Prepper’s Paradise: Discover New Mexico’s 30 Best Campsites

The Best Campsites for New Mexico Survival Preppers

As a prepper living in the rugged and remote corners of New Mexico, you quickly learn that it’s not just about stocking up on supplies. The true challenge lies in understanding your environment, learning how to thrive in it, and, if necessary, surviving on your own. With vast deserts, high mountains, and hidden valleys, New Mexico offers some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes for survivalists to hone their skills. But to truly prepare for whatever comes your way, you’ve got to know the land and find the right camping spots. These camping sites aren’t just scenic—they’re perfect for testing your survival instincts and putting your prepping skills to the test.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE A FAMINE

Let’s take a deeper look into the best 30 campsites in New Mexico that every survival prepper should have on their radar. From remote, rugged terrain to places with natural resources for practicing survival techniques, these spots will help you develop your self-sufficiency while also providing the peace and tranquility that only New Mexico’s desert and mountains can offer.

1. Gila National Forest

Located in the southwestern part of New Mexico, Gila National Forest is a true gem for any prepper. With over 3.3 million acres of rugged terrain, the forest offers a variety of hiking and camping options. It’s remote, vast, and provides the perfect environment for honing your wilderness survival skills. Be prepared for harsh conditions, and make sure you carry a reliable map, as the forest can be tricky to navigate.

2. Valles Caldera National Preserve

Nestled within the Jemez Mountains, this 89,000-acre preserve offers numerous opportunities for camping, hiking, and wildlife watching. The volcanic landscape is as beautiful as it is unforgiving, making it an ideal location for those who want to practice survival techniques in a unique environment. It’s remote and often quiet, giving you the peace you need to focus on your prepper skills.

3. Carson National Forest

If you’re looking for a mix of alpine meadows, wild rivers, and dense forests, Carson National Forest is your destination. It covers nearly 1.5 million acres and has several camping spots that are ideal for survivalists. The forest provides ample opportunities for fishing, foraging, and building shelter, making it perfect for prepping.

4. Pecos Wilderness

A beautiful, isolated part of the Santa Fe National Forest, Pecos Wilderness is a haven for any prepper who wants to escape into the wild. This area is full of high-altitude lakes, rushing streams, and forests that can test your wilderness survival skills. Be sure to stock up on supplies before heading out as the area is remote, and help can be hard to reach.

5. Chaco Culture National Historical Park

Chaco Canyon, an ancient center of civilization, is also a great spot for preppers who want to combine camping with historical exploration. While the terrain may not be as challenging as some of the other locations on this list, the park offers a rich environment to learn about water conservation, shelter building, and other essential survival skills.

6. Rio Grande Gorge

Located in northern New Mexico, Rio Grande Gorge offers stunning views and a rugged environment for camping and survival training. The gorge is filled with challenging trails and unique geological features. This location is perfect for those wanting to practice navigating difficult terrain while also taking advantage of the Rio Grande River for water sourcing.

7. Bandelier National Monument

If you’re looking for a combination of history and wilderness survival, Bandelier National Monument offers both. With its ancient cliff dwellings and diverse ecosystems, this monument provides opportunities for learning about both survival and the preservation of natural resources.

8. Zuni Mountains

In the western part of New Mexico, the Zuni Mountains are a hidden gem. A quieter, less-traveled area, it’s ideal for preppers who want solitude. The forests here are dense with ponderosa pine, and wildlife is abundant. It’s the perfect spot for foraging, hunting, and practicing wilderness medicine.

9. Sandia Mountains

Right outside Albuquerque, the Sandia Mountains offer everything from desert terrain to pine forests and alpine lakes. It’s a good place for preppers to practice skills like navigation, fire-building, and self-sufficiency while still being close to civilization in case of emergencies.

10. Cimarron Canyon State Park

This park, nestled in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, offers dense forests and rushing streams, ideal for practicing wilderness skills. The park also offers a good spot for fishing, foraging, and shelter-building exercises.

11. Elephant Butte Lake State Park

For preppers interested in water-based survival training, Elephant Butte Lake provides ample space for kayaking and other water survival exercises. It’s New Mexico’s largest lake, and with its remote locations, it’s an ideal spot for testing your abilities in water navigation and water sourcing.

12. Black Rock Mountain

A tough, rugged spot, Black Rock Mountain is perfect for survivalists wanting to test their endurance in the wild. The trailheads are off the beaten path, but the solitude and challenges are worth it. Be prepared for temperature extremes, as the area can range from blistering hot during the day to chilly at night.

13. Santa Fe National Forest

The Santa Fe National Forest offers some of the best hiking and camping opportunities in the state. With plenty of water sources and diverse terrain, it’s a great spot for preppers to refine their skills in wilderness navigation, shelter building, and natural resource management.

14. Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad

For preppers looking for a unique camping experience, consider the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, which takes you through some of the wildest, most remote areas of New Mexico. It’s an excellent way to access isolated locations while learning about old-school transportation and survival techniques.

15. Tijeras Canyon

Tijeras Canyon offers a unique opportunity for those who want to practice survival in both desert and forest environments. It’s located just outside Albuquerque and provides access to essential resources like water and firewood, making it an ideal spot for a prepper to set up a temporary camp and test various survival strategies.

16. Luna Lake

Located near the Arizona border, Luna Lake is a hidden gem. It’s a remote site where survivalists can practice fishing, foraging, and natural navigation. Be aware of wildlife in the area, such as black bears and wild cats, and prepare to handle potential encounters.

17. Kiowa National Grassland

Kiowa National Grassland offers endless miles of plains, ideal for practicing your skills in foraging, shelter building, and navigation. You can also practice the art of fire-starting without worrying too much about other campers in the area, making it a prime location for stealth camping and practicing survival techniques.

18. Ponderosa Campground

This site, located in the Santa Fe National Forest, is a great spot for preppers who want to experience both comfort and wilderness. The forest is dense, providing plenty of cover for practicing evasion tactics, fire-building, and water sourcing.

19. Jemez Mountains

A great place for isolation, the Jemez Mountains offer solitude and diverse terrain for those looking to hone their survival skills. With an abundance of wildlife, rushing streams, and challenging trails, the area is perfect for preppers who want to immerse themselves in the wilderness.

20. Ruidoso

Known for its cool mountain climate, Ruidoso is an excellent location for preppers who want to practice survival techniques in a temperate environment. The area offers a mix of dense forests, alpine lakes, and challenging terrain, perfect for honing your skills.

21. The Valle Vidal

The Valle Vidal is a remote wilderness area located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This vast expanse of land offers diverse ecosystems, from thick forests to alpine meadows. It’s the ideal location to test your survival strategies while surrounded by the beauty of nature.

30 Amazing Survival Campsites in Maryland for Your Next Off-Grid Adventure

Master Survival Techniques at These 30 Maryland Campsites

Living in Maryland, a state rich in diverse landscapes, from the Allegheny Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, presents a unique opportunity for survival preppers to practice their skills in real-world conditions. Whether you’re looking for a place to test your wilderness survival abilities or just want to disconnect and enjoy nature, Maryland offers some of the best camping sites to explore. These sites provide everything from remote, rugged terrain to well-maintained campgrounds with facilities, allowing you to sharpen your skills in various environments. As survival preppers, we know that being prepared in the wilderness is more than just setting up a tent; it’s about understanding your surroundings, honing your self-reliance, and learning how to thrive in the wild.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO SURVIVE A FAMINE

Here are 30 of the best campsites across Maryland that offer the perfect setting for survival prepper training.


1. Catoctin Mountain Park

Located in the northern part of the state, this area offers challenging terrain and isolation. Ideal for testing your navigation and shelter-building skills, Catoctin Mountain Park provides an authentic wilderness experience.

2. Patapsco Valley State Park

With its dense woods and rugged terrain, Patapsco is perfect for long hikes, shelter building, and foraging practice. It also offers excellent river access for water purification and fishing.

3. Green Ridge State Forest

Green Ridge is a secluded and vast forest, ideal for a full survival test. The area is known for its remote campsites, diverse wildlife, and trails that are perfect for wilderness navigation.

4. Seneca Creek State Park

This park has a variety of landscapes, from woodlands to wetlands, providing a great opportunity to practice your water purification techniques and wildlife tracking.

5. Piney Run Park

A hidden gem located in Carroll County, this park is perfect for fishing, survival hunting practice, and learning how to navigate through dense woods.

6. Assateague State Park

Famous for its wild horses, Assateague offers unique beach survival scenarios. Learn how to gather food from the sea, purify saltwater, and set up camp in coastal conditions.

7. Gathland State Park

Located in the Appalachian Mountains, Gathland offers scenic views and challenging terrain, making it a perfect location for advanced survivalists to practice their skills in elevation and weather awareness.

8. New Germany State Park

In the Alleghenies, New Germany is a great location for those wanting to practice cold-weather survival. It offers trails, a lake for water purification practice, and dense woods for shelter-building.

9. Rocky Gap State Park

This park provides the perfect combination of hiking, fishing, and survival training in the mountainous terrain of western Maryland. You’ll find plenty of areas for shelter practice and an abundance of wildlife to study.

10. Cascade Falls

Cascade Falls in the Patapsco Valley is a more secluded area, offering great opportunities for stealth camping and honing your skills in creating fire in wet conditions.

11. Savage River State Forest

This vast forest offers secluded areas for you to practice advanced survival techniques like trapping, foraging, and building a fire in harsh conditions.

12. Herrington Manor State Park

In the western part of the state, Herrington Manor offers colder, rugged terrain perfect for winter survival. The area’s remote environment allows for practice in true isolation.

13. Calvert Cliffs State Park

For those who want to learn about coastal survival, Calvert Cliffs offers access to cliffs and beaches, providing the perfect location for shell fishing, saltwater purification, and practicing watercraft navigation.

14. Tuckahoe State Park

Located on the Eastern Shore, Tuckahoe provides a rich opportunity to practice freshwater survival and fishing skills, alongside deep woodlands to practice navigation.

15. Elk Neck State Park

With stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay and plenty of terrain to explore, this park allows for both coastal and woodland survival training, making it a great spot for practicing shelter construction and navigation.

16. Youghiogheny River Lake

This remote area, perfect for water survival skills, is situated in western Maryland. Here, you’ll find an abundance of water bodies, providing both fishing and freshwater purification opportunities.

17. Big Run State Park

Known for its dense forests and peaceful surroundings, Big Run is perfect for solitude and honing your survival techniques, especially in dense, hard-to-navigate environments.

18. Fort Frederick State Park

A historical park with a rich history, it also offers extensive areas of wilderness for survival training. This is a perfect place for practicing long-term survival skills.

19. Sandy Point State Park

Located on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, this park offers both wooded areas and beaches. It’s ideal for survivalists looking to train in diverse environments.

20. Western Maryland Rail Trail

For preppers wanting to mix hiking with survival training, the Western Maryland Rail Trail provides miles of natural landscape perfect for navigation practice.

21. Cunningham Falls State Park

Known for its waterfall and steep terrain, Cunningham Falls provides a challenge for hikers and survivalists who need to practice advanced survival skills such as wilderness first aid and building makeshift shelters.

22. Deep Creek Lake State Park

The largest freshwater lake in Maryland, Deep Creek offers ample space for fishing, canoeing, and water survival training. The surrounding woods provide plenty of areas for shelter-building practice.

23. Rock Creek Park

Located near Washington, D.C., Rock Creek Park offers a more urban option for those looking to practice survival skills without venturing far from the city. Great for stealth camping and creating a bug-out location.

24. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

This sprawling wetland area is perfect for waterfowl hunting practice, tracking wildlife, and learning how to handle swampy, lowland areas that could serve as potential survival zones in an emergency.

25. Bristow Park

Bristow offers dense woodlands and secluded trails that are perfect for learning navigation, shelter building, and wildlife tracking.

26. Manassas National Battlefield Park

For preppers interested in practicing their skills in a historical setting, this park offers both a tactical environment for movement and shelters in a wooded area for solitude.

27. Sideling Hill

Located in the Appalachian Mountains, this area offers rugged terrain with limited accessibility. It’s great for testing your ability to survive in tough conditions, especially high altitudes.

28. Pocomoke River State Park

A swampy, lowland area perfect for testing water purification and fishing skills. Pocomoke is great for preppers looking to practice survival in wet conditions.

29. Point Lookout State Park

This park offers a mix of coastal and forested areas, ideal for waterborne survival, beach camping, and practicing shelter building with limited resources.

30. Charles County Regional Park

A little-known park in southern Maryland, it offers diverse terrain, wooded areas, and open fields that are perfect for survival training.


Conclusion: The Perfect Survival Prepper Locations

Maryland offers a diverse range of landscapes for survival preppers to hone their skills. Whether you’re practicing water purification along the Chesapeake Bay, building shelters in dense forests, or hiking through the mountains, these 30 campsites provide everything a prepper needs to build self-reliance and thrive in the wilderness. Each location offers unique challenges, and the variety of terrains ensures that you’ll be able to practice all aspects of survival, from hunting and fishing to shelter building and navigation.

These camping sites aren’t just great places to visit—they’re the perfect testing grounds for anyone serious about being prepared for anything that comes their way.