Manzano Mountains State Park Campground

Twelve of us (my outdoor ladies group) stayed 2 nights - 6 of us in travel trailers and 6 in tents. The park was quiet and very clean. There were several short hikes in and around the park and we enjoyed the longest of the hike (around the park) that was less than 3 miles total. There is a group campsite area also which several of the sites could hold larger RVs, but with no hook-ups. The group site had a large pavilion, but the only restrooms were in the "regular" campsites. The hosts were very friendly and nice. A few of the sites had a shelter around their tables, but my site did not. The only thing I didn't like about my site was the fact that the table was on the wrong side - opposite where my trailer door is located.

The sites are generous. There is no river or lake or anything like that, so it's a dusty place. Pines and other trees and lovely walking trails that are well-marked and not at all strenuous. Some sites have electric, others are primitive. Gravel parking for your RV and tow vehicle. Nice fire rings, charcoal bbq grills, tables (some sites have shelters over the tables, but then the tables are square rather than rectangular.)

No water at any of the sites, but spigots at various places. There is a dump station and a spigot for drinking water (even late in the season). There are restrooms but no showers. I never went inside the restrooms. There is a group shelter area for group camping or a large event. The group shelter has electricity and two huge charcoal bbq grills.

It's a sweet place, really. Birds and squirrels are all I saw as far as wildlife. Well, I saw one bunny while walking along a trail but no deer or bear or anything. It's a lovely place. Come check it out sometime! Oh! And there is a cell tower on the hillside leading up to this park, so I've had excellent cell and jetpack service. :) Important to me.

One thing to note: It's 17 miles to Mountainair, which is a one-horse town. I call it "Dustyair." You can get filled up with propane at the hardware store and do your laundry across the street. There's a very small grocery store, a saloon (it's a dry town) and a few other shops.

OH! And this park is not in Mountainair, as it says on some websites. It is in Manzano, NM. You don't want to go to Mountainair unless you have to. ;) [I was told it is in Manzano by the camp host when I called to make sure it was easy to find via GPS.]

** I want to add that I camped here the last two weeks of November and they are closing for the season beginning of December. At other times of the year, it would likely be a different experience.

*** Updating again. There are only 2 electric sites that aren't reservation only, and one of those is for handicapped. Didn't notice this back in November but it's a busy place here in May and beyond. You might want to make a reservation if you want electric.

We will be back! Very well taken care of. Our site was a first come site, 30 amp electric. Water is available but strangely you have to ask for the spigot to be unlocked, there must be a story there. Dump station at exit with fresh water. Vault toilets but no showers. Great hiking trails.

Takes a little traveling to get here, but you are rewarded with crossing into a beautiful Ponderosa Pine forest Site 8 was big enough for our 35' travel trailer and RAM 2500 truck -- and had electric!! Spacious site with rock retaining wall. Pit toilets only, we did not use them. Good hiking in area. We hiked the outer loop trail in the park, and could have gone through a gate into National Forest land. Several National Forest trails nearby. Campground host, Dan, very friendly. We will definitely come again for a longer stay if traveling near Albuquerque again Cell tower right outside the park! Steller's Jays visited our campsite every day--also several Abert's squirrels..

Roads in were a little tight with our rig, but not a problem. Arrived 10 minutes before a huge thunder storm! Glad we were in before the hail came down. Great little park off the beaten path! Very clean and seem friendly enough. A little weird set up, but not a problem at all. Vault toilets, water spigots around the camp, but not at individual sites and 30amp at some sites. Also be aware...NO showers. Some small hiking trails that are well set up around the camp. Enough to stretch your legs and get some fresh air in amongst the pine trees!

Good signal, there are spots with shore power and without. There is a very easy .5 mi nature trail and a longer 3 mile outer loop trail right from the campground. All sites have a grill and table, some of the sites have a brick wall to block the wind with a roof over the table that is pretty nice. #9 had the roof #12 didn't

Bring everything you need the nearest town, Mountainair, is a half hour away. Most of the campsites are pretty shallow and difficult to get the larger trailers in.

I was there in Early May and enjoyed the Manzano Peak Trail hike you can find the route using AllTrails. The trail is narrow in spots but the view of the Rio Grande valley was well worth it. I didn't hurry and took lots of photos so it took me 5 hours. Around 2500' of climb. I would also recommend the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Park sites in the area. The Visitor Center is in Mountainair.

The last bit of road just before the camp is steep and a bumpy. The location of your site can be hard to find.

I can't rate the site b'c we couldn't get there. The one mile dirt road in (precious little "gravel") was blocked by several trailers/RVs unable to get in on the awful road. We backed out 1/3 mile to the pavement and had to find a private RV park for the night. There were no rangers, no one answered a call to the park, and even a call to 911 trying to get some kind of signage or warning up for others arriving to the park was fruitless.

I wonder who they had layout the campsites here. For motor homes and trailers many of the electric sites are not well designed. Site 14 has the picnic table at the front of the site almost next to the road. Ideally electric and table should be on the opposite sides of the driveway, not the case here.Fire ring is at the furthest point in the site from the picnic table. Other reviews had talked about accessibility in wet weather. The last .2 of a mile of the road into the park is a steep hill that clearly is problematic in the rain. I am uploading a picture of the hill. The first 70 feet of the hill is about a 9% grade. There is a sign at the beginning of the road that says “Last chance to turn around”. At that spot the road looks perfectly reasonable .

I liked this rustic remote campground very much. It was tricky maneuvering with a 31 foot TT. Sites not very level. Liked having trees block the next site. About 3 miles of trails within the park. The access is steep in places and either dirt or gravel. Could be a problem in rainy weather. Great Pueblo Ruins in the area.

Very small sites and tight roads.