If you’re properly prepared, this northern New Mexico town has great hiking and camping opportunities. Being a resort town, Taos’ best campground options tend to be mostly RV resorts, but tent campers can get out into the surrounding national forest land to find more rugged sites.
While often seen as solely a ski town, Taos has plenty to offer before the snow starts to fall. Surrounded by national forests and at an elevation of 7,000 feet, expect fairly moderate temperatures with big swings between highs and lows. While you’re here, don’t forget to visit the nearby hot springs.
Taos’ Top Tent and RV Campgrounds
An alpine town of around 6,000 laid-back residents, Taos sits about an hour and a half north of Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital city. It’s not too far from Colorado’s southern border, making drives to or from the Centennial State doable for a fun day trip.
Taos is surrounded by the Carson National Forest, the northernmost of the state’s five national forests. Between USFS-managed campgrounds, and numerous private RV parks and campsites, there are loads of opportunities to take in the stars here.
Here are the best and closest campgrounds to Taos, NM, in order of proximity:
Taos Valley RV Park and Campground (2 miles)
There’s no place more conveniently located in the heart of Taos than this park. Just minutes from the city’s unique downtown area, all the best tourist attractions are only a short drive away. Even though it’s nearby everythign, you’ll still feel secluded in this tree-lined park that caters to those who “need to truly ‘get away,’ and still want incredible comforts.”
- Closest Town: Ranchos De Taos, NM (1 mi)
- Specs: 26 full hookup RV sites, 10 full hookup 30-amp sites, 26 water and electric sites, 28 dry tent camping sites, full hookups, dump station, open year-round
- Amenities: Laundry, restrooms, showers, wash sink, playground, communal picnic tables, communal pavilion, after-hours registration office, lounge, propane, complimentary Wi-Fi
- Reservations: Yes, visit taosrv.com/reservations
- Address: 120 Este Es Rd, Taos, NM 87571 (Map)
Taos RV Park (3 miles)
Taos RV Park had a change of ownership in 2022 and underwent a full remodel. The park’s amenities have been modernized, but it still keeps its New Mexico charm and aesthetic. Hikers and skiers alike will appreciate the proximity to nearby trailheads and ski lifts. After a long day, you’ll be near downtown to take in local food, arts, and events.
- Closest Town: Ranchos De Taos, NM (<1 mi)
- Specs: 14 back-in RV sites, eight pull-through RV sites, two tent sites, full hookups, open year-round
- Amenities: Restrooms, showers, clubhouse, pavilion, dog park
- Reservations: Yes, visit resnexus.com/…
- Address: 1802 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Ranchos De Taos, NM 87557 (Map)
Taos Monte Bello RV Park (6 miles)
Taos Monte Bello offers every basic amenity you need for a comfortable stay with a few complimentary extras on top. While not a resort, this park has some of the best views available for stays near the city. With wide open mountain views and nearby walking trails, enjoying sunrises and sunsets is easy to do, all while being just steps from your camper. If you don’t want to head back into town, the on-site convenience store has you covered.
- Closest Town: Taos, NM (6 mi)
- Specs: 19 RV sites, full hookups, dump station, open year-round
- Amenities: Complimentary Wi-Fi, convenience store on-site, dishwashing sink, pavilion, pet-friendly, restrooms, laundry
- Reservations: Yes, visit taosmontebellorvpark.com/… or call (575) 751-0774
- Address: 24819 US-64, El Prado, NM 87529 (Map)
Hotel Luna Mystica (7 miles)
Hotel Luna Mystica is easily the most unique stay near Taos. While there are a wide array of primitive sites to choose from, the big draw is the assortment of vintage trailers. Running from the early 1950s to the early 1970s, these well-preserved trailers are their own time capsules on the property. The best part? You’ll be just steps from the brewery, Taos Mesa Brewery, no matter where you stay.
- Closest Town: Taos, NM (7 mi)
- Specs: 20 vintage trailers, 60 primitive campsites, open year-round
- Amenities: Complimentary Wi-Fi, firepit, shaded areas, heat/AC systems, pet-friendly, linens and silverware provided in trailers, outdoor showers, sinks, restrooms
- Reservations: Yes, visit thinkreservations.com/… or call (575_ 613-1411. Primitive camping doesn’t require reservations
- Address: 25 ABC Mesa Rd, El Prado, NM 87529 (Map)
Cuchilla Campground (14 miles)
Cuchilla Campground is one of several nearby spots in the Carson National Forest. This small campground does see a higher volume of usage than most others nearby. If you can snag a campsite at this first come, first served location, you’ll be nearly 8,000 feet in elevation. There’s no potable water available, but you will have a stream nearby if you bring your own water purification system.
- Closest Town: Arroyo Seco, NM (5 mi)
- Specs: Three campsites for trailers under 22 feet, dispersed camping available, open May through September
- Amenities: Vault toilets, picnic tables, no potable water
- Reservations: No, first come, first served
- Address: NM-150, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514 (Map)
Angel Fire RV Resort (20 miles)
If you’re looking for luxury camping, there’s no better place in Northern New Mexico. Routinely a top-rated RV resort, Angel Fire has everything you need for a cozy stay, including an on-site masseuse. Everything here is state of the art and geared towards the most memorable, comfortable experience. Travelers will want to note that Angel Fire has a 20-foot minimum on all rigs.
There is a three-night minimum stay on holiday weekends, a two-night minimum on weekends, and no weekday minimum. This resort is immensely popular, so you’ll want to reserve well in advance. You’ll be most successful reserving six months in advance for June through September and three months in advance for all other months.
- Closest Town: Angel Fire, NM (3 mi)
- Specs: 102 RV sites, full hookups, open year-round
- Amenities: Pet-friendly, clubhouse, retail market on-site, bathhouse, hot tub, two communal firepits, complimentary Wi-Fi, laundry, dog park, outdoor games, putting green, playground, therapeutic massage on-site, fitness center, hiking trail on-site
- Reservations: Yes, visit campspot.com/…
- Address: 27500 US-64, Angel Fire, NM 87710 (Map)
Cebolla Mesa Campground (22 miles)
While not that much larger than Cuchilla Campground, Cebolla Mesa sees much lighter usage, so grabbing a spot here is simpler. Expect the same amount of amenities as Cuchilla.
While you don’t need a four-wheel drive most of the year, the road can be muddy after heavy rains. If the weather is good, all vehicles can traverse these roads. If not, a high-clearance four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.
- Closest Town: Questa, NM (8 mi)
- Specs: Five tent and trailer sites, 32-foot RV maximum, no hookups, open May through October
- Amenities: Picnic tables, vault toilet, no potable water
- Reservations: No, first come, first served
- Address: Carson National Forest, Questa, NM 87556 (Map)
Enchanted Circle Campground (27 miles)
Enchanted Circle is one of the nicest primitive campsites you’ll ever visit. While primitive might be a small stretch, amenities here are fairly minimal. Routinely voted as one of the best campgrounds in New Mexico by Forbes and Hipcamp, it’s worth planning to reserve a site here.
Their website has a large chunk of relevant information, so give it a read-through. Not all sites can accommodate all rigs, so make sure you check the description, especially if you’re in a travel trailer or camper. Four-wheel drive is recommended during monsoon season if the roads are muddy, but otherwise, any vehicle can drive the roads into the campground.
- Closest Town: Angel Fire, NM (3 mi)
- Specs: Seven tent and RV sites, open May to December, 45-foot RV maximum, generators allowed
- Amenities: Restrooms, pet-friendly, handwashing sink, potable water, Wi-Fi, kitchen on-site
- Reservations: Yes, visit hipcamp.com/…
- Address: 3024 NM-434, Angel Fire, NM 87710 (Map)
Angel Nest RV Retreat (29 miles)
At over 8,200 feet in elevation, this is definitely in the running for the highest RV retreat. The air is definitely a bit thinner up there, but the amenities aren’t lacking. With full hookups and all modern conveniences, travel trailers will be covered.
There are seven cabins to choose from for those looking to get out of the tent for a night. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles, there’s ample space for dry tenting camping.
- Closest Town: Eagle Nest, NM (1 mi)
- Specs: 61 RV sites, seven cabins, dry tent camping area, full hookups, open May to November
- Amenities: Bathrooms, showers, rec center, laundry, campfire area, horseshoe pits, complimentary Wi-Fi,
- Reservations: Yes, call (575) 377-0533
- Address: 28418 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718 (Map)
Columbine Campground (29 miles)
Columbine Campground is easily the largest of the Carson National Forest campgrounds within driving distance. With 27 total sites and reservations available, there are far more options here than at the others. Potable water is sporadically available, but the weather can cause outages, so plan to bring your own as a backup. It’s on the Red River, so anglers will have plenty of opportunities to fish.
- Closest Town: Questa, NM (5 mi)
- Specs: 20 campsites for tents and trailers, seven campsites for trailers under 32 feet, open May to September, no hookups, max length of 40 feet
- Amenities: Vault toilets, potable water sporadically available, picnic table, grills, fire rings
- Reservations: Yes, visit recreation.gov/…
- Address: 184 NM-38, Red River, NM 87558 (Map)
Eagle Nest Lake State Park (30 miles)
Anglers will appreciate Eagle Nest Lake State Park even more than Columbine Campground. Though both are good places to fish, the lake here is regularly stocked, and you can fish from the bank or in your boat. When you’re done fishing, head to your campsite and put dinner on the provided BBQ grill.
For those on the lake, note that motorized boats are welcome, and wakes are allowed. For those not in a motorized boat, morning is usually the best time to get out and fish or kayak.
- Closest Town: Eagle Nest, NM (2 mi)
- Specs: 19 standard tent and RV campsites, open year-round, dump station nearby
- Amenities: BBQ grills, fire pits, picnic tables, tent platforms, pet-friendly, meeting hall, park office, picnic area, restrooms, potable water
- Reservations: Yes, visit newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com/…
- Address: 42 Marina Wy, Eagle Nest, NM 87718 (Map)
Red River RV Park (35 miles)
This RV park is located just a quarter mile from the Red River itself, making it a perfect base camp for summertime watersports. Unique to this campground, street-legal recreational off-highway vehicles (ROVs) are allowed to drive the trails that connect to the park. When you’re ready to head into town after a long day outdoors, there is a free shuttle that will come get you.
- Closest Town: Red River, NM (1 mi)
- Specs: 30 RV sites, open year-round, full hookups, tent camping not allowed
- Amenities: Ice for purchase, showers, laundry, free Wi-Fi, free cable TV, pet-friendly, picnic table, free shuttle
- Reservations: Yes, call (575) 754-6187
- Address: 100 High Cost Trail, Red River, NM 87558 (Map)
Road Runner RV Resort (37 miles)
Red River RV Resort has a long history as a part of Red River, New Mexico. Established by one of the town’s original homesteaders, Harold Young, in the mid-1960s, this park has been in operation ever since.
Unlike some of the other local RV spots, this park in the mountains is only open seasonally. While off-season travelers will need to make other accommodations, travelers in-season will be able to enjoy the full suite of comforts at the resort. Road Runner sits on over 20 acres and is just a few minutes from the Red River and the town itself.
- Closest Town: Red River, NM (1 mi)
- Specs: 120 RV sites, one riverside loft, one cabin, one bungalow, full hookups, open from May to October
- Amenities: Cable TV, Wi-Fi, security gates, outdoor sports, restrooms, showers, laundry, playground, BBQ grills, picnic tables, firepits at certain sites, putting green, camp store, complimentary sports equipment for rent, meeting room
- Reservations: Yes, visit campspot.com/…
- Address: 1371 E Main St, Red River, NM 87558 (Map)
Cimarron Canyon State Park (40 miles)
Cimarron Canyon is easily one of the most beautiful campgrounds in all of Northern New Mexico. At just under 7,900 feet, you get all the foliage of higher elevations and the relatively moderate summer temperatures that come with it.
You’ll get campsites nestled in the dense forest to spend the night in and great fly fishing during the day. Outside of fishing, the state park has a network of terrific hiking trails that are perfect for day use.
- Closest Town: Eagle Nest, NM (9 mi)
- Specs: 73 standard tent and RV sites, four tent-only sites, open year-round
- Amenities: Restrooms, park office, toilets, grill, fire ring, picnic table
- Reservations: Yes, visit newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com/… only reservable from mid-September to mid-May. First come, first served the rest of the year.
- Address: 28869 US-64, Eagle Nest, NM 87718 (Map)
When visiting northern New Mexico, it’s easy to see why the state is called The Land of Enchantment. With national forests and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains nearby, the top Taos campgrounds put you just minutes from your next adventure.
And if you’re looking to be near the City Different, consider some of Santa Fe’s best campgrounds for your road trip.
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