Best Campgrounds near Valdez, NM

Camping areas around Valdez, New Mexico concentrate along the Rio Hondo watershed with a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed sites. The area offers a range of options including Cuchilla Campground and the Arroyo Seco Dispersed camping areas, both providing access to the river. RV enthusiasts can find full hookup services at Taos Valley RV Park and Monte Bello RV Park, while tent campers have numerous primitive options along forest roads. Most campgrounds in this region sit at higher elevations with proximity to the Taos Ski Valley, providing cooler temperatures and mountain scenery compared to the lower desert areas.

Road access varies considerably depending on the season, with most developed campground options open from May through September or October. Several campgrounds close during winter months due to snow accumulation. "Unless you have a plow it's not accessible as the drifts do reach about 5ft+" notes one camper about the Lower Hondo area during winter. Most dispersed camping allows a 14-day maximum stay, and campers should be prepared for limited or no cell service in many areas. The proximity to Taos Ski Valley means camping can serve as an affordable base for outdoor recreation, though summer thunderstorms can affect camping conditions.

The rushing waters of Rio Hondo provide a natural soundtrack at many camping areas in the region. Riverside sites receive consistently positive reviews for their ambiance, with campers noting the sound of flowing water helps mask nearby road noise. Several visitors mentioned the riverside locations as perfect for cooling off during warmer months. "Absolutely magical! When it's not wet season I'm sure this would be just even more magical," shared one camper about Cuchilla Campground. While most campground options feature primitive amenities like vault toilets and fire rings, spacing between sites can be limited, especially at the dispersed camping areas along Highway 150. The developed campground options generally provide more privacy but fill quickly during peak summer weekends.

Best Camping Sites Near Valdez, New Mexico (159)

    1. Taos Valley RV Park & Campground

    28 Reviews
    Ranchos de Taos, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-4469

    "Much more vegetation than you would expect from a campground close to town. The staff are friendly. The facilities were clean. The park is older but in an charming New Mexico way."

    "If your wanting to get out and play in the snow or explore more in depth the beautiful culture of New Mexico, Taos has a little for everyone"

    2. Hotel Luna Mystica

    14 Reviews
    Arroyo Hondo, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 613-1411

    $25 / night

    "Hamlet went to visit his fun cousins for the weekend -- Diego, Thelma, Louise, Frida, Ralphie, Sunnie, and others– all vintage campers available for rent at this amazingly cool space just outside of Taos"

    "$10 tent camping in desert behind groovy glamper park. Fantastic people. In walking distance to Taos brewery Oasis. On the road to the gorge. Cool summer nights"

    3. Cebolla Mesa Campground

    12 Reviews
    San Cristobal, NM
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-6200

    "Plenty of shade and lots of off road trails for driving/running/biking. No water. clean bathrooms (with toilet paper!!) only 30 mins or so from Taos."

    "Pulled in around 4pm on a Saturday and only 1 other camper was here. A few vehicles were parked at the bathroom/trailhead, super friendly."

    4. Columbine Campground (NM)

    13 Reviews
    Questa, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (435) 245-6521

    $22 / night

    "It wouldn't bother us so much if there weren't STATE mandated orders about groups and wearing masks, but majority of these people do not follow these New Mexico rules. "

    "Each site has more than expected space and offset to adjacent sites. Camp Host are doing an excellent job."

    5. Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping

    8 Reviews
    Valdez, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-6200

    "Right off the road, literally. it hidden behind some trees so the barrier between the site and road makes for a little privacy. Great spot for a day or two right next to a creek so you fall asleep to"

    "Great hikes nearby & close to Arroyo Seco for a good market too."

    6. Cuchilla Campground

    7 Reviews
    Valdez, NM
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-6200

    "Very solid location, there are several spots along the Highway. There are multiple camp sites within each pull off, but they are close together so not a whole lot of privacy."

    "This Highway area offers a number of camping spots. While next to the Highway, the highway sounds are mostly drowned out due to the beautiful sounds of the river flowing."

    7. Taos Monte Bello RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Arroyo Seco, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 751-0774

    $30 - $50 / night

    "Laundry, restrooms and convenience store are still closed due to Covid - much of New Mexico is still this way."

    "This campground will be rated as a Basecamp — grounds that offer a comfortable home base that you’re happy to return to after a day of exploring the surrounding area."

    8. Angel Fire RV Resort

    16 Reviews
    Angel Fire, NM
    17 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."

    9. Junebug Campground

    9 Reviews
    Red River, NM
    15 miles
    Website

    "The river was very high and actually flooded close to a couple campsites but there were enough that we were away from it."

    "All sites sit have excellent access to the Red River. The vault bathrooms were adequate. Each site I saw had multiple tent options."

    10. LUXX - Taos RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Ranchos de Taos, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 201-3339

    $40 - $60 / night

    "It's located south of Taos on the main drag, hence NOISY. I say, watch this space for more improvements."

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Recent Reviews near Valdez, NM

535 Reviews of 159 Valdez Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Curtis D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Tolby Campground — Cimarron Canyon State Park

    To close for comfort

    This is a really nice camping ground. It has flush toilets and an electric plug in the bathroom also. There's drinkable water spigot all around. The bad thing about this place is that the sites are too close for comfort. That's why it's my title. Otherwise, it's pretty nice. Great view of a mountain right in front of you. The mountain is so close, you can count the trees. There's also the Cimarron River that runs through. Stay one night if you like it, stay longer. 🤷‍♂️

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Sierra Bonita Cabins & RV Park

    It's very run down

    We stayed in the cabins. They are very ran down. The sink plumbing leaks. Utility closet has a hole in the door about 7 in in diameter and there is an animal that lives in there and scratches on the wall at night. The furniture is old and decrepid. The people that run it are as sweet as can be. The place is terribly ran down.

  • Kara C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Carson national forest

    Great Views, Right on the Rio

    We drove around Forest Trail 9 (FT9) until we found a great spot on the edge overlooking the Rio. Nestled in some trees, it was flat for our tent, awesome views, fires were allowed and already had an established rock ring.

  • Colbey M.
    Aug. 31, 2025

    Morphy Lake State Park Campground

    Awesome campground

    Great camp sites with beautiful views! Had such a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Game warden was nice and respectful. Shout out to Debra who works for the campground. She was super helpful. Unable to follow hiking trail completely- I believe it's grown up.

    3G phone service with Verizon, was able to make phone calls only.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2025

    Cuchilla Campground

    Busy and spots are too close

    Area is beautiful but it’s right off the main road and all the spots are too close. Good for a one night

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Angel Fire RV Resort

    Great Location

    This RV resort has beautiful views of the mountains. Angel Fire RV Resort has beautiful grounds, the bath houses and very nice and modern, very nice hot tub, beautiful clubhouse. The resort has fire pits, pickleball courts, large dog park, putting range, walking path, laundry facilities. It is also close to several towns. One that you can ride your bike too. This is a A+ resort for TV camping.


Guide to Valdez

Near Valdez, New Mexico, camping opportunities lie within Carson National Forest at elevations ranging from 7,000-9,000 feet, creating cooler summer temperatures and earlier snowfall than surrounding areas. The Rio Hondo watershed forms the central camping corridor with multiple tributaries creating a natural network of riverside camping locations that typically open by mid-May when snowmelt completes.

What to do

Hiking to mountain lakes: Columbine Campground serves as an excellent base for serious hikers. "We hiked a little bit of the Columbine Twining hiking trail - can't wait to go back to be able to hike more!" shared one camper at Columbine Campground.

River access for cooling off: Many campsites offer direct river access for summertime refreshment. A camper at Cuchilla Campground noted, "Nice spot along the creek, probably 4-5 spots and a bathroom." The accessible water makes this one of the best places to camp near Valdez during hot summer days.

Taos cultural exploration: Camping serves as an affordable basecamp for exploring the rich culture of Taos. "Great location with nice views. For us we were visiting family and they were close by. Not far at all from downtown Taos," wrote a visitor at Monte Bello RV Park, highlighting the proximity to cultural sites.

What campers like

Sound of flowing water: Riverside campsites consistently rank among the top camping spots near Valdez. "We camped right to the Red River, the site was fairly clean but we cleaned up what the campground host failed to pick up," mentioned a camper at Junebug Campground, adding that it "allows for day trips into Taos and Valle Vidal which is a spectacular trip."

Mountain vistas: The surrounding peaks provide dramatic backdrops at most campsites. "Facing west for amazing sunsets. We came on a Tuesday and there were only 2 other cars here," noted a camper at Cebolla Mesa Campground.

Clean facilities: Despite being in remote locations, many campgrounds maintain clean facilities. "The vault bathrooms were clean. Drinking water available. We stayed at site 14. Only a mile from town," reported a Junebug Campground visitor.

What you should know

Winter access limitations: Unless you have four-wheel drive, most dispersed camping areas become inaccessible from late October through April. "4 x 4 and high clearance vehicles were not necessary. Very light traffic. Only a few other campers are here and everyone has enough space," mentioned a summer visitor to Cebolla Mesa.

Site selection considerations: Not all campsites are created equal. A camper at Columbine Campground warned, "Not a terrible campground but, I would not make the drive to stay here again. In my mind there are two sites worth the drive and they are (drumroll please) 13 and 15."

Road conditions: Gravel access roads can become challenging after storms. "It is a bumpy 3 mile road off the highway, had no issues in my transit van as long as you take it slow," advised a camper at Cebolla Mesa Campground.

Tips for camping with families

River safety precautions: While riverside camping is popular, water levels fluctuate seasonally. "Very nice campground. The river was very high and actually flooded close to a couple campsites but there were enough that we were away from it," noted a visitor at Junebug Campground.

Shade availability: Summer temperatures can reach the 90s, making shade important for families. At Arroyo Seco Dispersed NF Camping, a camper observed, "Right off the road, literally. It's hidden behind some trees so the barrier between the site and road makes for a little privacy."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area offers chances to observe diverse wildlife. A camper at Junebug noted, "Saw mountain lion prints, chipmunks, Stellar's Jays, and other cool wildlife!"

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Many campsites require careful positioning for larger rigs. "Some sites are short, very few are level, some have a steep slope. Good shade and sun mix, mature trees, nice creek flows through the campground," warned an RVer at Columbine Campground.

Full-hookup alternatives: When primitive camping becomes too challenging, there are developed options. "Large gravel sites in the desert about 6 miles NW of Taos. Only issue is there was only 1 men's room and 1 woman's room," mentioned a visitor at LUXX - Taos RV Park.

Town proximity conveniences: Multiple RV parks provide easy access to town amenities. "I loved my stay here. This location is so prime for visiting all the sights in Taos, and there are many. Restaurants are really close enough to walk to and there is an Ace Hardware store across the street for emergency repairs."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Valdez, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Valdez, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 159 campgrounds and RV parks near Valdez, NM and 31 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Valdez, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Valdez, NM is Taos Valley RV Park & Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 28 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Valdez, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 free dispersed camping spots near Valdez, NM.