Fort Stanton Cave Campground, near Roswell, New Mexico, is a cozy spot that offers a unique camping experience with a touch of seclusion. It’s a small campground with just a few designated sites, making it perfect for those who appreciate a quieter atmosphere.

The campground features basic amenities like pit toilets and trash bins, ensuring you have what you need without the frills. Visitors have noted the beautiful spots available, with some sites even offering picnic tables under shelters for a bit of comfort. As one camper mentioned, “It is a small but very nice campground,” highlighting the charm of the area.

For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, the campground is located on BLM land, providing access to various trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The surrounding landscape is picturesque, with plenty of opportunities to soak in the natural beauty. Just keep in mind that it can get chilly at night, especially in the colder months, so pack accordingly.

While the campground doesn’t offer water or electric hookups, it’s a great spot for those looking to disconnect and enjoy some peace and quiet. Campers have appreciated the good cell service, making it easier to stay connected if needed. Whether you’re camping in a tent, RV, or trying out glamping, Fort Stanton Cave Campground is a solid choice for a laid-back getaway.

Several shelters, tables and fire rings are located here as well as a vault toilet. All sites are dry and on a first come/first served basis. The access road off of US 380 is graveled. There are no fees for camping in this area.

Fort Stanton Cave Campground

Searching for the best camping near Capitan, NM? Capitan is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Capitan, NM. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Capitan

The Best Camping Near Capitan, New Mexico

Stayed here back in May 2020. It's on BLM land so no fee, first-come first-serve. Very small little stretch just off the side of the road with a bathroom, tables, and small firepits.  Also some concrete slabs to put your tent on if you want, including some sites with covered slabs to keep the sun / rain off you, or to hang a hammock on. Not every site has those though, and in be careful with the firepits, this area is quite dry and the pits are not well-protected (see my photos). Definitely check local status of having campfires if you're headed here.

  

Nice because it is easy to get to, will 100% work in a pinch, and is quiet, especially if you have it all to yourself. According to the website it is near a cave system, something I didn't realize at the time (I suppose the name was a pretty big clue, but hey, I'm nothing if not dense in moments...).

  

All in all, nothing particularly amazing, but functional and comfortable. And hey, if those caves are something special, maybe the proximity of this campground pushes it up into 4 or 5 star territory. Alas, I'll have to find out next time I'm in that part of the country.

Simple, off the beaten path, nothing fancy but works!

We tried to stay at this site on a Tuesday in late May, all 3 spots were filled.  So we continued down the road where there are lots of other dispersed options just right off Cave Canyon Road.  No facilities just rock fire pits.  Lots of access to trails (hiking, biking, and horse access only).  There's a good map of the trails located at Fort Stanton if you happen to visit there before heading here definitely take a picture.  It gets hot here starting in May and not much shade available.   As a side note the caves located just by the CG are closed.

Fills up fast but plenty of dispersed camping all along the road.

Very quiet little park with just a few spots, has water and electricity and a dump site. Close to Lincoln, NM. Historical Fort Stanton just down the road.

High country  campground.

For motorhomes and big rigs the three main campsites are really the only ones I would recommend camping in. 

  

There are some small boondocking campsites further up cave canyon trail road but the road was pretty rough in spots. 

  

Cell phone service was great in the campground and we got good data speeds. 

  

The vault toilet was clean and there's a few garbage cans spread out the campground. 

  

In October there were other campers there but there was an open site every day. 

  

Some jeeps and OHV's went by during the day but it was still a great place to camp that was quiet at night.

  

This is the free campground. There's one that costs money with hookups a few miles away on the road that leads to Fort Stanton.

Only 3 Designated Campsites But Awesome Campground

Secluded camping about 1.5 miles in from US Rt 380!  On BLM land, the dirt road in is wash boarded in spots, but hey it's free.  Three sites with room for bigger rigs, have picnic tables under shelters and trash cans.  There are also pit toilets.  Moreover, there's undeveloped dispersed sites further in, but high clearance vehicles is advised.  Great Verizon cell service. We were there in November, and it got cold at night (one night down to 14 degrees F), during the day temps were in the mid 60's...so be prepared for cold nights and comfortable days.

Dispersed Camping at it's Best!

It is a small but very nice campground. No electricity water or sewer but trash toilets and privacy. Would be hot in high summer and cold right now end of November but if you have a generator and can be off the grid what a cute place to be.

Totally concur with the reviews 

Very small campground with beautiful spots. Trash bins and awnings.

Photos of Fort Stanton Cave Campground

Real photos from real campers