Bosque Redondo Park

Two miles off the main highway on paved roads, Bosque Redondo Park sits alongside a small fishing lake in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. This city-managed campground operates as a dual-use area where camping sites double as day-use picnic spots, each equipped with a covered shelter, picnic table, trash can, and grill.

The lakeside sites place campers directly next to the water where locals come to fish throughout the day. "Liked listening to children play at the ballpark," notes Al K., capturing the community atmosphere that defines this park. A one-mile loop road circles the lake, providing access to more secluded camping areas away from the main day-use zone. The park includes a playground and maintains vault toilets that reviewers consistently describe as clean.

Wind presents the primary challenge here, with gusts reaching 37 miles per hour according to campers. Tent campers need longer stakes to secure their shelters properly. The area offers minimal shade, making site selection important during hot weather. Wildlife includes coyotes, wild hogs, bobcats, and mountain lions, requiring proper food storage and awareness.

Road conditions vary seasonally, with muddy access roads reported in back areas during wet periods. The park occasionally floods, temporarily limiting camping options to the elevated road along the lake. Cell service reaches the campground, and the dark skies provide clear stargazing conditions. For those exploring the region, campsites near Fort Sumner include several RV parks with full hookups.

This free camping option works well for overnight stops and longer stays alike, particularly for big rigs that can navigate the paved entrance road with ease.

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RV Road Trip Guides

Map & DirectionsBosque Redondo Park is located in New Mexico near Fort Sumner

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

34.43132047 N
104.21420255 W

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Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 5/16/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 5/16/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 5/16/26

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 5/16/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 10 users
    Last on 5/16/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 6 users
    Last on 5/16/26

Access

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

FREE established camping

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


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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General Info

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Reviews18 Camper Reviews - Bosque Redondo Park

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5 Stars

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1 Star

45%
28%
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4.0

out of 5

18 Reviews

Campers regularly cited this quiet lakeside park for its spacious sites with full amenities and peaceful atmosphere. Common feedback included concerns about limited shade, dirt roads, and significant bug activity after dark.

Reviewed Apr. 3, 2026

Very peaceful

Really enjoyed our stay. Not too many people and the locals that come out to enjoy are very respectful and quiet, even the ones that came on atv's.

Siteno.73
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Dwayne R., April 3, 2026
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Dwayne R., April 3, 2026
Reviewed Apr. 2, 2026

Get hidden gem!

So happy to have found this park. No hookups but sites have picnic tables and BBQ grill. Only 3 others when we were here. Best part, it's free!

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by jeanne A., April 2, 2026
Reviewed Oct. 27, 2025

A few nice spots by the lake

I loved this spot and stayed an extra day. It was full Sat night but only 3 of us Sun night. It was very close to town and easy roads coming in. Sunrise over the small lake was beautiful. It is peaceful here, and there is a ~1 mile walk/drive around the lake. The spots by the lake each have a shelter with picnic table, trash can, and grill. There are also a couple of pit toilets that were clean. If you drive around the lake, there are 2-3 places for more private camping. The area by the lake is not private. People come to fish and hang out.

SiteLake
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed May. 19, 2025

Private, peaceful, and relaxing

This is absolutely worth the visit. It's clean, and you have your own area with a picnic table and trash can. It seems safe here . When we pulled in, there was and officer's sitting here. We seen 1 vehicle in 2 days. This is BLM land and there are no hook ups, be prepared. There's lots to see. Big area to walk. Play ground for the kids. Dark at night. Lots of star gazing.

Sitesites are not numbered. way in the back.
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Jill K., May 19, 2025
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Jill K., May 19, 2025
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Jill K., May 19, 2025
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Dec. 21, 2024

Basic quiet layover

Site is about 2 miles of main highway on paved road. Sites look like they double as day-use, with small shelter, picnic table, trash, grill, and fire pit. Some right on pond. Park has playground and vault toilets. Very quiet. Good star gazing.

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by thomas V., December 21, 2024
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by thomas V., December 21, 2024
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2024

Easy and pretty quiet

Only two other campers. Sunday night so quiet. Lots of flys and minimal shade trees. But right on the pond and a peaceful nights sleep.

Siteon lake
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by joe L., October 7, 2024
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2024

Community park well off the highway.

I planned out a stop here on a long western tour. I planned to stop for the night. When I arrived, the park was flooded. The area that ran along the lake was not flooded was OK, but it was a road with picknick shelters, much less suitable for camping than the flooded areas would have been. I felt exposed and in-the-way, so I moved on to the next stop. Assuming it dries out, there should always be a place to stop.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed May. 31, 2024

One night layover

After a long drive we pulled in a parked right beside the fishing pond. Liked listening to children play at the ballpark. Area had been recently mowed but found a used syringe in the grass just outside our camper door.

Site75
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Nov. 7, 2023

Parking lot only

I went there yesterday and was disappointed to see that it was just a parking lot at the visitor center. I ended up going to the state park because it was too hot to not have A/C for my dog

Sitenone
Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Nov. 2, 2023

Nice Stay

I only stayed one night, but this place is great for longer stays. Very well maintained site with a small grill, picnic table under a canopy, and garbage can. I stayed during the week and there were other people, but each site was very spaced out.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Cassidy R., November 2, 2023
Reviewed May. 8, 2023

Nice little free campground near the Pecos River

Plenty of room for larger groups, we had a total of 6 tents set up along the west side of the lake. Can be very windy so ensure your tent stakes are decently long. Large amounts of bugs come out during sunset but they don't stick around very long and they are harmless gnats didn't see any mosquitoes. This area has a lot of wildlife like coyotes, hogs, bobcats, and mountain lions so be careful. If you set up camp on the west side of the lake the bathrooms are quite a walk away and there are only two vault toilets. bathrooms were pretty clean and so was the park in general. Numerous shaded picnic tables with grill, and even a few fire rings. Not much shade around. Overall a great stay close to Cannon AFB for a quick weekend trip.

SiteWest Side Of Lake
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by james T., May 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by james T., May 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by james T., May 8, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 18, 2023

Quiet

Nice overnight stay. Had the place To ourselves. Dirt sites so rain wouldn’t be fun but you could park on grassy areas likely. Mosquitos are coming out in droves.

Sitein far back away from road
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Deanna S., April 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Deanna S., April 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Deanna S., April 18, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Nov. 9, 2022

Very peaceful

Is very quiet. But the time I was here we had some wind. Just broke to 37 miles an hour, but they were few.

SiteThere are no site numbers. But I was on the west side second from the north.
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by mont B., November 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by mont B., November 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by mont B., November 9, 2022
  • (4) View All
Reviewed May. 18, 2022

Good basic site for a one night stay

Stayed for one night going through NM. The site has a few picnic tables spaces out & a little pond where people were fishing. There were not very many spots & almost no trees to work with (hammocking, etc). There are ants everywhere as well, so I wouldn’t really consider bringing younger kids to this one. However, for two adults just looking for a place to sleep for the night, it was great.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Nov. 1, 2021

Nice free camping

Nice campsites, quiet during the week and weekends can be a bit more people and noise.

Sitenon numbered
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Bosque Redondo Park by Steve O., November 1, 2021
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2021

Great camping

This is a quaint out of the way city campground. Quiet and open. We camped near the lake where you could fish with ease from the bank or use the sand boat ramp. There are reatroom buildings around the camp. There are sites away from the water too. Picnic tables and garbage cans at each site. Water would have been a nice thing.

Siteno site markers that I could see
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Aug. 17, 2021

Free and peaceful

This is a city park. There are picnic pavilions and a porta toilet. The area is clean and has trash cans and cooking grills. Almost no shade spots and the access roads can be pretty rough and muddy in the back. Camping is allowed with apparently no fees.

Siteby the lake
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 28, 2020

Good location, bugs unbearable

Nice location, not too far but just far enough off the interstate. Good campsite options, pond you can fish in, picnic tables, atv trails you can walk. Not busy. Only problem is the bugs are HORRIBLE after sundown. Sleeping under the stars, NOT an option. It’s an ideal stop if you‘ll be sleeping in an RV. A tent might be alright too if you’re good at keeping bugs out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is camping allowed at Bosque Redondo Park?

Yes, camping is definitely allowed at Bosque Redondo Park with no fees required. This city park serves as both a day-use area and a free campground. It's located about 2 miles off the main highway on a paved road, making it a convenient stop for travelers. The park offers a quiet atmosphere, especially during weekdays, though weekends can be busier. The camping areas are well-maintained, with some sites located right along the water's edge and others set back from the lake.

How close is Redondo Campground to Redondo Lake?

Campsites at Bosque Redondo Park are situated directly adjacent to the lake, with some sites positioned right at the water's edge. These lakeside spots offer easy fishing access directly from the bank. The park features a small pond/lake where visitors can fish, and there's even a sand boat ramp available for those wanting to launch watercraft. The proximity to the water makes it convenient for fishing enthusiasts, though it's worth noting that some areas along the lake can occasionally experience flooding.

What amenities are available at Redondo Campground?

Bosque Redondo Park offers several basic amenities for campers. Each site typically includes a picnic table (some under canopies or shelters), trash cans, cooking grills, and fire pits. The park has vault toilets and porta-potties scattered throughout. Additional facilities include a playground for children, picnic pavilions, and a fishing pond with bank access and a sand boat ramp. The grounds are regularly maintained and mowed. There are ATV trails that can be used for walking. The park has limited shade trees, which could be important to consider during hot weather.