Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

The wash to get into the campground is steep on both sides. We drug a bit on the way in and a lot on the way out.we have a silverback 37bh that specs say is 39'11". Would not try it again. The campground is awesome though. Quiet with trash receptacles and vault toilets. Amazing dark sky view of the stars. Mostly empty.

Great Dispersed Camp Ground less than 20 minutes off of  I-40 that will accommodate all types of camping from tents to large trailers. (There is a dip in the gravel road leading up to the camp ground that did scrape my jack but I think if you hit it at an angle it might be OK.)

Within 20 feet of my campsite site I could see for miles of the gorgeous  valley.

Each camp site has a fire pit, grill, and picnic tables covered with a roof and has a nice pit toilet and trash within a very short walking distance.

I am here in the beginning of November and it is chilly and about to get downright cold with expected snow tomorrow, down to 16 degrees the next night, even though it looks more like the desert.

I have a very good signal with Verizon, TMobile is low.

Water is available at the Ranger Station up the road, and Walmart Super Center and other stores within 20-30 minutes.

This is an amazing little free first come first serve campground. Well maintained gravel roads. Each site has a nice covered picnic table with pedestal grill and fire ring. Sites can accommodate tent/car camping up to larger travel trailers/rv’s, we camped in a 30ft class c and there was a 35-40 ft bus in one site. Beware there is a large dip in the road as you enter the campground we drove through at an angle but still drug the rear bumper skids. There are pit toilets and garbage boxes but no water available.

I enjoyed my week at Joe Skeen in April 2024. If you camp near the top of the loop, overlooking the road below you'll get some cell service. I was in camp site 8 and have Tmobile I had 5G 2 bars, but it came in and out. I was still able to stream and use my phone hot spot. Nice cement pads with picnic tables, pavillion, fire pit and BBQ stands. Vault toilets with trash bins, but NO WATER! Be careful if you're towing anything, as my trailer bottomed out and bent the jack stand on my brand new car hauler trailer at the gulley in the road on the way into the campground. They should fill that in!! Check out my Utube journey's at: Candy's Catmobile RV Life on Utube. (:

This is a great campground! We came in with a 34' toy hauler and there was plenty of spots that would accommodate our size. Their website says there are spots to accommodate up to 50'. There are 10 spots and it is first come, first serve, so make sure you get here early. At the end of December, there were plenty of open spots. There is a little dip when you turn off the main road which we made it through without any issues. Campground was clean, had outhouses, and covered seating areas. Great find!

This is a great area to camp in.... but not in the summer, there is no shade for tent people. This would be a perfect spot for spring and fall. We stayed in the northwest camping site that was about 25 feet from the cliff overlooking 117. Perfect spot. The ground is hard and required a Mason bit and cordless drill to set tent stakes.

Such a great site. Literally cannot imagine better free camping!!

Easy to find, each spot has a picnic table and fire rings. Sites filled up by 6pm. Needed levelers on one side for our Class B Travato. Two vehicles max per site.

Each site has a covered picnic table and fire ring. Fairly exposed to the wind. Vault toilets. BLM dirt road near the entrance you can walk / hike down. Brochures of El Malpais at the entrance to the campground. Got there at 4 pm and only half the sites taken. Not bad for a spring break Saturday. Eventually all the sites filed up. Woke up to a beautiful snow storm. Dogs are allowed on this national monument trails, but discouraged because of the sharp lava rocks.

These sites were the most equipped, free sites we’ve ever stayed at in our ram pro master

nice place. seems to be windy most of the days and rain can make the sites awfully muddy. ranger station is only open on weekend but maps are available 24/7. spots are a little close together.

Great free campground in a marvelous place. Great sunsets, clean toilets. Water only at ranger station

Love this place. Amazing colors and only had 3 others here. Mind you it is below freezing out and super cold. The bluff view as I am calling it has a smaller pull through and a great fire pit and covered picnic table. Or 22’ camper trailer fit perfect. Thanks to the Dyrt for having it on thier page!

Definitely get here before sunset! We were arriving around 6pm as the sun was setting and only two sites were left. I was surprised since it was the off season. Amazing views though. Nearest town is 20 min drive away which is nice. Only had enough service to send messages which is just enough.

Couldn’t ask for more.

Stopped here for the night on the way from Tucson to Denver and I'm so glad I did! I was a little nervous bc I'd read reviews saying it fills up fast and to get there before 5, but I got there about 8pm on a Monday in July and only saw one other spot taken. My 2wd car had no problem getting in and out and the ground was great for tent camping. Was solo camping and felt very safe the whole time. I'd love to go back again when I have time to explore the park, everything was SO beautiful.

Each site has a covered patio with picnic table and a fire pit. We stopped through here for one night on our way to AZ and it worked out really well. No check-in/fees; first come first serve. There were a few spots open when we rolled in around 1800.

This was a lovely stop on our trip from CA to CT. We walked to the top of the adjacent hill for sunset which was very nice. After traveling through Utah we weren’t as impressed by the landscape but it is definitely a nice getaway with good views and a natural setting. Pretty level spots and had no trouble getting there with our 30 ft RV. I think we got the last spot (all first come first serve) and we arrived around 4:30 on a Thursday. Would definitely come back if we’re passing through the area again but won’t plan a trip around it (like we plan to with some of the sites in Utah).

Stopped here for the night as our first campsite after purchasing our travel trailer.

Gorgeous drive in from 40 to the campsite.

Awesome pull-through site.

Only saw one person doing tent camping. Looked like a cold stay Oct 30th-31st.

Beautiful sunset, unfortunately slept through dawn.

Moon was so bright we didn’t need a flashlight for the bathroom with a clear path from our site. Bear safe trash through out.

Each site is spaces a decent amount apart from the rest.

Quiet time 10 pm - 6 am.

We saw chipmunks scurrying about in the morning. We were hoping to see more wildlife but can’t complain for pulling in around 3:30 and choosing from about 4 empty sites and leaving by 9 am.

Very clean and safe toilet area. Incredible views!

Watch your dogs stepping in cactus. Dogs need to be on leash, but not enforced. Our dog loved this spot but he did sniff cactus too close ouch.

Highly recommend.

This campsite was amazing. Beautiful scenery, easy to find location, quiet, felt really safe, had a bathroom (no running water).

I loved seeing all the cactuses and climbing up the rocks. So fun!

We were passing through and found BLM land on AllStays about 10 miles off I-40. Very clean bathrooms. You can bring a RV in. We have a 34’ class A. Only about 10 sites each one has a fire pit, grill, tables and and cover. Some sites are pull through. No water or any kind of hook ups.

This is a good spot to stay the night if your passing though, very clean bathrooms.

Bout 10 free campsites in a beautiful location. Several vault toilets, great spots to set up a tent, landscape is nice but the Sunset was breathtaking. One of the best sites we’ve had the privilege to stay at in the West.

This is a donation based campground. There are approximately 10 sites. Each is equipped with a metal pavallion, table, and firepit/cooking pit. There are pit toilets. The sites are amply spaced, and there is cleared area in the high desert terrain to place a tent or two. During my stay, we strung our hammocks up in the pavillion. The site is easy access from the road, and about a 15 min drive from closest town, (Grants).