Best RV Parks & Resorts near Caballo, NM

We stayed for Christmas weekend and the park is very well taken care of. There are numerous trails outlined by rocks, and there's a variety of trails to go down to the Caballo Lake reservoir. We stayed in the Palamino Loop which has a nice view of the lake with full RV hookups, but the spots did feel cramped.

Cool trails right off the camp sites into the rocks. The full hook up sites are off on a paved area but the dry camping sites are right in the middle of the rocks.

Only one full hook up site. Not too busy. Showers and restrooms ok but not cleaned every day. Campground was built for smaller campers but a few can handle big rigs. Our site was good for our 36’ 5th wheel.

If it were to stay here again, I'd stay in this campground as the layout is a lot nicer and more private. This campground is full and none of the others are right now. Nice walking trails and spots with some privacy and full hook ups.

General: There are many different camping options at this state park from dispersed (especially on the beach) to those with electric/water hookups. We stayed in the Lions Beach campground with the w/e hookups. 

Site Quality: Lions Beach is laid out much like an RV park with little to no separation between sites. Each site has a fire ring, and covered picnic table in addition to the hookups. The driveway was paved and level. 

Bath/Shower: Only vault toilets close to the Lions Beach campground. They are ADA accessible complete with a ramp but although clean, there was no hand sanitizer in any of them. The only restrooms with running water, flush toilets, and showers are located about a mile from Lions Beach and IMO, not adequate for the crowds this park attracts, especially on the weekends. The showers looked sketchy, and I decided not to use them. 

Activities: If you like to fish or have a boat, this is the place for you! There is a marina. Some hiking trails. We enjoyed Riverbed Hot Springs a few miles down the road in Truth or Consequences. We don’t have a boat or fish so although we stayed for two nights, we chose this campground because it was on our route. 

Because dispersed camping on the beach is allowed, it is very popular, especially on the weekends but be warned the sand is soft and deep – I’m not sure how vehicles without 4-wheel drive can navigate it without getting stuck. We were told there were wall-to-wall RVs on the beach on the weekend before our arrival (third weekend in April) so thankfully we were not there on a weekend! If we were to return, we would select the sites overlooking the lake on Ridge Road with no hookups but generally, not our preferred camping vibe but for others, it might be different.

There are a few hot spring resorts that we keep in the back of our minds, always ready to return whenever we’re within striking distance…and this is one of them!  A good friend who used to live in T or C raved about this place, and let’s say she was not wrong. 

While the campground itself isn’t much to write home about (just a parking lot across the street), quick access to the pools, the environment, and the scenery are simply amazing. The campsites are full-hook up slots, tastefully divided by local plants and shade trees, but very close to each other. You’re within the city limits, but it feels somehow more like a quiet neighborhood. 

The resort offers showers, bathrooms, and of course a multitude of pools at different temperatures to balance whatever the weather might throw at you. With nothing but the Rio Grande River, and the Chihuahuan Desert sprawling into the distance, the resort is serene, and feels a million miles away from the interstate which is only a couple miles away. 

Even with the electrical hook ups, we still gathered all we needed with our solar powered system, and our south facing campsite was perfect for satellite internet as well, even though the resort has some spotty wifi. 

The town within walking distance has everything you might want, especially if you like New Mexican cuisine, the answer is always “Christmas” WYKYK. Gas, food, Walmart all close by, etc. it’s all there. 

Nearby is the Elephant Butte State Park with a massive reservoir for all kinds of boating recreation, mountain biking and hiking. Just make sure you go at the right time of year! Also check out the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge if you are at all interested in birds and other wildlife.  You'll find reviews for all of these places on our The Dyrt Reviews.

General: This state park is aptly named; as you approach it, it looks like a pile of rocks was dumped in a field! There is a mix of electric and non-electric sites; however, the electric sites are lined up like a typical RV park with no privacy. The non-electric ones are the gems in this state park. 

Site Quality: Again, the non-electric sites are nestled among the rocks and spaced so far apart that for many of them, you don’t even see your neighbors. Each one is unique due to the rocks, and most are very generous in size. A fire ring, concrete benches, and a metal picnic table complete each of these sites. 

Bathhouse: Vault toilets are spread throughout the campground and are clean. There is a comfort station near the visitor center with flush toilets and showers. 

Activities: There are several short hiking trails throughout the park. We had enough cell (Verizon) to be able to see where they were. The visitor center is open 9-4 and unfortunately, we arrived at 4:30 pm and departed at 8 am the next morning. 

I love the uniqueness of this campground and the privacy between the non-electric sites.

We camped in Loop B, which is supposed to have the best view of Elephant Butte Lake. It totally does, the views are excellent. Very affordable RV camping at under $20 a night, which is a steal with both water and electric hookups. But, the bathrooms - they are not great. The one closest to our site was closed (maybe temporarily, but nobody could give us an answer on that), and it's a 15 minute walk to the next one. The showers are the push button type where you only get 60 seconds of water at a time, which is ok, but the facilities are very run down and clearly not cleaned too often. Overall, great location and views, but bring a shower bag.

Though about 15 miles off the interstate, this park is WORTH the detour. 

RV sites are full hookup and some are easy pull-throughs. Some sites also have nice firepits and shade pavilions. Grounds are well maintained, relaxing, and peaceful. The desert landscape here shines as there is nothing around for miles (very quiet). 

DEFINITELY recommend booking a private hot spring tub after dark. The stars are INCREDIBLE. Tubs are the perfect temperature. Overnight guests have access to a 24 hour pool. 

Staff are incredibly friendly and a small provisions store onsight sells anything you might've forgotten, plus firewood.

Came down to southern NM to visit my daughter at NMSU and stayed at Cabello State Park campground in Riverside view. Campground has very easy access and large pull through sites. With my NM state Park pass the over night stay is $4 with water/electric 30amp regularly $14. Sites with sewer include are $18 nightly. Nice level sites and super quite at night. Temperatures in August upper 80s and low 60s at night.

You can't beat New Mexico State Parks. Water and electric hook-ups for $18. Great views and a concrete picnic shelter to boot.

The park is beautiful and the boondocking spots in the rocks are super unique. Just becareful if you have a bigger rig. We were suppose to fit in our spot per the length requirement, but wash out made it nearly impossible to fit and be level. It was fine we made due, but I can't imagine doing it with a larger travel trailer or motorhome. We have a 30 foot class A.

Level, stone covered sites. Picnic tables under gazebo covering. Various levels of hookups. FHU to none. Ours has H2O and electric. Walking distance from lake. Garbage containers in each separate campground.

Convenient spot when driving south in New Mexico. Nice campground. The water level on the lake was pretty low. There is some good hiking nearby and also a bike trail that goes around the lake which is quite long. We were there early in the season so there was a lot of accessibility for campsites.

Boondockers Galore! Plenty of spots with hook ups or right on the beach. I stayed at a spot with water and electric and had everything we needed. There is only one shower house in the off season and it's not the best in terms of temperature or pressure, but it's a trade off for the views imo.

City of Rocks, NMSP: NON- ELECTRIC Sites: Sites Nestled into Uniqueness. One of the best campgrounds , in regards to campsite layout, we have stayed in during 4 1/2 years of full timing - (Electric sites are not so. They do have views, but are crowded together.) (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

Overall Rating: 5 for the non-electric sites. The are nestled into semi private/private locations. I did not see a non-electric site that I would not enjoy. Even the worst of these sites would be among the best at many campgrounds. Sites in the back loop where we stayed were among the best. Price 2024 : $10 for non-electric sites Security: I think the gates are locked at night. Not sure.
Usage during visit: Electric sites were full . Primitive sites had some availability. Site Privacy: Good to great Site Spacing: Many sites are very well spaced.
Site surface: Gravel Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet Outside Road Noise: Too isolated for this to be an issue.
Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Availability Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: No Potable Water Available: Yes Generators: Allowed Bathroom: Pit toilets are throughout the campground. Showers: No Pull Throughs: Yes, there are some.
Cell Service (AT&T): 0 - 2 bars depending on location Setting: Primitive sites are set among the rocks. Electric hook up sites are close together, but have a view of the rocks and desert. They are not as nicely laid out.

Very clean and well maintained. Staff were very friendly. No shade for the trailer, but the covered picnic table was good. Electric hookup worked. Water was off due to water system maintenance. We were able to fill up at the campground below the dam. Quiet at night, just some road noise from the highway. The lake is great with easy access for kayaking at the boat ramp. We would stay here again.

Tucked in next to the Rio Grande, Perch Dam Campground is quiet, clean, and enjoyable. The bathrooms were spotless and well maintained, as were the pit toilets in the dispersed area.  Most sites easily can fit a 35 - 40 foot rig.  There is water and electric (15, 30, 50 amp) at all reserved sites.  The only drawback, no RV dump station on site; you'll need to go to Caballo SP to dump.  Had great Verizon cell service while there.  We will return!

I was here in mid April and it was almost full. had nice pull thru site and very friendly camp host. I hav 18 foot trailer and had hookups for dirt cheap. sites are close together

Little bit expected Fred and Barney to rumble up from around one of these massive natural stone megaliths at any moment! Hey this campground is nice, for being situated in the middle of nowhere desert land! Be aware: it’s hot, it’s cold, it’s sandy, it’s windy, you might not be able to stake your tent where you want (um rocks, big underground rocks). Each non-electric campsite is nestled between the huge rock formations! There’s a group campsite that’s also used to host star-viewing parties (June 21st if memory serves). There is also an RV area with hookups out in the suburbs. The visitor center has some history and information about the area as well as showers and (I assume) potable water!

Trail biking and bouldering enthusiasts will love this picturesque campsite!

We parked our cargo van in the tent camping spot since we dont need water or electric hookups. The tent sites are up in the rocks and they are very cool. The bath house is new (located at the visitors center) and has clean showers and toilets. We really enjoyed staying here for the night.

The camping spots have a (mostly) level concrete pad to park your rig on, be it trailer, van or tent. We had water, electricity, fire pit and an Adobe structure covering the picnic table. Some spots were a little close which would be great if you were visiting with friends. The restrooms were just pit toilets and a bit warm inside this time of year. The hosts did keep them super clean. The current camp hosts, Bob and Sandy, were fantastic. Super helpful, respectful and friendly. We wish we had more time to explore the park. We stopped over for a single night while traveling down the 10.