Free Camping Collection with

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Roads

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People

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Signs & Maps

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Parks Ranch Campground

6 Reviews

About

Bureau of Land Management

Dispersed camp sites are located along most secondary roads and may not be marked. Popular locations can be recognized by the telltale flat disturbed area that has been used as a camp site before. Not all flat spots are sites. If possible, please use existing sites to avoid creating new disturbances. To further protect your public lands, campers must not dispose of any refuse, hazardous materials, sewage, or in any manner pollute the surrounding area.

States may have additional requirements or restrictions for dispersed camping. Please see Regional Information before planning your trip.

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Location

Parks Ranch Campground is located in New Mexico

Coordinates

32.10974521 N
104.407013 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Good
AT&T
Unknown
T-Mobile
Good

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

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Contact

General Info

Max D.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 19, 2023

About the caves

We came to Carlsbad with permits for Lake Cave and Corkscrew Cave in nearby Slaughter Canyon, and had plans to visit Parks Ranch Cave as well. I’d rate it as an excellent beginner cave.

Firstly, it is very horizontal, and it isn’t easy to get lost if you follow the map. It consists mostly of linear meandering steam channels, and though there are several routes, they don’t have complex, three-dimensional maze structures like some nearby caves. There are a few climb downs, and if you take the lower route you will find one of the more dramatic ones (still small). There are also a lot of awkward points, where you will have to maneuver past weirdly incised channels, or stoop your head.

There is a fair amount of crawling within this cave, which usually occurs at flat, low areas in the cave, like past the climb down dome in the B survey. You WILL WANT KNEEPADS! Though a lot of the ground is just a mix of soil and guano, there are sections with rough pebbles and cobbles lining the entire floor. There are also some creepy-crawlies, though if you’re gonna go caving you shouldn’t be bothered by them (and this cave doesn’t have many). The worst thing I’ve seen is one cellar spider, and commonly cave crickets and the occasional harvestman.

Finally, something many people don’t talk about, but caves are water reservoirs, and they trap water. This cave is HUMID. There are some muddy sections near the middle/east section of the cave and some lakes. This isn’t crystal-clear, fresh spring water. This is CHOCOLATE MILK WATER. Visibility of zero. If you’re not okay with that, then stay near the western parts of the cave.

Also, don’t go to the Zoo room. It’s not worth it. Or the rotunda, either, unless you’re a real cavey-caver. The guarded entrance is full of tumbleweeds and has some gnarly, tight canyons and horrible crawling by the time you reach the river section.

Have fun caving!

Month of VisitApril

(21) View All

Sam W.

Guide

Reviewed May. 12, 2023

Perfect Overnight Stop For Dispersed Camping

Stayed here nights 1 and 2 of a road trip and had zero problems with the site. Tent camped both nights and made it pretty far back in 2WD Ford Fusion with low clearance so if you're just looking for a great spot to post up for Guadalupe Mountains National Park or Carlsbad Caverns National Park, this is it.

Month of VisitMay

Noah E.

Legend

Reviewed Jan. 25, 2023

Great spot to explore some caves

Only 20 minutes from Carlsbad Caverns NP and about 35 minutes from Guadeloupe Mountains NP!

The area is a large gravel lot with some brush and scubs scattered about. Very cool campground with cave systems to explore. Bring helmets, headlamps, and some sturdy boots! As you drive up to the camping area, there are a lot of pull off sites if you don't want to camp in the larger area near the cave systems. Lots of fire rings!

Dispersed area, pack in pack out. Verizon service was good!

Month of VisitFebruary

(8) View All

Anessa

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 26, 2022

Cool spot!

Nice, open area by the highway with many campsites along the road. A few people around but not near. Caves to explore by the loop!

Month of VisitNovember

CC C.

Legend

Reviewed Feb. 13, 2022

Great overnight spot close to caverns

Stayed here while seeing the Carlsbad caverns. Great free spot close to whites city with laundry and showers as well as the national park. Close enough to highway where you can see headlights in the distance but you can’t hear the noise at all. Level site, and some spots big enough for big rigs. We stayed in early Feb, and the weather was chilly at night but 50’s during the day. Great spot.

Month of VisitMarch

(5) View All

Laura M.

Legend

Reviewed Nov. 22, 2020

Rocky and narrow road

Road going in is rough, recommend high clearance vehicle. If you can't make it in, there is a large area right off the road you can stay in in a pinch. Saw evidence that others had done so. Note the sign saying no camping allowed east of it.