Top Camping Spots Near Defiance, NM: Explore Nature's Beauty
Nestled in the stunning landscapes of northwestern New Mexico, Defiance offers a variety of camping options perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. For those looking to bring home on wheels, several RV campgrounds provide access to essential amenities while immersing guests in the beauty of the rugged terrain. Popular sites like the nearby Elk Ridge Campground offer spacious sites with breathtaking views of the surrounding mesas and the breathtaking Chuska Mountains. Tent camping aficionados will appreciate the serene atmosphere at the Defiance Trailhead, where primitive sites allow for a true back-to-nature experience amidst pinyon-juniper forests. For adventurous souls, dispersed camping options can be found on the adjacent Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, where freedom reigns and tranquil solitude is just a short hike from scenic overlooks. With its combination of diverse geography—ranging from high plateaus to desert landscapes—Defiance, NM, is an ideal launch point for unforgettable camping experiences that connect you to the untamed beauty of the Southwest.
Bluewater Lake Campground is part of Bluewater Lake State Park in New Mexico (1 hr 54 min west of Rio Rancho, NM) with an elevation of 7,429 feet. There are a total of 41 campsites. The campground is open all year. 39 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 120 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 13 sites have electric hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $90.00. Some amenities include playground, boat ramp, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, water skiing, floating sports.
Gallo Campground is part of Chaco Culture National Historical Park in New Mexico (2 hrs 11 min south of Farmington, NM) with an elevation of 6,718 feet. There are a total of 35 campsites including 2 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 33 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 16 and 40 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $15.00 to $60.00. Some amenities include dump station, amphitheater, flush toilets. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Coal Mine Campground is located in the Mount Taylor Ranger District, Cibola National Forest (1 hr 43 min west of Rio Rancho, NM) with an elevation of 7,459 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $5.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
Lyman Lake Campground is part of Lyman Lake State Park in Arizona (2 hrs 29 min east of Flagstaff, AZ) with an elevation of 5,983 feet. There are a total of 61 campsites including 8 cabins. The campground is open all year. 53 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. 10 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 33 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $65.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, restroom, gasoline pump, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing, floating sports.
Homolovi Campground is part of Homolovi State Park in Arizona (59 min east of Flagstaff, AZ) with an elevation of 4,888 feet. There are a total of 49 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 50 and 150 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 39 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has electric hookups. 8 sites have water hookups. Fees range from $18.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include shower, drinking water, dump station, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include hiking trails.
Hoyer Campground is located in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (3 hrs 36 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 8,283 feet. There are a total of 90 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid October. 80 sites can accommodate RVs between 30 and 56 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, amphitheater.
Fool Hollow Lake Campground is part of Fool Hollow Lake Recreation Area in Arizona (2 hrs 48 min northeast of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 6,285 feet. There are a total of 100 campsites including 29 tent-only sites. The campground is open all year. 71 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 35 and 129 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 12 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 45 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 26 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $25.00 to $35.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, boat ramp, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing, floating sports.
Winn Campground is located in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (3 hrs 41 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 9,322 feet. There are a total of 63 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 99 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $60.00.
Lewis Canyon Group Campground is located in the Lakeside Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (2 hrs 53 min northeast of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 6,484 feet. The site is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Cottonwood Campground is part of Navajo Lake State Park in New Mexico (51 min east of Farmington, NM) with an elevation of 6,069 feet. There are a total of 47 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. 43 sites have electric and water hookups. 4 sites have water hookups. Prices start at $30.00 per night. Some amenities include shower, dump station, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include fishing, floating sports.
Crusher Hole Campground is part of Navajo Lake State Park in New Mexico (47 min east of Farmington, NM) with an elevation of 5,694 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 24 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $15.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, restroom. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Luna Lake Campground is located in the Alpine Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (4 hrs 7 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 7,978 feet. There are a total of 32 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 27 and 192 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $20.00 to $125.00. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Gentry Group is located in the Black Mesa Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (3 hrs 4 min northeast of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 6,718 feet. The site is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Prices start at $90.00 per night.
Rainbow Campground is located in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (3 hrs 52 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 9,124 feet. There are a total of 121 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 30 and 180 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $26.00 to $90.00. Some amenities include flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Brookchar Campground is located in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (3 hrs 53 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 8,992 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Grayling Campground is located in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (3 hrs 53 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 9,054 feet. There are a total of 21 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $26.00 per night. Some amenities include marina. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Cutthroat Campground is located in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (3 hrs 54 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 9,068 feet. There are a total of 18 campsites which are all tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to the end of October. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Apache Trout Campground is located in the Springerville Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (3 hrs 56 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 9,060 feet. There are a total of 64 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 40 and 80 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 31 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $30.00 to $375.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, flush toilets.
Pine Main Campground is part of Navajo Lake State Park in New Mexico (56 min east of Farmington, NM) with an elevation of 6,069 feet. There are a total of 96 campsites. The campground is open all year. 89 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 55 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 6 sites have full hookups (electric, water and sewer). 49 sites have electric and water hookups. 1 site has water hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $90.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, marina, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing, floating sports.
Sims Mesa Campground is part of Navajo Lake State Park in New Mexico (1 hr 24 min east of Farmington, NM) with an elevation of 6,069 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites. The campground is open all year. 33 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 50 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 18 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $90.00. Some amenities include dump station, boat ramp, marina, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing, floating sports.
Clear Creek Campground is located in the Cuba Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest (1 hr 18 min north of Rio Rancho, NM) with an elevation of 8,470 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 23 and 47 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Rio De Las Vacas Campground is located in the Cuba Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest (1 hr 19 min north of Rio Rancho, NM) with an elevation of 8,249 feet. There are a total of 15 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 20 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Caldwell Cabin is located in the Alpine Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (4 hrs 20 min east of Apache Junction, AZ) with an elevation of 7,579 feet. The site is normally open from mid May to mid October. Prices start at $110.00 per night. Activities include biking, ohv trails nearby, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Fenton Lake Campground is part of Fenton Lake State Park in New Mexico (1 hr 23 min north of Rio Rancho, NM) with an elevation of 7,664 feet. There are a total of 33 campsites including 1 tent-only site. The campground is open all year. 31 sites can accommodate RVs between 15 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 5 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $10.00 to $25.00. Some amenities include playground, restroom. Activities include boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Paliza Campground is located in the Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest (53 min north of Rio Rancho, NM) with an elevation of 6,828 feet. There are a total of 12 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid September. 6 sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 22 and 35 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $8.00 to $50.00. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Sand Island Group Sites Campground in San Juan County is located 1 hr 59 min west of Farmington, NM with an elevation of 4,304 feet. There are a total of 2 campsites. The campground is open all year. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $65.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp. Activities include floating sports.
San Antonio Campground is located in the Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest (1 hr 24 min west of Santa Fe, NM) with an elevation of 7,753 feet. There are a total of 30 campsites including 13 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid November. 15 sites can accommodate RVs between 28 and 300 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 6 sites have electric and water hookups. Fees range from $10.00 to $150.00. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Goosenecks Campground is part of Goosenecks State Park in Utah (2 hrs 20 min west of Farmington, NM) with an elevation of 4,971 feet. There are a total of 8 campsites. The campground is open all year. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 55 feet. All sites are currently first-come first-served. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom.
Jemez Falls Campground is located in the Jemez Ranger District, Santa Fe National Forest (1 hr 19 min west of Santa Fe, NM) with an elevation of 7,946 feet. There are a total of 50 campsites. The campground is normally open from mid May to mid November. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 18 and 47 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring with grill. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include restroom, amphitheater. Activities include hiking trails.
Black Canyon Rim Campground is located in the Black Mesa Ranger District, Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (2 hrs 26 min northeast of Scottsdale, AZ) with an elevation of 7,625 feet. There are a total of 20 campsites including 1 boat site. The campground is normally open from the end of April to mid October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 21 and 45 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $20.00 per night.
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