Lions Beach at Elephant Butte Lake State Park is located near a large reservoir in New Mexico. The area features flat terrain with sparse vegetation and temperatures ranging from 30°F in winter to 95°F in summer. Visitors can explore Elephant Butte Lake for water activities and visit the nearby town of Truth or Consequences for hot springs.
Description
Max vehicle length - 40 feet. Electric & water hookups. BBQ, picnic table. Asphalt pad sites. Bathroom available. Public fire pit. Go fishing!
Primitive camping is also available (not dispersed)
Warning 8 Alerts are In Effect
There are 8 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 8 Alerts are In Effect
There are 8 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Currently there is no access to the lake at South Monticello. The lake level is too low.
The South Monticello boat ramp is currently closed due to low water levels. We anticipate reopening when water levels increase, and conditions allow.
Due to recent vandalism and thefts, the Desert Cove Comfort Station will be closed overnight from 10:00PM through 6:00AM, until further notice.
The use of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) is prohibited in New Mexico State Parks, as stipulated by the NM OHV Act and State Park Regulations (NMSA 66-3-1011, 16-2-33 19 NMAC Ch 5 Sec 2.16 A).
To ensure compliance with ADA regulations, vehicles parked at handicap campsites must visibly display a valid handicapped placard or possess a license plate indicating handicapped status; otherwise, relocation will be required.
THE CUSTOMER MUST CONTACT THE PARK TO ADVISE THEM OF LATE ARRIVAL THE SITE WILL BE RELEASED FOR RESERVATIONS / FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER 4:00 P.M.. NO REFUND WILL BE DUE.
Make it your goal to extinguish hot coals. If your campfire is too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Drown it with water, stir it with a shovel, and repeat until your campfire is out cold! Learn more from Smokey Bear.
Please bring proof of your reservation with you to your campsite.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundLions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park is located in New Mexico
Directions
From I-25 South or North take exit 83, turn onto NM State Rd 195 South. North bound traffic goes 4.2 miles and turns left off 195 to the Visitor Center. Southbound traffic goes 4.6 miles and turns left off of 195 to the Visitor Center. After the Visitor Center/ Entrance enter the traffic circle and take the 3rd exit for Ridge Road. The campgrounds are along Sumac Rd from there. South Monticello Campground Directions. From I-25 take exit 89 onto Martin Ranch Road/Rock Canyon Road heading east. Follow Rock Canyon road for about 7 miles. This will take you into and back out of Monticello Canyon, across two cattle guards and then to the pay station in the middle of Rock Canyon Road. The entrance to South Monticello Campground is on your left. Do not confuse the State Park campground with signs to the privately owned Monticello RV Park along this same route. You can also follow Rock Canyon North from the City of Elephant Butte to South Monticello Campground approximately 10 miles.
Address
P.O. BOX 13
Elephant Butte, NM 87935
Coordinates
33.1925 N
107.2069 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 17 usersLast on 3/17/26
VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 54 usersLast on 3/17/26
AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 3/17/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 17 usersLast on 3/17/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 54 usersLast on 3/17/26
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 8 usersLast on 3/17/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 13 min from Las Cruces, NM
- 1 hr 49 min from El Paso, TX
- 1 hr 59 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 2 hrs 43 min from Santa Fe, NM
