Desert camping in New Mexico with hiking

Explore ancient pueblos, soak in restorative springs, and see Mission-style architecture in this southwestern state.

95% (4200 reviews)
95% (4200 reviews)

Popular camping styles for New Mexico

Star Hosts in New Mexico

Under $50

12 top desert campgrounds in New Mexico with hiking

97%
(49)

Horner Hipcamp

15 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Radium Springs, NM
New to Hipcamp, but want to share my beautiful property with others. Located on the bank of the Rio Grande River with access to the river at all times. Property is rustic now, but improvements will continue to be made as time goes on. Come help me develop this beautiful location into the best Hipcamp in New Mexico. Just 14 miles of the Chile Capital of the World, Hatch, NM, come during chile harvest to take home fresh green chile right out of the field. 21 miles from Las Cruces, where you will find plenty of events and entertainment, should you so desire. Spaceport, America, T or C, White Sands are all within a day's drive, and Fort Selden is just a few miles down the road, as is Blue Moon Bar and Grill. My dad first came to this property as a farm hand for the elderly couple who owned it. This was in the 1930's. He met my mother, who lived 6 miles down the road, in 1939. She was just 14. Every Sunday he would ride those 6 miles to have supper with her and her family and in 1940, 2 weeks after her 16th birthday, they married. They traveled around before coming back here, buying a small portion of this farm from the elderly owners and farming the rest for them, but in 1953, the man died (his name was Ernest Ward) in the small concrete house I now use for storage, that my dad had built for he and his wife when he first came to work for them. My parents built a home for his widow in Hatch (14 miles) and bought the farm from her. My family has owned it since. I was gone for 31 years, but returned to the land and place I love and plan to stay here till I die!
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$39
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95%
(247)

Healing on the Rio Grande !

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · Albuquerque, NM
Come to New Mexico ! The Land of Enchantment. Sing Chants to the Moon, The Sun, The Rain, The Stars , The Beautiful Land and the Ancestors ! HAPPY 2024, The Year of the Dragon. We won , an award with Hipcamp, Best of 2023 !!!! - out of a list of many great places in NM . 2024 will be yet another great year ! We love hosting, this will be out 7th year . We are so happy to Host . Come enjoy organic . Urban Permaculture . Awesome, thanks for loving on our peaceful garden. It is an honor to serve the traveler, the camper, sweet tourist , wild vacationer , folks visiting friends and family , the many folks who explore and folks on grand adventures. We love to camp as well. BE OUTSIDE ! Heal from Nature . We have a lot to offer. Our place is good for folks who work on the road, Great WIFI ! Easy to manage a job while on the road . Eat flowers and herbs. There is a great herb store , herbal clinic and more . Just down the road, called, RED ROOT , next to the Food Co-op on Rio Grande Blvd. Our Space is in the heart of the Griegos Neighborhood , A very old style , old world area. Safe area. Same Hispanic families have lived here since 1712, no joke, that is real. Rural feel for an urban / suburban setting , space space, off street parking. We are NOT an RV park nor are we a " camp ground " . We Are an Organic Garden ( Urban Permaculture ) that you can stay inside a magical, growing goodness space . This place is very, very private . The parking area is not private . Our road is dead end , very low traffic . The garden wall around the whole tent area has a 6 foot tall , very thick wall , and trees , surrounding every thing. There is a forest and pond for ducks behind the garden . Our place is for Wildlife, to be fed, and given water and safe space to raise young. We are located in an area where the birds of the world fly from the north to the south and then change direction each season. Many lizards . Many wild mammals . There are many farms in the area. With Horses , goats , chickens , ducks , mules, donkeys , other livestock . We have no pets and no livestock. At night this is dark ( we do have solar lights on walk ways ) and it is peaceful. A safe zone for travelers . Serene , gentle and lovely . You get your privacy . New Mexico is so amazing, all year . We have inside space in Fall / Winter . Welcome to Mother Bosque Garden . Started in Corrales NM in 2010 . We are in the North valley of Albuquerque New Mexico 87107. The same families have lived here for 100, 200, 300 plus years . 1000s of years . Native people have lived in this valley for close to 20,000 years more . The Rio Grande is very close by ( 2 miles west of us ) bike or by car . We are close to route 40 and route 25, just 7 mins. away . There is a Food Co-op with in a 5 mins. drive . And a regular store and gas within one mile of our place. Come eat Traditional New Mexican Foods and Heal with Very Living Traditional New Mexican Herbal Medicines . Relax, rest, find repose. Happy travels, happy hiking, happy sleeping under the stars, happy home made food, happy resting. Old Town is close by, so is the Rio Grande River and Nature Center ( 2 miles up the street ) . So many things in our area to see, to do, learn history . Awesome food, music and arts/ crafts, everywhere. So much activity all over. SO MANY CULTURES and Languages , so much diversity !
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$45
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98%
(152)

HarmonyTaos Regenerative Farm

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents4 acres · Taos, NM
Fall is winding down. Temperatures are still mild with nights getting into the forties now. Days are perfect around 75-80 mid day. The campfire has been going during some evenings. I have the calendar turned on for all sites . The glamping site will be down after November 1, if you missed it this year, you can book it starting in April of 2025. The other sites will be available all winter for sprinters and the like for you hearty folks. If I am home mid winter, I may take pity on you and invite you in for a bowl of hearty soup and sit by the fireplace. The glamping site is open til October 31. (Then back open again April 1.) Come stay in the bell tent with or without linens. (extra fee for linens). Harmony Taos is a regenerative farm located on approximately 4 acres, just minutes from the town of Taos. We specialize in Permaculture and teaching. Come enjoy the butterflies, raptors, magpies and hummingbirds fluttering throughout the orchards, ponderosas, vegetable gardens, and flowers on our organic community farm. Join us for camping, weekly yoga classes, monthly soup nights, ceremonies, and cultural events throughout the warmer months. Latest Offerings: I hav decided to open up my intuitive practice to visitors. DM Anastasia if you would like an intuitive reading and clearing. 90 minutes long. We will focus on getting to the underlying beliefs that are holding you back, then clearing them together. RENT THE ENTIRE PROPERTY: DM the host for availability and rates. Pitch your tent at one of our 2 drive-in mountain view campsites, located on the lush grounds of our regenerative agriculture farm and gardens. Or book the overflow site for larger vehicles. Rest and rejuvenate in this quiet haven, nestled below the canyon yet just minutes from town. Sites Uno and Dos has access to a beautifully equipped bathhouse, picnic tables, and an outdoor cold water washing area . (during winter months, the picnic tables and outdoor sink are not available) Overflow Tres has access to the stunning bathhouse as well. Overflow Tres is more primitive with a dirt base and can accommodate larger vehicles. Campsite UNO: Uno fits a small trailer and/ or a RV. If you are pulling 20 plus feet or a large RV, book the overflow site Tres to be safe.. You will need to be proficient at backing it into Campsite Uno. This site can accommodate two vehicles. Campsite DOS: It is large enough for a sprinter or smaller camper van. You can pull right in. You will need to back out to depart. It now accommodates two vehicles (two cars, a sprinter and a car, a car with teardrop and another car.) Overflow TRES: can accommodate almost any fifth wheel and you can turn around. It is a dirt area and primitive. The walk to the bathhouse is about 200 feet.. If you are traveling with another RV or trailer, you can both fit in. FYI: last .25 mi is level but potholed dirt road. Do not plan to pitch tents at overflow as it is dirt only. Glampiing Site : Deluxe bamboo encased memory foam king bed (breaks down to two twin beds). Stellar views of the mountains . BYO bedding or DM host for full sheets and towels set up. It will be taken down starting Nov. 1 2024 until April 2025. There is power in the bathhouse for charging phones. but there are no dedicated electrical hook ups for RVs. However, you can text the owner if you want to use a converter and access a nearby ( For Sites Uno and Dos) outlet with your extension cord for additional fee of $20.00 per day. IF you have more than a small sack of garbage, TAKE IT WITH YOU. We are a small farm and cannot accommodate everyones accumulated garbage from their travels. EVENTS: Harmony Taos Farm is open in 2025 for day long or weekend events. Weddings, family gatherings, teachers. Yoga. There are a number of options including large 12 person tent with heater. The indoor Living room of the main building holds 25-30 for gatherings. There are numerous areas around the farm that lend themselves to ceremony, gathering, etc. Harmony Farm is an excellent wedding venue. There are 4 types of accommodations (hotels, lodges, Inns, rental homes) within 1 mile of the property should you wish to use the site for your wedding and invite guests who require a hotel etc. And of course there are plenty of tent sites available at Harmony. If you rent the entire property, more tent sites can be accommodated than listed here. Harmony host Anastasia can also arrange for catering, flowers, music, party rentals, etc. DM the host with any requests and day use rates. Things to know: This is the hosts homesite and farm. You will be camping near the host's actual home.
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$48
 / night
92%
(42)

Smugglers' Roost

10 sites · RVs49 acres · Animas, NM
Smugglers' Roost is located in Animas, NM, situated at the site of the infamous Clanton Gang’s hideout along Smuggler’s Trail. The community is positioned along the original Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Winter Route; a short two hour drive from Las Cruces , New Mexico or just 2.5-hours from either El Paso, Texas or Tucson, Arizona. We are located in the Middle of Everywhere, surrounded by wealth of wide-ranging activities and natural amenities which include extraordinary, yet uncrowded state and national recreation areas, caves, mines, ghost towns, museums, historic locations, native sites, observatories, local wineries and micro-breweries. Learn more about this land: Bring your RV and join us at Smugglers' Roost for our warm sunny days and starlit nights! We are a pioneering community which serves as a hub for exploration, creativity, trade and most of all... the passionate celebration of life! We offer 228 Full Hook-up RV Sites with 50-amp electric, water, commercial septic and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Pull-throughs are available and there's plenty of room to spread out! Smugglers' Roost is located in Animas, NM, situated at the site of the infamous Clanton Gang’s hideout along Smuggler’s Trail. The community is positioned along the original Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Winter Route; a short two hour drive from Las Cruces , New Mexico or just 2.5-hours from either El Paso, Texas or Tucson, Arizona. We are located in the Middle of Everywhere, surrounded by a treasure trove of wide-ranging activities and natural amenities which include extraordinary, yet uncrowded state and national recreation areas, caves, mines, ghost towns, museums, historic locations, native sites, observatories, local wineries and micro-breweries. BIRD WITH US! We offer an onsite birding station and three additional affiliated and nationally acclaimed birding sites, including one at the mouth of the famed Cave Creek Canyon in Portal, AZ only a short drive away. EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE! Our dead-dark night skies are nothing short of awe-inspiring, so come explore with our onsite star guides with telescopes!
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$28
 / night
100%
(27)

Plateau Hame De Colquhoun

5 sites · RVs, Tents15 acres · Bosque, NM
Our family purchased this land in January of 2020 with living on and building a tiny house. Along the way we plan on setting up a couple campsites and have a few small events.Learn more about this land:Here at Plateau Hame De Colquhoun our goal is to live off our land without leaving much of a carbon footprint. We have opened our land in hopes that others can come be themselves, relax, explore, learn or teach within a safe Environment! Plateau Hame De Colquhoun is reasonably private and you can make your visit your own. Enjoy being yourself amongst the space.. 420 friendly. Located on edge of the Mesa overlooking the Rio Grande with beautiful mountains views, keep in mind this is an ongoing project and much of the land is untamed and in all its natural glory. *Snakes, other wild life included* Like the lives of pioneers before us the amenities are sparse. If you enjoy ruggedness and serene isolation with majestic views of the local mountain ranges, then this is your place to visit.
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$12
 / night
100%
(45)

NO. 10 RANCH

5 sites · Lodging40 acres · Estancia, NM
This cabin sits on a ranch that's been in this breathtaking valley for generations. There are six other amazing cabins spread throughout the 40 acres. We are only 14 miles from Manzano Mountains and about 31 miles from Salinas Pueblo Missions National Park. This particular cabin was once a pig barn and this ranch was once a fully operational ranch that served its owners and community so well. Wide open fields with grass that sways in the gentle breeze, pinon a cedar trees that provide cover to the deer that graze and bed down across the property and some of the most stunning views come together to create an experience that will stick with you an entire lifetime. 4WD is recommended to reach the cabin safely. We purchased this ranch in the winter of 2021 and are just so grateful for the chance to love and care for it...and share it with YOU! Provided there are not fire bans, enjoy snugging up to a warm campfire.
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$37
 / night
100%
(32)

Modesto Gardens

3 sites · Lodging, RVs1 acre · Albuquerque, NM
This quiet and tranquil setting is specifically designed for the RV traveler seeking a safe and peaceful city location for their Albuquerque stay. This site offers a respite from the congestion found in other parts of the city. The large fenced and gated one acre lot and unobstructed views provide a peaceful semi-rural setting that is difficult to find so close to town. You won't hear the constant buzz of passing cars in this area, just a bit of nature and plenty of peace and quiet. You'll also find less light pollution in this part of the city so after the sun goes down you can enjoy a great view of the stars and city lights. This is also a great location to watch the early morning hot air balloons take flight, or if you are looking for that perfect spot to take your daily run/bike ride without dodging cars or worrying about your safety. My wife and I are long-time Albuquerque residents and know the area well. We truly love it here and will provide whatever recommendations you require to ensure you have an authentic local experience. Ask about our extended stay discounts for stays over 3 weeks. Learn more about this land: We set out to create the finest RV site in the city by offering a private shaded patio with hot tub, gas grill and fire bowl, along a bistro table for outdoor dining. You'll love the 360° views from your patio, including our mountains and renowned sunsets. The location is just 2 miles from the Sandia Peak Tramway and the Sandia Mountain Wilderness (a hiker and biker paradise with 150 miles of trails). The property is fenced and gated. I-25 is 4 miles due west and I-40 is 8 miles to the south. All grocery and food service apps offer fast delivery, plus there are several supermarkets and restaurants just a few miles away.  You'll be staying in a high desert climate at 6000 feet so the nights cool off quickly in the dry air. The sun can be intense at this elevation so shade is provided on the patio plus shade fabric is available to cover your rig if desired.  We have some of the best tasting water in the city coming from our well to top off your tank and plenty of space in our trash cans for garbage.  PROPERTY AMENITIES & FEATURES• Private Hot Tub & Shaded Patio • Gas Grill • Fire Bowl • Fountain • Fast Wi-Fi • Spectacular 360° Views • Onsite Spa Services • Level 2 EV Charger • Chlorine-Free Well Water • Scenic bike paths 1/2 mile away • Tennis courts, parks, ice rink all within walking distance • 15 minutes to downtown • 10 minutes to the NM Rail Runner train station which will transport you to the Santa Fe plaza in 1 hour • Trader Joe's and numerous restaurants 2 miles away • Sandia Resort & Casino 6 miles down the road • Over 25 local restaurants will deliver to your door Other Nearby Attractions: Historic Old Town, National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, NM Museum of Natural History and Science, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Hispanic Cultural Center, Bio Park & Zoo   For Balloon Fiesta Guests: The site is 5 miles due east of the Balloon Fiesta Park and offers unobstructed mountain and valley views. Bikes are available to avoid the notorious Fiesta traffic and 4am alarm. You can bike to the Park just ahead of the 7am mass ascension. Or see an unobstructed view of all 500+ balloons from the property.
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$47
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Desert camping in New Mexico with hiking guide

Overview

In the southwestern US, New Mexico offers a distinct vibe not found elsewhere in the country, or even in the region. Here you’ll find Old West mining towns, restorative hot springs, and all sorts of historic sites, including ancient pueblos and protected national monuments, not to mention a distinct cuisine that borrows elements from Tex-Mex and Indigenous culinary traditions. You won’t be disappointed with the camping—the state offers a variety of terrains, from quiet forests to vast expanses of desert, and with five national forests, 30 state parks, and lots of untouched private land, there's no shortage of spots to set up a tent.

Where to go

Central and North Central New Mexico

New Mexico's Central and North-Central regions are home to many of the state's most popular cultural attractions, and both Albuquerque and Santa Fe are here. Area highlights include Bandelier National Monument and Petroglyph National Monument, as well as numerous pueblos. The most famous of these—the Taos Pueblo—is a UNESCO World Heritage site that has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years.

Northwest New Mexico

Cultural attractions abound in Northwestern New Mexico. Highlights include the Zuni Pueblo and the Acoma Pueblo—both the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Navajo Nation call this region home. Other points of interest include the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Aztec Ruins National Monument, and El Mapais National Monument.

Northeast New Mexico

Situated where the Rocky Mountains give way to the Southwestern plains, this area is characterized by prairies, ranches, and Western charm. Popular historic and natural attractions include the Fort Union National Monument and the Capulin Volcano National Monument. Conchas Lake State Park and Ute Lake State Park offer ample opportunities for fishing, boating, and lakeside camping.

Southwest New Mexico

For a Wild West experience, head to the southwestern corner of the state. Here you'll find plenty of old ghost towns, historic mission communities, and pristine natural areas. The area is also rich with hot springs, particularly in the low-key spa town of Truth or Consequences.

Southeast New Mexico

Culture, history, and the great outdoors converge in southeastern New Mexico, home to both of the state's national parks (White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns) as well as a host of museums, from the New Mexico Museum of Space History to the Billy the Kid Museum in Fort Sumner. Fans of the paranormal won't want to miss Roswell, the site of the famous Area 51 UFO sightings and a de facto pilgrimage site for all things alien.

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