Hotel Luna Mystica features both vintage trailers for rent and dry camping opportunities located on the Taos Mesa. The property sits at approximately 7,000 feet elevation, 15 minutes from downtown Taos. Dispersed camping area accommodates dozens of RVs, vans and tents with no designated sites or hookups. While many visitors come for the glamping trailers, primitive camping is available for $10 per night with access to bathroom facilities.
What to do
Hiking to the Rio Grande: Cebolla Mesa Campground offers a 1.5-mile trail down to the river. According to a camper, "It is a tough switch back trail all the way down but not too long so you should be fine. Take your time if you need. It is rough terrain."
Fishing in stocked ponds: Cimarron Canyon State Park provides access to ponds specifically for trout fishing. "The campsites are great, specially for tent camping... 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."
Explore Earthship Biotecture: Located just down the road from the glamping area, this architectural community showcases sustainable building practices. A visitor noted, "Close to town, the Rio Grande Gorge and hot springs as well as ski valley. Awesome food, drink and music next door at Taos Brewing Mothership. Earthship Biotecture is down the road as well."
What campers like
Brewery access: Hotel Luna Mystica is adjacent to Taos Mesa Brewery, offering craft beer and live entertainment. One camper shared, "This place is so cool. There is a 'hotel' made up of old airstreams and other RVs, a solid brewery and a music venue that brings pretty serious acts in."
Clean bathrooms: Facilities at Luna Mystica receive consistent praise for cleanliness. "Our view is spectacular and the showers are the cleanest I've ever seen. The hotel staff is super friendly and our starlink really works super fast here."
Mountain views: Columbine Campground offers panoramic mountain views and creekside camping. A reviewer noted, "All sites sit on a beautifully shaded Creek (Columbine Creek) that feeds the Red River. The vault bathrooms were extremely clean and even pleasant smelling."
What you should know
Road conditions: Several campgrounds near Valdez require high-clearance vehicles. At Cabresto Lake Campground, "Definitely need an all terrain vehicle for the drive up to lake. Rough dirt road. Got a flat tire. Beautiful mountain lake."
Seasonal limitations: Most campgrounds in the area operate from May to September/October due to winter weather conditions. "It was Thanksgiving weekend, and while many of the campers were fully booked, there was lots of space in the dry camping area just beyond the vintage trailers."
Limited services: Come prepared with supplies as services are minimal. "You will need to bring everything you need. There are not any stores really close by, you will have to go to Cimarron or Eagle Nest to stock on supplies if you are missing anything and they can be 30 minutes away."
Tips for camping with families
Creek access for kids: Red River RV features a small river running through the property where children can play. As one guest mentioned, "This is a cute place with a small river running through it along with a trout pond. Full hooks ups, bathrooms were a little smelly."
Consider campsite location: Some campgrounds have sites closer to noise sources. "Our site row backed up to an elementary school, so if you are there during the week and don't want to listen to children enjoying their recess, you should request another site."
Pack for temperature swings: High desert elevations mean significant temperature differences between day and night. "Surprise! The weather went from day-time highs in the 60's to blizzard conditions with overnight lows in the teens."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger rigs. "The spot was mostly level making set up easy. We had access to a fire pit as well as a grill and table. The creek flowed about 75' from the site."
Water pressure issues: Taos Valley RV Park offers full hookups but campers noted water system limitations. "This is an older unit with low water pressure. If you sites in virgin forest with a beautiful stream running through the facility."
Solar power viability: The area receives abundant sunshine, making solar power effective. "The campground is ideal for solar power, as is the New Mexico weather. We also had no problem connecting with Starlink and had LTE in the campground."