Turquoise Trail Campground and RV Park lies along the Turquoise Trail within the town limits of Cedar Crest. The campground accommodates the largest RVs in grassy sites with plenty of room for slideouts and full-hookups provided. Back-in sites on the edge of the campground are designed for smaller units, with water and electricity and a dump station. Tent campers have their own area nestled among the trees well away from the rest of the campground, with hot showers, dish washing station, picnic tables and charcoal grills.
There are no developed family campgrounds in the Sandia Peak Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest surrounding Cedar Crest. You can backpack into the forest or the Sandia Wilderness area and pitch your tent at a site of your own choosing, provided it is on a durable surface and does not damage vegetation. A Sandia Mountain Permit is required to hike and camp in the Sandia Wilderness and most areas of the forest. Campfires are prohibited at any time, so bring a backpacking stove to heat water and cook food.
Your riding or hiking group of up to 150 people will find group camping facilities at Cedro Peak Campground 5 miles from Cedar Crest. The campground lies at 7,400 feet above sea level in a forest of pinyon pine and juniper. The sites, picnic shelters and vault toilets are accessible by wheelchair, and you can connect with 80 miles of single-track multi-use trails from the campground. ATV riders will find a few unmaintained roads and trails open to four-wheeling. A key to access the campground must be picked up at the Sandia Ranger District office.
Unless you are camping at Turquoise Trail Campground, be sure to bring enough water for your entire campout, as water is not provided in the national forest. The arid climate and high altitude will dehydrate your body quickly, so be sure to bring more than you'll expect to need. Bears frequent the Cibola National Forest and Sandia Wilderness areas, so pack food in airtight containers inside a wildlife-resistant canister at least 100 feet from your tent. Change out of clothing that may retain food smells from meals or cooking before entering your tent to sleep.
