Melinda Crow - Camping New Mexico: A Comprehensive Guide to Public Tent and RV Campgrounds

Camping New Mexico is Melinda Crows fourth FalconGuide. As an avid lifetime camper, and as the owner of an RV resort in central Texas, Crow knows camping. Her own camping modes have ranged from tents to tent trailers, from pickup campers to plush RVs. Although she has camped across the entire southern United States, her favorite destinations are still found in New Mexico.

Other FalconGuides written by Crow are Camping Colorado, Rockhounding Texas, and The Rockhounds Guide to New Mexico. Her magazine articles have appeared in Texas Highways, 3-2-1 Contact, Parenting, and Family Fun. Her online articles have appeared on the Forbes, Yahoo! Travel, Cruise Critic, Travel Pulse, Family Travel 4-1-1, and Newsweek websites. She is an eight-time award winner from the North American Travel Journalists Association. She blogs at melindacrow.com.

It was my pleasure during the research phase of this book to have met many wonderful people on the road. Camaraderie with fellow campers, camp hosts, and park rangers is often the highlight of my work. Without the valuable input of dedicated Forest Service personnel statewide, the content of the book would be found to be quite lacking. This was perhaps the most difficult book I have written. The reasons are many, but suffice it to say that without the undying support of my husband, Gary, and daughter, Alyssa, completion would have been impossible. For all the fast food, for all the lonely hours while I hammered at the keyboard, and for giving me the freedom and encouragement to chase my rainbows, I thank you.

If you are looking for a place away from the crowds where you can steep yourself in the magic of a less-developed New Mexico, this is the region for you. Here you can enjoy lush, green mountains or red rock deserts, calm lakes or rushing rivers. Spend your days exploring ancient ruins or soaking away your cares in hot mineral springs. Campgrounds are numerous, but people and civilization are in somewhat short supply, so plan your trip to the northwest accordingly.

Welcome to the badlands. The northwest corner of New Mexico, the area surrounding Farmington, is harsh, rugged, and has remained mostly undisturbed for centuries. It has been home for many cultures but never densely populated. The major land-holder in the area is the Navajo Nation, followed by the Bureau of Land Management.

The city of Farmington presents a delightful venture into an authentic Southwest lifestyle that has resisted the glitz of many larger southwestern cities. Galleries, museums, and restaurants entice you to step in from the heat and slow your pace.

Heat is a critical factor in planning your camping trip to the Farmington area. High temperatures in excess of 90 degrees F throughout the summer months, combined with low humidity, create the need to consume large quantities of water, most of which must be hauled with you when camping in the area.

Camping choices near Farmington include sites on the blue waters of Navajo Lake and remote campgrounds at Angel Peak and Buzzard Park that allow you to fully appreciate the desert beauty.

For more information:

Farmington Convention & Visitors Bureau

3041 E. Main St.

Farmington, NM 87402

(505) 326-7602

www.farmingtonnm.org

Aztec Chamber of Commerce

105 S. Main

Aztec, NM 87410

(505) 334-7646

www.aztecchamber.com

Developed campsites in the state attract visitors from Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

Hookups: W = Water, E = Electric, S = Sewer

Toilets: F = Flush, V = Vault, P = Pit, C = Chemical

Recreation: H = Hiking, S = Swimming, F = Fishing, B = Boating, L = Boat Launch, O = Off-Highway Driving, R = Horseback Riding

Fee (per-night campsite cost): $ = $0 to $5; $$ = $6 to $10; $$$ = $11 to $20; $$$$ = $21+.

Maximum Trailer/RV length given in feet. Stay limit given in days. If no entry under Maximum RV length where RV sites are available, no restriction is in place.

If no entry under Season, campground is open all year. If no entry under Fee, camping is free.

Location: 20 miles southeast of Bloomfield

GPS: N36 32.806' / W107 51.697'

Sites: 9 sites for tents

Facilities: Vault toilets, tables, grills, and hiking trails

Fee: $

Elevation: 6,650 feet

Management: Bureau of Land Management, Farmington Field Office; (505) 564-7600

Reservations: None

Activities: Hiking

Season: Year-round

Finding the campground: From the town of Bloomfield, travel xsouth 15 miles on US 550. Turn left (east) onto CR 7175 and go 6 miles to the campground.

About the campground: Named for a towering rock formation, this secluded campground offers hiking trails, dispersed hiking, and scenic overlooks that allow you to enjoy the sculptured rocks and rich hues of the high desert. Though understandably sparse in vegetation, the campground is adequate for a getaway or a stopover. The area has been heavily explored for oil and gas. Unfortunately, this has left pump sites and drilling pads to mar what was previously pristine scenery. The campground and picnic areas do attract some locals, but otherwise its quiet. This is a pack-it-in, pack-it-out camp, and no water is available.

Location: 31 miles southwest of Dulce

GPS: N36 52.871' / W107 13.0052'

Sites: 4 sites for tents

Facilities: Vault toilets, tables, and grills

Fee: $

Elevation: 7,300 feet

Management: Carson National Forest, Jicarilla Ranger District; (505) 632-2956

Reservations: None

Activities: Hiking and 4-wheel driving

Season: May to November

Finding the campground: From Dulce travel 18 miles southwest on US 64. Turn north onto FR 310. Go 13 miles to the campground.

About the campground: Even the name of this campground is lonely. If solitude is your camping objective, this is a great place to leave the crowds behind. Opportunities for hiking and off-road driving are abundant and limited only by your vehicle and your willingness to leave this lovely campground.

Location: 38 miles east of Farmington

GPS: N36 48.843' / W107 36.766'

Sites: 244 sites for tents and RVs

Facilities: Visitor center, group shelter, dump station, flush toilets, showers, marinas, playground, boat launch, and hiking trails; wheelchair-accessible facilities

Fee: $$$$$, annual permit available

Elevation: 5,600 to 6,600 feet

Management: New Mexico State Parks Division; (505) 632-2278; www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/navajolakestatepark.html