El Morro Campground

About

El Morro National Monument's campground sits in a quiet pinyon-juniper woodland at 7,219 feet elevation, offering direct access to the monument's historic inscriptions and trails. The nine primitive sites provide a peaceful base for exploring the ancient petroglyphs, Spanish conquistador carvings, and Ancestral Puebloan ruins carved into and atop the massive sandstone headland known as Inscription Rock. Each site features a graveled tent pad, picnic table, and ground grill. Two vault toilets serve the campground year-round. Potable water is available at centrally located spigots during warmer months but is turned off once overnight temperatures begin reaching freezing. The campground accommodates RVs and trailers up to 27 feet overall length, though there are no hookups, dump station, or showers. The campground operates 24 hours daily, year-round, on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations and no camping fee. Note that while the campground remains accessible overnight, the visitor center and monument trails close at 5 PM. Campers must stay within campground limits after hours. The stay limit is 14 days per calendar year.

Directions

From Albuquerque, take I-40 west to Grants. At exit 81, go south on Highway 53 for 42 miles to El Morro National Monument. From Gallup, take I-40 east to exit 20, then south on Highway 602 for about 31 miles. Turn east onto Highway 53 and continue 25 miles. At the park entrance, turn left at the sign toward the campground, which is 300 yards ahead.