Sleep Under the Stars! Great Places to Camp in New Mexico

NM State Parks & NM Tourism

Featuring deserts, plains, alpine forests and lakes, New Mexico’s camping options are as diverse as the landscapes. Here’s a sampling of spectacular places to camp in New Mexico, with advice from our outdoor recreation experts. 

Bottomless Lakes State Park

Scuba diving in the Great Plains? Yes, that happens here. Bottomless Lakes State Park, located near Roswell, lies on the high plains of southeastern New Mexico. The lakes are sinkholes, ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep. Aquatic plants create a greenish-blue hue which also makes the lakes appear “bottomless.” Many people come to dive as well as canoe, fish, go birding and camp. 

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Backcountry camping is allowed with a permit, and several other campgrounds are available right outside the park. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is home to over 100 limestone caves beneath the Chihuahuan Desert. Self-guided and ranger-led tours are available for visitors. 

Carson National Forest

Located in northern New Mexico, Taos is the gateway to 1.5 million acres of outstanding alpine fun in Carson National Forest. “I spend most of my days in Carson. It’s so big,” says Karina Armijo, executive director of the New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division. Camping, fishing and hunting are popular. So is hiking, particularly to the summit of 13,161-foot Wheeler Peak, the state’s highest point. Armijo’s favorite trail is Gold Hill, which is very challenging and less busy. 

Chaco Culture National Historical Park

A one-of-a-kind experience awaits at this incredible location in northwest New Mexico. Some 1,200 years ago, Chaco flourished as a regional hub for ancestral Pueblo people. There are several awe-inspiring ruins to explore that are accessible by vehicle or hikes through the high desert. “The whole heritage is unbelievable,” says Marc Harrell, who owns an outdoor software business in Taos. “If you can, book a campsite on a moonless night.” 

NM State Parks & NM Tourism

Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Elephant Butte, New Mexico’s largest state park, is situated near Truth or Consequences. In a stark desert setting lies a sparkling lake that’s perfect for camping and all kinds of watercraft, from kayaks, jet skis and pontoons to ski boats, sailboats and houseboats. 

Fenton Lake State Park

Surrounded by ponderosa pine forests in the Jemez Mountains of northern New Mexico, Fenton Lake is a beautiful spot to camp, hike, canoe and fish for trout. Because the park is less than two hours from Albuquerque and Santa Fe, “It can get a little crowded on summer weekends,” Harrell says. “Weekday camping is better.” 

Gila National Forest

With more than 3 million acres of forested mountains and rangeland plus relatively cool summers and warm winters, Gila National Forest “seems out of place in southwestern New Mexico,” Harrell says. The prime camping area is located near 700-year-old cliff dwellings. 

White Sands National Park

For thousands of years, white sand has accumulated in a large desert basin bordered by mountains in southern New Mexico. Today, the world’s largest gypsum dunefield covers 275 square miles near Alamogordo. White Sands only offers backcountry camping but several campgrounds are located outside the park.