Camping near Alamogordo, New Mexico offers access to both the high elevation coolness of the Sacramento Mountains and the desert heat of the Tularosa Basin. The elevation difference between campsites can exceed 4,000 feet, creating distinct camping experiences within short driving distances. Dispersed camping options like Dog Canyon provide free accommodation with few amenities, while established campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups and facilities.
What to Do
Sledding at White Sands: The Alamogordo/White Sands KOA provides sleds free for campers to use at the dunes. A camper noted, "They even provide sleds and wax for free to use at White Sands."
Fishing at Edgington RV Park: The small catch-and-release pond includes fishing equipment for guests. One visitor mentioned, "There was a catch and release pond with rods, bathroom with shower, laundry room, and small exercise room."
Hiking Dog Canyon Trail: Located near Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, this trail offers a challenging but rewarding experience. A reviewer highlighted, "Great sites, and the Dog Canyon hike is excellent. Quiet and friendly!"
Wildlife watching in Lincoln National Forest: Forest Road 568 offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. One camper reported, "We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road."
What Campers Like
Affordable peace and quiet: Dog Canyon provides free, secluded camping with mountain views. A reviewer shared, "Easy to access, plenty of spots along the main road and other spurs going off from it... Verizon service, starry skies."
Night sky viewing: The lack of light pollution makes for exceptional stargazing. At Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground, a camper mentioned, "The starry night skies are absolutely beautiful. Facilities are decent—nothing to complain about. Strong cell service with both Verizon and T-Mobile."
Temperature variations: Cloudcroft area campgrounds offer relief from summer heat. One reviewer of Lower Karr Canyon Campground noted, "Very remote and quiet... plenty of sites available and didn't see a single other soul. Easily accessible and had vaulted toilets available."
Mountain-to-desert proximity: The region allows for diverse experiences within short drives. A Boot Hill RV Resort guest shared, "We visited White Sands National Park, Cloudcroft, NM (Brewery up there at 9000 ft) and Las Cruces, NM."
What You Should Know
Wind conditions: March brings particularly strong winds to the area. At the Alamogordo/White Sands KOA, a camper cautioned, "BEWARE: March is 'Windy season'. We got caught on the first day of it I think! Big gusty winds at night for us."
Train noise: Trains pass frequently through parts of Alamogordo. A reviewer warned, "There is a train close by that blew the horn very loud all throughout the night. Woke me up at 1am, 3am, and 5:30 am."
Military activity: The proximity to White Sands Missile Range means occasional disruptions. One camper at Oliver Lee noted, "One evening we could hear what we think to be artillery explosions from the White Sands missile range by the Air Force Base. Nothing alarming if you have heard artillery before."
Dispersed camping responsibilities: Sites at Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping have minimal facilities. A visitor observed, "Bluff Springs is nestled in a pretty forested valley with a creek and falls... There's a gravel parking lot with bathrooms but no campground."
Tips for Camping with Families
Accessible backcountry: Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park offers family-friendly hiking distances. A camper explained, "This is backcountry camping with a hike to the site of under a mile, so it's perfect for backpacking trips for families. BUT walking on sand is a lot more tiring than you think it'll be."
Play areas: Several campgrounds offer recreational facilities for children. At Edgington RV Park, a family noted, "My kids also enjoyed the playground and the ducks and chickens by the pond."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The mountains provide chances to see diverse animals. A camper at Lower Karr Canyon reported, "Saw plenty of wildlife including elk, wild turkey, and mule deer."
Creek exploration: Water features offer natural entertainment. One Bluff Springs visitor mentioned, "The spot was amazing right next to the little creek. We will definitely be going back soon."
Tips from RVers
Water pressure awareness: At Mountain Meadows RV Park, guests praised the management. A reviewer noted, "When we arrived the staff showed us our spot and helped direct us in. We made use of the showers and toilets and they were both immaculately clean."
Road condition considerations: Some dispersed camping areas have challenging access. A Forest Road 568 visitor advised, "It's quite long and the road conditions aren't all that bad, so anyone can access it. You can tell where other people have been due to campfires."
Electric metering concerns: Some parks charge for electricity separately. One camper cautioned, "The downside is there is no grass. We travel with our dogs, and the gravel is large, and the dogs struggled to find potty spots."
Rig restrictions: Not all parks accept all vehicle types. One reviewer noted, "We are traveling with our Sprinter camper van and tried to make a reservation there... Unfortunately, we were told, that their insurance does not allow these kinds of campers to stay in their park."
