Nearby Camping

Camping is not permitted anywhere in Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument.

If you are looking for a place to camp, there are several options nearby. Check with the Mountainair Ranger Station, located just down the road in Mountainair, NM, to learn about camping opportunities in the Cibola National Forest. Manzano Mountains State Park offers camping close to Quarai.

Although we don't offer camping, Salinas Pueblo Missions does offer evening programs during the summer months. Check our calendar for information about upcoming programs.

Manzano Mountains State Park

Manzano Mountains State Park is a fantastic place to hike and camp near to Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Quarai Unit. Nestled in the forested slopes of the Manzanos, this park offers a peaceful refuge and is ideal for a family vacation. This park offers excellent wildlife viewing, bird watching, and photographic opportunities.

For more information about camping at Manzano Mountains State Park, please consult their website.

Red Canyon Campground

Large, well-shaded campsite with 38 units and 11 picnic spots in the bottom loop. This is a good approach to go into Manzano Wilderness via the Red and Spruce Canyon paths, either on foot or horseback. Corrals and parking for horse trailers.
This location is available for day usage or overnight camping.

For more information about camping at Red Canyon Campground, please consult their website.

Valley of Fires Recreation Area

The Valley of Fires Recreation Area in New Mexico offers RV camping, tent camping, and day usage sites. The leisure area is adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow, one of the youngest in the continental United States, which erupted around 5,000 years ago and flooded the Tularosa Basin with molten rock, spanning 125 square miles.

Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the area features 20 campsites with power and water hookups, picnic shelters, tables, trash cans, and barbecue grills. Both RV sites and bathrooms are accessible, with showers available at the main restroom/shower house. Two group shelters are available for hire, and the 3/4-mile Malpais Nature Trail provides a close-up view of the lava surface.

For more information about camping at Valley of Fires Recreation Area, please consult their website.

Leave No Trace

When camping in a campground or in the wilderness, it is important to keep "Leave No Trace" ethics and principles committed to memory.

Leave No Trace:Seven Principles.
* Plan Ahead and Prepare
* Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
* Dispose of Waste Properly
* Leave What You Find
* Minimize Campfire Impacts
* Respect Wildlife
* Be Considerate of Other Visitors