From Ponderosa to Pinon: The Santa Fe National Forest
From the hearts of ancient aspen groves to cozy streamside sites, from scenic overlooks to valley depths, the Santa Fe National Forest and its neighboring wilderness areas offer some of the Southwest’s finest camping amenities. If you’re looking for stunning alpine views and easy access to hiking, biking, or running trails, then head up to the Santa Fe National Forest, located only sixteen miles away from the Santa Fe Plaza! Located on Hyde Park Road, these campgrounds offer year-round sites that are great for a single pitched tent or an RV stay!
For the Car Camper
If you’re traveling by car and are looking to set up a tent or two, we recommend the Black Canyon Campground. With over 36 sites and offerings such as picnic tables, vaulted toilets, and grills, Black Canyon is shaded by towering ponderosa pines and offers enough space to provide privacy from site to site! This is also the closest campground to the Santa Fe downtown area, which is great for those looking to get away for a night or two.
For the Roaming RV
For those traveling by RV or trailer, check out the Hyde Memorial State Park RV Campground. Recently renovated, this site is cozy and comfortable, and even has heated yurts available for rent during the colder winter months. With fantastic access to some of Santa Fe’s premier hiking trails, Hyde Memorial State Park Campground includes group facilities, lodges, and playgrounds for the kids!
Camping in the Canyons
In search of a more dramatic canyon scene, or want to immerse yourself in the deep geological history of New Mexico? The Diablo Canyon Recreation Area, located roughly 40 minutes northwest of Santa Fe, offers stunning views of steep black basalt cliff faces and wide canyon floors. This, along with amazing desert hiking and access to the ancient Rio Grande (Spanish for “big river”), makes Diablo Canyon an excellent option for those looking to get closer to water and enjoy a more remote desert scene. Camping at Diablo Canyon is primitive, which means that there is no on-site access to water or bathrooms. This also means that there is no reservation required! Several Santa Fe businesses offer jeep tours of Diablo Canyon, and if you’re interested in a more historical and action-packed exploration of the area, don’t hesitate to reach out to one of them!
Picnics in the Pecos
The vast mountainous region of the Pecos Wilderness, the southernmost part of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offers splendid rocky mountain views and is home to some of Northern New Mexico’s largest valleys of wildflowers. Colorful and bright, the Pecos Wilderness has a number of campgrounds with great access to fishable rivers and fantastic alpine hiking. Jack’s Creek Campground is close by and offers 39 sites among the aspen and conifer groves. With vault toilets, grills, and picnic tables, Jack’s Creek is a wonderful place to stay while exploring the wonders of the Pecos Wilderness. Interested in a horseback ride or want to fish the Pecos River? There are many local companies that can help you out.
No matter where you decide to stay, the views and fresh air are sure to impress. Welcome to our backyard.
