Bluewater Lake

HC 61 Box 43, Ramah, NM, 87321, USA

Discover a hidden gem where history meets wilderness at El Morro Campground, a peaceful retreat nestled within El Morro National Monument. This intimate, year-round campground offers nine thoughtfully designed sites, each equipped with a graveled tent pad, sturdy picnic table, and traditional fire ring—all completely free of charge. Here, beneath star-filled skies and surrounded by ancient landscapes, you'll find the perfect basecamp for exploring centuries of human stories etched in stone and the timeless beauty of the high desert.

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

Tucked away in the enchanting Zuni Mountains, Ojo Redondo Campground offers a serene escape where pristine wilderness meets modern comfort. This intimate campground provides a peaceful retreat for those seeking solitude among towering pines and crystal-clear mountain air. With easy access to winding trails, scenic service roads, and the sparkling waters of nearby Bluewater Lake, it serves as your perfect basecamp for high-country adventures.

10 miles northeast of Grants, NM (Specific road address not provided)

Nestled among towering Ponderosa pines at 7,437 feet, Lobo Canyon Picnic Ground offers a serene mountain retreat where history meets natural beauty. While primarily designed for day-use picnicking rather than overnight camping, this enchanting spot invites visitors to relax beneath a canopy of pines, piñons, and junipers. The centerpiece of the grounds is a charming group picnic area, lovingly crafted by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, where countless families have gathered to share meals and create memories for nearly a century.

1800 LOBO CANYON RD, GRANTS, NM, USA 87020

Escape to the tranquil embrace of Coal Mine Campground, where the whisper of wind through towering pines replaces the din of daily life. Tucked away in the heart of Cibola National Forest, this hidden gem welcomes adventurers seeking authentic wilderness experiences. Your basecamp features thoughtfully spaced non-electric sites perfect for tent camping and cozy small RVs, each equipped with sturdy picnic tables and fire pits complete with grills for memorable outdoor meals. While the campground's vault toilets provide necessary conveniences, the absence of drinking water encourages a true back-to-basics experience—so pack your water containers and embrace the simplicity of forest living.

Cibola National Forest and Grasslands

Nestled in the Zuni Mountains where echoes of the past meet pristine wilderness, McGaffey Campground stands as a testament to both history and natural beauty. This expansive campground, the crown jewel of the Mt. Taylor Ranger District since 1937, occupies the grounds of a once-bustling railroad logging town. At 8,000 feet above sea level, towering ponderosa pines cast cooling shadows across well-maintained sites, while miles of hiking and biking trails beckon adventurers to explore the surrounding landscape. As visitor Lou Boyd notes, the abundance of trails makes this a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts seeking their next mountain adventure.

HC 61 Box 43, Ramah, NM, 87321, USA

1800 LOBO CANYON RD, GRANTS, NM, USA 87020

Cibola National Forest and Grasslands

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

10 miles northeast of Grants, NM (Specific road address not provided)

15 Entrance Rd, Los Alamos, NM, 87544

Nestled within the breathtaking Bandelier National Monument, Juniper Family Campground offers adventurers the perfect gateway to explore the ancient wonders of the Pajarito Plateau and the majestic Jemez Mountains. This beloved campground features three distinct camping loops, where families and outdoor enthusiasts can choose between the spontaneity of first-come, first-served sites or the peace of mind that comes with advance reservations. From your tent or RV, you'll wake to crisp mountain air and endless possibilities for discovery in north-central New Mexico's most treasured landscapes.

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

Escape to Dipping Vat Campground, where the pristine waters of Snow Lake mirror the sky and ancient pines whisper stories of the wilderness. Tucked into the western shores of this mountain gem in the Gila National Forest, this secluded retreat offers adventurers the perfect basecamp for fishing expeditions, lakeside hiking, and peaceful paddling. The thoughtfully designed upper and lower loops provide generous spacing between sites, ensuring each camping party enjoys their own private slice of mountain paradise.

South Fork Campground, Lincoln National Forest, Smokey Bear Ranger District, New Mexico

Nestled within the enchanting Smokey Bear Ranger District of Lincoln National Forest, South Fork Campground offers an unforgettable escape into New Mexico's mountain wilderness. Here, 53 thoughtfully placed campsites cascade down a scenic mountainside, with some hugging the babbling waters of the South Fork Rio Bonito. Whether you're arriving with an RV or pitching a tent beneath the stars, you'll find yourself perfectly positioned to explore the nearby Bonito Lake and venture into the pristine White Mountain Wilderness. This resilient landscape tells a story of renewal—rising from the ashes of the 2012 Little Bear Fire, the campground has blossomed into a testament to nature's remarkable ability to heal and thrive.

Carson National Forest

Nestled at 8,000 feet where mountain air meets pristine waters, this hidden gem offers four thoughtfully developed campsites alongside endless dispersed camping opportunities. Just west of the New Mexico Game & Fish Recreation Area, anglers and nature enthusiasts discover their own slice of paradise where the river's gentle rhythm sets the pace for unforgettable adventures. Whether you're casting a line into crystal-clear waters or simply soaking in the high-altitude tranquility, this riverside retreat promises the perfect blend of accessibility and wilderness escape.

U.S. Highway 84, approximately 14.5 miles southwest of Canjilon or 15 miles northwest of Abiquiu, NM

Tucked alongside the scenic U.S. Highway 84, Echo Campground offers an intimate escape into nature with 21 thoughtfully placed campsites, including three convenient pull-through spots perfect for smaller rigs. This charming roadside retreat may not have the bells and whistles of modern RV parks, but what it lacks in hookups it more than makes up for in raw natural beauty. The real treasure here is the direct access to the Echo Amphitheater Trail, where adventurers are rewarded with breathtaking vistas of ancient eroded cliffs and sweeping panoramas of the Rio Chama Valley below.

Forest Road 76, off State Highway 518, Carson National Forest, New Mexico

Tucked away in the heart of Carson National Forest, La Junta Canyon invites adventurers to discover 41 thoughtfully placed campsites along the babbling waters of Junta Creek. This 4.5-mile ribbon of wilderness offers both established family sites and secluded dispersed camping spots, perfect for those seeking solitude beneath towering spruce trees. Whether you're pitching a tent under the stars or settling in with a small trailer (up to 36 feet), you'll find yourself immersed in a landscape where gorgeous mountain vistas frame every sunrise and the gentle soundtrack of flowing water accompanies your evening campfire conversations.

Santa Fe National Forest

Nestled at the dramatic base of Winsor Canyon, Cowles Campground offers an enchanting escape into the heart of Santa Fe National Forest. Here, where Winsor Creek dances alongside the mighty Pecos River, campers discover a natural playground perfect for casting fishing lines into crystal-clear mountain waters, exploring scenic hiking trails, or simply savoring peaceful picnics beneath towering pines. The nearby Cowles Ponds mirror the sky while the Winsor Ridge Trailhead beckons adventurers to explore the rugged beauty of New Mexico's high country.

Santa Fe National Forest

Nestled along the pristine waters of a Wild & Scenic River, Rio Chama Campground offers an intimate retreat with just ten thoughtfully spaced campsites. Each site invites you to gather around your own campfire ring and enjoy meals at a dedicated picnic table, creating the perfect setting for memorable outdoor experiences. While the campground welcomes smaller RVs (up to 20 feet at select sites), this rustic haven embraces a back-to-basics approach—you'll need to bring your own water and won't find hookups, ensuring an authentic connection with nature.

Santa Fe National Forest

Escape to Rio Chama, a hidden gem nestled along the pristine waters of the Rio Chama Wild & Scenic River. This no-fee developed campground welcomes adventurers without the hassle of reservations, offering the perfect spontaneous getaway for families, groups, and RV enthusiasts alike. Wake up to the gentle sounds of the river just steps from your campsite, spend your days casting lines into crystal-clear waters, exploring scenic hiking trails, or simply relaxing by the water's edge. Whether you're seeking a weekend of outdoor recreation or a peaceful riverside retreat, Rio Chama provides an authentic camping experience where the river's rhythm sets the pace for your stay.

6158 U.S. Highway 380

Where ancient volcanic forces meet modern adventure, Valley of Fires campground offers an otherworldly escape alongside one of North America's youngest lava flows. This remarkable recreation area seamlessly blends rugged natural beauty with thoughtful amenities, welcoming both RV travelers and tent campers to experience the raw power of the Malpais Lava Flow. Well-appointed facilities include refreshing showers, shaded picnic shelters perfect for desert dining, and an interpretive nature trail that winds through this volcanic wonderland, revealing secrets written in stone thousands of years ago.