Searching for the best camping near Capitan, NM? Capitan is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Capitan, NM. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
West Mesa Trailhead BLM Dispersed
6 min away
Grindstone lake
23 min away
"Lots of access to trails (hiking, biking, and horse access only)."
"Close to Lincoln, NM. Historical Fort Stanton just down the road."
$40 - $54 / night
"I was looking to get away from the heat in Albuquerque and maybe even do a little fishing. I picked a site next to the upper river (Rio Bonito)."
"Has been our number 1 go to location for almost 10 years now. Started in tents...then pop up...now a travel trailer. The park hosts are always extremely friendly and helpful."
$15 - $35 / night
"The lava tubes, the town of Carrizozo White Oak and Capitan."
"Due to New Mexico Governor’s decision to close state owned campgrounds, we scrambled to find a place to stay prior to visiting White Sands...thank you BLM!!"
$45 - $70 / night
"I think the ease of picking a spot that worked for our situation, the clean park and bathrooms and friendly staff and neighbors made it surprisingly one of the best RV experiences we’ve had."
"So close to everything, super clean PRIVATE bathrooms and the management is amazing and super attentive!"
"Only 15 miles from Capitan to the west and 20 miles to Reuidoso in the north. This is a free campground."
"We live in Roswell and it is only a short drive to this campground. We got there around 5 or so on a Saturday night and it was not busy at all."
$25 - $35 / night
"It's right off of the highway that leads to Fort Stanton and is accessible for any size of RV or trailer."
"Very little traffic noise and actually very few people around. Extremely quiet. Camp host came by just to make sure we had what we needed."
"Best rv campsite in the area clean and spacious sites , access to the River, firewood for sale and friendly owners. We have camped here the last 3 years and we love this place."
"A clean park located in the middle of Capitan New Mexico."
"Easy to find and not a rough drive. I saw several dirt pull offs surrounded by trees before parking. This was a very private remote area in the forest."
"Probably not the place to stay in high summer but otherwise really great location."
"We received a call about 10 minutes prior to our arrival to ensure we knew where they are located. Upon arrival we were greeted and escorted to our site and advised on hookups."
"Clean & quiet site with a dog walk trail.
Highly recommended if you are visiting Lincoln National Forest."
ScoutQuiet off the path. Gorgeous views clean restroom and showers
GuideOne of our favorites. Room for big rigs prior to road intersection pretty rough beyond that. Able to get our 31’ class C with no issues other than unevenness. The good: beautiful tree coverage, trails that lead to town, road biking distance to town, daily short rains, wild mustangs walking right through our site, plenty of room. The bad: rocky unlevel sites, local dude that drives in daily maniacally to smoke his cigar then speeds off.
TravelerOne of many campgrounds in the Cloudcroft area. Tents and RVs mixed. No hook-ups. Dump and showers for a fee at top camp known as Overflow which is a gravel parking area but handles large rigs the best.
GuideAfter hours and hours of driving through flat desert 100 degree oil country we were so glad to find this place of refuge. We drove past the ‘official campgrounds (which looked paved and nice) and a little ways down the road to find a perfect primitive camping pull off spot with a few well built fire pits. Lots of shade. Cool at night and we didn’t see not a car nor a soul for 24 hours. The woods are dry and filled with pines and junipers - ie tons of firewood that smelled wonderful. Our dogs loved it. The road seems to go for miles and miles and although dirt is pretty well leveled and was manageable in our Skoolie. We did have a peculiar invasion from a cow family at 8pm. They just quietly walked on in our campsite and then quietly left once the dogs let them know they were not welcome. This was all quite peculiar because we were at least 3 miles from the nearest ranch… but I’ll take cows over mountain lions all day. The road up to the national Forrest is gravel/dirt and grated so it was a slow going for about 3.5 miles but well worth it.
TravelerThe accommodations were great and the views were beautiful. Would definitely come back.
GuideThis is a nice site with loads of space. Even in the winter there was a fair amount of people around but we could all really spread out. Very good New Mexican food in nearby town of Corona too!!
I had a couple of bars of service (Verizon) in the camping area.
ScoutBeen camping here several times a year and it just keeps getting busier and busier. Need to find a new place!
RangerWe drove in around 10pm and the small town of Cloudcroft was beautiful for anyone needing a place to stop before heading into the forest. We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road. The road dead ends at a fenced private property so we turned around and just got a pull off spot for the night since we camp in the truck but there's tons of tent spots. Some rock made fire pits around. And we didn't see anyone around us for miles. Tons of bullet shells everywhere. It was almost errie how quiet it was! Camped here on our way down to the White Sands.
Road isn't bad, but we are in a higher up Toyota Tacoma. Poor cell signal for T-Mobile but Verizon did!
GuideThis amazing camping spot near cloudcroft nm is a perfect place to stop by and see the beautiful woods and mountains of Lincoln mountains.
Camping near Capitan, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to unwind or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Capitan, New Mexico, offers a variety of experiences, from stunning views to unique historical sites. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at campgrounds in Capitan, NM?
Campgrounds around Capitan offer varying amenities based on type and location. Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground features sites adjacent to Rio Bonito with clear flowing water. Valley Of Fires Recreation Area provides developed sites with covered picnic tables, flat tent pads, restrooms, and possibly showers. Many public campgrounds offer basic facilities like vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. RV parks typically include full hookups with electric, water, and dump stations. Dispersed camping areas generally have minimal or no amenities, requiring campers to bring water and pack out trash. Cell service is limited or non-existent at many forest and remote locations.
Where can I find camping in Capitan, New Mexico?
Capitan offers several camping options within and near town. Mama Bear RV Park is centrally located in Capitan with convenient access to nearby attractions like Ruidoso and Fort Stanton. For those seeking dispersed camping, Baca Campground provides a remote experience with wildlife viewing opportunities about 15 miles from town. The area surrounding Capitan also includes Fort Stanton Cave Campground, with several campgrounds in Lincoln National Forest within a short drive. Most locations are accessible year-round, though forest roads may have seasonal closures due to weather conditions.
What are the best seasons for camping in Capitan, New Mexico?
Late spring through early fall offers ideal camping conditions in Capitan. Deerhead Campground — Lincoln National Forest is particularly beautiful during summer months when the forest is lush. Mountain Springs Ranch showcases spectacular New Mexico sunsets and stargazing opportunities year-round. Summer temperatures are moderate at higher elevations but can get hot in lower areas. Fall brings cooler temperatures and beautiful foliage. Winter camping is possible but prepare for cold nights and potential snow, especially in the mountains. Spring brings wildflowers but can be windy. The area's relatively mild climate makes shoulder seasons (May-June and September-October) particularly pleasant for camping.
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