U.S. Forest Service · Cibola National Forest and Grasslands · New Mexico

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 ↗
Mills Canyon viewshedMills Canyon KioskCanadian River ViewOrchard House Structure
Photos courtesy of Katherine Haveman, USFS · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard, no hookups12
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

12 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntryFits, ftSurfaceShadePeople / vehiclesFires
01Pull-through82GravelNone6 / 1Yes
02Back-in55GravelNone6 / 1Yes
03Back-in51GravelNone6 / 1Yes
04Back-in54GravelNone6 / 1Yes
05Back-in54GravelNone6 / 1Yes
06Back-in63GravelNone6 / 1Yes
07Back-in66GravelNone6 / 1Yes
08Back-in43GravelNone6 / 1Yes
09Back-in46GravelNone6 / 1Yes
10Pull-through100GravelNone6 / 1Yes

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

PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, 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.

AreaRecreation.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

  • Prescribed
    Lower 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