Into the Wild: Free Camping at Cebolla Mesa Campground

If you’re looking for a camping spot that’s off the beaten path but loaded with nature vibes, Cebolla Mesa Campground in Questa, New Mexico, is where it’s at.

We arrived in our trusty 16-foot Fiber Stream, and let me tell you, this place brought the solitude and scenery in equal parts. Perched at the edge of the Rio Grande Gorge, it’s like camping on the edge of the world—just you, the trees, and those epic canyon views.

No hookups, no problem. It was pure, off-grid magic, and exactly the kind of unplug we needed.

If you’re down to rough it a little, this spot is pure gold.

About Cebolla Mesa Campground

Cebolla Mesa is a primitive campground, which means no fancy amenities, but what you get in return is priceless—killer views and total peace. There are only a handful of sites, so it’s quiet and spaced out, giving you that real wilderness feel.

You’re sitting at 8,000 feet, surrounded by aspens and pines, with immediate access to trails that lead down into the Rio Grande Gorge. It’s all first-come, first-served, so snagging a spot is a bit of a gamble, but worth it when you wake up to that sunrise.

Our Personal Experience at Cebolla Mesa Campground

We left the amenities of Monte Verde RV Park in Angel Fire (NM) en route for Colorado and beautiful free camping sites. Before crossing the border, we spent a few more nights in the Enchanted Circle of New Mexico.

Cebolla Mesa Campground is a free boondocking site on the Rio Grande Gorge, just a few miles from the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

We wouldn’t recommend this site for large rigs or rigs with low ground clearance. This site is ideal for van campers, tent campers, and small travel trailers.

Remember, the conditions for accessing this site are constantly changing. Check with the National Forest Service before arriving.

Location: San Cristobal, New Mexico

GPS: 36.6405, -105.6891

Date / Temp: We camped here for three nights in early July. The temps were pretty mild, but during the sunny afternoons, the highs reached the high 80s. Evenings were in the 60s – perfect for sitting outside with our fire bowl!

Amenities: Cebolla Mesa Campground offers very few amenities. They have a vault toilet at the center of the grounds, each site has a fire pit, and some also have picnic tables. There are no trash receptacles on site – it is a “pack in, pack out” area.

Wifi / Cell: One of the highlights of this site is its connectivity. We received a strong cell signal with our AT&T and T-Mobile service. The speeds were good enough for streaming and uploading YouTube videos rather quickly.

Noise: This is a quiet campground. The three-mile dirt road that leads here keeps traffic to a minimum. We were the only campers for two of the three nights at Cebolla Mesa.

Grocery / Errands: We highly recommend arriving with all your errands completed and your groceries stocked up. While 25 miles to Taos isn’t very far, the drive is slow and annoying. There are a few gas stations within 5 miles of the dirt entry road.

Dog Friendly: River, our pup, had a great time here. She enjoyed sniffing around for local wildlife and hiking to the Rio Grande. Be aware – there are small cactus brushes scattered throughout the ground.

Entertainment: Our favorite activity at camp is the hiking trail that leads down to the Rio Grande.

It’s a strenuous 1.25 mile hike that drops over 1000 feet in elevation. The camp is also a perfect base from which to explore the entire Enchanted Circle.

Cebolla Mesa Campground…Would We Stay Again

Camping at Cebolla Mesa in our Fiber Stream was like stepping into another universe—one where time slows down, and nature takes center stage. The kind of place that makes you realize how small you are but how connected you can feel to everything around you.

High above the Rio Grande Gorge, it wasn’t just about unplugging from the grind; it was about plugging into something deeper, something raw.

This isn’t your average campground, and that’s the beauty of it. It’s the kind of place that lingers with you, long after you’ve packed up and driven away, a wild heartbeat still echoing in the background.

If you’re ready for an experience that goes beyond just camping, Cebolla Mesa is calling. Answer it.

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