Best Tent Camping near Youngsville, NM

Dispersed tent camping dominates the Youngsville area, with several primitive options in the nearby Carson and Santa Fe National Forests. Road 378 near Fenton Lake offers secluded tent sites in forested terrain, while Resumidero Camping Area provides more established tent sites with basic amenities like picnic tables and vault toilets. American Springs offers primitive tent camping with mountain views approximately 12 miles southwest of Youngsville in a mixed juniper and pine forest setting.

Access to tent campsites varies significantly with terrain and seasonal conditions. Many dispersed areas require high-clearance vehicles, particularly American Springs, where reviewers note "the road is quite rocky and there's a large washout just past the first site." Most tent-only areas lack drinking water, making it essential to bring adequate supplies. Fire rings are available at Road 378 dispersed sites and Resumidero Camping Area, though seasonal fire restrictions often apply during dry periods. Toilet facilities are minimal, with vault toilets at Resumidero but most other tent camping areas requiring campers to follow backcountry waste disposal practices.

Tent campers will find substantial privacy at most sites near Youngsville, with Road 378 offering particularly spacious clearings. A camper observed that "each clearing is big enough for several cars and even a couple groups. The clearings are far enough apart that you can make some noise without bothering other campers." Elevations range from 7,000-9,000 feet, creating cool overnight temperatures even in summer months. At American Springs, tent sites provide views down the canyon with occasional elk sightings. Most tent camping areas near Youngsville remain relatively uncrowded even during peak seasons, though Fenton Lake dispersed sites may see more visitors on holiday weekends. Forested sites provide partial shade, though burn areas from past wildfires have reduced tree cover in some locations.

Best Tent Sites Near Youngsville, New Mexico (13)

    1. Star Dance

    1 Review
    Youngsville, NM
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 901-2936

    2. Resumidero Camping Area

    2 Reviews
    Gallina, NM
    12 miles

    "We expected a campground that was spread out, fire rings and vault toilets. It was perfect. The camp sites were far apart and you could chose between open meadows or in the trees."

    3. Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Jemez Springs, NM
    22 miles
    Website

    "The road is a bit rough, but easy access and close enough to the lake that I drove over to kayak after setting up camp."

    "This campsite is beautiful and right next to the lake. Perfect for some chill camping. There are multiple clearing along this road. Each one is big enough for several cars and even a couple groups."

    4. American Springs

    4 Reviews
    Los Alamos, NM
    27 miles

    "Just sad to see bullet casings litter ground and these trees that survived the most intense fire in new mexico are being shot up and destroyed. Shame on anyone doing this"

    "Any SUV could handle it but being in an extended length van limits where I can go. Very peaceful with a nice view down the canyon. Elk grazing below were the cherry on top."

    5. Cuba Hwy Pulloff on Forest Road 88

    3 Reviews
    Cuba, NM
    26 miles

    "It’s a bummer people throw so much trash and glass bottles around. Very pretty site otherwise and nice trails to walk. Many cows wandering about in the area."

    "It was getting late after a full day of driving and I happened to find this site. No amenities, but we were the only people in the area. We were just thankful for a place to stop."

    6. Canjilon Creek Campground

    1 Review
    Canjilon, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-6200

    "This park is very primitive. It has no running water, toilets, or amenities. What it has a lot of, is charm. Hardly met anyone while there. It has three lakes filled with trout."

    7. Horseshoe Springs Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Jemez Springs, NM
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 438-5300

    8. Carson NF - Forest Service Road 578 - Dispersed Camping

    5 Reviews
    Carson National Forest, NM
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8678

    "There are a bunch of different roads you can turn off to camp on if you’re driving from Taos to Durango."

    "I tent-camped off of Carson NF Forest Service Road 578 in mid April 2022. FS 578 is south of Tres Piedras about 5 miles on the west side of Hwy 285."

    9. Taos Junction Campground

    6 Reviews
    Carson, NM
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-8851

    "They have nice grills at the tent sites along 28th tables. Bathrooms were nice and clean and a close walk. With lots to do including fish and hiking trails. We look forward to going back."

    "The shelter provides nice shade. Bugs & dust were only real drawback. Oh, and it was hot!"

    10. Lower Lagunitas Campground

    3 Reviews
    Chama, NM
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 758-6200

    "The trek across northern New Mexico was truly breathtaking. We were fortunate enough to see tons of big Rams as well as an abundance of wildlife and plentiful bird watching."

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Youngsville, NM

5 Photos of 13 Youngsville Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Youngsville, NM

442 Reviews of 13 Youngsville Campgrounds


  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 3, 2024

    Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

    Fascinating National Monument in Northern New Mexico

    This was our first time at this lovely National Monument and we simply loved it. The campground was small with only a few spaces for bigger rigs, but we fit without any problem. Love those small spaces! 

    The campground is perched on the mesa above the monument’s protected dwellings, artifacts and trails at the valley. You can get there by walking about 2.5 miles from the campground along a stunning trail, or driving around the road. We simply loved hiking here, choosing a different way each day over the four days we were there.  So much to explore!

    Campsites have the standard picnic table, bear box locker, and fire ring. The trees were mostly shorter scrub junipers and other high desert trees so there was lots of sunshine for solar powered rig, but no electrical service at any sites.  Nice privacy between sites.

    The bathrooms were clean, heated, and had flush toilets and running sinks with potable water, plus a small dish cleaning sink, but no showers. 

    The Visitor Center is an awesome CCC structure from back during the depression as are many of the hiking trails in the valley.   We were here for Halloween, so carved our pumpkins in memory and celebration of the people who lived here so many years ago.

    Nearby Los Alamos has all the services you need as far as supplies, services and restaurants. But if you can plan your hike to end before 4pm, the cafe at the VC is really worth it!!

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2023

    Riana - Abiquiu Lake

    Great views, great hosts

    Camped 2 nights at site #38 on the Puerco Loop. Reserved thru rec.gov while at the site. Wonderful campground hosts. Site was not quite level for our campervan, but close enough. Good views of lake & surrounding area from site. Vault toilet & drinking water a short walk away. Juniper provided minimal privacy. Site has lantern poll, fire ring, trash can & table. No hookups at this site. $6/night with senior pass. Restroom/shower house within walking distance. Facilities & vault toilets were very clean. Hiking trail in campground. AT&T & T-Mobile service. Overall, quiet & peaceful stay.

  • marycatmathis  ..The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 29, 2020

    Oak Point Campground

    Lovely, Beachy, Scenic

    These coordinates are a rough estimate, but this entire forrest road is filled with amazing campsites you can simply pull off and camp in. currently there’s a fire ban, so it makes it hard to stay warm at night, but the stars are amazing. it’s quiet. it’s lovely. there’s canyon walls for miles. it’s really amazing. some of these pics are from the nearby canyon that’s a bit of a walk up the road, but most are from our campground. loved our first experience camping in New Mexico!

  • Tim W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2023

    Whirlpool Dispersed Camping Area

    Will go again

    We got there on a Friday and had our pick of sites. We picked one right on the river. No electricity. No water. No picnic tables. No trash receptacle. Vault toilets. Camp spaces are spread out. Some of the roads on the campground had deep ruts and pools of mud water but not all. You can see every star on a clear night. The road to the campground is about 6 miles of curvy dirt and gravel single lane. But a woman managed it in a Jaguar so not too bad just go slow. Rustic and relaxing.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Redondo Campground

    Set back in the pines

    A nice campground set north of the town of Jemenz Springs. There was a fire ban in place and the Forest Service was planning on closing the entire forest the morning after I showed up. I had enough time to camp and get in one hike to a social spring before they came through and closed everything up for safety. The campground was nice, but there was no water available (it had been shut off in preparation for the closure). The campsites were nice and well spaced with lots of pine trees around each site, so there was a lot of privacy. There was an abundance of pine needle duff covering the ground which would have been great until you considered the fire danger. Each site had a picnic table and fire pit (with bright tape over it to remind you not to use it).

  • E
    Jul. 25, 2019

    Island View — Heron Lake State Park

    Unusually Quiet

    I did a fair amount of research online regarding walk-in tent camping at Heron Lake, during the week. See the great maps and detail at https://newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/heron-lake/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NM&parkId=430012 . I called the visitor center to confirm that being a walk-in would not be a problem during the week. Once one arrives as a walk-in, look for the campsites with a green tag on them.

    The Heron Lake camp sites shown at the above reserveamerica website all have a fair amount of trees for shade. What the reserveamerica site does not show is a few more Heron Lake campgrounds southwest along Highway 95 (beyond the dam). The southwesterly sites are way more exposed to the sun than the first four campgrounds. Otherwise, the southwesterly campgrounds have fine views of the lake.

    I was at Island View campground, in a loop that was convoluted enough that I do not think a trailer (with its inevitable noisy generator) could get in. I guess that this is the point. As a result, all I heard from time to time were muffled voices and no generators. It's the first tent spring-summer-fall camping I have enjoyed in years that was generator-free. I had at least one empty campsite on either side of me as an additional buffer to noise.

    I walked along the lakeshore. It did not seem that low. I saw large fish jumping in one cove. I hiked the Salmon Run Trail to the dam. The Salmon Run Trail is a beautiful hike, not all level but not too steep for this older person's knees and walking poles. On the lake side of the dam, walking along the highway to get a good look at the dam, I saw several schools of large fish.

    The vault bathrooms and the flush-toilet bathrooms were fine. Not super clean and not super dirty. I did not try the shower but it looked like people were using it.

    This time of year, bring some bug repellent or wear jeans and a light long sleeve shirt at night. New Mexico has had a lot of moisture this season, so I think the bug-giness is higher than usual. Still, I sat outside and read for an hour or so pretty comfortably.

    The camp host was lovely.

  • Jeff V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 24, 2025

    Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite

    Why not camp just a bit further out on Buckman Road?

    Given the area described has piles of trash and little else to recommend it, it seems a shame to be close to gorgeous wilderness and stare at rubbish.

    Head out just a bit further and turn onto the well maintained dirt Buckman road?  There are canyons to explore and access to the Rio grande at the road's end, offering water in an area with next to none otherwise. 

    If these lowlands are too hot in the summer, drive up Artist Road to Big Tesuque or the ski-way at the end of the road, where shade, cold streams, and elevation keep nights pleasant even in July or August. 

    You won't be any further from Santa Fe, although it can take awhile to drive from the river or ski-way to town if you park as far away as possible.  

    All of the above sites have fire rings and vault toilets, and Big Tesuque and the ski-way have some sites with picnic tables as well.  Firewood can be scavenged, especially if one gets away from the immediate campsite area.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 3, 2019

    Black Canyon Campground

    Best Of Both Worlds: City Access With Outdoor Retreat

    With seasonal access this campground can get pretty crowded during peak season due to its close proximity to Santa Fe as well as the amazing outdoor spaces. Driving out of the city you leave the desolation and low laying vegetation and are transported into an oasis of tall growth trees and mountain living. It is hard to believe that less than 10 miles separates these two spaces because of the dramatic difference in appearance. This place really has the best of both worlds!

    Driving into the camp, you have three options: Walk-In Camping, Camping With Parking Access & Limited Access.

    The walk-in spaces are directly to your right across a small bridge with flowing stream below. Some of the spaces are close enough to the stream that you can hear the gentle trickle of water to put your to sleep at night. Parking for these sections is limited, so it is not recommended to take advantage of these if you are with a party bringing more than one vehicle.

    The units with parking are well spaced. Pavement and landscaping create separation which allows each camper to have their own space without feeling cramped. Throughout this section are staggered water stations with potable water and toilets as well as trash cans which are weighted to keep animals away.

    A trailhead can be accessed from the rear of this camping area so during busy season there are hikers which park in one of the two lots creating excessive foot traffic throughout the camp;. My suggestion would be to avoid site 24 or 26 which are the sites positioned on either side of the official trailhead.

    Each site in the campground is equipped with a fire ring and grill top, a picnic table and a lantern hook. Though this campground has not showers the potable water is a nice touch for those visiting making it much more convenient than other area limited access camps.

    Because the trailhead leaves from the campground, throughout the off season the first restroom, the one by the trailhead parking and the walk-in camping does remain open along with the water access to the potable/drinking water fountain at this point of entry.

    TIPS:

    • Check the Kiosk when you arrive, this are will provide any information you might need about the area including any potential dangers on trails, closures or maps.

    • The pay box is located on the kiosk in the bricks. It is a weird place and isn't the most well marked so rather than looking around for a while and contemplating what to do when you see the broken pay box (previously used) just look down in the middle on the rocks.

    • The camp host is available during open season and is located in the first space of the drive in loop, when in doubt always remember they are there to help you find information.

  • Texas Roving Ranger
    Jun. 22, 2024

    Black Canyon Campground

    Beautiful campground

    A reasonably priced campground near Santa Fe NM.   Campsites have picnic table, fire ring and paved parking.  Several were large and can accommodate big Rvs.  No electric, water, sewer or dumpstation.  Pit toilets and dumpsters are available.  

    The campground is at 8400' elevation.  Summer temps were very comfortable during the day and cool overnight.  Perfect camping weather.   The sites were mostly sold out while we were there. 

    Camp hosts were seen busy tending to the sites and pit toilets.  The campground was very well maintained.


Guide to Youngsville

Tent camping near Youngsville, New Mexico offers a blend of stunning natural beauty and a variety of outdoor activities, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • The Road 378, Fenton Lake - Dispersed site allows campfires and provides picnic tables, making it perfect for a cozy camping experience.
  • At Star Dance, campers can enjoy reservable sites and access to showers, adding a touch of comfort to their stay.
  • Taos Junction Campground features clean toilets and drinking water, ensuring a more convenient camping experience.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Some prices for tent camping range from $6 to $0

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Youngsville, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Youngsville, NM is Star Dance with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Youngsville, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Youngsville, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.