Best Tent Camping near Truchas, NM

Tent camping near Truchas, New Mexico provides access to several established campgrounds within the Carson National Forest and Santa Fe National Forest. Trampas Trailhead Campground offers free primitive tent sites with access to hiking trails, while Panchuela Campground provides walk-in tent sites from May to November. Cowles Campground, located in Pecos, features creekside tent camping with partial shade throughout the day. Trampas Medio Campground, situated about a quarter mile from the Trampas Lakes trailhead, offers 3-4 tent sites along the Rio de las Trampas, though access requires crossing a stream that can run 18-24 inches deep during summer months.

Most tent campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities including vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Potable water is limited, with many sites requiring campers to filter water from nearby streams. The camping season typically runs from May through November, as winter brings heavy snowfall with drifts reaching 3-5 feet. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months. Tent campsites at Big Tesuque Campground feature designated tent pads but limited space, requiring careful planning for larger groups. Backcountry tent camping is available via several trailheads, including the Cave Creek Trail which offers a moderate 2.8-mile hike to primitive camping areas.

The tent camping experience near Truchas is characterized by mountain streams, aspen groves, and access to high-elevation hiking. According to reviews, Big Tesuque Campground is "perfect for tent camping" with each site featuring a picnic table and tent pad, though sites fill quickly on weekends. One visitor to Panchuela Campground noted that "all backpacking tent sites" cost $5 per night with "gorgeous views," but warned the campground books completely on weekends. Campers should prepare for chilly nights even in summer months, with temperatures dropping significantly after sunset. The area's creeks provide natural white noise for sleeping but are typically too cold for comfortable swimming even in July.

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Best Tent Sites Near Truchas, New Mexico (37)

    1. Trampas Trailhead Campground

    2 Reviews
    Llano, NM
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 632-2956

    "The Trampas Trailhead campground gets 4 stars not because it's a great campground (it's good, don't get me wrong) but because it provides great access to an amazing trail."

    "Wonderful trails and mountain views, I have been there 2 times in the last 10 years..."

    2. Big Tesuque Campground

    10 Reviews
    Tesuque, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 753-7331

    "- Nice babbling brook alongside campsites, fun for kids to play in (COLD, but shallow), and makes for great white noise.

    • Convenient to Santa Fe (20-25 min from downtown)
    • drive up the mountain 4"

    "If you're tent camping, Big Tesuque is AMAZING!! It's small, but absolutely beautiful. Each site has a picknick table and a tent pad. There are basic toilets. No showers, no sinks."

    3. Aspen Basin Campground

    5 Reviews
    Tesuque, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 753-7331

    "Coming from Texas, I almost turned around to go back home with only 4 hours left of my drive because I was so terrified."

    "Most campers pitch tent in the wooded area in the center of the parking lot - this is off the west end of the parking lot. Wonderful trails and you get to camp right in the middle of an aspen grove."

    4. Trampas Medio Campground

    1 Review
    Llano, NM
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 438-5300

    5. Panchuela Campground and Trailhead

    3 Reviews
    Tererro, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 757-6121

    "We drove out to the Pecos Wildness and decided to backpack a trail called Cave Creek, this is a mild trail about 2.8 miles in and 2.8 out."

    "Campsite is situated at the Cave Creek trailhead, a cool hike to some local caves. It's 5 bucks for the night, 2 dollars day use, all backpacking tent sites. Some shelters."

    6. Taos Junction Campground

    6 Reviews
    Carson, NM
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8851

    "They have nice grills at the tent sites along 28th tables. Bathrooms were nice and clean and a close walk. With lots to do including fish and hiking trails. We look forward to going back."

    "The shelter provides nice shade. Bugs & dust were only real drawback. Oh, and it was hot!"

    7. Cowles Campground

    2 Reviews
    Tererro, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 757-6121

    "Stay limit: 14 days

    This spot really has a lot to offer. There are trees on one side, a creek on the other, and 2 sites with shelters directly next to the parking lot."

    "Cowles campground in the Pecos Wilderness area is a launching point for the Windsor Trail which travels alongside beautiful Windsor Creek to Stewart Lake and Pecos Falls."

    8. Carson National Forest La Junta Canyon

    1 Review
    Llano, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 587-2255

    "The forest road is in good shape with several well spaced out dispersed camping sites."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Truchas, NM

810 Reviews of 37 Truchas Campgrounds


  • M
    Aug. 7, 2021

    Jacks Creek Horse Camp

    Jack’s Creek

    Lovely small camping area about 15 mi north of Pecos, NM on NM 63. 2 loops. Good sites for car/tent camping. Well maintained with clean vault toilets. Fire rings and picnic tables. Rained every afternoon (real boomers!) while we were there, but no problem for us. Will definitely visit again!

  • A
    Aug. 13, 2020

    Jacks Creek Horse Camp

    Gorgeous but busy campground

    We arrived early on a Tuesday and snagged a tree heavy site on the upper loop. The sites on the outside of the loops are decently wooded, smaller and not well suited to RVs. The sites on the inside of the loops have longer, RV sized pull in and little trees. Vault toilets are well maintained by the very active camp host, Mark. There is potable water from a well two miles down the mountain and trash, but packing out much that can’t be burned is encouraged. Pick up firewood in Pecos, there is enough dead & down tinder at the site. Dogs allowed on leash at all times, quite time begins at 10pm. The closer we got to the weekend, the more crowded and noisy the site became. One night, multiple campers arrived after dark and noisily set up camp. I’m sure the state parks being closed forced more people into the National Forest, but it’s a great site. There are several trailhead and just down the hill is easy access to creeks and fishing. We had great weather, upper 70’s during the day, dipping to low 50’s overnight. Each site has large fire rings with cooking grates and at least one picnic table, some with two. Sites are close together so try to grab one at the end of the loop for a little privacy.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2024

    Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

    Fascinating National Monument in Northern New Mexico

    This was our first time at this lovely National Monument and we simply loved it. The campground was small with only a few spaces for bigger rigs, but we fit without any problem. Love those small spaces! 

    The campground is perched on the mesa above the monument’s protected dwellings, artifacts and trails at the valley. You can get there by walking about 2.5 miles from the campground along a stunning trail, or driving around the road. We simply loved hiking here, choosing a different way each day over the four days we were there.  So much to explore!

    Campsites have the standard picnic table, bear box locker, and fire ring. The trees were mostly shorter scrub junipers and other high desert trees so there was lots of sunshine for solar powered rig, but no electrical service at any sites.  Nice privacy between sites.

    The bathrooms were clean, heated, and had flush toilets and running sinks with potable water, plus a small dish cleaning sink, but no showers. 

    The Visitor Center is an awesome CCC structure from back during the depression as are many of the hiking trails in the valley.   We were here for Halloween, so carved our pumpkins in memory and celebration of the people who lived here so many years ago.

    Nearby Los Alamos has all the services you need as far as supplies, services and restaurants. But if you can plan your hike to end before 4pm, the cafe at the VC is really worth it!!

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2023

    Riana - Abiquiu Lake

    Great views, great hosts

    Camped 2 nights at site #38 on the Puerco Loop. Reserved thru rec.gov while at the site. Wonderful campground hosts. Site was not quite level for our campervan, but close enough. Good views of lake & surrounding area from site. Vault toilet & drinking water a short walk away. Juniper provided minimal privacy. Site has lantern poll, fire ring, trash can & table. No hookups at this site. $6/night with senior pass. Restroom/shower house within walking distance. Facilities & vault toilets were very clean. Hiking trail in campground. AT&T & T-Mobile service. Overall, quiet & peaceful stay.

  • Lisa C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2019

    Mora Recreation Area Campground — Pecos Canyon State Park

    Hike-In Only - Stunning Area

    My first backpacking adventure in Northern New Mexico took me from Iron Gate Campground to Mora Flats. BEAUTIFUL!

    A quick 4-5 mile hike in, we crossed the Pecos River and found a nice, shady spot in valley. It was peaceful, quiet and surprisingly cool for late-July. It rained each afternoon, but we had everything we needed to stay dry and cozy.

    The river provided plenty of trout for a nice rice and fish dinner. The sky provided plenty of stars for gazing.

  • Tim W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2023

    Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area

    Will go again

    We got there on a Friday and had our pick of sites. We picked one right on the river. No electricity. No water. No picnic tables. No trash receptacle. Vault toilets. Camp spaces are spread out. Some of the roads on the campground had deep ruts and pools of mud water but not all. You can see every star on a clear night. The road to the campground is about 6 miles of curvy dirt and gravel single lane. But a woman managed it in a Jaguar so not too bad just go slow. Rustic and relaxing.

  • T
    Jan. 23, 2018

    Santa Fe KOA

    Romantic Tent for Two Please

    My husband had the great idea of tent camping just the two of us. Up to this point our tent camping adventures were reserved for grandbaby time. But I said What the hey! Let's do it. I wanted somewhere cooler than home. The Santa Fe area had plenty to keep us busy for the week.

    We did not get a tent spot but opted for a small trailer site with electric and water. Our spot was near the bathhouse but not too close. Each site has native trees and plants, so everyone has privacy. The site had a nice flat spot for the tent, picnic table, fire pit and grill. We had more than enough room to set up our awning for a dining area. We loved our little spot for the week.

    The bathhouse was clean and very nice. New tile and fixtures. It was a little small for the size of the campground.

    They have plenty of activities there for everyone and in the evening it is very quiet.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Redondo Campground

    Set back in the pines

    A nice campground set north of the town of Jemenz Springs. There was a fire ban in place and the Forest Service was planning on closing the entire forest the morning after I showed up. I had enough time to camp and get in one hike to a social spring before they came through and closed everything up for safety. The campground was nice, but there was no water available (it had been shut off in preparation for the closure). The campsites were nice and well spaced with lots of pine trees around each site, so there was a lot of privacy. There was an abundance of pine needle duff covering the ground which would have been great until you considered the fire danger. Each site had a picnic table and fire pit (with bright tape over it to remind you not to use it).

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Rancheros de Santa Fe

    Short drive to quaint campground from Santa Fe

    We were very excited on our first night to settle into our campsite after a long day of adventuring. Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe.

    Upon entry the staff was very friendly and welcoming and we felt like this would be a great place to call home away from home.

    The campsites were laid out well with room between campers and because it was the end of a weekend, they were not entirely at capacity which made for a pleasant sense of space in the great outdoors.

    Our campsite was positioned in the "high road" tent site area which is a primitive campsite without additional amenities. Each campsite has a fire ring and also a picnic table for campers to utilize and a pad site for tents slightly raises from ground level.

    It made for a beautiful night sleep under the chilly New Mexico skies.

    By morning we ventured up to the public showers and restrooms which were clean and had amazon water pressure and hot water to set the morning in motion perfectly.

    The facility also offers a pool and theater room during summer months so while we didn't get to take advantage we were excited to know upon return we would have these features available.

    🐰🐰🐰🐰⚪️

    Overall we give this campground a 4 of 5 Bunniea! The only things we noticed which kept it from a 5 were the lack of wifi reach in the back sections of the campground, wouldn't have been a big deal but cell service in the off grid location was also patchy so the wifi would have been handy. And the pad site was not designed for a tent quite our size. Our tent is a 12x8 and had a little side hang on on the 12 foot end.


Guide to Truchas

Nestled in the stunning landscapes of New Mexico, Truchas offers a variety of tent camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and tranquility.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Big Tesuque Campground features picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for cozy evenings under the stars.
  • At Taos Junction Campground, campers can enjoy clean toilets and drinking water, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • Aspen Basin Campground offers a peaceful setting with plenty of shade from towering trees, ideal for relaxing after a day of exploration.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Hiking enthusiasts will love the trails accessible from Panchuela Campground and Trailhead, which lead to breathtaking views and local caves.
  • Fishing is a popular pastime at Cowles Campground, where families can enjoy the nearby fishing ponds.
  • For those seeking adventure, Trampas Trailhead Campground provides access to stunning hiking trails and mountain views, making it a great base for outdoor activities.

Explore the natural beauty of the area

  • The scenic drive to Big Tesuque Campground takes you through the picturesque Santa Fe National Forest, offering stunning vistas along the way.
  • Taos Junction Campground is located near the Rio Grande, providing opportunities for swimming and enjoying the river's beauty.
  • The tranquil environment at Aspen Basin Campground allows for peaceful hikes and the chance to immerse yourself in nature's serenity.

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 Trampas Trailhead Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Truchas, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 37 tent camping locations near Truchas, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.