The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campground location near Whites City, New Mexico
Camper submitted image from Camp Washington RanchView 11 Photos
FacilitiesMap showing campground location near Whites City, New Mexico

Camp Washington Ranch

4 ReviewsAdd Review

With spring-fed ponds and walking trails cutting through desert landscape, Camp Washington Ranch operates as a private campground supporting adults with disabilities. The property receives excess water from Rattlesnake Springs, creating an oasis environment with creeks and established trees that provide shade during hot desert days.

The ranch features four RV sites with electric and water hookups positioned in full sun on dirt surfaces. Sites lack individual picnic tables, though communal tables sit under mature trees where campers gather during peak heat. The dump station sits directly adjacent to one camping site, which can create access challenges when occupied. "Showers had very hot water & were clean," notes Carmen B., with bathrooms maintained regularly by staff.

Campers can walk directly from the ranch to Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area within Carlsbad Caverns National Park, accessing historic Civilian Conservation Corps structures and the spring system that supplies the park's water. The property typically operates with minimal staff presence, with reservations handled by phone and payment processed remotely.

Located near campgrounds around Carlsbad Caverns, the ranch serves visitors touring the caverns while supporting local disability services through camping fees. The combination of water features and National Park access makes this a functional base camp for desert exploration.

Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

Route 66 Road Trip

Camping The Route 66 Road Trip

Route 66 Road Trip Segment: Amarillo, TX to Kingman

Amarillo to Kingman: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Location

Private Campground

Camp Washington Ranch is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

32.1099202 N
104.4595556 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Some Coverage
    Verified by 2 users
    Last on 5/4/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

For Vehicles

  • Water Hookups
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

New Mexico Contest

Enter to Win

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

25%
75%
0%
0%
0%

4.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the unique desert oasis setting with natural water features and friendly staff. Basic sites lack individual amenities but offer access to clean facilities and proximity to Carlsbad Caverns.

John & Amy M.The Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Mar. 17, 2026

Very nice spot if visiting Carlsbad Caverns

Clean with basic amenities. Very quiet. We loved being able to spend time next to the spring-fed ponds and lawns. Clean bathrooms and showers. Kelly was great, very communicative, and provided us an overview of the history of the ranch. Best of all, the fees help an organization that supports local adults with special needs. We’d stay again if traveling through the area.

SiteOne of the four available
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by John & Amy M., March 17, 2026
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by John & Amy M., March 17, 2026
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by John & Amy M., March 17, 2026
CThe Dyrt PRO User
Reviewed Apr. 27, 2025

Nice little gem in the desert

We stayed 3 nights. They have 3 spots next to each other (with some space) in full sun, dirt-road style, no tables at sites. The cool thing is that you’re in an oasis. It got to 89 degrees and we sat under the trees with our chairs & we used their picnic tables waiting for it to cool off. We do not have AC in our Scamp. Showers had very hot water & were clean. Note that despite it stating that they have full hookups, the sewer pipes are next to site A. So it’s really a dump station area. The owner & staff were really nice.

SiteSite A
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by Carmen B., April 27, 2025
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by Carmen B., April 27, 2025
Joy W.
Reviewed Jan. 23, 2023

Nice out of the way place

There are only a few sites with water and electric hookups. The dump location is directly in front of a site so you may need to dump elsewhere (we did because it was blocked by another camper at the time).

There’s a nice lake and walking paths. The place is dated but, the folks are friendly and nice stop for a couple of days.

We camped here on our way to Carlsbad Caverns.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by Joy W., January 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by Joy W., January 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by Joy W., January 23, 2023
Sara B.
Reviewed Nov. 18, 2022

National Park views, but with amenities!!

We stumbled upon Camp Washington Ranch when looking for someplace to stay near Carlsbad Caverns. It is an interesting property. While it was originally a ranch, it was purchased in the 1980s by a non-profit that serves adults with disabilities. There are group homes on a corner of the property but they also rent the property as a wedding venue and have four RV camping sites. We were surprised by the ponds and creeks running through the property (since its in the middle of a desert) but figured out that it receives excess water from the springs that service Carlsbad Caverns National Park. 

You can walk from Camp Washington to Rattlesnake Springs Picnic Area (part of the National Park), which was a neat adventure. The picnic area was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and you can visit the springs and see the irrigation system developed by the CCC. Rattlesnake Springs provides all of the water to the National Park and, we figured out, also explains the ponds and creeks in Camp Washington Ranch! 

It seemed like we had the whole property to ourself during our stay. We made our reservation and paid over the phone, and didn't see any staff or residents while we were on the property. Would definitely recommend to anyone needing a place to stay before heading to the national park for a cavern tour.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by Sara B., November 18, 2022
  • Review photo of Camp Washington Ranch by Sara B., November 18, 2022
  • Play button icon
Showing results 1-4 of 4 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Camp Washington Ranch?

Camp Washington Ranch offers a limited number of camping sites with water and electric hookups. The property features a lake and walking paths in an oasis-like setting. While the facilities are somewhat dated, the location provides a welcome respite from the heat with shaded areas under trees and picnic tables. The campground has a unique character and friendly staff. Note that the dump station location may occasionally be blocked by other campers.

Where is Camp Washington Ranch located near Carlsbad, NM?

Camp Washington Ranch is situated in an oasis-like setting near Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. The property features a serene landscape with water streams and a lake, providing a unique camping experience in contrast to the surrounding desert environment. Its proximity to Carlsbad Caverns makes it a convenient base for exploring this natural wonder.

What is the history of Camp Washington Ranch near Carlsbad Caverns?

Camp Washington Ranch began as a traditional ranch before being acquired in the 1980s by a non-profit organization serving adults with disabilities. The property now functions as both a camping destination and a community service facility, with group homes located on a section of the grounds. This dual purpose creates a unique character that distinguishes it from typical campgrounds. The ranch's transformation from agricultural land to a multi-purpose facility reflects its evolving role in the Carlsbad area.

Are there photos available of Camp Washington Ranch?

Yes, photos of Camp Washington Ranch are available online. These images showcase the property's distinctive oasis setting with its lake, water streams, and shaded areas. Visual documentation of the campground helps potential visitors understand the layout of the limited number of camping sites and the overall rustic atmosphere of this unique property near Carlsbad Caverns.

Keep Exploring