Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano, near Grants, New Mexico, offers a unique camping experience with stunning natural features and a peaceful atmosphere. This location is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle, with options for tent camping, RVs, and even cabins.

The campground is known for its proximity to the ice cave and Bandera Volcano, both of which provide excellent hiking opportunities. Visitors have enjoyed the short trail to the ice cave, which is a refreshing cool spot after a hike, and the 1.5-mile loop trail around the volcano, which offers breathtaking views and a chance to learn about the area's geology. As one camper noted, “The trail views are incredible and it's secluded and peaceful but feels safe.”

While amenities are limited, the trading post on-site offers snacks and souvenirs, making it a convenient stop for campers. The facilities include clean pit toilets, and during peak season, there’s a bathhouse available. Campers have appreciated the quiet nights under the stars, with one reviewer mentioning, “We were the only campers there on a VERY cold late March night,” highlighting the tranquility of the area.

With its family-run charm and beautiful surroundings, Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano is a great choice for those seeking adventure and solitude in New Mexico's stunning landscape. Whether you're hiking the trails or simply enjoying the night sky, this spot has a lot to offer.

Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano

Join the fun near San Rafael. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. San Rafael is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your San Rafael camping trip.

San Rafael

The Best Camping Near San Rafael, New Mexico

A fun little campground with space to park an RV or rent a cabin. There are no hookups but you’re in a remote part of New Mexico under pines with a Giant night sky above. Plus you’ve got easy access to two fun little explorations... a 1.5 miles hike to the rim of the Bandera volcano and a 1/4 mile hike to the ice cave. It’s a family run business and they have a nice little gift shop and market with a few supplies. Once the park closes for the night, you have the hikes to yourself to take in sunset with lava rock surrounding. It’s a really beautiful area with a lovely family running the business. They charge $20/night for trailer parking but I’m not sure the price of the cabins. They’re also right by Malpais and El Morro national Monuments. Highly recommend for an overnight along your journey through New Mexico!

Beautiful, cheap and quiet boondocking

We are boondocking at the Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano near Grant's NM. This location is open to Harvest Host members for a free over night stay. You can hike to the open face of the Volcano and then down to the amazing cold of the Ice caves. Entrance is about $12 each. Cell service is good through Verizon. 

Amazing how cold it stays down in the caves

Spent the night at the Ice caves and Bandera Volcano with my wife. We did the hike up the Volcano and then down to the ice cave which cooled us off after the hike. They charge $12 per person with a discount for children.  It was a very peaceful night. Cell service with Verizon was ok outside but poor inside trailer.  There was no charge for this stay through our Harvest Host membership.  I would definitely stay again.

Amazed by the coldness of the caves 

This place is amazing. The trail views are incredible and it's secluded and peaceful but feels safe. We have a signal booster that let us get enough bars of reception to work our remote jobs, but once the booster went off it was intermittent at best. The trading post is also super cool, and has enough food to hold you over for a while if you come without anything

Beautiful area

**General:** There are several options here: RV and tent camping, and cabins. As members of Harvest Host, we were able to stay here for free with the expectation that we would patronize the business. 

  

**Site Quality:** The tent section is behind the cabins, but RVs park in the gravel parking lot with no clearly defined spaces. The section at the top of the fence away from the trading post appeared to be level but otherwise, the lot is sloped. We opted to park closer to the trading post in our campervan, which was also closer to the pit toilet. 

  

**Bathhouse:** During the high season, there is a bathhouse and shower, but it was not open when we were there, but the pit toilet was very clean. When the trading post is open (9-5, later in the summer), there are restrooms inside. 

  

**Activities:** There is a trail to the ice cave (short but there are stairs) and a loop trail leading to the volcano (about 1.5 miles but wear sturdy shoes and you should be in reasonable shape). It was recommended that we do this hike in a counterclockwise direction and this was good advice. The fee is $12 for both and there are markers with an interpretive pamphlet explaining the history and geology of the area. There is a trading post with souvenirs and a small kitchen area where you can purchase some food and beverages. 

  

We were the only campers there on a VERY cold late March night so I imagine it would be very different during warmer months. We only heard an occasional car but otherwise, it was very quiet, and the night sky was beautiful. This is a family-run business, and everyone was very welcoming.

Quiet solitude (at least in the off-season)

We planned on staying the night here but ended up moving on because the lack of space. Nice if you’re just stopping in for the hike and to see the volcano &amp; ice cave!

Photos of Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano

Real photos from real campers