Best Campgrounds near Santa Fe, NM

Camping options around Santa Fe, New Mexico range from free dispersed sites on public lands to full-service RV parks and campgrounds. The Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite offers primitive camping on Bureau of Land Management land north of the city, while established campgrounds like Santa Fe KOA and Los Sueños de Santa Fe RV Park provide amenities including hookups, showers, and toilets. Several campgrounds are conveniently located within city limits, making them ideal bases for exploring the historic downtown area, while dispersed camping opportunities exist in the surrounding Santa Fe National Forest.

The camping season in this high desert region extends year-round at many sites, though higher elevation areas may close during winter months. Road conditions vary significantly between developed and dispersed camping areas. "We loved it. Very spacious. Fire pits here and there," noted one visitor about the Santa Fe BLM dispersed camping area. Many dispersed sites lack amenities like drinking water, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Summer monsoon season (July-September) brings afternoon thunderstorms, while winter brings snow at higher elevations. Fire restrictions are common during dry periods, and campers should check current regulations before planning campfires.

Location plays a significant role in campground selection, with proximity to downtown Santa Fe being a major consideration for many visitors. Several RV parks within city limits offer convenient access to attractions and services. According to one camper, "Great base camp for checking out SF. Planned on 2 day stay, ended up staying 6. Bike trails are close and awesome." Urban campgrounds typically feature more amenities but come with higher costs and more road noise. Those seeking quiet natural settings may prefer the dispersed camping options in the national forest or on BLM land, though these sites lack amenities and may require high-clearance vehicles to access. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with some also offering cabin rentals.

Best Camping Sites Near Santa Fe, New Mexico (149)

    1. Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed

    42 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    5 miles

    "I often camp by Diablo Canyon, which has wonderful sunsets and decent off trail hiking.  There's even a cave for those who know where to find it. "

    "20 minutes from Santa Fe, super convenient, spread out enough, some good stars at night. Check our other reviews about the left turn."

    2. Santa Fe Skies RV Park

    36 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 473-5946

    $71 - $91 / night

    "Great views all around. About 20 minutes from Santa Fe Plaza. The lots are nice and flat and the hookups are super easy."

    "We enjoyed our stay at Santa Fe Skies.  There is a large building with multiple shower and bathroom stalls so you can take a long shower if you want to."

    3. Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite

    26 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    5 miles

    "Given the area described has piles of trash and little else to recommend it, it seems a shame to be close to gorgeous wilderness and stare at rubbish."

    "Lots of available space and only about a 15min drive into Downtown, Santa Fe. Lots of trash upon entering, however continue further along and it isn't so bad."

    4. Santa Fe KOA

    29 Reviews
    Glorieta, NM
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 466-1419

    "Super clean Polite staff Firewood available Brand new playground 20 min from Santa Fe Showers / bathrooms 30/50 amp Fenced dog parks/fire pit areas fenced for pets Lots of space between units"

    "Stayed here for a week with the family close to Santa Fe and Pecos national forest. Managers very friendly and can be quite entertaining if you hang around for a bit."

    5. Rancheros de Santa Fe

    26 Reviews
    Eldorado at Santa Fe, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 466-3482

    "Just a short drive to the outskirts of Santa Fe in mountain country we found our campground, Rancheros de Santa Fe."

    "Great place in a beautiful wooded hillside southwest of Santa Fe about 15 mins or so. They have a pool, a small dog park and a great little hiking trail with good views of the surrounding mountains."

    6. Black Canyon Campground

    29 Reviews
    Tesuque, NM
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 753-7331

    $20 / night

    "Only 20 minutes from Santa Fe (and Trader Joes) but feels much more remote. They're not kidding when they warn about no cell service (there is a payphone if you need it, though!)"

    "Also, conveniently located if you want to explore the history and culture of beautiful Santa Fe."

    7. Los Sueños de Santa Fe RV Park & Campground

    13 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 473-1949

    $43 - $65 / night

    "The location could not be better! The sites were very clean and easy to get into with a class A."

    "Perhaps their roadside sign had recently blown down? It was hard to see, but a fine stay."

    8. Cochiti Recreation Area

    36 Reviews
    Cochiti Lake, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 465-2557

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Really enjoyed a one night stay on our way from Santa Fe to Albaquerque."

    "25 miles from Santa Fe and 50 miles from Albuquerque. concrete pads and concrete picnic table with charcoal grills with rock pebbles filled in and desert landscapes. very well spaced out and different"

    9. Trailer Ranch RV Resort

    11 Reviews
    Santa Fe, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 471-9970

    "Convenient bus service into a busy downtown Santa Fe was helpful as parking can be a problem. Restaurants are near-by and be sure to try Tortilla Flats."

    "Bike trails are close and awesome. Friendly staff and guests. Best place in the city to stay. Only negative is the Cerrillos road race track noise. Santa Fe locals like loud and fast rides."

    10. Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument

    30 Reviews
    White Rock, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 672-3861

    $20 - $50 / night

    "Before I visited here in December I had not heard of Bandelier NM; it's a wonderful place for exploring outside Santa Fe and Juniper Campground provides rustic sites without hookups (dump station and water"

    "There are trail heads that are a short walk from the campground including a 1.5 mile trail to the visitor center The spots have picnic table and fire rings, there is potable water and vault toilets throughout"

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Recent Reviews near Santa Fe, NM

963 Reviews of 149 Santa Fe Campgrounds


  • Kristin M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Camp May Road

    Perfect for a close camp to Los Alamos

    Easy to find pull off spots, lots of good trees. The road is closed Monday-Thursday due to being on lab property. Overall beautiful spot!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 9, 2025

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Great experience 10/10

    Amazing experience! Definitely a tight squeeze for my rv but definitely worth it. Don’t listen to anyone that it’s “closed.” You just have to listen to the description and not take the private roads!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Coronado Campground

    Excellent city run RV park

    This RV park is popular and can be filled. So try to get a reservation before you arrive. I managed to get a spot because somebody had canceled. Campsites have power and some have water. I paid $35 a night. But they do have an overflow area which is just a big parking lot but will serve in a pinch if there are no regular spaces available.

  • Kiran B.
    Oct. 4, 2025

    Placitas BLM

    BLM Land Placitas NM

    Just 10 miles north of Albuquerque by the Sandias. Open space for dispersed camping with views of the mountains. Lots of flat open places. Don't need 4x4 but a little clearance helps with the rocks and ruts.

  • A
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Coronado Campground

    Convenient and well appointed

    Remarkable nice little campground, with well laid-out sites, each with its own adobe picnic shelter as well as power and water. There’s a dump station at the exit. The location is very convenient, though there’s a bit of highway noise.

  • Angela L.
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Titilla Peak

    I love beautiful views!

    Most of the sites on the outside overlook the Rio Grande or the Cochiti Lake. The views are amazing! Bathrooms and showers are available.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Cochiti Recreation Area

    Sparkling Location!

    Spotless, spacious level concrete pads with barbecues and sheltered picnic tables. No campfires are permitted. Water views from many sites. Boat launch and swimming beach are both less than a mile from the lower loop and available for day use as well as two campers. Dump station, free, hot showers, dumpster, portable water, and electric available at various sites. There is a Ranger on duty at the visitor center up the hill and a good walking/hiking trail that begins near the boat launch. Some steep spots so don’t forget that you’re at over 5000’ here.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site

    Access illegally closed off by Neighbors

    No way to get to BLM land now because the neighbors put up a gate with locks on it and blocked off their driveway so you can't go around it

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Stagecoach Stop RV Park

    Good location for a stopover with nice views

    The RV park has everything including level spots and a dump station and all hookups and has some nice views of the mountains but it is quite near to the highway so has a bit of noise


Guide to Santa Fe

Camping near Santa Fe, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: There are amazing trails right from the campgrounds. At Juniper Family Campground — Bandelier National Monument, one reviewer said, "The hiking right from the campground is great - the two hikes are definitely worth doing."
  • Exploring National Monuments: Visit Bandelier National Monument, which is just a short drive from Cochiti Recreation Area. A camper mentioned, "Cochiti Army Core of Engineer CG: Good location to visit both Albuquerque (50mins) and Santa Fe (35 mins)."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for wild horses at the Top of New Mexico - Dispersed Site. One visitor shared, "The wild horses are active. I saw them in the neighborhood coming through."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review for Black Canyon Campground noted, "The campground was very well maintained," highlighting the picturesque setting.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of the sites. A visitor at Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite mentioned, "It’s a pretty nice and mostly flat area of land... Pretty quiet."
  • Accessibility: Campgrounds like Santa Fe Skies RV Park are conveniently located near stores and restaurants. One camper said, "The location is close to stores and restaurants that are about 10 minutes away."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Many sites, like Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed, lack basic facilities. A reviewer pointed out, "If it is still open, you’ll see a lot of trash. Certain sites looked better than others."
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds, such as Jemez Falls Campground, are only open from April to November. A visitor noted, "Reservation system ran till the end of September, then First come First served came into effect."
  • Wildlife Caution: While wildlife is a draw, it can also be a concern. One camper at Santa Fe BLM Dispersed Campsite mentioned, "Was nice till someone robbed my campsite."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places like Santa Fe KOA, which offers a game room and a playground. A reviewer said, "Super clean... Lots of space between units."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of nearby attractions. A camper at Cochiti Recreation Area mentioned, "Bandelier National Monument is 1 1/2 hrs away."
  • Pack Essentials: Since some sites lack amenities, be prepared. A visitor at Jemez Falls Campground noted, "It is a nice campground to spend a night or two as it does not have showers."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds, like Rancheros de Santa Fe, have varying site sizes. A reviewer said, "Some sites were small, traffic noise depending on where site located."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need more amenities, consider places like Santa Fe Skies RV Park, which offers electric hookups. One camper mentioned, "The sites are a bit tight from the adjoining sites."
  • Be Mindful of Weather: Elevation can affect temperatures. A visitor at Black Canyon Campground noted, "Summer temps were very comfortable during the day and cool overnight."

Camping around Santa Fe offers a unique blend of nature and culture. With a little planning, you can enjoy all that this beautiful area has to offer!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Santa Fe, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Santa Fe, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Santa Fe, NM and 39 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Santa Fe, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Santa Fe, NM is Sante Fe National Forest BLM-Road 62 Dispersed with a 4.2-star rating from 42 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Santa Fe, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 39 free dispersed camping spots near Santa Fe, NM.

What parks are near Santa Fe, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 parks near Santa Fe, NM that allow camping, notably Santa Fe National Forest and Cibola National Forest and Grasslands.