Are you planning a tent camping trip to Truchas? We've got you covered. Finding a place to camp in New Mexico with your tent has never been easier. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Truchas's most popular destinations.
Big Tesuque is a walk in campground not conducive to trailer or RV campoing. There are 10 units, Picnic tables and grills, and Vaulted toilets in the parking lot. There is no potable water and no Campground Host. The entire area is very scenic, and NM 475 is also designated as the Santa Fe Scenic Byway. Because of the large stands of aspen, the area is very busy, especially in the fall aspen viewing season. There are additional recreation opportunities along NM 475, both above and below Big Tesuque Campground, including hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and in the winter. both nordic and alpine skiing. Tesuque is pronounced "Tess-U-key"
The Aspen Basin Campground is located adjacent to the very large parking area at Santa Fe Ski Basin. There are 10 units, Picnic tables, and fire rings. There is a vaulted toilet at the far west end of the parking lot. This campground is less developed than most, and primarily serves those who use it for an overnight stay before embarking on a backpack into the Pecos. There is ample space for trailer/RV camping, but no dump station is available. There is no potable water and no Campground Host. The entire area is very scenic, and NM 475 is also designated as the Santa Fe Scenic Byway. Because of the scenic quality and the easy access from Santa Fe, the area is very busy, especially in the summer and in the fall aspen viewing season.
22 miles north of Pecos on NM 63. Uses: Camping, picnicking, and trailhead access. Facilities: Tent camping only, Vaulted toilet, Trash bins, Tables and grills, 3 three-sided shelters, 19 parking spaces, Drinking Water. Fishing in Cave Creek. Special Instructions: NO HORSE TRAILERS ALLOWED.
Cowles Campground sits at the base of the Winsor Canyon where it meets the Pecos Canyon and is in walking distance of Cowles Ponds, Winsor Creek, Pecos River, and Winsor Ridge Trailhead. Uses: tent camping, picnicking, fishing, & hiking. Facilities: 1 vault toilet, 9 camping units with tables, fire rings, & grills, 2 covered three-sided shelters with fire places, and trash bins. No potable water, untility hook-ups, dumpstations or showers. Special Instructions: Users are encouraged to recycle and pack out trash. Please visit the Leave No Trace website for more information about frontcountry and backcountry outdoor ethics at www.lnt.org.
PLEASE READ ALL OF THE DESCRIPTIONS OF EACH SITE BEFORE YOU BOOK. NOT ALL SITES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO RVs.
PLEASE READ…
Nestled in the Carson National Forest@ 9000ft in the Sangre de Cristo mountains in the southern region of the Colorado Rockies lies Enchanted Circle Campgrounds. E<< is a quiet, exclusive, totally unique, primitive campground that generally has open camping sites during the camping season of May 1st until October 31st.
E<< was Voted #1 Campground in NM for 2020, 2021, and 2022." Number #4 in the Country by Forbes!
There are 7 Private campsites.
Site#1: This is the smallest campsite, but it overlooks the valley and lakes and is most often the favorite. It is not large enough for any camper beside teardrops, popups, and anything smaller than 16 ft. It is best served as a tent site.
Site#2: is located in the middle of the ranch. It is one of the larger of the spots and perfect for campers and trailers. It overlooks the valley and has 2 fire pits and hammocks. A great site for more than one trailer or RV. It is also easily accessible.
Site#3: It is the most remote. It sits on top of a pretty large cliff system that the Ute Indians actually lived in and has some of the best views. It is on top of a cliff though and is not the best fit for groups with small children. TRAILERS CANNOT GET TO SITE 3, due to tight turns.
Spot 4. This spot is great for larger groups. It is the furthest spot from the gate. It is nestled in the middle of a valley full of Aspens. There are Hammocks, giant fire pits, pergolas, Log Benches, and plenty of space to explore.
Spot 5. It is the flattest spot on the entire ranch, and the easiest to access. This spot is our stargazer site, it has the biggest views and is the most open site@ECC. There are trees, but it is mainly the sky. This site was built and intended for Large RVs and Motor Homes larger than 34 ft. But, If it is available, feel free to book it whether or not you are in a tent or RV.
Spot 6 was also built for Larger Rvs Or larger Groups with multiple tents. It is also very accessible to Motorhomes and large units. It is a mix of all of the environments we have here, with Big skies, Big trees, big views, and great privacy.
Spot 7 is Identical to spot 6. Big RVs, Big Skies, Big Views. Easy accessibility.
Spot 8 is only accessible to tents. It is the newest and most remote site. Surrounded by forest it is tucked away and feels the wildest.
At ECC, you are surrounded by trees and wildlife no matter what spot you choose. Each spot usually has a campfire grill, cast iron skillet, dutch oven, coffee pot, grilling utensils, shovel, hatchet, trash can, hammocks, and other small necessities. With Covid 19, we have removed all of the cooking utensils, cast iron, and coffee pots. You will need to bring these items with you. We have also added handwashing stations and Antibacterial hand soap at each site. We are also Sanitizing the entire campsite after each checkout to ensure all of our guest Safety to the best of our abilities. Numerous trails wander their way through the pine forest, with many more hiking opportunities within a short drive. The Ranch has both long and short nature hikes that allow for views of local flora, fauna, and wheeler peak. We have too many to count, primitive and natural mountain bike trails, and many more to discover or trail blaze. We also offer Coleman 49CC mini bikes for rent by the day to explore all over the ranch. They are great fun.
ECC has 7 natural ground(underground) fed springs that run year-round. 3 spring-fed ponds, 2 of which are stocked with rainbow trout as well as native brown trout, and crawfish. The natives are very picky eaters and require more patience than I usually have. Many of our campers seem to have what it takes as they are caught often, but the rainbows bite on a few different things, you just have to find the right one, and then it's game on. We stock the ponds at the beginning of the season each year. You can keep what you catch, up to 2 per person per day. But, you are also more than welcome to catch and release as often as you like. We have just about every terrain here as well, from prairie and marshland to cliffs and mountainous forests. We have a little over 900 feet of elevation change on the ranch. We have numerous species of wildlife that call the ranch home. We have elk, mule deer, turkeys, bobcats, prairie dogs, beavers, bears, and the occasional mountain lion. We also have our horses, goats, pigs, and chickens free-roaming within the fenced ranch. It is really important to leave all objects you find on the land where you found them(bones, things at the sweat lodge, etc) because this is sacred land and we all need to respect that.
Our Ranch can accommodate individuals, families, and both large and small groups. We also love to support Veterans, LEO, and Emergency Services. We will cover one night, for up to 4 campers, for any of those professionals.
The biggest draw to ECC besides ECC itself is its proximity to Angel Fire and the Ski and Mountain Bike Resort. Located just 5 miles from Town. There is plenty of exploring to do both on the ranch and in town. We are also located within 15 minutes of 3 State Parks. Come check it out! It might just be your favorite secret spot.
$75 / night
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. It means no services; such as trash removal, and little or no facilities; such as tables, fire pits and toilets are provided.
There are extra responsibilities and skills that are necessary for dispersed camping. It is your responsibility to know these before you try this new experience. Camping rules and regulations apply to make your experience safe, and to keep the natural resources scenic and unspoiled for other campers.
Winsor Ridge Trailhead is access point for Winsor Ridge Trail #271 and trail to Panchuela Campground and Trailhead. Located 20 miles north of Pecos on NM 63. Uses: Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding. Facilities: vaulted toilet, trash bins, trailhead kiosk, parking for passenger vehiles & trailers. Special Considerations: Users are encouraged to recycle and pack out trash. Please visit the Leave No Trace website for more information about frontcountry and backcountry outdoor ethics www.lnt.org.
There are so many campsites to choose from, all along the Hondo Rio. It's peaceful and quiet. We brought our four dogs and 13 year old. There's so much to do to keep them busy. The dogs love the river and to run through it. No one really bothers anyone. There are toilets at some of the sites. Very clean. We had storms while camping. At least six rock/mud slides on the road. I don't know who, but someone managed to clean it all up in record time. We've had a great time, even with the rain and hail. We will definitely come back.
Very small, but quiet and secluded primitive campground. Several sites appear to be overgrown or have too much debris to be usable. There are a couple sites that could fit a small trailer. All are suitable for tents or a van. The bathroom is still out of order. Mobile coverage was spotty, worked better if you went up to the nearby trailhead. The road up to the campground is in good shape, 4x4 not required. Overall traffic was very low. There was a little bit of firewood cutting nearby, with a few trucks making multiple trips. A few families were up on Sat for picnics. UTVs were minimal. There are a few dispersed options in the area.
A good amount of dispersed sites off of FSR558. I just pulled off to one of the closer sites but looked like tons of other sites were further in on the road. Really quiet even with the highway close by. Great stars at night, decently clean (the sites that I saw). You could probably make it in a 2WD vehicle for the first few sites but it gets a bit more rugged as you continue in.
Yes, it can get packed but be prepared to go early enough to find a good spot. I prefer camp sites 7 through 10, even the very first site when you first come in since they are right near the river. If you really want to experience the haunt of the campground I prefer the campsites in the back 11 through 16.
I have not experienced the haunts until I camped at spot 15, this past Labor Day weekend on Friday night August 30, 2024. I went to bed and about 12 am I heard a voice say Hello to me. Then the last night my friend and I were by the fire we did not have any more neighbors as they left that Sunday, we had our trash bag hanging from my friends canopy there was no wind and that trash bag was swaying back and forth rapidly. Was definitely an experience.
The hikes are the best especially if you have time to go to the lake which you want to get an early start, just follow the trail in the back past the reservation spot to get to the trail and follow up get to the fork in the trail and hang a left to the lake. I love the camp site always clean restrooms and fun experience for the paranormal.
This is a wonderful little campground on the way to Taos Ski Valley. Sites are right on a creek & have picnic tables. From what we could tell, there are 2 different locations that we saw on the road, highway 150, one with sites 4-6 & further North where we stayed sites 1-3. We were able to find a level place to park the van & I took a dip in the creek in the morning. Refreshing! Camping is FREE at this campground for up to two weeks! There is no garbage here, so pack it in & pack it out.
Plenty of spots and easy to get to. The only catch is you will need to find a spot away from the multiple large piles of trash.
The surrounding area was pretty and sunset was great!
Absolutely magical! My tent got rained out but I just haven’t had the opportunity to waterproof the tent. When it’s not wet season I’m sure this would be just even more magical. The bathroom was easily accessible, fire pits are great. Picnic tables were marked up, but the sound of the River was so worth all of it.
I pull a small trailer and the road in was rough. I was concerned about being able to turn around. When I got to the spot where there are six or eight camping spots, finding one suitable for a trailer was difficult, but I did it. This is more suitable to car camping.
There is an open area that would be good for group camping. There are three or more RVs that appear to be permanent features. That was strange. Looked like fishing camps. I didn't want to drive the steep road down to this area.
Personally, I wish I had stopped a the forest service campsites up hill from this location, but if you are in a car and want to tent camp here, I don't see a problem,
Really like this KOA. At first thought it was out of the way but really like it. Just off I25. Nice Big Rig friendly. Some of the sites I went by thought was not level but then you look closer the pad itself was very level. Nice pool.
The location is close to stores and restaurants that are about 10 minutes away...that we needed after discovering a damaged tire. The front desk recommended a tire store that was just north of the park. Thank you...The park has been set up nicely. The sites are a bit tight from the adjoining sites. Site were level and all the hook ups worked without issue. The location made for an hour's drive to Los Alamos and Bandelier national monument. Both great visits if you haven't been there before.
Pretty good location with nice views. For us we were visiting family and they were close by. Not far at all from downtown Taos. CE, the owner was probably one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She took the time at check in to give all of the information to enjoy our stay. She also, gave us local info and maps of points of interest, restaurants and activities. The grounds keeper was very friendly as well, asking us if we needed anything during our stay. The gravel sites are long and pretty wide offering some privacy. The hook ups were well placed and worked well during our stay. When in Taos, we will return here.
Pros:
Cons
Chilly, even in July, just FYI, come prepared.
Picnic table, fire ring provided
The RV park is excellent, don't know why there are poor reviews. The location could not be better! The sites were very clean and easy to get into with a class A. The managers were very gracious and helpful for all our needs and gave great recommendations for Santa Fe. This is the third time we have stayed here and love it!
Our truck broke down 1 mile from the ranch and we weren’t sure what to do so I hopped on my mountain bike and rode to the welcome center. I met a wonderful lady who offered a gentleman who worked there to help me. He grabbed his truck and towed me and my trailer to the campsite. We ended up staying there for about five or six days while the truck was being fixed in Albuquerque. Couldn’t have broken down in a better place. The scenery is beautiful and the people are nice. It’s true they had meal plans, but we were prepared to camp off grid so we didn’t need anything. Instead, we enjoyed the views and the museum and the, swimming pool and horseback riding. Completely unplanned. It’s probably important to know this is not a remote campsite because there’s lots of amenities and if you’re the kind of person looking for a flat asphalt pad to park is your camper on them, you might wanna move on. We definitely love this place and would recommend it to anyone looking for secret little area to chill out. The vibe was perfect. looking forward to coming back.
We found this campground on our way to Colorado and spent one night. Would have loved to stay longer. Friendly host, well-maintained, vault toilets available. Hostess advised we could drive short distance to Fort Marcy Community Center for hot showers (available for a small fee), which we did.
We have stayed on the Pedernal loop multiple times and it has always been great. The sites are well laid out, with plenty of room between neighbors. Access to the campground is restricted (closed 10pm-6am), so it is always quiet, with just those camping driving around. Rangers and sheriff patrolled a few times. Camp hosts were very friendly and helpful. All the grounds are clean and well maintained, trash cans at every site. The electrical pillar for our site was new and worked perfectly. Water also worked with no issues. Shower house is clean and well maintained. Access to a few trails, but water access requires a bit of a drive. Amazing views.
A reasonably priced campground near Santa Fe NM. Campsites have picnic table, fire ring and paved parking. Several were large and can accommodate big Rvs. No electric, water, sewer or dumpstation. Pit toilets and dumpsters are available.
The campground is at 8400' elevation. Summer temps were very comfortable during the day and cool overnight. Perfect camping weather. The sites were mostly sold out while we were there.
Camp hosts were seen busy tending to the sites and pit toilets. The campground was very well maintained.
Some sites sit high above, and view Santa Cruz Lake, others don't have the lake view. No water or electricity, one little vault toilet. Some sites have more privacy than others. Over all a nice little campground about a 15 or 20 minute drive to the lake, where no wake boating and fishing happen. No swimming due to potentially dangerous currents.
I think there is some cell service due to the camp's high and unobstructed location.
I live in Albuquerque, and this road is one of my constant summer repeats. You got water, shade, privacy and an adventure. It's about 1.5 hours from Abq and it takes you through the Gilman Tunnels which is always a fun stop and view. The road is a little bumpy and rocky, but there's probably 100 dispersed camping spots. There's ones right on the river, in forrest spots or meadows, you choose! There are no bathrooms, water, or cell service. Everyone has got their spot in Jemez, but this road offers endless possibilities, for all types of campers!
Everyone, this is a beautiful site with Lots of trees. The camp ground is nestled up in the mountains several miles from town. The stream is nice and comforting and the camp host was very informative and helpful.**** HOWEVER, there are herds of cows that roam the campground. They defecate EVERYWHERE!!! The cows keep you up all matters of the night. You can’t take 4 steps without stepping in poop-It’s EVERYWHERE!!!( Flies included) This site would be so perfect but you can’t eat or cook around the pit because it is surrounded by cow poop. We cut our camping trip short because it was just too much.
We stayed here in June for two nights. The days were warm, but the nights were lovely. We were in spot 53 which was a long pull through, but very narrow and close to the neighboring spots. We were lucky that they were not reserved so we had a little more room. We were glad we were in the trees due to the daytime temps. If you need a large spot, 1 through 7 have a nice view of the valley, but no trees. Resident and neighboring dogs and cats roam throughout and may come visit your campsite. The county road to the campground is nice and quiet and makes for a good place to go for long walks.
Juniper CG @ Bandelier NM: May 2024
Juniper CG @ Bandelier NM: May 2024 Visited El Chamayo, Los Alamos, and the beautiful Valles Caldera National Preserve
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 3.5
Price 2024: $ 10 w interagency pass
Security: No
Usage during visit: Heavy
Site Privacy: Some sites are good in this respect
Site Spacing: Okay, better for some sites
Pad surface: Bkacktop
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Quiet
Outside Road Noise: None
Through Traffic in campground: No
Electric Hookup: No
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes.
Potable Water Available: Yes
Generators: Allowed
Bathroom: Yes.
Showers: No
Pull Throughs: Some pull overs
Cell Service (AT&T): Not good
Solar: Abert’s loop will have better solar, though our site and many others in Coyote Loop was adequate during our stay.
Insects: Not this time of year.
Host: Yes
Sites: Sites that looked good in Abert’s Squirrel Loop(drive through): 1,4,5,6,7,8,
15,16.
Coyote Loop among best: 40,41,43,46
Cochiti Army Core of Engineer CG: Good location to visit both Albuquerque (50mins) and Santa Fe (35 mins). Bandelier National Monument is 1 1/2 hrs away. El Moro and El Malpias National Monuments could be visited with a full day of driving.
(Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 3 (should be a 4 but for poor bathroom cleanliness)
Price 2024: $ 6 w interagency pass for non Electric Site
Security: Check in stations active on weekends
Usage during visit: 1/3 to almost full (weekends)
Site Privacy: Open
Site Spacing: Pretty good
Pad surface: Concrete
Reservations: Yes
Campground Noise: Quiet
Outside Road Noise: None
Through Traffic in campground: None
Electric Hookup: Some sites
Sewer Hookup: No
Dump Station: Yes
Potable Water Available: There are several spigots in each loop.
Generators: Allowed during specific hours
Bathroom: Flush toilets. Only one cleaning and attention during our 7 day stay. Also, repair needs of bathroom fixtures is ignored .
Showers: Not kept even close to adequately clean.
Pull Throughs: Not in our loop (Cat Tail)
Cell Service (AT&T): 1-2 bars in our loop
Setting: Set off of Cochiti Lake which is not particularly attractive. Mountain range to the north is pleasant to look at
Recent Weather: Sunny and occasionally windy.
Solar: Excellent
Insects: None this time of year.
Host: Yes
Rig Size: Large RVs present
Sites: Ringtail is overall best loop in my opinion. Sites w a View: 51, 53, 50, (57,58)
Also liked: 48, 46,45, 45,43
This is a very spacious private campground southwest of Santa Fe with access to public land. Located 20 minutes from downtown Santa Fe. There are probably 50 sites with restrooms and showers. I saw a few tent but this is really geared toward RVs. They have discounts if you stay 4 to 6 days it is 10% off and 7 to 14 days it is 15% off. There is really nothing to it but it is so spacious and quiet, great vibe and the staff is super nice and helpful. They offer overnight stabling for horses too.
Great site with shade and sun, water from creek, could possibly hold 3 med. Sized rv's. About 10 miles south of taos nm. And about 1 mile off pavement
Campground is super close to Taos. About 9 primitive campsites next to the road and creek. If you want to be near town and don't mind the road noise, then this is an easy camping spot to check out.
Stayed here while traveling through Taos. About 10 first come first serve primitive campsites next to the road and creek. The trees give some privacy in between the campsites and road. I wasn't too bothered by the road noise and it was quiet after dark. There is also a hiking/biking trail at the end of the campground.
Camping near Truchas, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or a base for exploring the area's natural beauty, there are plenty of options to consider.
Camping near Truchas, New Mexico, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Just remember to pack out what you pack in and enjoy the beautiful surroundings!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Truchas, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Truchas, NM is Big Tesuque Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Truchas, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 36 tent camping locations near Truchas, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
