How much does camping cost at Armijo Springs Campground?

Camping fees at Armijo Springs Campground range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Fees are typically paid at the campground entrance.

Is Armijo Springs Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Armijo Springs Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

What is the best time to visit Armijo Springs Campground?

Armijo Springs Campground is open .. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Armijo Springs Campground?

Armijo Springs Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Can I have a campfire at Armijo Springs Campground?

Fire policies at Armijo Springs Campground: No specific rules regarding campfires are detailed in the source.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Armijo Springs Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Armijo Springs Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Armijo Springs Campground?

Armijo Springs Campground offers: Restrooms, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Armijo Springs Campground?

Popular activities at Armijo Springs Campground include Hiking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Armijo Springs Campground

3.69

13 reviews

Featured in:Hiking Camping New Mexico

Quick Facts

7,850 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Quick Facts

7,850 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

Get Directions

Armijo Springs Campground

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

The campground is free for use. It does not require any fees for camping.

No paid fee categories listed.

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USFS

Provider

575-388-8201.

I manage this campground

Plan a trip to Armijo Springs Campground

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Campground Map

Armijo Springs Campground

Nearby places

Quemado (18 miles south, approximate travel time not specified), Apache Creek (distance and time unspecified)

Nearby supplies

Quemado and Apache Creek have gas stations and small general stores providing basic supplies.

Driving directionsFrom Quemado go south on New Mexico Highway 32 approximately 18 miles to Forest Road 854. Go east approximately 4 miles. Forest Road 854 is not well marked on Highway 32 but a large brown sign for the campground is visible to the east of the intersection.

Forest Road 854 leading to the campground is not well-marked off Highway 32, but a large brown sign helps with navigation. Users need to be aware of this. The road conditions are not elaborated upon in the source.

Weather at Armijo Springs Campground

Best Time to Camp at Armijo Springs Campground

Fall delivers the most reliable conditions: daytime highs in the mid-40s to low-70s°F, nights dropping into the 20s and 30s. The ponderosa and oak mix shows subtle golden and russet tones, and deer become more active. Temperature swings can be dramatic year-round at this elevation. Campers report drops of 30 degrees in two hours as evening sets in, so pack layers even if afternoons feel warm. Humidity stays low, and bugs are less of an issue in fall.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Pine/oak canopy keeps a cool microclimate making summer visits pleasant.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: .. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Year-round

About Armijo Springs Campground

Armijo Springs Campground sits at 7,850 feet in Gila National Forest, where ponderosa pines and oaks create a shaded mountain retreat. The campground stays lightly trafficked and offers primitive tent sites with vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Groups sometimes use the area for volleyball and horseshoes. Campers consistently mention having the place to themselves.

Armijo Springs Campground accommodates both primitive and group camping. It is primarily designed for a secluded, rustic camping experience.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the most reliable conditions: daytime highs in the mid-40s to low-70s°F, nights dropping into the 20s and 30s. The ponderosa and oak mix shows subtle golden and russet tones, and deer become more active. Temperature swings can be dramatic year-round at this elevation. Campers report drops of 30 degrees in two hours as evening sets in, so pack layers even if afternoons feel warm. Humidity stays low, and bugs are less of an issue in fall.

ElevationPerched at 7,850 feet above sea level, Armijo Springs occupies that sweet spot where the air turns crisp and clean, and every breath feels like a gift from the mountains. This impressive elevation creates a natural climate refuge, where evening temperatures drop dramatically, painting breath in the air and inviting campers to gather around warming fires under brilliant star-studded skies.

Natural Features and SceneryThe campground occupies a secluded pocket where ponderosa pines mix with oak trees, creating multiple layers of shade. This combination maintains a cool microclimate even when valley temperatures climb. A natural spring flows nearby. The pine and oak canopy filters light across the forest floor, and the elevation keeps the air noticeably fresher than lower elevations around Quemado.

Geological RegionNestled within a secluded pocket of ponderosa pine forest, Armijo Springs occupies a unique ecological niche where majestic pines mingle with hardy oak trees. This diverse woodland creates multiple layers of shade and shelter, from the towering pine crowns to the spreading oak branches below. The interplay of these species maintains a naturally cool microclimate, transforming the campground into a refreshing mountain sanctuary where the forest floor stays pleasantly cool even as summer temperatures rise in the valleys below.

Scenic ViewsNo specific scenic views are described in the source.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style or cabin lodging options are available. The campground primarily supports primitive and group camping.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Check-out

Stay Limit

14 days

Guests Allowed Per Site

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable; reservations cannot be made in advance.

Walk-in AvailabilityThe campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Cancellation PolicyNo specific cancellation policy is applicable, as use is free and first-come, first-served.

PrivacyThe campground is described as secluded and lightly trafficked, providing a private experience for most visitors.

Recommended SitesNo specific sites are recommended in the source material.

Amenities available

Potable water is not available at this site.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Armijo Springs Campground offers day hiking, wildlife viewing, horseback riding, and picnicking opportunities. These activities capitalize on the natural surroundings and the serene environment.

Hiking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsThe campground hosts wildlife such as bears, wolves, mountain lions, and coyotes, attracted by improper disposal of food or animal remains. Campers are cautioned to be vigilant.

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 rules regarding campfires are detailed in the source.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are .

Emergency ServicesClosest ranger station: Quemado Ranger District (#3 Lyle Loop, P.O. Box 159 Quemado, NM 87829, Phone: 575-773-4678, Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 4 PM, Closed on federal holidays). Closest hospital and police station information not provided.

Trash & RecyclingThere are no trash or recycling facilities. Campers must pack out all trash.

Water FeaturesA natural spring is located near the site, but campers are advised not to rely on it for water quality or availability.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

3.7

13 reviews

Mixed Reviews

Armijo Springs Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews highlight the campground's seclusion, quietness, and suitability for group activities. Concerns were raised about the cleanliness of the vault toilets and the pack-it-in, pack-it-out trash policy.

Review Summaries

Based on 13 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers appreciated the campground's seclusion and the natural shade provided by ponderosa pines. One user stated, 'We had the place to ourselves,' and another called it the 'best place to camp in...

Based on 13 reviews

Common Concerns

The vault toilets received criticism, with one review describing them as 'the worst vault toilets I encountered on a 3k mile road trip.' Another user mentioned encountering trash left by previous...

Based on 13 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing adequate supplies, including water, as potable water is not available. Another tip was to prepare for dramatic temperature drops at night.

Based on 13 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is open year-round, but seasonal reviews indicate that visitors must be prepared for significant nighttime temperature drops. Winter visits may require preparation for colder...

Based on 13 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'We had the place to ourselves.' - John Farmer 2. 'Awesome campground a few miles off the main road.' - Russell Olivas 3. 'These were the worst vault toilets I encountered on a 3k mile road trip.'...

Based on 13 reviews

Accessibility Features

No user reviews specifically addressed accessibility features.

Based on 13 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but they must be leashed. There are no specific reviews highlighting pet-related experiences.

Based on 13 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Tent campers who pack in all their own water and want a genuinely quiet forest site will likely have this place to themselves, especially in fall when temperatures drop hard at night but the pine-oak mix is at its best and bugs are minimal.

Skip if

The vault toilets have earned harsh reviews, one camper called them the worst on a 3,000-mile road trip, and with no potable water, no cell info, and bears and mountain lions in the area, this is a bad fit for anyone unprepared for true primitive conditions.

Nearby Campgrounds

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(85)

Juniper Campground (Quemado Lake)

Gila National Forest

Juniper Campground sits at 7,712 feet on the shore of Quemado Lake in Gila National Forest, 15 miles south of the town of Quemado. This small US Forest Service campground offers electric hookups, vault toilets, and potable water for tent and RV campers seeking high-elevation alpine scenery. Visitors fish, boat, and paddle the lake, hike and bike nearby trails, and watch for wildlife in the surrounding ponderosa forest.

$15.00 - $25.00 / night

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Pinon Campground (Quemado Lake)

Gila National Forest

Pinon Campground sits at 7,900 feet on the shore of Quemado Lake in Gila National Forest, operated by the US Forest Service. The high-elevation alpine setting draws visitors for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, with spacious sites that can accommodate multiple RVs and tents. Camp hosts provide support during the peak season, and the lakefront location offers osprey sightings and mountain scenery.

$15.00 - $125.00 / night

Piñon Campground sits at 7,900 feet on the shore of Quemado Lake in Gila National Forest, operated by the US Forest Service. The high-elevation setting offers cool summer nights under piñon pines, with spacious sites that serve tent campers, RVs, and groups. Visitors come for lake-centered recreation — boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing — with elk sightings common in early morning hours.

Valle Tio Vinces Campground

#3 Lyle Loop, P.O. Box 159 Quemado, NM 87829

Valle Tio Vinces sits at 8,134 feet along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail in Gila National Forest. The primitive campground has six sites with vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and horse corrals. There's no water or trash service. Pack everything in and out. Verizon gets five bars of 4G here, unusual for the area.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Frequently Visited

4.5

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Apache Creek Campground

5 Smokey Bear Circle, P.O. Box 170, Reserve, NM 87830

Apache Creek Campground sits at 6,431 feet in the northwest corner of Gila National Forest, surrounded by park-like stands of Ponderosa pine and juniper. The 10 sites are spacious, well-spaced, and free on a first-come basis. Elk and deer wander through camp regularly, and there's no cell service.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

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Horse Springs Campground

Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Horse Springs Campground sits at 7,610 feet in the East Fork valley of Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, offering 27 tent sites among ponderosa pines near Alpine. Sites cost $8-16 per night and include vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. The East Fork river runs close enough to hear from most spots.

27 campsites

Tents

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Ojo Redondo Campground

Take Exit 53 at Thoreau and drive south on NM State Highway 612 past Bluewater Lake.

Ojo Redondo Campground sits at 8,900 feet in the Zuni Mountains of Cibola National Forest, southwest of Mt. Sedgwick near Grants. The small campground offers 15 primitive tent sites with picnic tables but no water or trash service. Low visitation means campers often have the place to themselves.

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campgrounds

Gila National Forest

Armijo Springs Campground

From the U.S. Forest Service

Reference information about Armijo Springs Campground sourced from official USFS records and forestcamping.com. View official recreation.gov page →

Overview

A real jewel of a secluded partially developed campground in ponderosa pine.Armijo Springs Campground is a secluded quiet campground off the beaten path, yet it is not too far from Quemado Lake. It is nestled among ponderosa pines and some oak trees which provide shade and make even the hottest summer day cool and bearable. There is a natural spring nearby.This is a good site for a group activity and has room for volleyball and horseshoes.