Tajique Campground

4.31

31 reviews

40 Ranger Station Rd., Mountainair, NM 87036

Peace & Quiet

Quick Facts

6,800 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Mountainair Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,800 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

6 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Mountainair Ranger District site

Official Website

Get Directions

Tajique Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

There are no fees required at this site; it is free to use.

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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USFS

Provider

505-847-2990

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What Campers Say

4.31

Recommended

Based on 31 reviews

28 Google reviews

Most mentioned

quietcleanwater

"User reviews for Tajique Campground emphasize its seclusion, natural beauty, and basic amenities. Some reviews highlight wildlife encounters and peaceful settings, while others note challenges like rough roads and eerie vibes at night."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

40 Ranger Station Rd., Mountainair, NM 87036

Tajique Campground

40 Ranger Station Rd., Mountainair, NM 87036

Driving directions5 miles west of Tajique via NM 55 & FR 55

"You take a dirt road to get there but whatever you do, DO NOT take the tribal roads if that's where GPS tells you to go; it's a dead end." (User review by Eunice Chico). Roads are generally dirt with rough washboard sections. Review by One Outlander mentions, "Despite having to go 10 miles per hour to get in, we will go there again."

Nearby places

Tajique (5 miles), Mountainair (approx. 25 miles)

Nearby supplies

Closest general supplies likely available in Mountainair, NM, approximately 25 miles away. No specific supply points detailed.

Best Time to Camp at Tajique Campground

Experience the dramatic seasonal transformation at Tajique, where crisp winter days give way to glorious summer warmth. Spring and summer emerge as the golden seasons here, painting the landscape with clear mountain skies and perfectly temperate conditions. Picture yourself waking to cool 50°F mornings that gradually warm to pleasant 75°F afternoons—ideal weather for hiking, wildlife watching, or simply savoring the mountain air. Winter brings its own stark beauty with dry, cold conditions that transform the campground into a peaceful winter wonderland.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

3.0 / 5

Open in summer but creek may dry: 'summer months may bring dry creek conditions.'

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Reviews identify fall as a top season due to comfortable weather and active wildlife.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Spring highlighted as one of the best seasons with comfortable weather and wildlife activity.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.5 / 5

Open year-round at elevation, but no winter services; rough roads may be problematic in snow.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Year-round camping; no specific peak season dates defined.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round.
Current Alerts: Current conditions include reduced or no services, including unserviced restrooms and lack of trash service.

About Tajique Campground

Tucked away in the tranquil embrace of the forest, Tajique Campground offers an intimate escape with just six campsites perched at 6,800 feet near the gentle murmur of Tajique Creek. This hidden gem provides a back-to-basics camping experience with vault restrooms and picnic tables, inviting you to disconnect from the modern world. As one visitor, Eunice Chico, discovered: "This was a very secluded camp ground. We were the only ones there." Pack your water and camping essentials, as this rustic retreat operates without potable water or trash services, ensuring an authentic wilderness experience.

Tajique Campground offers primitive camping with six units, no trailers allowed, and sites that may require a small hike for added seclusion.

Weather and SeasonsExperience the dramatic seasonal transformation at Tajique, where crisp winter days give way to glorious summer warmth. Spring and summer emerge as the golden seasons here, painting the landscape with clear mountain skies and perfectly temperate conditions. Picture yourself waking to cool 50°F mornings that gradually warm to pleasant 75°F afternoons—ideal weather for hiking, wildlife watching, or simply savoring the mountain air. Winter brings its own stark beauty with dry, cold conditions that transform the campground into a peaceful winter wonderland.

ElevationAt 6,800 feet above sea level, Tajique Campground sits in that sweet spot of mountain elevation where the air feels crisp and clean. While the thinner atmosphere at this altitude creates spectacular star-filled nights, visitors coming from lower elevations should take it easy their first day to acclimate. The elevation gifts campers with cooler temperatures even during summer months and that distinctive mountain atmosphere that makes every breath feel refreshing.

Natural Features and SceneryTajique Campground weaves a tapestry of sensory delights, from the whisper of wind through towering forest canopies to the melodic cascade of a nearby waterfall that serenades campers through the night. As one enchanted visitor noted, "At night you can hear the small waterfall just upstream." Wildlife enthusiasts will delight in frequent deer sightings among the trees, with Eunice Chico sharing, "It is a beautiful area; we saw many deer." The creek's gentle presence adds a soothing soundtrack to your stay, while the surrounding forest creates a natural amphitheater of peace and solitude.

Geological RegionNestled within the vast expanse of Cibola National Forest and Grasslands, Tajique Campground showcases the diverse ecosystem where mountain forests meet high-altitude meadows at 6,800 feet. The landscape tells an ancient story through its geological features, with Tajique Creek carving its patient path through the terrain. The forest canopy shelters a rich community of flora and fauna, from towering conifers to graceful deer that move like shadows through the undergrowth. This corner of the Cibola offers a perfect snapshot of New Mexico's mountain wilderness, where every trail promises discovery and every sunset paints the forest in golden hues.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

24/7 access
no specified check-in time.

Check-out

24/7 access
no specified check-out time.

Stay Limit

No maximum stay limit specified.

Guests Allowed Per Site

No specific number of guests per site noted.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutThe campground consists of six individual campsites, some located near the road and others further back requiring a short hike for added seclusion.

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable as reservations are not required.

Walk-in AvailabilityAll sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. User reviews suggest that the campground is often sparsely populated or empty, "We were the only ones there. Almost seems as though it's abandoned." (Review by Eunice Chico).

Cancellation PolicyNo reservations are required; therefore, no cancellation policies apply.

Site SizeSmall (6 unit) site

PrivacyReviews indicate a secluded environment with some campsites offering even more privacy after a small hike. 'We were the only ones there. Almost seems as though it's abandoned,' one reviewer noted.

Total Campsites6 campsites

Recommended SitesSites near the creek offer a peaceful ambiance with the sound of a waterfall and added privacy. Some sites require a short hike for more seclusion: "Some near the road and others you have to take a small hike to for even more secludedness." (Review by Eunice Chico).

Amenities available

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Recreational opportunities at Tajique Campground include picnicking and scenic driving. Reviews highlight the area's natural beauty and opportunities to observe wildlife.

Wildlife viewingSeveral reviews mention the presence of wildlife, including deer. One user wrote, 'It is a beautiful area, we saw many deer.'

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include rough dirt roads and seasonal dryness of the creek. Wildlife such as deer and occasional reports of "Moth Man" (Review by P N) could be concerning to some.

Active AlertsCurrent conditions include reduced or no services, including unserviced restrooms and lack of trash service.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Fire PolicyNo specific campfire policies detailed.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are No designated quiet hours mentioned.

Emergency ServicesMountainair Ranger District (Address: 40 Ranger Station Rd., Mountainair, NM 87036, Phone: 505-847-2990). Operating hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m. Closed on federal holidays.

Trash & RecyclingCampers must prepare for limited or no trash service. One reviewer noted, 'Be prepared for no trash service.'

Water FeaturesTajique Creek runs near the campground with a small waterfall that is audible at night. "At night you can hear the small waterfall just upstream." (Review by a carriere).

Camp HostNo information regarding campground hosts.

Weather at Tajique Campground

Reviews

4.3

31 reviews

Recommended

Tajique Campground is recommended, placing it in the top 40% of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews for Tajique Campground emphasize its seclusion, natural beauty, and basic amenities. Some reviews highlight wildlife encounters and peaceful settings, while others note challenges like rough roads and eerie vibes at night.

Review Summaries

Based on 31 reviews

What Campers Love

1. Secluded and quiet: 'This was a very secluded camp ground. We were the only ones there.' 2. Wildlife presence: 'We saw many deer.' 3. Aesthetic appeal: 'Beautiful clean campground' and 'Pretty...

Based on 31 reviews

Common Concerns

1. Eerie feelings: 'General unease scared I won't make it through the night.' 2. Rough roads: 'The roads - not so much. Rough washboard dirt road. Despite having to go 10 miles per hour to get in.'...

Based on 31 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

'Do not take the tribal roads if that's where GPS tells you to go, it's a dead end,' and 'some campsites near the road, others require a small hike for added seclusion.'

Based on 31 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Spring and fall appear to be the best seasons for visits due to comfortable weather and active wildlife. Summer months may bring dry creek conditions, as one review noted, 'At some point there is a...

Based on 31 reviews

Camper Quotes

'At night you can hear the small waterfall just upstream.' 'Campsites to choose from. Some near the road and others you have to take a small hike to for even more secludedness.' 'Nice site. Not very...

Based on 31 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

'The site near the road' was less desirable compared to 'a really nice area on the other side of the stream that has a picnic table,' according to one reviewer.

Based on 31 reviews

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Last updated February 2, 2026

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