Tent Campgrounds in New Mexico

Discover the best tent campgrounds across New Mexico. Get back to basics with traditional tent camping. From established sites with amenities to secluded wilderness spots.

20+ Campgrounds4.7★ AverageBest: May-September (peak season)

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Pet-Friendly With Showers Potable Water Flush Toilets Reservable Under $15/night

Featured Campgrounds

Handpicked destinations that define the region

4.7

(204)

Rio De Las Vacas Campground

Cuba
Santa Fe National Forest

Towering ponderosa pines shelter spacious tent pads with level ground, fire rings, and picnic tables along a babbling creek. The vault toilets stay remarkably clean, and attentive hosts help campers settle into sites that balance wilderness solitude with thoughtful amenities.

Cloudcroft
Lincoln National Forest

Towering pines create a secluded mountain sanctuary where groups of up to 120 can pitch tents across spacious, level ground in the Sacramento Mountains.

Canjilon
Carson National Forest

Campsites nestle among pinyon-juniper forest beneath towering sandstone cliffs, offering tent campers well-spaced spots with natural shade and soft ground. Wake to canyon echoes and step directly onto the amphitheater trail, where ancient eroded walls frame sweeping views of the Rio Chama Valley.

Tents

RVs

About Tent Campgrounds in New Mexico

Tent camping in New Mexico offers an unparalleled outdoor experience across some of the Southwest's most diverse and dramatic landscapes. From the ponderosa pine forests of the Jemez Mountains to the high-elevation groves of the Sacramento Mountains, New Mexico's tent camping destinations showcase everything from ancient archaeological sites to pristine mountain streams.

Best Time

The optimal tent camping season in New Mexico varies by elevation, with most mountain campgrounds accessible from late May through September. High-elevation sites above 8,000 feet, including locations in the Sacramento and Sangre de Cristo mountains, typically open in June once snow melts and remain pleasant through early September, offering cool nights perfect for sleeping in tents with temperatures dropping into the 40s.

What Makes It Great

Designated tent pads and flat ground
Fire rings and picnic tables
Varying levels of amenities
Scenic natural settings

More Tent Campgrounds in New Mexico

Discover 17 additional top-rated tent campgrounds in New Mexico

4.7

(218)

Clear Creek Campground (Nm)

Cuba
Santa Fe National Forest

Towering ponderosa pines shelter thoughtfully spaced sites where tent campers find genuine privacy and the constant soundtrack of Clear Creek flowing nearby.

Juniper Campground (Nm)

Los Alamos
Bandelier National Monument

Pine-dotted sites across three loops provide natural shade and separation, with level ground ideal for pitching tents beneath the high desert canopy. Wake to sunrise over ancient cliff dwellings, then walk directly from your tent to explore archaeological trails winding through the Pajarito Plateau.

Dipping Vat Campground

Reserve
Gila National Forest

Spacious sites nestled among towering pines along Snow Lake's shoreline provide tent campers with remarkable privacy and level ground beneath a forest canopy.

Big Tesuque Campground

Santa Fe
Santa Fe National Forest

Walk-in sites nestle among towering aspens along a mountain curve, offering solitude-seekers a rustic retreat where thoughtful spacing ensures privacy between your tent and the nearest neighbor.

Ponderosa
Santa Fe National Forest

Tent campers find level, pine needle-cushioned sites tucked among towering ponderosas, with enough spacing between spots to create a secluded forest retreat high above the Jemez Valley.

Pecos
Santa Fe National Forest

Towering pines shade tent sites where Winsor Creek meets the Pecos River, creating a mountain oasis with the soothing soundtrack of rushing water. Level, soft ground beneath the forest canopy provides natural privacy, while fishing spots and trailheads sit just steps from your tent door.

Mimbres
Gila National Forest

Thoughtfully spaced sites nestle among juniper and pinon trees on a bluff, providing natural privacy screens and soft, pine-needle ground cover with sweeping views of Lake Roberts below.

Three Rivers Campground

Tularosa
Lincoln National Forest

Tent campers find generous spacing between 12 rustic sites beneath Sierra Blanca's dramatic peak, where traditional ramadas cast cooling shadows across level desert ground.

Apache Creek Campground

Reserve
Gila National Forest

Spacious sites nestle beneath towering Ponderosa pines with soft needle carpets that cushion your tent, while generous spacing between spots ensures you'll rarely see your neighbors.

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RVs

Campground Locations

Showing top 20 campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in New Mexico

Map of campgrounds near Tent Campgrounds in New Mexico

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Map Key

Rio De Las Vacas Campground

Upper Fir Group Area

Echo Campground

Clear Creek Campground (Nm)

Juniper Campground (Nm)

Dipping Vat Campground

Big Tesuque Campground

Paliza

Cowles Campground

Mesa Campground

Three Rivers Campground

Apache Creek Campground

Vista Linda Campground

Jacks Creek Group Area

Red Canyon Campground

Datil Well Recreation Area Campground

La Junta Canyon

South Fork Campground

Iron Creek Campground

Rio Chama Campground

View all 132 campgrounds on interactive map

Plan Your Trips

Popular Activities

Tent camping in mountain forests and canyon settingsHiking to archaeological sites and ancient cliff dwellingsTrout fishing in mountain streams and alpine lakesWildlife viewing including elk, deer, and diverse bird speciesStargazing in dark sky locations far from light pollutionPhotography of dramatic landscapes and seasonal changes

Tips & Recommendations

1Reserve popular campgrounds like Juniper at Bandelier National Monument and Clear Creek well in advance through Recreation.gov, especially for summer weekends, though excellent first-come, first-served options like Dipping Vat and Echo Campground often have availability midweek.
2Bring a quality four-season tent or ensure your three-season tent has a robust rainfly—afternoon monsoons from July through August can be intense, and nighttime temperatures at high elevations regularly drop into the 40s even in summer.
3Pack extra tent stakes suitable for rocky soil, as many New Mexico campgrounds have hard, compacted ground that standard stakes cannot penetrate.
4Water availability varies significantly; while campgrounds like Clear Creek and Rio De Las Vacas provide potable water, many remote sites require you to bring sufficient supplies or have filtration systems for treating creek water.

20 campgrounds ranked

Based on real camper reviews

Curated for Tent Campgrounds in New Mexico

Tent Campgrounds in New Mexico FAQ

New Mexico offers 20+ tent-friendly campgrounds. We've ranked them based on site quality, natural setting, amenities, and user reviews.

Tent camping in New Mexico typically costs $15-35 per night at developed campgrounds. Some national forest and primitive sites may be free or under $10 per night.

Essential gear includes a quality tent, sleeping bag rated for New Mexico conditions, sleeping pad, camp stove, and appropriate clothing. Check weather forecasts and pack layers.