New Mexico RV Camping And Campgrounds

Great RV Camping Locations

RV Camping and Campgrounds In New Mexico

There are great RV camping opportunities in the "Land Of Enchantment". Whether you are looking for Extra Terrestrials near Roswell, or ancient history near Chaco Canyon, New Mexico offers the RVer just about every type of camping opportunity and activity imaginable. US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has several water containment projects with camping available, and National and State parks offer great RV camping destinations.

New Mexico Private RV Parks and Campgrounds

Private RV Parks - Research tool for finding the best private RV parks and campgrounds in New Mexico.

Federal RV Camping Information

National Park Service - NPS information about camping on National Park Service administered lands in New Mexico. Great RV camping locations from Carlsbad Caverns National Park to the remote Chaco Canyon Heritage Area.
US Forest Service - USFS information about National Forests in New Mexico. Dispersed camping is encouraged, and many developed campgrounds are perfect RV camping destinations.
Bureau of Land Management - BLM information about BLM administered lands in New Mexico. Dispersed camping is encouraged, and developed recreation areas have numerous RV camping sites.
US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about Corps lakes and campgrounds in New Mexico.
US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about National Wildlife Refuges in New Mexico. Not all locations allow RV camping, so check regulations for each NWR.

State RV Camping Information

New Mexico State Parks - Mountain and desert campgrounds offer great RV camping sites.
New Mexico Department Of Fish And Game - Information about New Mexico Wildlife Areas. Many allow RV camping.
New Mexico State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do in New Mexico. Includes RV camping suggestions.

Campground Reservations

Camping Reservations - Make your New Mexico State and Federal campground reservation in advance and your campsite will be waiting for you when you arrive.

New Mexico RV Dump Stations

RVDumps.com - Places to dump in New Mexico.
Sanidumps.com - New Mexico RV dumps listed by town.

New Mexico Free RV Camping And Boondocking

Free RV camping and parking is available throughout New Mexico. National Forest and BLM administered lands offer "dispersed camping". This term is often referred to as "boondocking", but what it means is that you can camp anywhere on public lands for free unless otherwise restricted. Restriction reasons can be for protection of wildlife, delicate resources, heavily used areas etc. Areas closed to camping are signed, but if you are unsure or wish to verify dispersed camping areas, contact the local USFS (US Forest Service) Ranger District, or BLM (Bureau of Land Management) Field Office for details. The following list is only an example of free camping locations in New Mexico.

CEBOLLA Cebolla RV Camping Location Map
The Trout Lakes Campground offers smaller RV's and tenters 3 lakes for fishing and other outdoor recreation activities. 12 campsites but no potable water available.

FARMINGTON Farmington RV Location Map
The Angel Peak Recreation Area offers free RV camping and other outdoor recreation activities. Vault Toilets and trash containers are available

LOVING Loving RV Camping Location Map
The Pecos River Corridor Recreation Area offers free dispersed camping (boondocking) along the Pecos River, north of Loving to the New Mexico/Texas state line. Public land in the corridor is intermingled with private and state land, so please obtain a map and respect private property.

LINCOLN Lincoln RV Camping Location Map
The Fort Stanton Recreation Area is open to free dispersed camping (boondocking).

MAGDALENA Magdalena RV Camping Location Map
The USDA Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest offers 5 free developed campgrounds. Three campgrounds are near Magdalena.

MANZANO Manzano RV Camping Location Map
Three free campgrounds are available near Manzano managed by the USDA Cibola National forest. 56 campsites are available between the three campgrounds. Rough Road.

THOREAU Thoreau RV Camping Location Map
26 miles south of Thoreau is the remotely located Ojo Redondo Campground. 15 campsites are available for RV camping. May not be suitable for large recreational vehicles.

New Mexico Public Campgrounds

Public campgrounds in New Mexico are located in beautiful and historic areas. State and federal campgrounds offer facilities from primitive to full RV hookup sites. The following list is only and example of the available public campgrounds available in New Mexico.

COLUMBUS Columbus RV Camping Location Map
Located near the border with Mexico, Poncho Villa State Park offers camping, picnicking, hiking, historic buildings and history, and wildlife viewing.

DEMMING Demming RV Camping Location Map
City Of Rocks State Park offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, star gazing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

FARMINGTON Farmington RV Camping Location Map
The Chaco Culture National Historical Park offers camping. This area is also a World Heritage Site with ruins of Puebloan peoples from around 850 to 1250 AD.

LOGAN Logan RV Camping Location Map
Ute Lake State Park offers RV camping, hiking, boating, picnicking, fishing, water skiing, sailing, and wildlife viewing.

PENA BLANCA Pena Blanca RV Camping Locaton Map
Cochiti Lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE/COE). The lake is on Indian Lands, and is formed by one of the largest earth dams in the USA. Dump station, and pull thru campsites.

QUEMADO Quemado RV Camping Location Map

The Juniper Campground offers RV camping with dump station, water, and trash.

RATON Raton RV Camping Location Map
RV camping is available at Sugarite State Park. Picnicking, fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing are only some of the outdoor recreation activities available for the whole family.

Public lands offer great RV camping in New Mexico. State, Federal, and private campgrounds have basic service campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, to full hookup RV resorts. Use the links to the public lands websites above for specific information about camping and public lands access. Research and explore, and you should have no trouble finding the best campsites.

RV Camping In The Teton Mountains,

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Federal Public Land
RV Camping Information

USFS (US Forest Service) - Describes USFS policies and rules about RV camping. Information about dispersed camping, and tips on how to find great free RV camping sites.

NPS (National Park Service) - General information about RV camping and campgrounds in US National Parks. With campgrounds in the most historic and scenic places in the country, the NPS offers some of the best places for RV camping.

USACE/COE (US Army Corp of Engineers) - USACE (perhaps better know as COE) manages water recreation areas throughout the USA. Information about finding USACE lakes, RV camping possibilities, and rules and policies for use of these water based recreation areas is included.

BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Located throughout the western USA, BLM managed lands offer great camping locations. Developed campgrounds, and almost unlimited dispersed camping opportunites await you.

Free Overnight Parking Ideas

Here's a list of places to consider when looking for a free overnight RV camping or parking location in New Mexico. We always recommend asking for overnight RV parking permission when looking for a free spot to spend the night. The smaller your RV, the better chances you will have finding places to stay if you choose not to ask permission. If you don't ask permission, you end up "sneaking" into places and hoping nobody bothers you or issues you a trespassing ticket before you move on.

Be smart and Be Safe...Ask Permission.

Truck Stops - Asking permission is usually not a requirement Be considerate of the big rigs!
Walmart - Not all stores allow overnight RV parking in New Mexico due to city ordinances. Check store for policy.
Nightclubs - Had one too many or just pretending?
Grain Elevators - Ask where you can park your RV out of the way for the night.
Fraternal Organizations - VFW, Elks etc. may allow members free overnight RV camping.
Cemetery - Sounds creepy to us, but we've also heard they may have water available.
Fairgrounds - State and County facilities may allow RV camping when not otherwise in use.
Parks - City, County, State, and Community parks often have free RV camping.
Churches - You can almost make "reservations" by calling ahead for permission.
Hotel Parking Lots - Assuming a nightclub/bar is inside, had one too many or just pretending?
Truck Terminals - Parking areas for large trucks might allow you free RV camping permission.
RV Dealers - Pretty brave to us, but you could fit right in.
Cracker Barrel - These nationwide restaurants usually allow free overnight RV parking.
Movie Theaters - Too tired to drive home after the late show?
Highway Rest Areas - All rest areas allow a few hours of free RV parking, but noisy.
Drive In Movies - Got a small RV, park in the back row and enjoy the show. Fell asleep by accident right?
Vehicle Repair Shops - Need to see the repairman first thing in the morning?
Big Box Retailers - Kmart, Best Buy, Sams Club often allow free RV camping.
Roadside Parks & Picnic Areas - The early day version of the rest area.

As you can see, there are a lot of free RV camping and parking possibilities in New Mexico. If you are not asking permission, it's best to keep a very low profile. If your RV has slide outs, jacks and TV antennas, don't use them so as not to draw attention to yourself. Consider your surroundings carefully and if you feel uncomfortable with the area, move somewhere else.