ruins is worth the long drive on 21 mile access road from the highway. 16 of those miles are along extremely rough washboard Road. I could only go about 10 miles an hour to avoid shaking everything loose in my van. Regular passenger cars seem to be able to go about 30 miles an hour. The campground is small with all spaces is very close to each other. But you don't go for the campground. you go for the ruins and the hikes and trails. I camped here 9/28/25.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Coronado Campground

    Excellent city run RV park

    This RV park is popular and can be filled. So try to get a reservation before you arrive. I managed to get a spot because somebody had canceled. Campsites have power and some have water. I paid $35 a night. But they do have an overflow area which is just a big parking lot but will serve in a pinch if there are no regular spaces available.

  • A
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Coronado Campground

    Convenient and well appointed

    Remarkable nice little campground, with well laid-out sites, each with its own adobe picnic shelter as well as power and water. There’s a dump station at the exit. The location is very convenient, though there’s a bit of highway noise.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Stagecoach Stop RV Park

    Good location for a stopover with nice views

    The RV park has everything including level spots and a dump station and all hookups and has some nice views of the mountains but it is quite near to the highway so has a bit of noise


Guide to Torreon

Dispersed camping spots near Torreon, New Mexico range from 7,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation within the Jemez Mountains, creating significant temperature variations between sites. Forest Road 88 near Cuba offers tent camping opportunities with several pullout areas suitable for smaller vehicles. Most dispersed sites lack amenities and campers should prepare to pack out all trash as collection services are limited to established campgrounds.

What to do

Stream fishing opportunities: The Rio de las Vacas Campground features a river where trout fishing is productive, particularly in early morning hours. According to camper Gavin J., the campground has "big old pines with a beautiful creek flowing through" with "access to good trails for day hiking."

Hot springs exploration: From Vista Linda Campground, visitors can access nearby hot springs for natural soaking. Camper Karen B. notes, "Just down the road is Ponderosa Winery and Jemez Hot Springs is the other way," making it convenient to alternate between camping and thermal soaking.

Canyon viewpoints: The dispersed camping area on Highway 4 near Fenton Lake State Park offers dramatic canyon views. One visitor reported, "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," though reaching these viewpoints requires high-clearance vehicles.

Fall foliage viewing: The contrast between pine forests and deciduous trees creates spectacular autumn displays. As camper Naythin H. described Vista Linda, "We went in fall and omg this was by far the best it was like heaven the trees were so orange and the thick wood right smack in the desert definitely bucket list place."

What campers like

Temperature variation: Many campers appreciate the significant temperature drops at higher elevations during summer. A visitor to the dispersed camping on Highway 4 reported, "Even in July, it was a perfect 60-65 degrees at night and in the upper 70's low 80's during the day," making these sites popular retreats from lowland heat.

Privacy between sites: Jemez Falls Campground offers well-spaced sites for a sense of seclusion. According to Ryan S., "This campsite has a great layout. The pit toilets were clean, and well maintained," while Katriza L. noted, "Most sites are fairly spaced apart to allow privacy so that was really nice."

Riverside camping: Sites adjacent to water features are highly valued. At Rio de las Vacas Campground, the stream "runs beside sites 1 thru 4" and "trout have been caught in it," according to former camp host Ben W., who adds that "sites #4 & 5 are favorites for some campers because they are a little bit remote from the others."

Clean facilities: Despite being primitive, many campgrounds maintain high standards for vault toilets. One reviewer mentioned that Rio de las Vacas has "two vault toilets and many people told me that the toilets were the cleanest they had encountered in their camping experiences."

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many established campgrounds now require advance bookings through Recreation.gov. At Fenton Lake, Lauren W. warns, "Despite what the board says on entry don't pay the camping fee! The ranger will kick you out for not reserving online," adding that there's "no cell service for 25mins drive" to make reservations if you arrive unprepared.

Fire restrictions: Seasonal bans are common, especially during dry periods. At Camel Head Camp, Drew T. noted it's a "Great little spot for a short night stay" but warned it would be "probably a mess in a rain storm."

Accessibility challenges: Many dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. For camping along Highway 4, one visitor cautioned, "The road is pretty steep and washed out right now so be careful driving even in an off-roading vehicle. My car would not have made it with its meager front wheel drive hybrid."

Resource limitations: Water access is restricted at most sites. A camper at Rio de las Vacas noted "There is a water well across the road from site #6," but many dispersed areas have no water sources, requiring campers to bring all needed supplies.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Certain loops at Fenton Lake State Park are designed with children in mind. According to Nicole B., "Loop 2 - there's a playground next to site 14 and this is a GREAT loop for folks with kids. If you're not a kid person, you'd probably prefer a different loop."

Wildlife education opportunities: Children can observe beaver activity in some areas. At Fenton Lake, Mike A. noted the "landscape was beautiful, with beaver dams and song birds giving us amazing views," providing natural learning experiences.

Camp timing considerations: For families, midweek camping offers better experiences. Travis D. advised about Jemez Falls, "It is certainly gorgeous and I'll definitely go back, I'll just make sure it's on a random Tuesday," to avoid holiday crowds.

Creek exploration: Kids particularly enjoy campsites with stream access. Krissy C. described Rio de las Vacas Campground as having an "Adorable little creek right there," making it ideal for families who want water features without deep lake hazards.

Tips from RVers

Limited big rig access: Most campsites can't accommodate large RVs. At Jemez Falls Campground, Reuben noted, "There are not, however, any sites that will accommodate truly big rigs. We are 29' 3" Class A, and were the ONLY Class A on site(and it was 100% booked)."

Overnight boondocking options: The Cuba Fairgrounds provides a convenient stopover with basic amenities. Frank F. reported, "They have power and water. Dump station. I did not ask about WiFi," making it suitable for self-contained RVs needing a quick overnight stay.

Road width considerations: Forest roads create passing challenges for larger vehicles. Reuben observed at Jemez Falls, "The road between highway and campsite is pretty narrow. Two RVs passing each other would be a FRIGHTFULLY tight fit."

Resource management: Most areas require complete self-sufficiency. At Vista Linda Campground, Zachary H. noted, "There was potable water pumps near the restrooms which we used to ferry water and fill up the RV before heading out," highlighting the need to plan water usage carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Torreon, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Torreon, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 60 campgrounds and RV parks near Torreon, NM and 28 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Torreon, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Torreon, NM is Camel Head Camp with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Torreon, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 28 free dispersed camping spots near Torreon, NM.