Fishing, swimming, and lake access draw most visitors to Appaloosa Campground within Caballo Lake State Park, where sites sit close enough to the water that anglers can reach the shoreline on foot. Mourning doves and migrating geese are regular presences, and on clear nights without a moon, the Milky Way is visible overhead. The surrounding terrain is flat and open, with views toward the nearby mountains that shift color noticeably at sunset. Ray & Terri F. notes one specific detail worth watching for: "look for the elephant shadow on the mountain at sunset."
Sites at Appaloosa are pull-through, gravel-covered, level, and spacious. Each comes with a covered picnic table and shelter, and hookups vary by site, with water, electric (20 and 30 amp), and sewer available. The bathrooms and showers receive consistent praise across reviews, with multiple campers noting they are kept clean through regular ranger and camp host patrols. Shade is limited. A few junipers and pinyon trees dot the area, along with low shrubs, but campers expecting a canopy will not find one here.
The campground leans heavily toward RVs and fifth wheels, and the hard, rocky ground makes tent camping less comfortable. The walking trails in the park are short and easy. Nearby, the town of Truth or Consequences has hot springs worth visiting, and Hatch and Hillsboro provide additional day-trip options. T-Mobile coverage has been reported as solid on-site. One reviewer noted water service was cut during a Memorial Day weekend visit, so it is worth confirming utility status before arrival during holiday periods.
Palomino Campground and Stallion Campground are both within the same state park and offer comparable setups for campers who want to compare sites. The access road has been flagged as rough by some visitors, so lower-clearance vehicles should take care. At $30 per night with full hookups, reservations are available and worth booking in advance for holiday weekends and peak spring season.
Description
Apaloosa campground has 23 sites that are tent and RV friendly with 30 am hookups, water, toilets and is pet friendly. No showers at this location. But it is located within walking distance to Caballo Lake and has pull through sites with electric and water to accomodate motorhomes, travel trailers, 5th wheels or tent camping
Warning 8 Alerts are In Effect
There are 8 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 8 Alerts are In Effect
There are 8 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
To ensure compliance with ADA regulations, vehicles parked at handicap campsites must visibly display a valid handicapped placard or possess a license plate indicating handicapped status; otherwise, relocation will be required.
Please bring proof of your reservation with you to your campsite.
Make it your goal to extinguish hot coals. If your campfire is too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Drown it with water, stir it with a shovel, and repeat until your campfire is out cold! Learn more from Smokey Bear.
The use of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) is prohibited in New Mexico State Parks, as stipulated by the NM OHV Act and State Park Regulations (NMSA 66-3-1011, 16-2-33 19 NMAC Ch 5 Sec 2.16 A).
THE CUSTOMER MUST CONTACT THE PARK TO ADVISE THEM OF LATE ARRIVAL THE SITE WILL BE RELEASED FOR RESERVATIONS / FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER 4:00 P.M.. NO REFUND WILL BE DUE.
Using an app to find Caballo Lake State Park? On Google Maps, use "EV Charging Station" as your destination address for the Visitor Center. The iPhone maps app will use "Caballo Lake State Park". If you end up at Smith Ranch, turnaround, head south and make a left onto HWY 187 for six miles. Caballo Lake’s main entrance will be on the left.
Reservations for the Corrals are for those with horses only.
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove is prohibited. The use of devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsAppaloosa Campground is located in New Mexico near Arrey
Directions
Take Exit 59(I-25) Head North On NM187 & take 1st right handed turn North of I25 Bridge, head East on Caballo Down Road and take right on Caballo Dam frontage road and travel approximately 3/4 mile to Riverside Campground. For Appaloosa Campground you travel North approximately 3/4 mile On NM187 off Exit 59, and take a left hand turn at Lakeside Recreation Sign, travel down Palomino Road approximately 1/4 mile and take right hand turn at Appaloosa Campground Sign.
Address
10 Palmino Road
Caballo, NM 87931
Coordinates
32.909299656698984 N
107.30732369833987 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 25 usersLast on 7/29/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 31 usersLast on 7/29/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/29/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 25 usersLast on 7/29/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 31 usersLast on 7/29/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 7/29/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
Drive Time
- 52 min from Las Cruces, NM
- 1 hr 27 min from El Paso, TX
- 2 hrs 10 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 50 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
