Best Campgrounds near Wagon Mound, NM

The area around Wagon Mound, New Mexico features both established campgrounds and primitive sites across diverse landscapes. Nearby public lands include Mills Canyon with two free Forest Service campgrounds and dispersed camping options. Approximately 50 miles northeast of Wagon Mound, Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge offers camping at Lake 13 with basic amenities including picnic tables, toilets, and trash facilities. The region accommodates tent camping, RVs, and even cabins at select locations like Las Vegas KOA Journey.

Access to many camping areas varies significantly with seasonal conditions. The drive into Mills Canyon requires careful navigation, particularly for larger vehicles. "The road down the canyon is about 2 miles and any stock SUV, Subaru or the same can make it when it's dry. But, if it's wet be careful, the mud is super slippery," notes one camper. Most dispersed sites lack amenities like drinking water, requiring visitors to pack in essentials. Several campgrounds operate year-round while others close seasonally, such as Morphy Lake State Park Campground which operates from September through March. Cell service is limited or nonexistent at more remote sites, making advance planning essential.

Campers regularly highlight the solitude and natural beauty as standout features of camping in this region. Mills Canyon receives particular praise for its unique landscape and historical significance, with one visitor describing it as "a hidden gem with a rich history" featuring ruins of an old orchard and stagecoach stop. Summer heat can be intense in lower elevations, with some reviews mentioning temperatures too hot for comfort during peak months. Wildlife sightings are common, with reports of turkeys, deer, and owls. Public lands near Wagon Mound provide excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution, though visitors should be prepared for potential crowds during holiday weekends at more accessible sites.

Best Camping Sites Near Wagon Mound, New Mexico (55)

    1. Mills Canyon Campground

    21 Reviews
    Mills, NM
    21 miles
    Website

    "Here the campsites can get real close to the edge of the canyon. Super primitive, but amazing views. A little to hot this June."

    "This place was off the beaten path, but we'll worth it. Beautiful canyon and open space. We will be coming back for sure."

    2. Mills Canyon Dispersed

    1 Review
    Mills, NM
    20 miles

    "This canyon is a too little known gem tucked away in a corner of the state too few travel, as the near ghost town of Roy demonstrates. "

    3. Coyote Creek State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Ocate, NM
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 387-2328

    $15 - $90 / night

    "This campground holds a land of beauty and is a must go to if you are in the New Mexico area, highly recommended!"

    "This campsite is located in a valley along a small creek, if it is a drought year, there won't be much water."

    4. Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    23 Reviews
    Cimarron, NM
    40 miles
    Website

    "Easy access and camping adjacent to a dam overlooking a lake."

    "Camping is right next to the lake in an open field with picnic tables and trash.   We arrived and there was a schoolie and a van.  "

    5. North Area Campground — Storrie Lake State Park

    18 Reviews
    Montezuma, NM
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 425-7278

    $15 - $25 / night

    "They also close the main bathroom/shower, there are port-o-lets outside next to them."

    "This state park has nice views of the lake and mountains. The sun sets with a blaze in the sky. We stayed in the electric campground."

    6. Angel Fire RV Resort

    16 Reviews
    Angel Fire, NM
    44 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."

    7. Vita Bonita Ranch

    Be the first to review!
    Wagon Mound, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (832) 607-5444

    $47 - $57 / night

    8. Morphy Lake State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Cleveland, NM
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 387-2328

    "Quiet mountain lake with ponderosa pines surrounding it. I'd go back in a heartbeat."

    "Can drive up to campsites probably 30 places. Trout fishing but must have license from closest store 20 miles down in Mora. Maybe 8500 ft elevation. Very cool even in July; need blankets."

    9. Springer Lake

    2 Reviews
    Cimarron, NM
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 476-8000

    "Just northwest of the town of Springer, the lake is also stocked regularly with rainbows, and bullheads are also taken.  Play elastic man game while enjoy its beauty."

    10. Las Vegas/New Mexico KOA Journey

    15 Reviews
    Las Vegas, NM
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 454-0180

    $45 - $75 / night

    "It is off the highway but nice and secluded. Pretty location and outside of Las Vegas, NM. It isn’t a five star because the sites are pretty close together"

    "4/5/2021 Right off the highway. One of the nicer KOA's we have stayed at in the Southwest."

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Recent Reviews near Wagon Mound, NM

263 Reviews of 55 Wagon Mound Campgrounds


  • Shirlee A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2025

    South Area Campground — Storrie Lake State Park

    Love it here!

    This is a great place to stop and breathe for a while while on the road. Especially with kids.

    Has great hook up sites (electric and water) beach site comes with a sweet outdoor patio with roof and picnic table - perfect for shade or rainy days.when living in an RV this is a great addition/ an extra room!

    There is a great playground and a perfect view of the lake

    Prices are totally fair - between 14-25 depending on site and residency

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Nina M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Bell Point Campground — Conchas Lake State Park

    Nice and quiet campground

    The sites were well spaced out, everyone followed quiet hours and it was very peaceful. Bathrooms definitely need updating, sinks had bugs all over them, dead and alive. Showers never got cold and turned off after a couple minutes, can live with that, but a little frustrating that I’m paying $30 for a cold shower.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    Quiet, peacefull.

    Just a small open area, three picnic tables, a couple of pit toilets, trash cans. Lots of birds, a couple of deer, lots of coyotes off in the distance. Fishing is allowed but I didn't see any.

  • 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.

  • 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 Wagon Mound

Camping near Wagon Mound, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: Many campers enjoy the scenic trails around the area. One reviewer mentioned, "The drive down the canyon is pretty sketch in a couple of spots if driving a big vehicle or even a vehicle with a trailer. Beautiful, though." This highlights the stunning views you can find while hiking.
  • Fishing: If you love fishing, the nearby rivers and lakes are great spots. A camper at Coyote Creek State Park Campground noted, "Campsite well maintained, lots of ground to walk, creek nearby for fishing."
  • Wildlife Watching: The area is home to various wildlife. One visitor at Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge shared, "Nothing fancy but great views of the lake and always some amazing waterfowl."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review for Mills Canyon Campground states, "Rugged beautiful area. Trail to drive down not bad."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of the campgrounds. One camper at Agua Piedra Campground said, "It is just what WE want when we go camping."
  • Clean Facilities: Clean restrooms and well-maintained sites are a plus. A visitor at Coyote Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Awesome bathroom."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, do not have drinking water or electric hookups. A camper noted, "No shade, no potable water, no electric, no sewer."
  • Wildlife Caution: Bears are known to wander into campsites. One frustrated camper at Mills Canyon Campground warned, "First night so many bears came into our camp... tore up our 'bear proof' cooler."
  • Road Conditions: Some roads can be rough. A visitor at Mills Canyon Campground mentioned, "The road down was so rough we lost our muffler on a new truck."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with amenities like picnic tables and restrooms. A camper at Coyote Creek State Park Campground appreciated the "covered and partially enclosed picnic tables."
  • Plan for Safety: Be aware of wildlife and keep food secured. One camper at Mills Canyon Campground expressed concern about snakes, saying, "We were concerned about snakes."
  • Bring Plenty of Water: Especially during hot months, hydration is key. A visitor at Mills Canyon Campground advised, "Bring way more water than what you think you need."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Road Accessibility: Some campgrounds may not be RV-friendly. A reviewer at Mills Canyon Campground noted, "Not really RV accessible."
  • Look for Electric Hookups: If you need power, ensure the campground has electric sites. A camper at Coyote Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "They have electric and water (one spicket shared between 2 sites)."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some RV sites can be close together. One camper at North Area Campground — Storrie Lake State Park said, "The sites are kept up and there is good distance from other sites."

Camping near Wagon Mound, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of nature and adventure. With the right preparation and knowledge, you can enjoy a memorable outdoor experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the history of Wagon Mound and how did it get its name?

Wagon Mound got its distinctive name from a prominent volcanic butte that resembles a covered wagon when viewed from the correct angle. This landmark was an important navigation point along the historic Santa Fe Trail during the 19th century, guiding travelers heading to Santa Fe and beyond. As wagons traveled west from the Great Plains, this distinctive formation served as a recognizable milestone. The area around Wagon Mound has a rich history tied to Hispanic settlers and Native American cultures. The region near Wagon Mound connects to other historic areas like Cimarron Canyon State Park, which preserves part of New Mexico's frontier heritage through its scenic canyon landscape.

Where is Wagon Mound, New Mexico located?

Wagon Mound is located in northeastern New Mexico, situated in Mora County along Interstate 25, about 60 miles east of Taos and approximately 115 miles northeast of Santa Fe. This small village sits at an elevation of around 6,200 feet in the high plains region. It's within driving distance of Las Vegas/New Mexico KOA Journey, which serves as a convenient overnight stop for travelers exploring this area. The town is positioned between larger destinations like Las Vegas, NM to the south and Springer Lake to the north.

What camping facilities are available near Wagon Mound, NM?

While Wagon Mound itself has limited camping options, several facilities are available within driving distance. Conchas Lake State Park offers camping about an hour south, with electrical hookups, isolated location, and hiking opportunities. Mills Canyon Campground provides a remote camping experience in a scenic canyon setting, though it's primitive with basic amenities. For those willing to drive a bit further, Coyote Creek State Park Campground offers beautiful scenery, excellent fishing, and a quiet atmosphere. Morphy Lake State Park Campground near Mora is another option with drive-in access and basic facilities including toilets.