Best Campgrounds near Ute Park, NM

Cimarron Canyon State Park forms the core camping area near Ute Park, New Mexico, with multiple campgrounds situated along Highway 64 and the Cimarron River. The park includes Tolby, Maverick, and Ponderosa campgrounds, offering a mix of developed sites for both tents and RVs. Just north of Ute Park, Eagle Nest Lake State Park provides additional camping options with electric hookups and picnic tables. The camping landscape extends beyond state parks to include dispersed camping along Forest Road 5 and private RV resorts in nearby Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. Most sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few cabin options at Angel Nest RV Retreat.

Camping accessibility varies dramatically by season, with many campgrounds operating year-round while others close during winter months. The higher elevation campgrounds sit at approximately 8,000 feet, resulting in moderate summer temperatures and cool nights even during peak season. "The elevation is around 7500. So the temps stay fairly moderate even in the summer. The Cimarron River runs through the canyon with great fishing as well," noted one camper. Several campgrounds require advance reservations through New Mexico's state park system, particularly during summer months when fishing attracts visitors. Road conditions generally allow for standard vehicles, though some dispersed camping areas may require higher clearance. Cell service is available at most developed sites, with visitors reporting adequate Verizon and T-Mobile coverage even at more remote campgrounds.

Riverside camping represents a significant draw throughout the area, with many sites positioned along the Cimarron River offering fishing opportunities and scenic views. Several visitors highlighted the quality of trout fishing as a primary attraction. "The campsites are great, especially for tent camping," mentioned one long-time visitor who noted the prime fishing spots along the river and adjacent ponds. Campers frequently mentioned the close proximity of sites within the state park campgrounds, with some describing Ponderosa as "a parking lot with sites on the outer loop." Despite this drawback, the natural setting and recreation opportunities received consistently positive reviews. Wildlife sightings are common, with deer and turkey frequently spotted in the canyon. The state park campgrounds provide basic amenities like vault or flush toilets, though most lack showers and hookups, making them better suited for self-contained camping setups or shorter stays.

Best Camping Sites Near Ute Park, New Mexico (138)

    1. Tolby Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park

    16 Reviews
    Eagle Nest, NM
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 377-6271

    $15 / night

    "Some of the sites are immediately adjacent to the river. My favorite campground is Tolby, the Westernmost. It has a Ranger/Information Station in the east end of the campground."

    "This campsite sits on the edge of a road next to two little ponds that are great for trout fishing. The river runs next to the ponds and you can find a few fish there too."

    2. Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Eagle Nest, NM
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 377-1594

    $25 / night

    "Eagles Nest is about 19 miles west of Taos near the Carson National Forest. The campground is on the west side of a beautiful lake I the town of Eagles Nest."

    "Eagles Nest Lake State park campsites are pretty wide open like the valley it is in. There is a nice cement pad with an awning and fire pit."

    3. Angel Fire RV Resort

    16 Reviews
    Angel Fire, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 377-4471

    $60 - $96 / night

    "Our first time in New Mexico and obviously Angel Fire! Stayed here with friends that have been coming since it opened! Highly recommend!!"

    "Walking distance to coffee, shops, and restaurants but still tucked away in quiet enough location."

    4. Ponderosa Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park

    7 Reviews
    Ute Park, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 377-6271

    $15 / night

    "Beautiful spot next to a stream and within short walk of maverick trail. Fire ban right now."

    "The campground itself is nothing to write Mother about, but the short walks in and around it are beautiful!"

    5. Angel Nest RV Retreat

    4 Reviews
    Eagle Nest, NM
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 377-0533

    $25 - $65 / night

    "Minutes from state park, lake access, and Eagle Nest.  Close to Angel Fire as well.
    Owner was super nice and invited me to come to the clubhouse for some chili - which was excellent!"

    "Was not busy when we were here, so we did not have anyone next to us, but the sites are very close to each other. The lake and boat launch are just down the road."

    6. Forest Road 5 - Dispersed campsite

    9 Reviews
    Angel Fire, NM
    16 miles
    Website

    "Woke up to a little creek behind us. More people were camping on down the road. And had a few people show up in the morning to go on a walk."

    "Stunning canyon forest with beautiful open areas, an easy walk forest road, more difficult hikes if you’re willing. Stayed 2 weeks as our journey continues . . ."

    7. Cimarron Campground

    10 Reviews
    Red River, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 586-0520

    $22 - $40 / night

    "Beautiful location in a place I wasn’t expecting it to be sooo green! Very relaxing and remote as there is zero service. It was perfect & exactly what we were looking for."

    "There is a walking trail at the back of the campground to get to Surree Ponds."

    8. Weathers RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Eagle Nest, NM
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 377-2276

    $35 / night

    "If you’re close by, I’d recommend the same!"

    "Mostly pull through sites with full hookups, looking out on the Eagle Nest Lake and the mountains around you. Gravel roads, with sites sharing utilities between them. Only twenty sites or so."

    9. Maverick Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park

    2 Reviews
    Ute Park, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 377-6271

    $15 / night

    "We stayed here on the way to Taos New Mexico. The canyon is along highway 64 in between Cimarron and Taos. The Cimarron Canyon State Park runs for about 8 miles along the base of the canyon."

    10. Blackjack Tent Area — Cimarron Canyon State Park

    1 Review
    Ute Park, NM
    4 miles
    Website

    "Site #30 was probably the other best one as it was in the back and last camp site and right next to the water. Only downside to that one is father back to walk with camp gear."

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Recent Reviews near Ute Park, NM

527 Reviews of 138 Ute Park Campgrounds


  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2025

    Raton KOA

    Convenient

    This is a decent place to stop for an overnight. The sites are simple and level and the bathrooms are dated but clean. There is a grocery store across the street.

  • Robert F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Questa Lodge & RV Resort

    Great location

    Everything was great here. Paulie went out of his way to make my stay comfortable and pleasant. Great guy to talk with.
    Thank you.

  • B
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Coyote Creek State Park Campground

    Quiet, beautiful, and no visible burn scars

    Beautiful area with no visible burn scars such as exist nearby. Many trees, nice views of mountains. Lots of spots, some with electric, many without. Many are designated 18 feet and under. Ours (T-4) would fit 35 feet, had lots of shade on a 80• October day. Small clean creek. Great places to walk all around. Water only available April to October 1. Back 2/3 of campground and RV DUMP also closed and gated off during cooler months. We were (luckily) advised on arrival by neighbors that the rangers are zealous about ticketing for any dog off leash, so we were extra careful and had no interactions at all. Referring to another review, there was no host at the time of our visit, but one of our neighbors regularly hosts here and didn't remind us of Goober Pyle at all. Yes we are old enough to remember.

  • Laura B.
    Oct. 10, 2025

    Raton Pass Camp & Cafe

    Very rude on phone

    We were passing through on our way from Arizona having automobile issues for pulling our fifth wheel trying to find a place for the night. I contacted this place and I got a lady that I explained that we needed to come in between 9 and 10 PM because that’s the only place we could find on a route. She immediately handed the phone to somebody else and that lady said may I help you and I started to explain and she very rudely said may I help you and I was like yes we are trying to find someplace we can pull into tonight between nine and 10 is that possible.? She said no no we don’t allow anybody to come in that late. It’s dark and it’s too difficult I tried to explain that was our only option right now on the route and she started laughing and said well that’s not my problem. That’s not anything I can do anything about. She wasn’t very sensitive to our situation and the laughing was rude and I felt that she didn’t understand what was going on, so I just hung up. I would never try to stay here just because of how rude this person was on the phone. Gave me a bad feeling about the place before even seeing it other than on the good Sam website.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 6, 2025

    Red River RV

    Love It Second Visit

    We love this place. We trout fish. It is perfect. And it is beautiful. Great place.

  • Overland 1.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Decent place by a nice lake in the foothills of the Rockies.

    Pulled in here and found a place to camp. No marked sites, just an open area by a beautiful lake. Very high winds with a wind advisory when we arrived. 30-40 mph winds with gusts to over 60 mph. We have camped in higher winds than these so, not a big deal. About 6 others camped here now, only 3 when we arrived at 1 pm.

  • A
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Oasis on the Mesa

    Lovely spot with beautiful walks nearby

    The camp site is private and comfortable with lovely views of the mountains and sunsets. It has full hookups, a flagstone patio, and a partial fence for privacy. You can walk out the gate to trails that go along the Mesa overlooking the river canyon or down to the river and hot springs. Victoria is a kind and helpful host.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Mallette Creek North

    Beautiful Mt View

    This is what we wanted to find with dispersed camping! Beautiful view! A couple of neighbors but never heard them. Not the easiest piece of ground to get the trailer leveled but we made it work. Very pleased with our 3 nights there.


Guide to Ute Park

Camping near Ute Park, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're in an RV or pitching a tent, there's something for everyone in this scenic area.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Cimarron Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "There is trout fishing nearby. Miles of hiking and an abundance of wildlife." This makes it a great spot for nature lovers.
  • Fishing: Head to Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground for some fishing. A visitor shared, "The campground is small with ample space between sites. Each site has a gravel pad, covered picnic table set on a concrete pad and with a view of the serene and pristine lake."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Coyote Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy the local wildlife. One camper noted, "Ground are nice with prairie dogs and skies full of birds."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the views at Angel Fire RV Resort. A reviewer said, "Resort is beautiful, well maintained, plenty of amenities. Sites are spacious and have beautiful views."
  • Clean Facilities: Many appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. At Taos Valley RV Park & Campground, one visitor mentioned, "The restrooms/showers were clean, and the shower was nice and hot with a good spray."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often highlight the hospitality of campground staff. A review for Tolby Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park noted, "Mike, our camp host was awesome and had some great information about the area."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, have few amenities. A camper pointed out, "No shade, no potable water, no electric, no sewer. True boondocking site."
  • Road Conditions: Be prepared for rough roads, especially when heading to remote spots like Cimarron Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The road to get here from Amalia becomes very wash boarded."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Popular spots can get busy. A camper at Coyote Creek State Park Campground noted, "The electric hookup RV sites are right on top of each other."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites, like Agua Piedra Campground. A family reviewer said, "The creek is very close and accessible, which is probably the highlight."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have activities for kids. One parent at Columbine Campground mentioned, "With the creek running through the middle of the campground, we had a great spot for the kids to play."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and fishing trips. A visitor at Eagle Nest Lake State Park Campground suggested, "Great hiking trail. The field around campsites contain groundhogs, rabbits & birds."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Make sure to verify if your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. A reviewer at Angel Fire RV Resort noted, "All RVs must be self-contained (kitchen, bathroom, shower, etc.)."
  • Arrive Early: To secure a good spot, especially during busy times. A camper at Taos Valley RV Park & Campground mentioned, "We arrived on a Friday in late April around 5 pm without reservations hoping we could secure a site."
  • Be Prepared for Weather Changes: Weather can shift quickly in the mountains. One camper at Hotel Luna Mystica shared, "The weather went from day-time highs in the 60s to blizzard conditions with overnight lows in the teens."

Camping near Ute Park, New Mexico, offers a unique experience with plenty of outdoor activities and beautiful scenery. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly spot or a quiet retreat, this area has something for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Ute Park, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Ute Park, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Ute Park, NM and 26 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Ute Park, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Ute Park, NM is Tolby Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park with a 3.7-star rating from 16 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Ute Park, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 26 free dispersed camping spots near Ute Park, NM.