Mills Canyon Campground
Mills Canyon Campground is a beautiful, remote campground situated within the Canadian River Canyon at an elevation of 5,160 feet. There are 12 camping units available. The Canadian River flows through the campground and sandstone walls rise up around you. Adjacent to the campground is the Mills Orchard site, where ruins of the Orchard house and an interpretive trail can be explored.
More like this: reservable in New Mexico · pets allowed in New Mexico
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗



Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 12 |
Site guide
12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Pull-through | 82 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 02 | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 03 | Back-in | 51 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 04 | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 05 | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 06 | Back-in | 63 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 07 | Back-in | 66 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 08 | Back-in | 43 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 09 | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
| 10 | Pull-through | 100 | Gravel | None | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 03:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
Each campsite has a picnic table or two, a standing grill, and a fire pit.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Getting there
Traveling from Abbot, NM at the intersection of US Highway (Hwy) 56 and NM Hwy 39, drive south on NM Hwy 39 for approximately 16 miles. Turn west onto Mills Canyon Road #600 and continue driving west approximately 9 miles to the campground.
| Area | Recreation.gov lists no exact point for this campground. The recreation area is at 35.15° N, 106.61° W. Call the office before you drive. |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedLower Kirtland Rx
13 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Explore
Video
Mills Canyon Campground New Mexico
Natural features
The campground is within the Canadian River Canyon and the river levels vary throughout the year. Enjoy the greenery of the canyon and the shade of the vegetation at your campsite. Beautiful sandstone walls tower above the campground providing scenic views.
Guidebooks for New Mexico
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Mills Canyon Campground?
Sites at Mills Canyon Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Mills Canyon Campground?
Check-in 03:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Mills Canyon Campground have?
12 sites, including 12 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Mills Canyon Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Mills Canyon Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Mills Canyon Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-15, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby