New Mexico’s desert landscapes, colorful rocks, and Southwest scenery make it the perfect candidate for an RV camping trip! You’ll find that the state is well-suited for RV camping in New Mexico, with a generous number of campgrounds and lots to do indoors and out.
If this is your first time visiting New Mexico or planning a camping trip to that state, don’t worry! This guide is chockful of information you need to make this a great vacation. We’ll look at what to pack, where to camp, what to do, and much more!
Preparing for RV Camping
For starters, you’ll want to make sure you have a suitable RV for your trip! If you don’t have your own RV, you can find a New Mexico RV rental on RVshare. After you’ve secured an RV, you’ll want to make sure it’s packed with everything you need for your trip.
Choosing the right RV for your needs
Trying to figure out how to choose the right RV rental? You’ll want to start by thinking about what size vehicle you need. If you’re camping with one person, or on your own, a Class B campervan or small pop-up trailer may be all you need. If you have a very large group, you may want a Class A motorhome or fifth-wheel trailer. If you have a mid-size group or family, a mid-size Class C camper or trailer is a great option.
You’ll also want to think about any amenities you want. Smaller campervans or trailers may not have much more than just a bed. Larger motorhomes will have kitchens, bathrooms, several beds, and entertainment areas where you can watch TV.
You’ll also want to consider how you’ll get around at your destination. If you have a campervan, you can use that as your vehicle and set it up each night for camping. If you rent a trailer, you can use your towing vehicle for sightseeing. However, if you have a larger Class C or Class A motorhome, you may need to tow a vehicle behind you to use after you’ve set up camp. You can also look into whether your campground is close to public transportation or a park shuttle to get around.
Packing essentials for a successful trip
Once you’ve picked your RV rental, you’ll need to decide how to pack it! Packing an RV is a special art form – you want to make sure you bring everything you need without unnecessarily weighing down your rig or taking up too much room.
It might be helpful to make two lists – one for your personal items and one for the things you’ll need for RV camping.
On your personal packing list, you’ll want:
- Clothing appropriate for the weather and activities you’ve planned. Pack for the number of days you’ll be gone, or the number of days between laundry stops.
- Toiletries
- Medications
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray or citronella candles
- Entertainment (books, games, movies)
- Outdoor gear (hiking boots, bathing suit, paddleboards, etc)
- Cold or warm weather gear as needed (heavy jacket, hat, mittens, sun hat, rain jacket)
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries
- Groceries
- Electronics & chargers
- Pet supplies
- Quarters for showers or laundry
Check your rental listing before making your RV packing list. Different rentals may include different extras. Your rental could include things like dishes, linens, and even outdoor equipment like camp chairs or paddleboards. But then again – it may include none of those things. You’ll want to check before you pack your things!
- Pots & pans
- Dishes
- Utensils – don’t forget a can opener, bottle opener, spatula, set of knives, etc.
- Dish towels & sponges
- Sheets & pillows
- Bath Towels
- Tool kit
- Folding camp chairs
- Blankets
- RV leveling blocks
- Sewer hose and adapter
- Freshwater hose
- Surge protector
You may need to change the items on this list, depending on what time of year you’re camping and where you’re going. This pre-travel checklist can give you a more thorough list of what to bring.
Considerations for Camping in New Mexico
Before you leave on a New Mexico camping vacation, you’ll want to know the rules of the road in that state. Most states have similar driving laws, but they can vary slightly so you’ll want to make sure you know what those are so you can avoid a ticket!
The maximum width for an RV is 102 inches and the maximum length is 45 feet. The maximum length for a trailer is 40 feet. The maximum RV height is 14 feet. The maximum length of a two-vehicle combination is 65 feet.
Passengers are allowed to ride in pickup campers. Overnight parking is allowed in rest areas, but not for more than 24 hours during any 3-day period in the same area.
Trailers over 3,000 pounds need to have trailer brakes and chains.
General New Mexico driving laws require that you have headlights on when your wipers are on.
Researching campground options and making reservations
Once you have your RV picked out, and you’ve figured out what to pack in it, it’s time to start looking for campgrounds where you can stay! There are plenty of websites that can help you plan where to camp.
RoverPass, BookOutdoors, Campspot, and The Dyrt can all provide information on various campgrounds in New Mexico and can help you make reservations online. Harvest Hosts and Hipcamp can help you find more unique venues like wineries or farms where you can camp.
Finding Campgrounds
There are many campgrounds in New Mexico, suited to a wide variety of travelers! If you want to camp, but don’t want to give up too many comforts of home, there are many luxury campgrounds. There are also plenty of primitive campgrounds if you want to go off the grid, and urban campgrounds in bigger cities in the state.
Exploring public campgrounds in the state
First, we’ll look at public campgrounds in New Mexico. Public campgrounds include those in national and state parks, forests, BLM lands, and other publicly-owned land. Public campgrounds tend to have fewer amenities than private campgrounds, but they tend to be cheaper as well.
National Park Camping
New Mexico has two national parks in the state. Carlsbad Caverns National Park is close to the Texas state line. A limestone cave was discovered by a teen in the late 1800s, and the park now encompasses 119 caves in the Chihuahuan Desert. Even when the desert is hot, visitors can head to the caves which stay around 56 degrees all year round. There is no RV camping in the park, although backcountry camping is allowed.
White Sands National Park is home to the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands also doesn’t allow RV camping at the park, but there are public campgrounds at Oliver Lee State Park and Aguirre Springs Recreation Area.
National Forest Camping
There is also lots of public camping available in New Mexico’s national forests! Carson National Forest near Taos has hunting, fishing, and hiking during warmer weather and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in winter. Gila National Forest is an excellent place for fishing, boating, and hiking. You’ll also want to investigate the Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument. Gila National Forest is a great escape when temperatures in New Mexico’s lower elevations are hot and dry – the forest’s higher elevations are cooler! The Santa Fe National Forest has mountains, scenic byways, and other amazing scenery.
State Park Camping
State parks in New Mexico have public campgrounds as well. Villanueva State Park has hiking, canoeing, fishing, and other outdoor activities…including simply splashing in the Pecos River to cool off! The campground is next to the river, putting you in a prime spot for enjoying the scenery. Cimarron Canyon State Park is part of the Colin Neblett Wildlife Area and is a popular spot for fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching. Heron Lake State Park in northern New Mexico is along the shores of the wake-free Heron Lake. Visitors can kayak, fish, hike, or cross-country ski in winter.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Camping
New Mexico also has lots of BLM land where you can camp! BLM land usually has fewer amenities, and you may find that many locations are great for boondocking. On the other hand, these primitive sites also usually don’t cost anything. The Angel Peak Scenic Area is in northwestern New Mexico. The 7,000-foot Angel Peak is the crowning glory of the area, and you can also see fossils in the canyons, multicolored rock formations, and other amazing scenery. El Malpais National Conservation Area has lava caves, sandstone bluffs, and cinder cones. Primitive camping is allowed in the area, and there are no designated campgrounds. The Ah-Shi-Sle-Pah Wilderness features multicolored rocks, towering spires, dinosaur fossils, and fascinating scenery.
Exploring private campgrounds and RV parks
New Mexico has plenty of public campgrounds, but there are also lots of private campgrounds in New Mexico available! If you want more extras and amenities, you can find glamping campgrounds available in the state. Even those private campgrounds that aren’t glamping destinations often have electric and water hookups, restrooms with showers, and dump stations.
The Ponil Campground is a shaded campground in northern New Mexico near Cimarron. The town is famous for its art galleries, museums, and has a 1930s soda fountain. Santa Fe Skies RV Park is perched on a hill south of Santa Fe and offers beautiful views of the city.
Boondocking in New Mexico
If you want something completely different from a private campground in New Mexico, you can try boondocking! In fact, there are lots of places to boondock in New Mexico near interesting landscapes, historic landmarks, and other captivating spots. The Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area is in the Lincoln National Forest and is within driving distance of White Sands National Park. The Cosmic Campground International Dark Sky Sanctuary is a popular camping spot for stargazers. Campers are encouraged to avoid campfires and other light sources if they want to see the stars more clearly.
Planning your itinerary
Now that you’ve looked at campgrounds in New Mexico and thought about your trip, you probably have a rough itinerary in mind. Now it’s time to nail those plans down! Whether you want to take an urban adventure or explore the stark desert beauty of New Mexico, there’s lots to do.
Features and attractions in New Mexico
There is so much to see in New Mexico! One of the best ways to see the state’s scenery is with a drive on one of the many scenic byways in New Mexico. The Trail of the Ancients traverses New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. It includes Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado and the Aztec Ruins National Monument in New Mexico. The Aztec Ruins protect a 400-room complex that was built by the Ancestral Pueblo people 900 years ago. You could also drive the Turquoise Trail from Albuquerque to Santa Fe.
Make sure to see New Mexico’s landmarks as well. Shiprock is a small town that’s known for the unusual rock that rises out of the desert. Shiprock Peak is a volcanic formation that has been a navigational tool for Native Americans for a very long time and is still a sacred place for the Navajo people. While you can’t hike or climb on it, you can take pictures from the paved road. The Georgia O’Keeffe Home & Studio offers guided tours of a woman who is perhaps New Mexico’s most famous artist.
Also, reserve time to see the national sites in New Mexico. The Manhattan Project National Historical Park is an area that had research and development during World War II to produce the first nuclear weapons. Pecos National Historical Park protects ancient ruins, 19th-century ranches, and even a Civil War battlefield.
Festivals, fairs, and events in New Mexico
From the state fair to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, there are lots of exciting events in New Mexico! You’ll even find camping on-site at many of these events. There are also usually many campgrounds nearby if you can’t find camping right at the event.
If you rent from RVshare, you can also see if the owner is willing to set up your rental at the campground for you. Many owners offer this service for an extra fee, and it means you can arrive and get right to the festivities without worrying about setting up!
Exploring Outdoor Activities in New Mexico
New Mexico is a unique and beautiful place with desert landscapes, mountain scenery, and more! Whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fishing, or other outdoor activities, there’s something for you to do in New Mexico.
Hiking, biking, and nature trails
Hiking is a wonderful way to experience New Mexico’s beauty up close. It’s a great family activity because you can tailor a hike to anyone’s abilities, and it’s an inexpensive way to see a new area! Here are some of our favorite hikes in New Mexico:
If you enjoy mountain biking over hiking, there are plenty of mountain biking trails in New Mexico as well! Here are some of the top trails for biking:
- Atalaya Mountain Trail
- Grindstone Canyon Loop
- Devisadero Peak
- Rio Grande Gorge West Rim Trail
- Dale Ball Trails North
If none of these trails are suitable for you or your family, you can find a number of other suggestions on AllTrails! You’re sure to find one that fits your group.
Fishing, boating, and water activities
New Mexico may be known as an arid state, but there are still lakes, streams, and other places to enjoy water activities! You can go fishing in New Mexico at Elephant Butte Lake State Park where you’ll find striped bass along with a fun place to go kayaking, canoeing, or waterskiing. Abiquiu Lake has lots of largemouth and smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and walleye.
Want to relax on a beach? Believe it or not, there are plenty of beaches in this landlocked state! Navajo Lake State Park has three recreation areas and plenty of beaches along Pine River, Mesa, and the San Juan River. Cochiti Lake Beach is halfway between Albuquerque and Santa Fe so it’s a popular spot for people from both cities. The lake allows boating, and you can relax on the beach with views of the clear blue water. Caballo Lake State Park, near the town of Truth or Consequences, is also home to a great beach. Besides enjoying the beach, visitors can fish, swim, or kayak.
You can also see some lovely waterfalls in New Mexico! Nambé Falls is at the Nambé Pueblo and has two large drops. Several trails lead to the falls, which you can approach from the top or the bottom. Sitting Bull Falls is a desert waterfall with a 150-foot drop. There are trails to the waterfall, plus a picnic area, grills, and restrooms. Jemez Falls is near Jemez Springs and is a 70-foot waterfall that can be reached with a short hike through the Santa Fe National Forest.
Wildlife viewing and photography
If you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of New Mexico wildlife, there are some predictable places where they love to hang out! New Mexico is home to armadillos, bobcats, pronghorn, bald eagles, bears, Mexican wolves (or lobos), and many more animals. Head to the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, which is best known for the Festival of the Cranes. More than 15,000 sandhill cranes that winter in the area lift off at sunrise, making an amazing sight. The Rio Grande Natural Center State Park is a great place to watch for porcupines, along with 250 species of birds. The Pino and Domingo Baca Trails are a good spot to look for coyotes, pack rats, and deer. Mountain lions and bears are also known to live in the area.
Family-friendly activities and attractions
Camping in New Mexico with your family? There’s lots for everyone to do! Let’s take a look at the museums, historic sites, amusement parks, and other fun activities that will suit people of all ages.
Historical Sites and Museums
A trip is even better when you can sneak some learning into a family trip! New Mexico has many historic sites that teach more about the state. Bandelier National Monument protects homes built by the Ancestral Pueblo people over 800 years ago. You’ll learn a lot about how these people carved a living out of the seemingly unforgiving desert. Petroglyph National Monument is one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. You can see symbols and designs carved by Spanish settlers and Ancestral Native Puebloans. The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is at three remote locations near Albuquerque, which were constructed in the early 1600s.
You can also learn a lot at one of New Mexico’s many museums. The New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science highlights New Mexico’s scientific history and discoveries. See a huge T-Rex skeleton, visit the planetarium, or check out the Startup gallery to learn about New Mexico’s role in the advancement of tech.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History has different exhibits showing New Mexico’s involvement in the U.S. space program.
Amusement Parks, Zoos, and Wildlife Refuges
Looking for a family day of fun on thrilling amusement park rides? New Mexico has you covered! Cliff’s Amusement Park in Albuquerque has been around since the 1950s. It has amusement park rides, and also a waterpark area where you can cool down in summer. Western Playland is a 30-acre New Mexico amusement park with rollercoasters like the Fireball. Younger guests will like the Granny Bugs or the classic Merry-Go-Round. Park Lake is a waterpark that’s set up on a natural lake. You can swim in the beautiful lake, or splash along the waterslides with a great view!
If you’d rather spend a family day at the zoo, New Mexico has plenty of those as well! The ABQ BioPark Zoo in Albuquerque encompasses the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Zoo, the Biopark Botanical Garden, and Tingley Beach. You can easily spend a day (or more!) exploring all of these areas. The Hillcrest Park & Zoo is the second-largest zoo in New Mexico. You can see 150 mammals and over 300 different kinds of birds here. The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park is home to more than 40 animal species and hundreds of plants that live in the Chihuahuan Desert.
You can look for animals in the wild by checking out one of New Mexico’s wildlife refuges! The Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern New Mexico is a feeding and resting area for migratory birds. The Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is home to the aforementioned sandhill cranes, but you can also look for roadrunners and other birds.
Safety and Preparedness when RV Camping in New Mexico
An RV camping trip to New Mexico is an exciting event to plan! However, you’ll want to know the risks as well. That way, you can be prepared in case there’s an emergency.
Weather Conditions and Natural Disaster Preparedness
The most common natural disasters and weather concerns in New Mexico are heat waves, wildfires, and flooding. If you’re in New Mexico during a heat wave, make sure to stay hydrated! Drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, and have a wide-brimmed hat to protect yourself from the sun. Also, plan your sightseeing during the cooler hours of the morning or late afternoon and evening. During the hottest part of the day, plan trips indoors or where there will be plenty of places to cool off.
During wildfire season, make sure you check local fire bans. If you are allowed to have a campfire, be sure you know how to safely start and put out a campfire. Also, check the weather before starting a campfire. Hot, windy days are not the time to light a fire!
Wildlife encounters and precautions
Wildlife you might run into in New Mexico includes mountain lions and bears (oh, my!). Be cautious and watch for bears if you’re hiking in an area where they’re known to live. Keep children and pets close and don’t allow them to run ahead on the trail. Read posted signs so you know what to do if you see a wild animal. You can also use the thumb trick to see if you’re too close to an animal. Extend your arm in front of you and give a “thumbs up.” If you can still see the animal around the sides of your thumb, you’re too close.
An RV camping trip to New Mexico is a wonderful way to see the state’s beauty, and you’re sure to make lifelong memories on the trip!
More Inspiration for Your New Mexico Travels
- Top 8 Amusement Parks in New Mexico
- Urban Camping in New Mexico
- Top 9 Waterfalls in New Mexico
- Luxury Camping in New Mexico
- Glamping in New Mexico
- Fishing in New Mexico
- Top 10 Beaches in New Mexico
- The Top 32 Bucket List Destinations in New Mexico
- Boondocking in New Mexico
- Top 10 Landmarks in New Mexico
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