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Established Camping

Cebolla Mesa Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Cebolla Mesa Campground, near Questa, New Mexico, is a stunning spot that offers a unique blend of isolation and breathtaking views. With designated sites that hug the rim of a canyon overlooking the Rio Grande, it’s a prime location for those who appreciate nature's beauty and a bit of solitude.

The campground is known for its clean facilities, including vault toilets, and offers picnic tables and fire pits for your convenience. Visitors rave about the stunning sunsets and starry nights, with one camper noting, “So many stars!” The area is perfect for hiking, with trails leading down to the river, making it a great spot to cool off after a day of exploring.

Getting to Cebolla Mesa can be an adventure in itself, as the dirt roads leading in can be a bit rough, but many have made it in with standard vehicles. The remoteness means you’ll likely have the place to yourself, as some reviewers mentioned seeing only a handful of other campers during their stay. If you're looking for a peaceful retreat with spectacular views and a chance to connect with nature, this campground is definitely worth a visit.

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Location

Cebolla Mesa Campground is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

Directions

8.3 miles Southwest of Questa. Take State Highway 522, 4.9 miles south from Questa to Forest Road #9. Drive west for 3.4 miles to campground. Forest Road #9 is a dirt/gravel road and is hazardous in muddy conditions.

Coordinates

36.64048283 N
105.68913667 W

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Drive Time

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group
  • Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

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Reviews

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5.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2025

Cebolla Mesa dispersed camping

Long and slightly rough dirt road entry. If it rains or storms you'll have a tough time getting out with a camper if you don't have a 4x4. Amazing views and the campground is right on the edge of the gorge. There are trails down to the Rio Grande. The Red River and Rio Grande meet up here. It is a tough switch back trail all.the way down but not to long so you should be fine. Take your time if you need. It is rough terrain. Pack it in pack it out. They do offer 1 toilet.

SiteNA
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Tyler S., July 29, 2025
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Tyler S., July 29, 2025
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Tyler S., July 29, 2025
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Jun. 9, 2025

Remote scenic location

There are six free fcfs campsites 3.24 mile dirt road which is fine in dry weather but can be treacherous when wet. Nice view of gorge. 1.5 mile hike down to river. Pit toilet, table, fire pit.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 1, 2025

Incredible view

Came on a weekday, only 1 or 2 other campers

not too tough to get to in a 22ft TT

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Apr. 17, 2024

Beautiful, Amazing, Secluded

Driving through Taos we needed a place to camp. This place is a gem! It's absolutely beautiful. We thought we would have trouble getting a spot to pull into, but there was only one other camper.

SiteSites are not labeled.
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Terri G., April 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Terri G., April 17, 2024
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Terri G., April 17, 2024
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 8, 2023

Stark, Beautiful, Isolated

Throw campsite is gorgeous, hugging the rim of a canyon overlooking the Rio Grande. You can hike down to it. While there are established campsites, a bathroom, and a handful of picnic tables, the campground was all but deserted during my stay. I’ve seen one other family per day out here. Not sure why a site designed for twenty or so campsites is so unpopulated, but I don’t mind! Wind is strong, but arid, and cool to visit in the summer. Great spot! Note: takes about half an hour to drive in, through rutted, dirt roads. I had no problem, but advise caution for larger vehicles.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by andrew H., June 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by andrew H., June 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by andrew H., June 8, 2023
Reviewed Mar. 16, 2023

Beautiful!

It was slow going getting back here. The sign says no passenger vehicles, but I made it just fine in my Subaru Forester.

SiteThird one back
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Samantha F., March 16, 2023
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Samantha F., March 16, 2023
Reviewed May. 18, 2022

Great campground on a mesa

Very beautiful spot. Lots of dispersed camping a few fire pits. There’s a 1.25 mile hike down to the river to cool down. 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.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Toni  K., May 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Toni  K., May 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Toni  K., May 18, 2022
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Sep. 28, 2021

So many stars!

Stayed in one of the unofficial sites just outside the campground. Could see and hear other campers but they were fairly distant and the site still felt remote. Great dark sky viewing! Our spot was close to some very nice overlooks.

Siteunofficial/dispersed
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Courtney S., September 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Courtney S., September 28, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 4, 2021

Dispersed Camping on Rio Grande

Beautiful dispersed camp spots on the Rio grande. 10-12 spots with reasonable space in between and views of the canyon. Facing west for amazing sunsets. We came on a Tuesday and there were only 2 other cars here. drive further down the campground road for more isolated locations.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by James H., August 4, 2021
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by James H., August 4, 2021
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by James H., August 4, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2020

Beautiful views of the river!

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. There’s about 3-4 spots with picnic tables then at least 10 other spots with rock ring fire pits but no tables. There is 1 clean vault toilet, but no TP so bring your own. 1-2 bars LTE AT&T service available near bathroom but gets worse the further you go away from it. The views of the river are beautiful as well as the sunrise. It’s a bumpy 3 mile road off the highway, had no issues in my transit van as long as you take it slow.

  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Abby M., November 22, 2020
  • Review photo of Cebolla Mesa Campground by Abby M., November 22, 2020
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  • (4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Cebolla Mesa Campground compare to other camping options near Taos?

Cebolla Mesa Campground stands out from other Taos-area options for its remarkable seclusion and stunning canyon views. Located about 30 minutes from Taos, it's less developed than established campgrounds in the region, offering a more primitive, dispersed camping experience. While many Taos campgrounds can be crowded, Cebolla Mesa typically has very few campers even during peak seasons, with visitors often reporting only 1-2 other parties present. The campground's position on the canyon rim provides more dramatic scenery than most alternatives, though with fewer amenities. Access requires navigating a dirt road, making it less convenient but more peaceful than roadside options closer to town.

What amenities are available at Cebolla Mesa Campground?

Cebolla Mesa Campground offers basic amenities with a focus on natural surroundings. There is one clean vault toilet (toilet paper is usually available but bringing your own is recommended). Several sites have picnic tables (approximately 3-4), while about 10 other spots feature rock ring fire pits without tables. The campground is primitive with no water sources, electricity, or trash service. Most sites offer incredible views of the canyon and Rio Grande below. All sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system or fee collection on site.

Are there photos of Cebolla Mesa Campground to view before visiting?

Photos of Cebolla Mesa Campground can be found online showcasing its spectacular canyon rim location overlooking the Rio Grande. Images typically highlight the expansive views, dispersed campsites with fire rings, and the natural high desert landscape. Search for Cebolla Mesa on camping websites, social media platforms with location tags, or official forest service pages to view photos before your visit. The campground's dramatic sunset views and proximity to the canyon edge are particularly well-documented in visitor photography.

What hiking trails are accessible from Cebolla Mesa Campground?

The main trail from Cebolla Mesa Campground is a 1.25-1.5 mile path that descends to the Rio Grande River. This trail takes hikers from the canyon rim down to the water, offering excellent opportunities to cool off during hot weather. The trailhead is located near the bathroom facilities. Additionally, the area features numerous off-road trails suitable for hiking, running, and mountain biking. Visitors can also enjoy informal paths along the canyon rim for spectacular views, particularly at sunset. The area where the Red River meets the Rio Grande is accessible via trail and offers a unique geological viewpoint.