Vadito campers enjoy elevations between 7,000-8,000 feet in northern New Mexico's mountainous terrain, creating dramatic temperature shifts between day and night even in summer months. The area combines desert landscape with alpine forests, offering yurt camping experiences near the Sangre de Cristo Mountains where overnight temperatures can drop below 50°F even in July.
What to do
Hiking to mountain lakes: The Pecos Wilderness near Morphy Lake State Park provides hiking trails with fishing opportunities. "Lots of small fish. Everyone was respectful and nice. Hope it survives the fires," notes a visitor at Morphy Lake State Park Campground.
Hot springs soaking: Mineral waters provide therapeutic relaxation at specific temperatures. "The hot springs are a treat and I'm happy to sleep cheap and soak all day," explains a visitor to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa, which offers early morning access from 7:30-10am when pools are nearly empty.
Rio Grande exploration: Trails lead down to the river confluence. "There is a 1.25 mile hike down to the river to cool down. Plenty of shade and lots of off road trails for driving/running/biking," reports a camper at Cebolla Mesa Campground.
What campers like
Mountain views: The surrounding peaks create distinctive scenery. "Surrounded by mountains, yet you are really in the city of Taos," notes a visitor at Taos Valley RV Park. The park maintains privacy with "angled dividers" between sites.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high-quality bathrooms. "The showers worked well and were clean. The only negative was the noise from the adjacent streets with what sounded like street racing, finally quieting down around 1AM," reports a guest at Taos Valley RV Park & Campground.
Yurt accommodations: The area offers structured canvas shelters with solid amenities. "We walked through the yurt site just above us, and they are stunning, with patios and what appears to be heating," describes a visitor at Hyde Memorial State Park Campground.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some campsites requires careful driving. "It's a bumpy 3 mile road off the highway, had no issues in my transit van as long as you take it slow," explains a camper at Cebolla Mesa Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies widely between campgrounds. "There is NO cell service. Not a bar to be found. And the wifi (free) is REALLY spotty. I had very minimal luck just checking email," reports a visitor to Sierra Village Lodge & RV Park.
Weather variability: Temperature shifts can be dramatic in this high desert region. "Very cool even in July; need blankets. Chipmunks were a hoot but need to guard your food," notes a camper at Morphy Lake State Park Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly trails: Some areas offer easier hiking options. "There are a few hiking trails right from the property, and with the national forest nearby there's lots of outdoor adventures available," mentions a visitor to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe small animals safely. "Saw lots of wildlife (deer, eagle, foxes as well chipmunks). Fishing was okay. Caught 1 fish on pink power bait," shares a camper at Morphy Lake State Park Campground.
Playground access: Some campgrounds provide play structures. "There is a nice little trail to walk dogs. The only negative thing about the park was the wifi, very limited bandwidth," reports a visitor to Taos Valley RV Park, which also offers a playground for children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Check electrical and water outlet locations before setup. "The spaces only had electric and water. The electric and water outlets were placed in an odd location for the site and a dump station is available for extra $20," warns a visitor to Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa.
Limited large vehicle access: Size restrictions apply at many campgrounds. "The tent camping sites were TINY and separated from each other by 'stick fencing' made of tree limbs," reports a visitor to Sierra Village Lodge & RV Park, which notes that only certain spots can accommodate larger vehicles.
Water availability: Some sites require bringing your own water. "There is no water at this campground as of 7/25," notes a recent visitor to Hyde Memorial State Park, highlighting the importance of arriving prepared with filled tanks.
