New Mexico in southwest US is the 36th most populated state in the country. While Albuquerque is its largest city, Santa Fe is its capital.
A beautiful mountain state, New Mexico is well-known for its blend of cultures. It is highly popular for the adventurous nature views, outdoor recreation, desert & mountainous terrain, fine arts, and lip-smacking regional cuisine.
Camping in New Mexico is a phenomenal experience, especially with its star-studded skies at night. The giant & deep canyons and striking landscapes are extremely spellbinding.
Top 12 Camping Destinations in New Mexico
1. Aguirre Spring Campground, Las Cruces
Sitting on the eastern edge of the Organ Mountains., it boasts 57 individual campsites and two group sites. You can enjoy several activities like mountain biking, animal watching, hiking, and horseback riding here.
2. Cherry Creek Campground, Silver City
This horizontal and slanting region is surrounded by overgrown conifer trees, rusty oaks, golden asp trees, and sumac in brilliant red. It comprises 12 sites for RVs and tents. It is popular for biking, horse riding, sailing, water skiing, and more.
3. Cimarron Canyon State Park near Eagle Nest
This site boasts spectacular landscapes, streams, waterfalls, and rivers. It sits on the Eastern end of the Eagle Nest village. Tourists can enjoy activities like hiking in summers, snowshoeing in winters, fishing, camping, and bird watching.
4. City of Rocks State Park, Faywood
Located near Deming, this park is famous for carved rock formations amidst the Chihuahua Desert. It has 52 formulated campsites, and people can engage in hiking, picnicking, and rock climbing, alongside stargazing and enjoying the wildlife.
5. Elephant Rock Campground, Red River
Situated right next to the Red River at about 8,400 feet above the sea level, this site features 20 individual camping sites. The river offers easy access to fishing, swimming, and boating activities. RV camping is also available at these campgrounds.
6. Heron Lake State Park, Los Ojos
This state park surrounds the vast and picturesque Heron Lake. Camping facilities here include yurts and group shelters. Campers can indulge in outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, sailing, and hiking.
7. Navajo Lake State Park, Navajo Dam
It is the 2nd largest lake in New Mexico and comprises 3 recreation regions. It comprises 2 marinas, several campgrounds, and 2 boat ports. You can do jet skiing, scuba diving, sailing, camping, water skiing, swimming, and view captivating wildlife.
This state park encompasses the 2nd largest lake in New Mexico and comprises three recreation/camping areas. It is popular for hiking, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, and kayaking.
8. White Sands National Park near Las Cruces
Sitting on the northern side of Chihuahua desert, this national park is known for its massive gypsum dunes. Backpackers can camp overnight in the park and relax on its white sand while stargazing and listening to nocturnal desert sounds.
9. Cibola National Forest, Albuquerque
The Cibola National Forest is divided into four ranger districts and four forest regions. The recreation activities it offers include camping, hiking, skiing, picnicking, backpacking, hunting, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
10. Columbine Campground, Red River
Nestled between Questa and Red River, the Columbine Campground has 26 RV sites and tents for backpackers and overnight campers. Leisure activities offered here are hiking, fishing in the Red River, and wildlife watching , amongst others.
11. Santa Fe National Forest, Los Alamos
It is amongst the top five National forests in New Mexico and located on the north side of the state. It is known for recreations like cross-country skiing and downhill skiing, mountain biking, camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing.
12. Morphy Lake State Park, Mora
This is a pristine campground located right next to the scenic Morphy Lake. The campground boasts 24 campsites with picnic tables and a fire ring. Indulge in hiking, boating, fishing, and swimming while at the Morphy Lake State Park.