Caballo Lake sits at approximately 4,190 feet elevation in southern New Mexico, with warm summers and mild winters ideal for year-round camping. The Rio Grande feeds this reservoir, creating a 12-mile long body of water that serves as both recreation area and irrigation source. Camping options range from state park facilities to privately-owned RV parks, each offering different levels of amenities and lake access.
What to do
Kayaking between lakes: Paddle from Elephant Butte down to Caballo Lake when water levels permit. "My favorite part about caballo lake is floating down from elephant butte to caballo lake in a giant floaty," notes a visitor to Caballo Lake RV Park.
Wildlife viewing: Observe native desert species in their natural habitat around campgrounds. At Lower Ridge Road Camping Area, campers report seeing "Qual, Dove, Lizards, Rabbits, Deer and more" throughout the area.
Hiking and biking: Explore the trail system connecting camping areas. "There is a great hiking and mountain biking trail right out of the campground which winds between all the other park roads, picnic areas and amenities on the western side of the lake," according to a winter visitor to Elephant Butte.
What campers like
Reasonable rates: Campgrounds in the area offer good value for the amenities provided. At South Monticello Campground, campers appreciate that "for $97 a week you can't beat the 50amp service, excellent water pressure and 5G cell service with TMobile."
Winter camping: The mild climate makes this region ideal for cold-weather escapes. "We spent the winter solstice here and woke up at sunrise to see the moon setting in the west and the sun rising in the east. Spectacular!" reports one camper at South Monticello.
Good spacing between sites: Many campgrounds offer adequate separation between camping spots. At Quail Run Campground, sites are laid out to provide decent privacy, with a camper noting it offers "a very nice, less exposed area" that provides shelter from frequent winds.
What you should know
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels can vary dramatically by season and year. "There used to be a lake, that was an idea our forebears had... Three generations later and the lake is dry, the river over-tapped," explains one winter camper at South Monticello Campground.
Limited transient spots: Some RV sites near Caballo, New Mexico cater primarily to long-term residents. At Lakeview RV Park, a visitor noted that "there are only four transient spaces. Most of them are long-term people."
Wind exposure: The region experiences significant winds, particularly in winter months. A February visitor to Quail Run Campground reported calling the park office to ask "which campground might be more wind sheltered. They suggested Quail Run."
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: The shoreline provides space for recreation when water levels permit. A visitor to Lions Beach Campground observed that "people are loading their boats and jet skis right on the beach."
Site selection for views: Choose higher elevation campsites for better vistas. At Lions Beach, "Loops A, B, and C 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."
Sand awareness: Be cautious about driving on beach areas. "It can be quite sandy in places, and I talked to a guy that had to get towed out of the sand yesterday," warns a Lions Beach visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Most RV parks and campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. At Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort, a camper with special needs noted, "We travel with 3 dogs, so they moved me from site 23 to site 27. It was a site with plenty of room for our dog fence."
Emergency accommodations: The area serves as a good stopover during adverse weather. "We were going to dry camp, but there was a windy, rainy storm going on. We pulled in to Elephant Butte RV Park in the dark, called the security number, and he directed us to a spot," reports one RV owner.
Connectivity options: Multiple connectivity solutions work well in the area. At South Monticello, campers report that "The campground is ideal for solar power, as is the New Mexico weather. We also had no problem connecting with Starlink."
