Morphy Lake State Park Campground sits at approximately 8,500 feet elevation in the mountains of New Mexico, providing a cool refuge even during summer months. Located about 45 minutes from Wagon Mound, the park features traditional campsites around a serene mountain lake stocked with trout. Camping options range from tent platforms to areas suitable for small to mid-sized recreational vehicles.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Mills Canyon Campground, the Canadian River offers fishing spots near historical structures. "The river runs right by the campground so we were able to swim every night. We stayed Memorial weekend and only had two other campers in the area," notes camper Che M.
Wildlife viewing: Conchas Lake State Park provides excellent wildlife observation opportunities. "Deer cover the campground. Camp was quiet enough (depends on your neighbors). Kids loved it and so did dogs. Friendly staff - the rangers gave the kiddos a coloring book and badge when we got here," explains Natalie F.
Hiking trails: Several trails surround camping areas near Wagon Mound. One camper at Cimarron Canyon State Park reports, "Clear creek hiking trail is a short drive away and was a beautiful and totally doable 3 mile trail for our 3 young girls."
What campers like
Night sky viewing: The region's remote location creates optimal stargazing conditions. A camper at Cimarron Canyon State Park mentioned, "Quality covered horse stalls which we used for shelter... Dark sky area of the State so some of our party got a great view of Neowise."
Uncrowded camping: Several campgrounds near Wagon Mound offer solitude. "A beautiful little campground of solitude was found if you drove on just past the Mills Canyon Campground," shares Laura P. Another camper at Morphy Lake notes, "Hubby and I happened onto this beautiful state park. When we were there they had only been open for about two months."
Seasonal temperatures: High elevation glamping close to Wagon Mound, New Mexico provides relief from summer heat. "It's been 80s in the day and 50s at night which is amazing," reports Tammy C. about her stay at Cimarron Canyon.
What you should know
Limited services: Most campgrounds have minimal facilities. A Mills Canyon camper advises, "There is no view of the canyon from this campground, so be prepared to hike or drive down if you want to have great views. No water or cell service."
Weather preparation: Capulin Campground and surrounding sites experience variable conditions. "Something else we learned about New Mexico, not being from here, April-May is a rainy and windy season. So be sure to check the weather before heading out," suggests Alexzandra G.
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires appropriate vehicles. Phil W. warns about Mills Canyon: "Great place to camp. Hard to access in car. Recommend high clearance truck, 4-wheel drive, or similar."
Bug awareness: Depending on season and recent rainfall, insects can be problematic. "The real downer for us was the plethora of vicious mosquitos. We were eaten alive even though we sprayed with bug spray often," reports Carrie S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Conchas Lake State Park offers water recreation for families. "The lake is nice clear and warm. Great for bass and walleye. The weekends usually have a lot of people that disappear during the week," explains Levon.
Wildlife education opportunities: Several campgrounds feature regular wildlife sightings perfect for nature education. "We could hear owls every night, and saw a mountain lion one morning," shares Laura P. about Mills Canyon.
Campground selection: Choose sites based on your family's needs. At Cimarron Canyon, "There are some big spots for RVs but those get pulled quickly. The campsites are a little close together, but I have never had any problems."
Tips from RVers
Site accessibility: When glamping close to Wagon Mound, New Mexico in an RV, select campgrounds carefully. At Morphy Lake State Park, "Large travel trailers work for the 1st 10 sites then path gets too windy and hilly. Had a Honda civic and meandered all the way up to the last campsite," advises Perl R.
Water availability: RVers should prepare for limited services. At Conchas Lake, one camper notes: "Nice views of the lake and rocks from Bell Point campground. We stayed in site B19 and it was easy to back in to with our 20' camper. Electric was appreciated, but water was unavailable due to repairs."
Canyon access considerations: RV travelers should research road conditions. "We wanted to stay at the bottom, but decided not to risk getting stuck down there given that snow was coming in overnight (my 2wd is not snow-proficient, especially on steep roads)," explains Chloe H. about Mills Canyon.