Capulin offers luxury cabin camping experiences alongside traditional tent and RV sites for visitors exploring northeastern New Mexico's volcanic landscapes. The area sits at approximately 6,800 feet elevation with high desert terrain characterized by expansive grasslands and extinct volcanic features. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with seasonal water restrictions at several campgrounds, while summer brings warm days and cool nights.
What to do
Explore local wildlife viewing: Visitors to NRA Whittington Center Campground frequently report diverse wildlife sightings throughout the property. "Plenty of wildlife to see around the area and a very quiet place to set up camp," notes Taylor M., who enjoyed the primitive campsite options available.
Visit nearby historic sites: The region contains interesting historical locations within short driving distance from camping areas. "Drove to mine & enjoyed the history!" reports Cher & Walter P. about their May visit to NRA Whittington Center, noting they preferred visiting before peak season crowds arrive.
Participate in seasonal events: Local festivals sometimes coincide with camping trips to the area. At Raton KOA, one camper mentioned, "Across one road was a large field that gave us a view of a balloon festival," providing unexpected entertainment during their stay.
What campers like
Spacious sites with natural surroundings: The NRA Whittington Center Campground receives praise for its generous spacing between campsites. "The spaces are huge! We are on an end and I think ours is about a quarter acre in size! Really! There are lots of trees around and natural grass growing," explains Melody M.
Night sky viewing opportunities: Light pollution is minimal in this remote area. "At night there is zero light pollution and you can see so many stars," reports Kayla M. about South Shore Campground, highlighting an astronomical advantage of camping in this region.
Quality bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain clean facilities for guests. One visitor to Capulin RV Park enthusiastically stated, "I must stay unequivocally this campground has the nicest bathrooms I've seen in a very long time. Very clean very modern and very well maintained!"
What you should know
Seasonal water limitations: Winter campers should prepare for restricted water access at certain locations. At Capulin RV Park, Rhianna W. noted, "The water is off for the winter season but they do have water to fill your tanks if you wish. It was $50 for our site for the night."
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds feature tight arrangements while others offer ample space. David B. observed at Capulin RV Park, "Neighbors are VERY close," while mentioning the utilities were conveniently located in the middle of the site.
Weather patterns can be dramatic: The region experiences interesting weather phenomena. Mark M. reported, "Some beautiful cloud formations/storms with lightning in distance" during their stay at Capulin RV Park, suggesting visitors should monitor weather conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with play areas: Some locations provide recreational facilities for children. "Beautiful view and fun stuff for the kids to do! Hiking, playground, geocaching. We will definitely be back!" suggests Ali C. about activities at South Shore Campground.
Consider lake access for recreation: Water activities can keep children entertained. "Fun lake to swim in" mentions Sophie S. about Trinidad Lake State Park, though she cautions that "campsites are pretty close together" and rates the value as only moderate.
Check for educational opportunities: Some nearby attractions offer learning experiences. Mark M. shared that at "Capulin Volcano... they have several big but portable telescopes. During day we were invited to look at the sun through one."
Tips from RVers
Verify tank services: RVers needing to refresh their supplies should confirm available facilities. "We stopped for a night on our way from Great Sand Dunes National Park to Palo Duro Canyon, needing to dump our tanks and do some laundry after boondocking for a number of days. Raton KOA was just what we needed," explains Sara B.
Check WiFi availability: Internet access varies between locations. Jason F. advises, "Don't forget to ask him for the WiFi access code when you check in!" regarding the Raton KOA, where the owner helped them get connected to the park's network.
Confirm site conditions: Surface materials can affect comfort, especially after weather events. Stephen K. mentions about Raton KOA, "We did arrive after a rain storm and our site was mostly a large mud puddle. The parking slots could use a new layer of gravel."
