Camping areas around Animas, New Mexico offer spaces for both short-term and extended stays in the desert landscape at elevations around 4,500 feet. Temperatures fluctuate significantly between seasons, with summer highs regularly exceeding 95°F and winter overnight lows sometimes dropping below freezing. Sandy and gravel terrain characterizes most camping surfaces in this region, with mountain views providing scenic backdrops.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: The dark skies in this area make for exceptional astronomy viewing. At Rusty's RV Ranch, "Very nice place, well maintained. Very quiet place too. Perfect for astronomer / stargazing. Concrete pad (could support 2 telescopes) are available with power outlet to run all astronomy gear. Bring some tie down, the wind could be very strong."
Birdwatching excursions: Several campgrounds provide habitat for diverse bird species. "We are birders and were happy with the proximity to many mountain canyons. Our space was private with a nice patio. Everyone was easy going and friendly. The dog park was convenient and clean," notes one camper about their experience at Rusty's RV Ranch.
Exploring mountain trails: The Chiricahua Mountains provide numerous hiking options within driving distance. At Chiricahua Mountains campground, visitors note: "There's hundreds of beautiful, well maintained and overgrown trails throughout the mountain range. Tons of wildlife and big trees. It's a forest wonderland compared to the surrounding Arizona desert."
Museum visits: Local history museums showcase regional heritage. "While visiting we went exploring and visited the Chiricahua Desert Museum & the Apache Museum next door. Enjoyed all of the displays and history as Geronimo surrendered nearby."
What campers like
Affordable rates: Many rv parks near Animas offer reasonable pricing. At Alaskan RV Park, "Can't beat $10 for a tent. We slept under 2 pistachio trees with fresh nuts. Showers included, very friendly staff. Would recommend."
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the ample room between sites at several facilities. "The sites were fairly well spaced, particularly for a private CG. The CG was very quiet and peaceful. There were only 5+ other campers in the whole CG, some looked to be long-term."
Community atmosphere: Some rv campgrounds around Animas develop supportive communities. At Smugglers' Roost, "The community here is cute and diverse. Very small farming town with few stores and a restaurant. Other campers are nice and welcoming. Beautiful clear night sky due to being away from the city."
Natural surroundings: The desert landscape offers unique camping experiences. At Granite Gap, "Amazing views. A bit sandy of a drive. You have to open and close a gate but it is not locked. Quite, no lights nearby, dispersed camping at its best. Just a few cows."
What you should know
Limited shopping options: Plan ahead for supplies. "Bring supplies because the closest place for decent shopping is Douglas, AZ about 55 miles south."
Road conditions: Access to some sites requires navigating unpaved roads. "Paved road to the gate. Narrow sand and rock road after the gate. If a scratch in your paint concerns you.... proceed with caution."
Weather considerations: Temperature and wind can affect camping comfort. "All roads and sites are dirt, so it can get a bit dusty, especially when the wind blows."
Internet connectivity: Digital connections vary greatly by location. "We have t-mobile and I will tell you we had no service here. We hooked up to their park wi-fi but could barely check our email. We don't have satellite either so we were totally disconnected mostly.... but that was good too for a change."
Tips for camping with families
Bring entertainment: Limited amenities mean planning activities. At Lordsburg KOA, "The pool was closed, but hey..... it's very early spring. Our site had 30 amp service (was listed as 50 amp I believe). Not a problem in March. The WiFi was excellent, the cable has 40 some channels."
Visit during cooler months: Summer temperatures can be challenging for children. "Fall and Winter are the busiest times here with people looking for warmer winters and avoiding the hot summers."
Pack adequate water: Facilities may have limited water supplies. "There are a couple of restaurants nearby and the closest has a convenience store but that is it... so be sure that you are stocked up on supplies before you go or expect to drive to get them."
Consider wildlife viewing: Local animals provide educational opportunities. "Great opportunities for hiking, biking and wildlife viewing throughout the entire mountain range."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: Choose sites based on seasonal needs. "The trees, though plentiful, are fairly short and don't provide much shade."
Overnight transit planning: Several parks work well for single-night stops. At Butterfield Station RV Park, "This is the third time I've stayed here on my way to Quartzsite, AZ. This year I managed to get a spot in the first loop. It isn't much but it's full hookups for $12/night. I'll stay again next winter on my annual pilgrimage to rock heaven."
Satellite connectivity: Some sites accommodate satellite internet. "We had a clear view to the N at the site, so Starlink was fine with speeds up to 25 MB/s."
Vehicle clearance considerations: Some dispersed camping requires appropriate vehicles. "If you go up to the dead end keep to the left. Site is not to level but throw a couple of rocks under the tires and you can level out. Drive up is a little bit narrow with cactus close to the road. I would not think you need 4x4 but maybe something more then a car would be better."
