Black Canyon Campground (Santa Fe National Forest, NM)

Site 23 is large and private, with some shade. The campground is very nice and (mostly) quiet. The only negative was the group across the street from us built a large campfire, which was prohibited under the Santa Fe National Forest Stage Two warnings (I think), and the camp hosts didn't do anything about it.

Site 23 is large and private, with some shade. The campground is very nice and (mostly) quiet. The only negative was the group across the street from us built a large campfire, which was prohibited under the Santa Fe National Forest Stage Two warnings (I think), and the camp hosts didn't do anything about it.

tHIS is a beautiful wooded, mountain campground. Campsites are landscaped exceptionally well. We had a wonderful stay.

tHIS is a beautiful wooded, mountain campground. Campsites are landscaped exceptionally well. We had a wonderful stay.

We stayed one night here in June, 2020. Just wanted to get out of hot Albuquerque and into the mountains for some cooler hiking and cooler air in general.

The sites here have no facilities. There are a couple of vault toilets, which smelled pretty bad when we walked by them. A couple of very primitive looking water areas; no idea if they actually work (I've seen earlier reviews that imply they don't). I never saw anyone using them. And they have non-traditional connects, so if you want to try your luck and get water for your rig here, you'll need a Water Bandit.

The campground is well wooded. Campsites come in all shapes and sizes. Our rig is 29 ft, 3 inches, and we were in a spot that maxed out at 32 ft (per description on web site...Site 15). We barely fit. We saw very few sites that could have accommodate much more. I don't think any site would have been able to handle more than 35 ft. Our little Thor Hurricane 27B was the only Class A we saw on site, and the place was pretty packed. Lots of tent camping. (Our pad was narrow enough that back in took more than one try. And there was no space for bringing out the awning. The fire pit area and such were BEHIND the rig.)

It was very nice though and in the evening, the temps were fantastic. It was actually chilly enough that my wife had to put on a small wrap while we ate dinner outside.

At the end of the campgrounds is the entrance to the Black Canyon Trail. It's only about 1.3 mi, but for about .4 mi of it, there is considerable steepness. I wouldn't call it a workout, but it's not a totally whimpy trail and it was lovely. We saw lots of plant life and grabbed many nice photos. We went late in the afternoon (around 5:30) and NO ONE else was on the trail.

We had read there was no mobile service and they weren't kidding. Over the air TV doesn't come in either, and even radio stations were spotty at best. No problem for us.

We stayed one night here in June, 2020. Just wanted to get out of hot Albuquerque and into the mountains for some cooler hiking and cooler air in general.

The sites here have no facilities. There are a couple of vault toilets, which smelled pretty bad when we walked by them. A couple of very primitive looking water areas; no idea if they actually work (I've seen earlier reviews that imply they don't). I never saw anyone using them. And they have non-traditional connects, so if you want to try your luck and get water for your rig here, you'll need a Water Bandit.

The campground is well wooded. Campsites come in all shapes and sizes. Our rig is 29 ft, 3 inches, and we were in a spot that maxed out at 32 ft (per description on web site...Site 15). We barely fit. We saw very few sites that could have accommodate much more. I don't think any site would have been able to handle more than 35 ft. Our little Thor Hurricane 27B was the only Class A we saw on site, and the place was pretty packed. Lots of tent camping. (Our pad was narrow enough that back in took more than one try. And there was no space for bringing out the awning. The fire pit area and such were BEHIND the rig.)

It was very nice though and in the evening, the temps were fantastic. It was actually chilly enough that my wife had to put on a small wrap while we ate dinner outside.

At the end of the campgrounds is the entrance to the Black Canyon Trail. It's only about 1.3 mi, but for about .4 mi of it, there is considerable steepness. I wouldn't call it a workout, but it's not a totally whimpy trail and it was lovely. We saw lots of plant life and grabbed many nice photos. We went late in the afternoon (around 5:30) and NO ONE else was on the trail.

We had read there was no mobile service and they weren't kidding. Over the air TV doesn't come in either, and even radio stations were spotty at best. No problem for us.

This is a beautiful and quiet campground with TONS of thick trees. The sites are manicured and well taken care of. The camp host didn't really interact, just waved. We saw a few posts complaining of no water, but we travel with water tanks so it isn't an issue for us. Overall we would visit again, really lovely and well kept!

This is a beautiful and quiet campground with TONS of thick trees. The sites are manicured and well taken care of. The camp host didn't really interact, just waved. We saw a few posts complaining of no water, but we travel with water tanks so it isn't an issue for us. Overall we would visit again, really lovely and well kept!

I really like this staying here. The reason for the 3 stars is because the water has not worked for the last two summers, it's a problem with the main electric service, not the campground.

I really like this staying here. The reason for the 3 stars is because the water has not worked for the last two summers, it's a problem with the main electric service, not the campground.