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Black Mesa State Park Campground welcomes pets in both tent and RV sites, with several pet-friendly options available throughout the 36-site camping area. All sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to water and electric hookups for campers traveling with dogs. Leashed pets must be attended at all times within the park boundaries, including on trails and in camping areas. Thompson Grove Boondocking offers free primitive camping for pet owners seeking a more rustic experience, with basic amenities including toilets and trash disposal. The camping area provides ample space for dogs to explore while remaining on leash, though there are no designated dog exercise areas. Many campers appreciate the well-maintained sites that accommodate pets with ample space between camping spots. Bathroom facilities, while basic, remain functional for campers with pets needing to stay multiple nights.
Several hiking trails near the campgrounds accommodate leashed dogs, making Black Mesa an excellent destination for active pet owners. The nature walks feature diverse wildlife viewing opportunities, though campers should remain vigilant with pets due to potential wildlife encounters including snakes and small mammals. During summer months, early morning or evening walks are recommended as daytime temperatures can become uncomfortable for pets with limited shade available in the open mesa landscape. The nearest veterinary services are located in Boise City, approximately 36 miles east of Black Mesa State Park, so pet owners should bring necessary medications and first aid supplies. The park's isolation provides a quiet environment with minimal noise disturbance for sensitive pets. Dark skies and minimal light pollution create excellent stargazing opportunities while camping with pets during evening hours.
"Cottonwood trees surround the RV pad sites. Walk along the river trail is filled with more bird varieties. Camp Host is very friendly and pet friendly. The store she runs is well stocked."
"So those with pets be aware. Great campsites, bathrooms really nice (we rooftop tent camp). We stayed in the no lights area. Such an amazing view of the stars! We were lucky with a clear night."
"30 a night for a quiet RV park right off the highway. Drop box for cash or check only. There is a bathroom with a shower inside the small building with the drop box on the outside."
"I have to agree with everyone else-this is a nice, small spot in a quiet location away from traffic."
"We have used this location twice now and we will return. You may stay one night and you will find a pit toilet, trash containers, picnic table, grill, fire ring."
"The Cimarron Grassland is an amazing part of the Great Plains ecosystem and definitely worth a look when driving through the southwest corner of Kansas. It will not be what you’re expecting!"
"Peaceful beauty all around. Only one other camper. Highly recommend if you are looking for off the beaten path. Vault toilets and water."
"Tucked away so you would never know it was here if you weren’t navigating directly to it."
"This is a bare bones campground but was a good, quiet stop on our drive. There are composting toilets, trash cans, picnic tables, and bbqs. Clean and just what we needed"
"It was easy to find, the pond is a one minute walk away and very pretty. I was the only one here and it was nice and peaceful. It was very chilly at night, but that is to be expected in November."
"There are loads of ragweed plants everywhere, and it's driving my allergies nuts. But no one's around, and it's a beautiful place. Lots of nice, quiet atmosphere."
"No amenities but towns nearby are cute. Great stop if you are passing through."
RangerCottonwood trees surround the RV pad sites. Walk along the river trail is filled with more bird varieties. Camp Host is very friendly and pet friendly. The store she runs is well stocked.
TravelerStayed in September, lots of goat head stickers. So those with pets be aware. Great campsites, bathrooms really nice (we rooftop tent camp). We stayed in the no lights area. Such an amazing view of the stars! We were lucky with a clear night. It’s a don’t miss if you are passing through!
LegendThe Cimarron Grassland is an amazing part of the Great Plains ecosystem and definitely worth a look when driving through the southwest corner of Kansas. It will not be what you’re expecting! The sunrises alone are worth the price of admission, which was just $7 per night.
Just off the park driving tour road, this little campground sits between small ponds in a larger wetland area within the Cimarron River. Each site is spacious with the usual picnic table, fire ring, and tent pad. Vault toilets and potable drinking water are available all year round, we just had to wait for the faucet to thaw after freezing up overnight.
The area is fantastic for bird lovers, and we watched flocks of Starlings tuck themselves into the marsh grasses for the night. Raptors, warblers, and many other bird species use the area as a fly-over stop during migration. Hiking is close by on the Sante Fe Trail which follows the original path of the old wagon trail through the plains, biking and other motorized recreational vehicles are allowed in certain areas. While the terrain might not be challenging, the sandy soil makes any long walk or ride just a little bit more difficult.
The nearby town of Elkhart affords the usual amenities for groceries, gas, and a few restaurants. The National Grassland office is also in town if you want more information about the area. Check out our blog about our time traveling through southern Kansas...and unexpected treat!
RangerI would give it 5 stars but the bathrooms weren’t very clean and there was no soap. But it does have great tent sites and lots of RV sites. Has a small playground with swings and a merry go round. A few good trails. We saw turkey and deer at the campground. Close to a few nice sites to visit. Black Mesa trail to the highest point in Oklahoma, the tri state marker, and picture canyon about an hour away in Colorado. And maybe the best part, no mosquitos!
GuideBlack Mesa State Park in the panhandle of Oklahoma. Farthest point you can go in the panhandle and it borders Colorado and New Mexico. It’s the only part of Oklahoma that’s on Mountain Time.
The park was great. We stayed in a tent but also had a trailer that we carried everything in so we were able to stay in a RV spot. We went in the summer and it was not crowded at all. Most others stayed a night or two, but we stayed 4 or 5 days. By the weekend more people were coming in. There was electric and water at our site but I don’t remember if they had sewage hookups as we didn’t use that. There are restrooms on site. The showers could have used a real good scrubbing but were usable. The park ranger maintained the grounds well. The views are gorgeous and if you get up during the night to see them, the stars you can see out there are amazing!! There are some trails to hike around the camp and even some fossilized wood. There is a lake right there too and at least one lookout spot over it which was perfect at sunset.
We hiked Black Mesa and took a trip into New Mexico to see Mount Capulin Volcano.
The park was peaceful and beautiful. Not a lot of shade trees but there were some areas in the campground that had some.
A great experience. We definitely want to go back.
TravelerWe chose to stay at Black Mesa on our way back from a week in Colorado, when we were about 30 miles from the park we started to wonder what we got into. The landscape driving up to the park is like desert. To our surprise we pulled into a little oasis in the middle of big country. It is parks like this one that makes me so happy to be RV’ing. On our way back to Colorado next year we will stay here for a week and enjoy this awesome place. If you want to be off the grid, this is the place to come.
GuideNo dogs allowed couldn’t find an are that didn’t requires some kind of state pass.
ScoutWe got there late last night, the management was friendly and helpful, the spot was nice and flat for the RV, it was quiet and peaceful… and good Lord the goat head stickers were plentiful. My dog was a victim!!
GuideThis is a small park but has some really nice views. This is a great place to stop for a day or two as you are traveling. There is a place to see dinosaur tracks and also 3 corners (Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma). Highest point in Oklahoma, but you wouldn’t know it. When you get on top of the flats you can see for a ways! Watch for snakes on the trails but worth the early morning or late evening hike.
Black Mesa State Park in northwestern Oklahoma offers expansive camping opportunities in the state's highest and most arid region, with elevations rising above 4,700 feet. Temperatures vary dramatically between seasons with summer days reaching 100°F and winter nights dropping below freezing. The area's unique ecology supports desert-adapted wildlife including pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and various reptile species uncommon elsewhere in the region.
**Stargazing sessions: Dark skies above Black Mesa State Park Campground provide exceptional viewing conditions for amateur astronomers. The park includes a designated dark sky viewing area where light pollution is minimal, with summer and fall offering the clearest nights for constellation spotting.
**Hiking the mesa summit trail: A challenging 4-mile trail leads to Oklahoma's highest point, requiring proper planning and water supplies. "Plan for heat and take plenty of water if you go on the High Point hike," advises reviewer Gentri R., who appreciated the well-maintained trail system.
**Wildlife photography opportunities: Early mornings at Cimarron Campground offer excellent conditions for photographing native species. "Upon entering the park we were greeted by a small herd of pronghorn deer bouncing along the road. We also ran into a herd of mule deer in the park that were quite accustomed to people," notes Andrew T., highlighting the accessible wildlife viewing.
**Geological diversity: The transition from prairie to mesa creates distinct microclimates and terrain types within a small area. As Andrew T. from Thompson Grove Boondocking observed, "After heading west out of the park to Black Mesa itself the geography changes rapidly from small limestone formations and boulders to large sandstone canyons out of a Wild West movie."
**Isolation from urban centers: The remote location provides rare quiet and minimal artificial light. "The park's isolation provides a quiet environment with minimal noise disturbance for sensitive pets," notes a visitor who appreciated the 36-mile distance from the nearest town.
**Cottonwood groves: Mature trees provide welcome shade in an otherwise exposed landscape. "Cottonwood trees surround the RV pad sites. Walk along the river trail is filled with more bird varieties," reports Ursula from Black Mesa State Park Campground, highlighting natural features that enhance comfort during hot weather.
**Limited services and supplies: The nearest comprehensive services are 36 miles away in Boise City, requiring advanced planning. "The nearest town where you can get supplies and gas is Boise 36 miles east of the park," cautions Andrew T., emphasizing the importance of arriving prepared.
**Extreme temperature variations: Summer days frequently exceed 95°F while nights can drop 30-40 degrees, requiring appropriate clothing and gear. "Not a ton of shade overall so it can get warm fast," warns Gonzo A., suggesting early morning activities during summer months.
**Seasonal water availability: Some water sources may be seasonal or unreliable during drought periods at Felt Picnic Area. "No water. Quiet, very dark - slept good," reports Lena H., indicating the need for campers to bring sufficient water supplies.
**Historical exploration opportunities: The Santa Fe Trail passes through the region with accessible historical markers and interpretive sites. Shari G. notes that hiking is available "on the Sante Fe Trail which follows the original path of the old wagon trail through the plains."
**Educational wildlife encounters: Dawn and dusk offer best viewing times for regional wildlife, with minimal crowds. One camper observed, "We watched flocks of Starlings tuck themselves into the marsh grasses for the night. Raptors, warblers, and many other bird species use the area as a fly-over stop during migration."
**Youth-friendly fishing spots: Stocked ponds at Cimarron National Grassland provide accessible fishing for beginners. "Several Ponds some are stocked with trout in the winter a stamp is needed for the rainbow trout. During the summer they are stocked with catfish," explains Terri B., outlining seasonal fishing opportunities.
**Limited hookup availability: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Campo have basic or no hookups, requiring self-sufficiency. "We chose to stay at Black Mesa on our way back from a week in Colorado... It is parks like this one that makes me so happy to be RV'ing. On our way back to Colorado next year we will stay here for a week and enjoy this awesome place," reports Dan M.
**Level parking considerations: RV sites at Wild Bills RV Park offer reliable level surfaces for larger vehicles. "Each site is pull thru with full hook ups. The laundry is in a heated bathroom with shower," notes Beverley D., highlighting amenities important for extended stays.
**Generator restrictions: Some campgrounds have noise regulations or generator-free zones to preserve the natural quiet. Review rules at each location as policies vary between the dog-friendly campsites near Campo and surrounding areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Campo, CO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Campo, CO is Black Mesa State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 40 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Campo, CO?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 dog-friendly camping locations near Campo, CO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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