Best Tent Camping near Vadito, NM
Carson National Forest near Vadito, New Mexico offers several secluded tent campgrounds within the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Trampas Trailhead Campground provides free primitive tent sites with basic amenities including picnic tables and vault toilets. Hodges Camp, located in Vadito, offers tent camping with access to nearby hiking trails. The La Junta Canyon area in Carson National Forest provides tent sites typically open from May to October with stunning mountain views.
Most tent sites in this region require high-clearance vehicles for access, particularly when approaching from forest roads like FR 639, which becomes difficult after rain due to mud and stream crossings. Forest Road 207 is better maintained but still crosses a stream that can run 18-24 inches deep during summer months. Several campgrounds feature fire rings and picnic tables, though fires may be prohibited during dry seasons. Vault toilets are available at some locations, but drinking water is rarely provided. Campers should treat water from streams before use and pack out all trash, as collection services are limited.
The area's tent camping experience centers around creek-side sites that provide natural white noise and water access. Trailheads near many campsites connect to popular hiking destinations like Trampas Lakes. One camper noted that the campgrounds provide "great access to an amazing trail" and serve well as "a staging area for an overnight to the Trampas Lakes." Sites along creeks offer natural screening from nearby roads and other campers. The Rio de las Trampas flows near several campgrounds, providing both scenery and water sources. Though some campgrounds have minimal separation between sites, the surrounding forest creates adequate privacy for tent campers seeking a backcountry experience within driving distance of Taos, which is approximately 30 minutes away.