Great-tailed grackles court and whistle among the gravel sites at this full-service campground, located about 30 minutes north of Carlsbad city limits and roughly an hour from Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The 75-site facility operates year-round on open desert terrain near Brantley Lake, with pull-through options accommodating RVs up to 75 feet. Wind frequently sweeps across the property, as multiple campers note the challenge of maintaining campfires in the conditions.
The campground maintains clean shower houses and restrooms that reviewers consistently praise, along with a game room, pool, and laundry facilities. Staff members deliver hot barbecue meals directly to sites, smoking the meat on-property. "Sites are spacious and level and you don't feel packed in like sardines," observes one reviewer, though the layout still follows typical RV park density. Cabins feature air conditioning, picnic tables, grills, and porch swings, though some visitors report sagging mattresses.
Oil field operations in the surrounding area occasionally produce sulfur odors that drift across the campground, particularly noticeable during certain wind conditions. The smell doesn't persist constantly but can be strong enough to wake campers on some nights. Cell service works reliably throughout the property, though WiFi signals can be spotty in some cabin locations.
The campground sits close to Brantley lake and provides easy access to desert hiking and wildlife viewing. Quail wander through the sites and rabbits move freely around the cabins. Tent sites cost $38 per night without utilities and offer minimal shade, clustering campers fairly close together.
Reserve ahead during peak seasons, as the limited camping options in the Carlsbad area fill quickly, and bring groceries since the on-site store stocks only basic necessities.
Description
From the KOA website: Kick back with family and friends at this beautiful desert oasis built in 2000. This award-winning KOA is big rig friendly: All sites are huge 30/50-amp pull thrus with free Wi-Fi and free cable TV. The staff will spoil you as you enjoy the 2,000-square-foot community room, meals delivered to your site, a beautiful commercial laundry, outstanding restrooms, a fenced dog park and a heated pool. From this KOA in the heart of SE New Mexico, visit Carlsbad Caverns, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, Roswell's International UFO Museum and White Sands National Monument. Check out the Robert H. Goddard rocket collection at the Roswell Museum and Art Center and the "Billy the Kid" history at the campground. A horse hotel also is available. See how this KOA is going green with the help of a wind turbine. Pool: March 15 - October 15. Max pull thru: 75 feet. Your hosts: Scott, Susan and Brian Bacher.
Fee Info
Adults 18+, Kids 9-17, Free 0-8
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Private CampgroundCarlsbad KOA is located in New Mexico
Directions
Located 13 miles north of Carlsbad, between mile markers 51 and 52 on US Hwy 285 N.
Address
2 Manthei Rd
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Coordinates
32.58646463 N
104.41623475 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 4/25/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 4/25/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 4/25/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 4/25/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 28 usersLast on 4/25/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 4/25/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Cabins
- Tent Cabin
- Yurts
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 24 min from Odessa, TX
- 2 hrs 31 min from Midland, TX
- 2 hrs 41 min from El Paso, TX
- 3 hrs 16 min from Las Cruces, NM


































