Pilar Campground

One of the best BLM properties we have been to on our trip across the U.S. This camp is located in Rio Grande del Norte National Monument right on the Rio Grande. Absolutely beautiful in the fall. Great fishing and several wonderful hiking trails nearby! Stop in at the visitor center near Pilar, NM or call to check availability. Two campgrounds have electric hook ups but they go fast.

Pilar Campground was the first of a string of campgrounds along the river-side access road. Maybe not our favorite but a great place to stay anyway, and it was the last spot available in the whole area right before Memorial Day. A few miles South of Taos, turn right on Highway 570 into the National Monument area and the Pilar Campground is about one mile away. The problem was dust as the campground loop is not paved and every car driving by was raising a cloud of dust. At least we were somewhat upwind in our spot (furthest south of this campground) and that helped a lot.
Campgrounds in the area have clean restrooms without showers and our site had electric and water hookups.
A noteworthy event, we were hit by a dust devil twister. Thank god, our awning was mostly retracted and it was not damaged but the RV next to us had theirs just blown away. After just a few seconds everything was covered with dust.
All of the Orilla Verde campgrounds are set just off the highway and there is quite a bit of traffic during the day. In the evening things quiet down and overall it was not really a problem.
We rode out bikes to Taos Junctions (about 10 miles round-trip) and walked the trails. Picuris Trail was most interesting, from Taos Junctions at the bottom of the gorge to the top of the rim and you will have your breath taken away by the amazing sights. A special treat: we were surprised to see an Indian petroglyph carved on a rock right by the trail. We did not put our kayak in the water and I will long regret it, but the level was high and I am more of a lake boater!
Overall a great experience and fondest memories!

Stayed up here hoping to do some hiking. There’s a hike right off the campground linking the 4 others in the area. Electric/water hook ups only $15/night. Restrooms were very clean and heated. Gorgeous views with Rio Grande across the road. Here during offseason so it was pretty deserted. I’d recommend and stay here again. No workable cell service.

This campground was easy to get our 40’ Class A in and out of. Sites were spacious with fire ring, table, water & elec.Beautiful views of the Rockies & the Rio Grande River across the road. There is a nice hike that starts in the campground and takes you along the mountain and past the rest of the campgrounds. BTW, Rio Bravo campground <1 mi down the road also has a few spots with water/elec that can also accommodate a large Class A. We would walk there each morning to watch the beaver swim in the river. Location was perfect for easy trips to Los Alamos, Taos, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Earthship Biotecture. But, best of all was the beautiful, quiet and off the grid camping.

I think there were 12 RV sites with water and electricity. No sewer. 3 tent sites. Clean women's restroom (1 person at a time) and a sink between the men's and women's bathrooms to wash dishes. No shower. All RV sites are pull through. The Rio Grande is across the street through a narrow path. Good if you want to sit on the bank and fish only.. posted no boat launch. The campground down the road on the left has a boat launch and lots of access to the river.
We have Verizon 4g but no bars. I could send and receive text but my husband could not.
Didn't see much of the camp host. Looks as though they have lived there awhile.
People are lax on tidying their site and picking up after their dogs. I have 2 big dogs so I am not anti dog...just wish people would pick up the poo. On that note, no doggie pick up bags are provided. Bring your own please.
There is glass, aluminum, and plastic recycling.

Pilar Campground is a small BLM run campground with 9 water & electric RV sites in Rio Grande del Norte National Monument, a 30 minute ride to downtown Taos. Almost all the sites are pull-through off the main loop.

We enjoyed the desert views from our site as well as the natural setting vs an RV park in Taos. The campground is overgrown, and without the water and electric hookups wouldn’t be anything special, it’s a great value in a good campground.

There are flush toilets and a sink for washing dishes, both were kept very clean.

The La Senda Del Medio Trail starts at Pilar Campground and is good for a short dog walk the first half mile until Rio Bravo Campground, after that it’s pretty rough and overgrown. The La Vista Verde trail is an Easy, dog-friendly 1.25 mile hike further into the Monument with a beautiful view of the Gorge at the end, we loved it.

We had no AT&T or Verizon signal during our stay.

Easy access though road is narrow. We disconnected our toad at the Gorge visitors center. There are at least 4 spots that a 40' coach could get in. Water and electric, picnic table, fire pit, and bbq pits. Clean restrooms. Showers at the next campground $1.00 for 4 minutes. 15 minutes from Taos. The end of the road does connect to another but is a Jeep trail, steep and rocky. Can be done slowly in summer with a regular car.

We tried to camp here but every campsite on this road is currently closed. It looked nice though.

We stayed in this campground for 3 nights in early July. The campground was clean, quiet and peaceful. We enjoyed our time in Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument, partook in river activities and hikes and liked the proximity to Taos.

There is absolutely no cell service. Needed to drive 20 minutes out of the canyon to get service.

Looking forward to coming back.

Check the video tab above.

Beautiful campground with water and electric. Nice restroom, nice clean and fairly level sites. Across the street from the Rio Grande, about 15 minutes from Taos.