James Canyon Campground

Star4.54
70 reviews
James Canyon Campground, US 82, Mayhill, NM

Quick Facts

6,800 ft

Price

Free

Booking

First-Come

Sites

5 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens Lincoln National Forest site

Official Website
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James Canyon Campground
$0.00 - $0.00 / night
Campsite Fees
No fee. James Canyon Campground is a free site.
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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What Campers Say

4.54

Top-Rated

Based on 70 reviews

64 Google reviews

Most mentioned

clean

Some mention

noise

"James Canyon Campground is praised for its free access, cleanliness, and basic amenities. Proximity to the road is often noted, with some campers mentioning road noise while others found the location convenient. It is a popular stop for overnight stays and shorter visits rather than extended camping trips."

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Campground Map

James Canyon Campground, US 82, Mayhill, NM

James Canyon Campground

James Canyon Campground, US 82, Mayhill, NM

Driving directionsFrom Cloudcroft, take US 82 16.5 miles east towards Mayhill, NM. James Canyon Campground is located 2 miles before Mayhill. There will be a pull-off on US 82 to access the campground.
Easy access directly off US 82. "Right off a main road so can be noisy but for a free campsite, can't complain at all!" (User review by BahHumBang Audio).
Nearby places
Mayhill (2 miles, approximately 5 minutes), Cloudcroft (16.5 miles, approximately 20 minutes).
Nearby supplies
General store, gas station, and two restaurants are located about 1 mile from the campground in Mayhill.

Best Time to Camp at James Canyon Campground

James Canyon's moderate elevation creates a unique microclimate that extends the camping season well into autumn. While the lower altitude brings milder temperatures than its high-mountain neighbors, the canyon can channel impressive winds, particularly during fall months. As one seasoned visitor, Tia Christensen, advises: 'We went in the fall and it was pretty windy, so bring extra jackets!' The shoulder seasons here offer spectacular weather windows when higher elevations are already dusted with snow.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Tall pines and group shade structure provide cooling; accessible free sites for summer stops.

Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5

Lower elevation extends season into autumn; reviewers favor cooler months and fall visits.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.5 / 5

Lush understory and milder temps suggest pleasant spring visits, though specifics are limited.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Open year-round and occasional snow reported, but not promoted as a winter-sports site.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: No explicit peak season; open year-round.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open year-round.

About James Canyon Campground

Tucked away just west of Mayhill in the Lincoln National Forest, James Canyon Campground offers an intimate escape with just five secluded campsites. This hidden gem provides the perfect balance of comfort and wilderness, featuring picnic tables at each site, warming fire rings for evening gatherings, and a convenient vault toilet. A welcoming group shade structure offers respite from the sun, making it ideal for small gatherings. While the campground welcomes RVs, the winding forest roads limit vehicle length to 16 feet, preserving the site's intimate character.
The campground includes primitive camping options suitable for tents and small RVs up to 16 feet in length. There are a total of 5 sites, with 2 accessible by vehicle and the rest requiring access via a footbridge.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
No check-in time specified.
Check-out
No check-out time specified.
Stay Limit
No explicit limit mentioned.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The primary activity at James Canyon Campground is picnicking. Campers have also enjoyed wildlife viewing and stargazing. Hiking, fishing, and other activities are not explicitly mentioned.
Wildlife viewingCampers have reported seeing owls and other wildlife, making it a pleasant spot for wildlife enthusiasts.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include close proximity to the road. "Right next to the road going through the forest." (User review by Steven Long). Windy conditions and lack of firewood for gathering noted by users.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

Weather at James Canyon Campground

Reviews

4.5
70 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
James Canyon Campground is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
James Canyon Campground is praised for its free access, cleanliness, and basic amenities. Proximity to the road is often noted, with some campers mentioning road noise while others found the location convenient. It is a popular stop for overnight stays and shorter visits rather than extended camping trips.
Review Summaries
Based on 70 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive feedback includes the clean vault toilets, presence of picnic tables and fire rings, and the tranquil environment. Campers appreciated the free access and the site's suitability for quick...
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Based on 70 reviews

Common Concerns

Common complaints involve road noise due to the campground's proximity to US 82, limited parking availability, and the lack of potable water. Some users also noted the windy conditions and the need...
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Based on 70 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Campers recommend bringing extra toilet paper, as the vault toilets may lack it. Given the windy conditions, extra layers are advised. Also, as potable water is not available, campers should bring...
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Based on 70 reviews

Seasonal Insights

The campground is open year-round and favored during cooler months due to its lower elevation of 6,800 feet, which remains snow-free longer than higher-elevation sites. Fall visitors noted windier...
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Based on 70 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Right off a main road so can be noisy but for a free campsite, can't complain at all!" - BahHumBang Audio. "Awesome and clean bathrooms also. I don't know if it would be great for a multiple-day...
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Based on 70 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

The campground offers 5 sites, with 2 accessible by vehicle and the remainder across a footbridge. Reviews suggest that the sites accessed by the footbridge may provide more privacy and tranquility.
Based on 70 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility reviews are not provided in the source materials.
Based on 70 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pet policies are not explicitly mentioned, but one user noted plenty of walking areas for pets.
Based on 70 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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