Sims Mesa Campground, near Navajo Dam, New Mexico, is a solid choice for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle while enjoying the great outdoors. This spot offers a mix of tent and RV sites, complete with amenities like drinking water and electric hookups, making it convenient for all types of campers.

The campground is known for its quieter atmosphere compared to the main marina, which many visitors appreciate. With sites that are spacious and some even offering partial lake views, it’s a nice place to kick back and relax. As one camper noted, “If you don't have a boat or fancy water toys, Sims Mesa is where you should go,” highlighting its appeal for those who prefer a more laid-back experience.

For those who enjoy water activities, the nearby Navajo Lake provides ample opportunities for kayaking and fishing. Just be aware that the area can get pretty hot, so plan your visits accordingly. Clean restrooms and easy access to water and trash disposal make it a practical choice for families and groups. 

While the campground may feel a bit remote, the stunning views and peaceful environment are worth the extra drive. Whether you're here for a weekend or a longer stay, Sims Mesa Campground offers a welcoming spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Sims Mesa Campground — Navajo Lake State Park

Join the fun near Navajo Dam. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. Navajo Dam is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Navajo Dam camping trip.

Navajo Dam

The Best Camping Near Navajo Dam, New Mexico

Nice spread out and spacious spots 
Easy back in for campers
Decent bathrooms
Close enough to the water for a short hike for water fun
We like this side because it has less traffic and less people
Worth the extra drive

Sweet spot

If you don't have a boat or fancy water toys.. Sims Mesa is where you should go. Much less crowded than the main marina. We camped at the Lakeshore Camping area. Several sites available right on the lake, just steps away from the water.  Bathrooms available. Water and trash available just a short walk. Dogs are supposed to be leashed, but a lot of people don't seem to follow this rule. Not much shade on the Lakeshore, so make sure to bring something for the day time.

Get away from the crowds.

The quieter side of Navajo Lake State Park, this is a nice, clean campground with pull through and tent sites (elec and non) close to Sims marina. Nothing spectacular and a bit remote, so not a place I would seek out necessarily. Keep in mind that this requires a little more driving to get to, so if you’re just passing through, be mindful that it’s ~17 miles from highway 64.

Pros:
* Quieter, seems less crowded than reg marina side of park
* A good mix of pull through and tent sites with plenty of room to drive in. Tent sites are multi level in a few cases (tables and pits are a short level below parking spot)
* Lake views for some spots (seem to be partial as trees do block some parts of view) 
* Reasonably spaced, not super private but that is pretty much any paid campground
* Cleanish bathrooms and pit toilets, a little smelly on our visit and had no soap to wash hands (not in peak season, so think campgrounds are a little understaffed with no camp host until mid may)

Cons:
* A bit of a haul/remote if you’re just stopping through on way west through NM

The quieter side of Navajo Lake

Stayed in M19 at campground. Clean restrooms 
No campfires were allowed. 
Quiet campground. 
Has fire ring with grate for cooking 

 Nice clean campground 

This was the first stop of 3 - 2 night stays on this search to find great camping with easy access to water and preferably within a days drive of my house.  I recreational kayak so access to water is at the top of my list of must haves if paddling is on the list of must do’s.  This was a survey trip to see what’s out there for folks like me.

I booked two nights going to quite a bit of trouble of obtain them.  I booked all three stays on the same day in March.  Two weeks before my trip I receive an email from the Parks department cancelling my reservation, issuing a refund but offering no explanation or offer to assist in finding another spot.  Getting to speak to an actual person… could not be done.  I left voice mails at the dam, at the. State office and even the Governor’s office but apparently no one was at work.  Two weeks later a really helpful gal called to say she had just started two days prior and discovered a full voice mail box.  She was absolutely amazing at facilitating a solution within two days.  Clarissa, you are a Goddess!  Reserve America is a pain to navigate and I will leave it at that.

Now about the campground.  It is exactly what one should expect in a desert landscape.  Very few trees and very dusty and rocky.  It was 100 degrees when I left for my trip deciding to wait until late afternoon to avoid setting up in the blazing heat.  I arrived at 10:00pm or so.  It was 73 degrees.  I came in from the east side 64 to 527 and there were deer and elk EVERYWHERE!!!!  Which is why I arrived so late, you just have to slow down.  Mostly cedar and pine and natural gas oil wells EVERYWHERE!!!!  I got to my appointed site and I simply could not navigate from where one parks to where the actual site was and which, by the way, while lakeside it was convenient to water it was not.  If you have a few people to help haul everything down to where the actual water is great, but alone in 100 degrees.  Also, I travel with two small dogs and shade is paramount.  Well shade they do have such as it is.  The showers were not available due to, you guessed, a water shortage!  I just put up the tent and went to sleep which wasn’t too uncomfortable.  Next morning at 5:30 the sun was out and the heat was building.  I packed up and moved on up to Colorado where it would surely be much cooler.

I might like to visit Sims Mesa Marina at Navajo Lake again, if it ever fills again and perhaps in the spring or fall but NOT in summer.  So many of our fine bodies of water boaters and anglers have come to rely on for recreation are in serious jeopardy due to a 10 year what is termed “Exceptional” drought conditions. It’s really such a shame.  

Side note:  be sure to take the Navajo Dam shortcut when leaving Sims.  It’s a well maintained, but very dusty road.  The views are spectacular and driving across the dam is a bit nerve racking.  The drive down from the dam all along the San Juan drainage below the dam is well worth checking out for day use only but there are several “holes” they call them where the fishing is said to be amazing and the parking lot reflected it’s popularity.

So it’s on to Vallecito Lake outside Bayfield, Colorado.  Specifically Pine Point USFS Campground.  The search for paddling opportunities continues.

JUNE 2021… PRAY FOR RAIN!  PLEASE WE BEG YOU…

Navajo Lake was a last minute reservation to escape the southern heat. SUCCESS, the sites had shelter, access to water and good Marina. Not many marked trails but you can still explore. Temps were good with the breeze to help. From June 1-11-22. 

Active campgrounds.

We spent two nights here. I think I would’ve chosen the loop with campsites 1 through 19 instead of the other loop that we stayed at. We were in campsite 26 and it was a little difficult to get our trailer into it because we had to back uphill. Also, the other loop most likely would have a view overlooking the lake more. The showers were very nice and they do have a dump station. My only complaint I guess would be the road in from the main highway was pretty rough and had lots of potholes. That road is about 17 miles long.

Photos of Sims Mesa Campground — Navajo Lake State Park

Real photos from real campers