SP Campground Review – Heron Lake State Park, Los Ojos, NM

The very pretty Heron Lake

A nice, spacious State Park within walking distance of Heron Lake in North-Central New Mexico.

Link to campground here: Heron Lake State Park, NM
Link to map location here: Heron Lake State Park, NM

1. Site Quality = 4/5
   Heron Lake has ~6 separate camping areas dotted around Heron Lake. The electric hookups are in Willow Creek/Blanco area of which Blanco is the newer and (by far) more spacious campground.
   -> In Blanco the sites are very large (several could easily fit 2 big-rigs), very flat gravel with great separation, 30Amp/water, picnic table and fire-pit. There are both pull-throughs and back-ins with varying levels of shade.
   -> Willow Creek has a similar set-up, but campsites are much closer together with less privacy. Willow does have 4 full hookup sites. 
   My main ding is that there are no real views of the lake from either Blanco or Willow Creek.
   -> Outside of these two there are ~5 other primitive and non-hookup camping areas dotted around the lake. Most are very tight, more uneven and not suitable for big-rigs. The only area we thought accessible was Ponderosa Campground (non-hookup) which had limited shade/privacy, but did boast more open roads/sites and full views of the water.
2.  Facilities = 3.5/5
   Good facilities. Flush toilets and showers, all spacious and kept decently clean. Only ding is that (like all the state parks here) they have that timer button on the shower. All campgrounds have access to the lake via either trails or boat ramp. Picnic and fishing opportunities. On-site dump station.
3. Location = 3/5
   The campground here is nicely located next to Heron Lake, but is a tad longer drive from town (~15 miles to Chama) and the associated sights. Another slight ding is the lake area right near the campground is covered in very large slate blocks making walking along the shore a little more adventurous. However there is plenty of opportunity to fish and hike on-site including the pretty Rio Chama trail.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Good doggie-spot. Lots of hiking right from the campground as well as short 10-min walk to the lake to splash and play.

Overall Rating = 3.9
BONUS ALERT = Spacious camping within walking distance of Heron Lake!

Summary: Heron Lake is a fairly large State Park with ~7 separate campgrounds dotted around Heron Reservoir. It’s a slightly unusual lake in that portions of the shoreline are covered in large slate blocks. However it’s set beautifully with lots of hiking and areas to fish. The electric hookup sites (Willow/Blanco) are spacious and pretty, especially the newer Blanco section. Neither of these have views of the lake, but it’s a short 10-min walk away. Many opportunities for non-hookup and primitive camping around other areas of the lake. You are ~15 miles from Chama and the associated sights. The campsite does seem popular and fills up with families in the week-end, but still manages to feel natural and relaxed. Overall a decent location in a good setting. It doesn’t make the top of our New Mexico stay, but it’s a lovely area and we’d certainly stay again.

 Extra Info:  Decent 3G connection from Blanco. Sites cost $18/night (full hookup – 4 sites in Willow Creek only), $14/night for 30Amp electric/water and $10/night (no hookups). Camping fees can be covered with New Mexico Annual Camping Permit. 60 sites in electric (Willow/Blanco) area with ~250 developed sites overall. Approx. 75% of sites in Willow/Blanco are reservable, with reminder first-come-first-serve. On-site dump station.

Extra, Extra Info – Railroad Buff? If you’re a true railroad buff and would like to be right next to the action, the private Rio Chama RV Park is right in town and walking distance to the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad. It gets good reviews.

View of our extremely spacious and private site in Blanco (non-reservation site #60). Easily space for 2 "beasts" in here.

Typical back-in site in Blanco (reservation site #43 shown)

View of one of the large pull-throughs (#54). These guys actually parked 2 rigs in here, although I'm not sure it's technically allowed?

View down campground loop in Blanco showing lovely separation (site #55 on right and #57 in background on left)

Another view down Blanco. Site #38 on right, #39 on left.

View of on-site facilities

NFS Campground Review – Columbine Canyon, Questa, NM

Enjoying a glass by the stream next to our RV site at Columbine Canyon

A lovely forest campground next to a running stream near Questa on the Enchanted Circle in NE New Mexico.

Link to campground here: Columbine Canyon, Carson Forest, NM
Link to map location here: Columbine Canyon, Carson Forest, NM

1. Site Quality = 4/5
   Very nice site quality here, especially for a National Forest. All sites are paved with a good selection of larger and relatively flat ones. The entrance to the campground has a small circle of 8 large, perfectly flat open sites easily accessible to big rigs, but with limited shade/privacy. The remainder of the campground runs away from the main road up alongside a creek and has more private and dispersed forested sites of varying size/flatness. On left a selection of back-ins (#10-17 or so), with pull-throughs on right (#21 onwards), several of which can accommodate larger rigs. All sites have good separation, lovely “sitting areas” with picnic table and fire-pit, while some even have direct stream-access (e.g. #26/27). No hookups.
2.  Facilities = 2/5
   Very basic facilities here. There are several sets of pit toilets, kept nicely clean and several water spigots. Access to the stream and many (many) miles of hiking directly from camp. No showers or dump station.
3. Location = 5/5
   Another lovely location. You are deep in the woods here, shielded from the wind and right next to miles of wonderful hiking. Short drive to popular Red River as well as to visit other sights (e.g. Wild Rivers BLM).
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Great pet playground. The stream provides wonderful refreshment, plus there are literally days worth of hiking in Carson National Forest on the trails directly from camp.

Overall Rating = 4
BONUS ALERT = Camp deep in the woods next to the calming song of a running stream!

Summary: There are 5 forest campgrounds on the Northern End of the Enchanted Circle between Red River and Questa, but Columbine Canyon is by far the most accessible, quietest and nicest in our opinion. Set beautifully in the forest right alongside a running stream, the campground has both fully open sites as well as more private forested sites. All are paved with good access, nice separation and a selection large and flat enough for bigger rigs. There are lovely “sitting areas” and even a few sites with direct stream access (we thought our site #26 by far the nicest of the lot). The surrounding area has plenty to do and see including Red River, Wild Rivers BLM and literally days worth of hiking (there is access to at least 40 miles or so directly from the campground). This is a typical primitive forest campground with no hookups and no dump station but it feels wonderfully peaceful and secluded. It also has full protection from those famous New Mexico winds, a rarity in the area. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and would most certainly come again.

 Extra Info:  Verizon extended network with a few bars, so you’ll get a slow 1X connection, but no more. Sites cost $15/night (no hookups). All 27 sites are first-come-first-serve. Several on-site water spigots, but NO dump station.

Extra, Extra Info: More Remote? If you’re looking for something more remote El Aguaje Campground at Wild Rivers BLM has plenty of room for big rigs and allows camping right on the upper rim of the gorgeous Rio Grande Canyon for $7/night (no hookups). Very few people seem to go there.

Extra, Extra, Extra Info: Boondocking? There is aparently a lovely boondocking spot nearer to Taos off Forest Service road 9 at Cebola Mesa. Official RV size limit is 32′, but we weren’t able to make it over there to check if they take bigger. If anyone goes, let me know!

View from front of campground down right-side of loop. Pull-through #27 on left. You can just (barely) see our RV peeking out in pull-through #26 behind it.

Another view down campground loop from the upper side. Site #22 in front, with an RV in site #23 behind it.

Typical back-in site (#12 shown)

View down campground loop showing one of vault toilets and site #14 behind it

View from top of loop. You can just see site #17 hidden on left.

View of "circle" at front of campground with sites #1-8

View of one of large, spacious and flat back-in sites in lower circle. Site #3 shown.

View of our very spacious and private "sitting area" by site #26. Although you can't see it in the pic, the stream runs directly on the left.

SP Campground Review – Eagle Nest Lake State Park, Eagle Nest, NM

Hanging out at gorgeous Eagle Nest Lake

A primitive lake-side State Park campground with gorgeous 360-degree views on the Enchanted Circle in NE New Mexico.

Link to campground here: Eagle Nest Lake State Park, NM
Link to map location here: Eagle Nest Lake State Park, NM

1. Site Quality = 3.5/5
   This is a primitive (no hookup) campground, but sites are very nice. The sites on the outside of the loop are all flat, spacious dirt pull-throughs with lake views and lovely “sitting area” (shelter, picnic table, fire-pit/grill). Inside sites are long back-ins. Easy access throughout, even for bigger rigs and good separation between campers. No shade, but excellent 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and lake.
2.  Facilities = 2/5
   Very basic facilities here. There are pit toilets in the campground, one set of flush toilets at the visitors center and that’s about it. No showers or dump station. On-site water spigot and day-use areas with access to the lake for boating & fishing.
3. Location = 5/5
   Lovely location for the area. You’re right next to beautiful Eagle Nest Lake with access to boating/fishing (apparently some of the best fishing in the area). Very close to the cute ski-town of Angel Fire as well as the pretty Cimarron Canyon with hiking in both. Short drive to popular Red River.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Another lovely doggie spot. Plenty of space to hang out in camp as well as opportunity to splash and swim in the lake. Nearby hiking in Angel Fire and Cimarron Canyon.

Overall Rating = 3.9
BONUS ALERT = Camp with 360-degree views of alpine mountains and lake!

Summary: This is a rather new State Park set right next to the gorgeous Eagle Nest Lake in a wide, alpine valley at ~8,300 feet. The campground is small (19 sites only) and primitive (deliberately kept that way so as not to compete with the nearby RV parks..of which there are several) so there are no showers, no hookups and no dump station. But, all that is made amply up for by the location and the view! Sites are lovely, large, flat with nice “sitting areas” (shelters/table/fire-pit) and 360-degree views including the stunning Mt.Wheeler. All have good lake views and you’re only a short 100-feet from the water with some of the best fishing in the area (according to locals). No shade in camp and you need to be ready for the famous NM winds, but temperatures are cooler than surrounding lower elevations in summer. The road coming into camp is dirt, but access is excellent and there is lots to see and do in the surrounding area. We had a look at the nearby Cimarron Canyon State Park, but it’s a lot more cramped with very limited access for bigger rigs so we were happy with our choice to stay at Eagle Nest. Overall a lovely little park with gorgeous views. We would certainly come again.

 Extra Info:  Verizon extended network only here, so you’ll get a good 1X connection, but no more. Sites cost $10/night (no hookups). Camping fees can be covered with New Mexico Annual Camping Permit. 19 sites overall. Approx. half of sites are reservable, half are first-come-first-serve. On-site water spigot, but NO dump station.

View of our pull-through site (#18)

Typical pull-through site (#5 shown)

Typical back-in site on inside of loop (#9 shown)

Typical "sitting area' with shelter, picnic table and fire-pit. Site #10 shown.

View down campground loop from front of our RV (site #16 in front with #14 & #12 behind it)

View down other site of campground loop (Site #7 on left with #5, #3, #1 behind it)

View forward down front of loop. Reservation sites #8 & #10 shown front to back.

The facilities in the middle of the campground.. You can see RVs parked around the outside of the loop in the background.

BLM Campground Review – Orilla Verde Recreation Area, Pilar, NM

Rum n' coke with a view at Pilar Campground

A simple, but lovely BLM camping area set beautifully in the middle of the Rio Grande Gorge just south of Taos in NE New Mexico.

Link to campground here: Orilla Verde Recreation Area, NM
Link to map location here: Orilla Verde Recreation Area, NM

1. Site Quality = 4/5
   There are 7 separate campgrounds in the Orilla Verde Recreation Area all set along the Rio Grande. Since you are inside a gorge surrounded by cliffs all the campgrounds are small (typically ~9 sites each), fairly close to the road and sites fairly close together, but traffic and visitors are light. Only the first two have RV hookups (all pull-through, 50Amp & water) and these are probably the best suited to big rigs, with 9 RV sites in the first (Pilar) and 4 RV sites in the second (Rio Bravo). Both campgrounds have river access and very nice sites especially for BLM. They are long, dirt, nicely flat with picnic table, fire-pit and grill.
   -> The first campground (Pilar) is mostly for RV’s, with no shade but pretty views of the canyon and generally very quiet. The arrangement is a single longish, narrow dirt road with pull-through RV sites on either side and a slightly sharp turn at each end of the loop, but overall decent access (we even saw a tag-axle get in here).
   -> The second campground (Rio Bravo) has the advantage of shade trees but is a mix of tent/RV sites including a large group area so it does get more crowded/noisy.
   Most of the remaining campgrounds have no shade or hookups and are better suited (in size) to smaller rigs. We saw a couple of big-rig-potential sites for the more adventurous -> one gorgeous water-view site in Arroyo Hondo, one back-in at Petaca (on the left with nose to the road) and a couple of nicely separated sites for those willing to drive into the primitive area at the end (do the drive in your toad and have a look before you pull-in the rig. There is space to turn around at the end of the right-hand spur in the primitive area, but the road getting in is narrow)
2.  Facilities = 3/5
   Very decent facilities for a BLM area. There are flush toilets at Pilar, kept nicely clean and pay showers at Rio Bravo. Access to the river at all campgrounds and several day-spots along the road. No dump station (nearest dump in Taos at the private campground).
3. Location = 5/5
   This is a really superb location in our opinion. You are deep in the gorgeous Rio Grande Gorge with access to water activities and hiking, yet you are only ~16 miles from Taos with plenty of shopping, galleries, art and food. Lots to see and do in the surrounding area with wineries, mineral baths, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge and ski areas.
4. Pet Friendliness = 5/5
   Perfect area for doggie. Lots of hiking trails in the gorge including right from the campground, plus daily walks across the road to splash and play in the lovely Rio Grande River.

Overall Rating = 4.25
BONUS ALERT = Camp right by the water, deep inside the Rio Grande Gorge

Summary: The Orilla Verde Recreation Area is a simple, but gorgeous setting right inside the Rio Grande Gorge just SW of Taos, NM. There’s a single paved road going through the valley with 6 campgrounds set along the river and one primitive camping area in the back. The first two campgrounds have RV hookups (50Amp+water) and very nice sites with good “sitting areas” and decent access. The remaining campgrounds are more suited for smaller rigs, although we did see a couple of big-rig accessible sites for the more adventurous (see above). Since you’re in a gorge the campgrounds are small in size, fairly close to the road and sites closer together, but visitation and traffic is light. All campgrounds have easy access to the river. LOTS to do in the surrounding area including art, food and museums in Taos only ~16 miles away, mineral baths at Ojo Caliente, wineries in Dixon, and hiking/biking, rafting/kayaking and fly-fishing along the Rio Grande itself. Apart from Memorial Day Weekend the place was practically empty and we had lots of space to ourselves. We’re still here for a few more days and absolutely love the area and easy access to hiking and water. This is a spot to keep on the list.

 Extra Info:  No connectivity here with either Verizon smartphone or aircard BUT we were able to get a usable data signal using our external antenna/amp at Pilar Campground. Sites cost $15/night for 50Amp/water, $7/night for non hook-up, $5/night for designated primitive. All sites first-come-first-serve. NO dump station.

Note/ Since all our time was spent at Pilar campground most of my pics are of that area, but I’ve included “arial” photos of 2 other campgrounds just as an overview.

View of our site (#7) at Pilar. The central campground road is in middle and site #8 is on left.

Typical pull-through site at Pilar (#8 shown)

View from back of campground "loop". RV site #3 on right (with #5 behind it) and sites #4,6,7 on left front to back (you can see us in #7 at back)

View of "sitting area" in front of RV sites. This is from site #4. Site #6 is right behind it and we're in #7 at the back.

View from very front of the campground. Site #9 on left. We're in #7 on right. You can see more sites on either side going back.

"Aerial" view of Pilar Campground from the trail. All the RV's are along the left.

"Arial" view of the shaded Rio Bravo campground from the trail. There are 4 RV hookup sites and multiple tenting sites. The RV in front is the host.

"Arial" view of the non hook-up Arroyo Hondo Campground. There's potentially space for one big-rig in here, but it does require some careful maneuvering.

RV Park Review – High Desert RV Park, Albuqueque, NM

The entrance to High Desert RV Park

A convenient and inexpensive private park stop-over in Albuquerque.

Link to park here: High Desert RV Park
Link to map location here: High Desert RV Park

1. Site quality = 2.5/5
   This site quality is just OK here. There is a selection of large pull-through or back-in sites on compacted dirt with full hook-ups (either 30 or 50 Amp). Not much in the way of extra’s on-site except for an older picnic table. This is your typical parking-lot-style private park and you will be close to your neighbor with no real separation or landscaping.
2. Facilities = 4/5
   Good facilities here. The main showers were spacious with good pressure and temperature, kept nicely clean and with cute, little touch’s (e.g. pink shower mats in the girls). There is a second shower facility (OK but not as nice) in the middle-side of the park which has individual shower/toilet rooms.
3. Amenities = 3/5
   A decent, but not extensive set of amenities here. There’s a very nice on-site community room with TV and pool tables. Also 3 good-sized dog runs, a “car care” center, 2 laundry facilities and a small convenience store. On-site propane. WiFi is available, but you gotta pay for it. No pool.
4. Location = 4/5
   Overall this park is in a good location. It’s right off Hwy-40, only a few miles from Petroglyph National Monument, ~8 miles from downtown and right opposite Camping World. Despite all this it doesn’t feel too cramped and has open space behind and around it.
5. Pet friendliness = 5/5
   Good spot for doggie considering this is a private park. In addition to 3 good-sized dog runs there is a large open space behind the park, with several miles of dirt trails on which to run and walk around.

 Overall rating = 3.7

Summary: We needed to spend a few days in Albuquerque stocking up and wanted a simple, dog-friendly park as a base. High Desert worked perfectly for this. It’s your typical private-park parking lot, but has the advantage of being slightly out of town (~8 miles) and surrounded by a large open area with space to walk. The sites are basic, but do provide full hook-up and the campground has nice/clean facilities and good/decent amenities for one of the better prices in the area (in fact it was the best price/value I could find in the whole of Albuquerque). We liked the location being right off the highway, close to Petroglyph National Monument, accessible to town and opposite Camping World to boot. On-site propane was a nice bonus too. Overall it’s not a place I’d rave about, but a very decent and convenient stop-over if you need one in town.

Extra Info: Verizon aircard and smartphone had full signal. Sites $ 19.95/night (30 Amp), $ 23.45/night (50 Amp). They do take Good Sam’s and offer weekly/monthly rates. 

Extra, Extra Info (Boondocking): I couldn’t find any state parks or BLM next to Albuquerque, but there are casino’s in the area that allow free dry-camping. Thanks to Matt over at Operation Tally Ho, I now know about Sandia casino as a potential place to stop next time. Cheers!

Our site (#605) in the middle of the park

Typical site view. Large pull-through with older picnic table.

View down left side of RV Park

View of RV Park from entrance

View of one of the 3 dog runs

View of main facilities/store/office and propane

The big, open area behind the RV park where we walked Polly. This trail goes for several miles, with some side-spurs into deeper desert area.