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Established Camping

Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

Warning 14 Alerts are In Effect

There are 14 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!

Due to current conditions, Stage II Fire Restrictions are now in effect at the state park. This prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove. Visitors can, however, use devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. These devices must only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. An exception to the campfire ban allows campfires on the lake shoreline in areas cleared of flammable vegetation for at least 100 feet.

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.

Currently there is no access to the lake at South Monticello. The lake level is too low.

Please bring proof of your reservation with you to your campsite.

Due to current conditions, Stage II Fire Restrictions are now in effect at the state park. This prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove. Visitors can, however, use devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. These devices must only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. An exception to the campfire ban allows campfires on the lake shoreline in areas cleared of flammable vegetation for at least 100 feet.

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.

Due to current conditions, Stage II Fire Restrictions are now in effect at the state park. This prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove. Visitors can, however, use devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. These devices must only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building. An exception to the campfire ban allows campfires on the lake shoreline in areas cleared of flammable vegetation for at least 100 feet.

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.

The South Monticello and Rock Canyon boat ramps are currently closed due to low water levels. We anticipate reopening when water levels increase, and conditions allow.

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 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).

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

NM State Parks & Recreation

Elephant Butte Lake State Park

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)

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Location

Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

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

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • 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

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Drive Time


Reviews

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2 Reviews

Reviewed Jun. 7, 2025

Pretty view, far from water

We stayed on the B loop in spot 86, with a 40 foot motorhome. It was easy to get in and out. We have a water hook up and a thirty amp.Hookup but no sewer. According to their website, the B loop is waterfront, but that just means it has the best water view, we are about three quarters of a mile from the actual lake.

The actual campground is very quiet. There's more fifth wheels in class c.Motorhomes down on the actual beach dispersed camping. It looks like a ton of fun but a little risky driving on the sand. I talked to a guy that had to get towed out of the sand yesterday. People are loading their boats and jet skis right on the beach.

The RV site has a nice concrete pad with a cover over it and a picnic table. There are a few little trees as well.

Great cell service for AT&T and Verizon

Site86
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park by Tj R., June 7, 2025
  • Review photo of Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park by Tj R., June 7, 2025
  • Review photo of Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park by Tj R., June 7, 2025
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Apr. 20, 2024

What a find!

Had to duck in here one afternoon to avoid 70 mph cross winds on the highway.  What a find!  Loops A, B, and C of Lions Beach are terraces high above Elephant Butte Lake.   Spectacular lake views!   Loop B  (sites 66 thru 79) is particularly sweet because the sites back up to the edge of the terrace for gorgeous lake views right from your camper window.  We wish we could've stayed longer.

Site77
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park by Stuart O., April 20, 2024

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park has 30 amp and 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

Are fires allowed at Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park does not have wifi.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park?

Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park, try setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts

Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park?

There are 41 campsites at Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert at TheDyrt.com/alerts