Forum Discussion

BURSON's avatar
BURSON
Explorer
Oct 18, 2017

Newbie looking for semi-secluded RV camping in NM & TX

Two months ago we purchased our first RV (24 foot motorhome). Growing up my parents had an RV and we had a favorite place to dry camp in a nice reservation in New Mexico offering secluded camping sites and outstanding trout fishing. I didn’t realize until after our RV purchase, this reservation is closed for a very extended period of time (at least a decade) due to fire and flooding. I was shocked to learn this but had hopes there would be other locations like this available in the mountains of New Mexico.

Since our purchase, I’ve realized state, national and privately owned parks offer a very different type of RV camping. These are not secluded and your neighbors are in very close proximity. My husband works M-F, so we are restricted to weekends with an occasional long weekend.

For our first major outing with the RV, I was able to find a nice location in the Santa Fe National Forest; however, this location does not take reservations, and we were incredibly lucky to find an open spot. Camping neighbors were close, but not too close, and there was a nice sense of community during our stay (there were only 16 camping sites at this location). This location didn’t have the “parking lot” appearance and we felt comfortable in this choice. However, we realize we will not be so lucky venturing to this location in the future and need to find other options. I do realize winter is upon us and many of the parks in the mountains will be closing until Spring.

I’m beginning to regret the purchase of our RV because after long searches on the internet, I can’t seem to find other locations similar to the one mentioned above. I’ve looked for camping locations in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma.

Does anyone have suggestions on RV camping in New Mexico (or Texas) that may offer the type of RV camping I’m looking for? Thank you to anyone out there who can save me from placing a for sale sign on our new RV.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Oct 18, 2017
    Have you checked the National Forest websites in New Mexico? Look for dispersed camping. The BLM websites are another possibility. May not be that much in TX, there are some National Recreation Sites all the way in the south, and of course Big Bend has sites but those are a bit far for most people.

    Oh yeah check these out: free cg

    UCG
  • BURSON's avatar
    BURSON
    Explorer
    Oct 18, 2017
    Thank you both for your replies. I have checked out the National Forest websites pretty thoroughly. I have not thought of using the search term "dispersed" and will do so. I will also search BLM as well. Thank you!
  • NMDriver's avatar
    NMDriver
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2017
    For winter camping look at Brantley Lake, Caballo Lake, Percha Lake, Leasburg Dam, and Elephant Butte if fishing is one of your goals. Elephant Butte hook up sites are pretty close together but many people dry camp around the lake shore. Caballo has two campgrounds one above the dam and one below and the lower campground is fairly dispersed. Percha Lake and Leasburg are have pretty good spacing in the hook up sites. All of the lakes will be crowded on weekends with pic-nickers but are sparsely used during the week.

    If you are looking for weekend only dry camping then there is a lot of BLM land available. Check this link for more info link
  • BURSON's avatar
    BURSON
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2017
    Thank you NMDriver! I'll check out your BLM link as well. And thank you for suggesting spots with fishing :-)!
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Oct 19, 2017
    If you can’t find a secluded camping site in New Mexico....oh my goodness!
  • doxiemom11's avatar
    doxiemom11
    Explorer II
    Oct 19, 2017
    The freecampgrounds.net does have camping on BLM areas, national forest, corp of engineer and many small city /county parks that are free or low cost. It's a very useful site. Create and account so that you will be able to see pictures that some reviewers post after they have stayed somewhere.
  • RE_Todd's avatar
    RE_Todd
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2017
    Also check into Lake Sumner, based on your location. If trout fishing is your goal, I know there are places off of the 285 in southern Colorado, but kind of far for a 2 day weekend.
  • trailertraveler's avatar
    trailertraveler
    Explorer
    Oct 19, 2017
    Secluded is a subjective term. I would not consider any public or private campground secluded. Those that accept reservations generally do so because they are popular and the management wants to give opportunity to all. New Mexico State Park campgrounds are generally not parking lots, but I would not consider them secluded. As mentioned, some NM State Parks like Elephant Butte and Caballo have primitive camping areas where you may be able to get away from other campers. Some New Mexico Wildlife Management Areas allow camping. You can find National Forest Campgrounds in New Mexico on the website in the link.

    The term dispersed camping is often used by RVers to describe what agencies often consider car/vehicle camping which can only be done in areas open to vehicle traffic while dispersed camping/back packing can be done in areas closed to vehicle traffic. On National Forests, areas open to car/vehicle camping are shown on the Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) or Travel Maps. These areas can change as often as every year and are not marked on the ground, so you need the maps. Maps can be obtained from the Forest Service Ranger Stations and many are available on line. Search for MVUM or the individual Forest's websites.

    BLM lands have been mentioned. Be aware that some BLM areas like the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument along the Rio Grande River restrict car/RV camping to developed campgrounds only.

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