Fort Stanton Cave Campground offers free dispersed camping opportunities 1.5 miles from US Route 380 near Capitan, New Mexico. Located at 5,500 feet elevation in the foothills of the Sacramento Mountains, this BLM-managed area features high desert terrain with juniper and piñon pine woodland. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing at night while summer days reach the 90s.
What to do
Stargazing sessions: Fort Stanton Cave Campground provides exceptional dark sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "Best stars we have seen in a long while," notes one camper at Fort Stanton Cave Campground.
Hiking trails: Access multiple trail networks directly from Three Rivers Campground. "Tons of hiking opportunities with 3 separate trails originating at the campground," reports a visitor to Three Rivers Campground, making it ideal for day hikes through the White Mountain Wilderness.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings offer opportunities for spotting local wildlife. At Moonflower Meadows RV Resort, campers report "nightly visits by elk" and numerous bird species throughout the secluded property.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Fort Stanton offers privacy beyond the main campground. "We opted to drive over a ridge and suddenly we were out of site of the main road and any other campers. The privacy and views were great!" writes a camper at Fort Stanton Cave Campground.
Running water features: The Rio Bonito provides creek-side camping opportunities at some locations. "There is a small creek that runs along the grounds and nice spots to sit and chill out," mentions a camper about Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground.
Covered sites: Some campgrounds provide shelter from sun and rain. At Fort Stanton, "some sites with covered slabs to keep the sun/rain off you, or to hang a hammock on" are available according to a reviewer.
What you should know
Limited designated sites: Fort Stanton Cave Campground has very few established spots. "There are only 4 sites with more dispersed sites scattered on the road in and out of the campground," notes one camper.
High clearance vehicles recommended: For dispersed camping options, standard passenger cars may struggle. "High clearance would be needed and for a trailer a creative turn around could be required," warns a visitor to Fort Stanton.
Cell service varies significantly: Connectivity can be unpredictable throughout the region. At Along The River RV Park & Campground, "No cell service but wifi is strong!" according to one camper, while Fort Stanton reports "Cell phone service was great in the campground and we got good data speeds."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. Bonito Hollow provides "horseshoe pits, fenced in area for dogs to do their business, playground for kids," making it suitable for family stays.
River exploration: Children can safely enjoy shallow water play in certain areas. Three Rivers Campground offers accessible water features: "The water in the river was running and fresh. There were a couple nice bathing holes," notes a visitor to Three Rivers Campground.
Educational opportunities: Fort Stanton historical site provides learning experiences nearby. "Historical Fort Stanton just down the road," mentions a camper, offering an educational side trip for families.
Tips from RVers
Limited full hookup availability: Reserve well ahead for serviced sites, particularly during peak season. One RVer at Bonito Hollow notes they "got escorted to our spot and they helped guide us in," highlighting the assistance available for larger vehicles.
Winter camping considerations: Year-round RV camping requires preparation for freezing temperatures. An RVer at Alamogordo / White Sands KOA warns about seasonal conditions: "BEWARE: March is 'Windy season'. We got caught on the first day of it I think! Big gusty winds at night for us."
Water pressure awareness: Systems vary between campgrounds in the region. At Alamogordo KOA, "water pressure is really high at around 155 psi. So definitely bring a regulator," cautions an RVer.
