New Mexico RV Camping and Campgrounds

Recreational Vehicle Camping 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.

Free camping ideas follow New Mexico RV camping resources.

New Mexico Resources for RV Camping Information

• Private RV Parks - Research tools for finding RV parks and campgrounds in New Mexico.

• National Park Service - NPS information about camping at National Parks, National Monuments, and National Historic Parks located in New Mexico.
• US Forest Service - USFS information about the five separate National Forests located in New Mexico. Free dispersed camping (boondocking), and developed campgrounds are available.
• Bureau of Land Management - BLM information about camping and outdoor recreation in New Mexico.
• US Army Corps of Engineers - USACE/COE information about dam and lake projects with RV camping in New Mexico
• US Fish and Wildlife Service - FWS information about camping at National Wildlife Refuges in New Mexico.  Not all refuges allow camping.

• New Mexico State Tourism Website - Where to go, and what to do.  Includes campgrounds.
• State Parks - Information about camping in the many state parks in New Mexico.
• New Mexico Game & Fish - Information about New Mexico wildlife management areas. Many areas have designated camping areas.

• Camping Reservations - New Mexico Federal Campground Reservations

• Current Weather - From the National Weather Service
• Historical Weather - Know what to pack. Includes monthly average highs, lows, mean temperature,GPS location and elevation.

• RV Dump Stations
  

• RVDumps.com - Places to dump in New Mexico.
• Sanidumps.com - Dump stations listed by town in New Mexico.

RV Camping pages with more 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.
• BLM (Bureau of Land Management) - Vast areas of the western USA are available for free RV camping on lands managed by the BLM. Rules and policies about recreation and 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.
• 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.

We recommend the New Mexico Atlas and Gazetteer to help find RV camping locations. This New Mexico topographic atlas offers comprehensive detail including trails, back country roads, lakes and streams, boat ramps, forests, wetlands, campgrounds, public lands, and hunting and fishing locations. Information about family trips, wilderness outing possibilities, and more are included. Put that together with DeLorme Topo 6.0 Software and you have a versatile set of tools to find RV camping sites all across New Mexico.

New Mexico Free Camping

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

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

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

LOVING

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

The Fort Stanton Recreation Area is open to free dispersed camping (boondocking).

MAGDALENA

The USDA Magdalena Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest offers 5 free developed campgrounds. Three campgrounds are near Magdalena.

MANZANO

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

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.

More Free Camping Ideas

• 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.
• Casinos - Most casinos allow free RV camping. As with all private property, this is not always true.
• 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 - New Mexico 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.

New Mexico Public Campgrounds

COLUMBUS

Located near the border with Mexico, Poncho State Park offers camping, picnicking, hiking, historic buildings and history, and wildlife viewing.

DEMMING

City Of Rocks State Park offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, picnicking, star gazing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.

FARMINGTON

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

Ute Lake State Park offers RV camping, hiking, boating, picnicking, fishing, water skiing, sailing, and wildlife viewing.

PENA BLANCA

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

• The Pinon Campground offers outdoor recreation activities for the whole family. Dump station, water, fishing, boating, hiking and more. First come, first serve.
• The popular Juniper Campground offers RV camping with dump station, water, and trash.

RATON

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.