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Best Equestrian Camping near Capulin, NM

51 Reviews

Horse Corrals Group Area at Sugarite Canyon State Park offers a dedicated group camping area for equestrians approximately 10 miles from Capulin, New Mexico. The campground provides electric hookups, water hookups, sewer connections, and sanitary dump facilities for RV campers traveling with horses. Sites accommodate both tents and recreational vehicles with space for horse trailers. Facilities are maintained in clean condition with available firewood and shower access. The camp host is knowledgeable about local trail conditions and often provides assistance to equestrian campers. Bear boxes are provided at each site for secure food storage while camping with horses. Some sites feature raised platforms for tents with softer ground underneath for comfort.

Trails within Sugarite Canyon State Park connect riders to scenic viewpoints across the canyon and provide access to both Lake Maloya and Lake Alice for water access. The Vista Grande Nature Trail offers a half-mile ride with minimal elevation gain, while the more challenging Little Horse Mesa Trail climbs to panoramic views overlooking Lake Maloya from the mesa top. Winter camping is available for cold-weather trail riding, though water pressure may be reduced during certain seasons. The campground has no cell service, allowing for an off-grid equestrian experience. Located between the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains, the area provides diverse terrain for various riding experiences. Nearby Clayton Lake State Park Campground offers an alternative horse-friendly option with electric and water hookups approximately 50 miles from Capulin.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Capulin, New Mexico (5)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Capulin, NM

51 Reviews of 5 Capulin Campgrounds

  • Keith H.
    May. 16, 2021

    Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    Make reservations

    New mexico state parks nearly all online reservations now. Funny I had no printed copy and nobody checked me. Pretty area in the middle of open prairie. Well spaced non electric sites but it can be a long walk to toilets.

  • Dave V.
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    Historical significance!

    Clayton Lake State Park, Clayton, NM…5200 ft elev.

    Beautiful oasis nestled away in the windswept high plains of NE New Mexico. Not only for today's travelers but for yesterday's pioneers we take the Cimmaron Cutoff from the Santa Fe trail. We pitched tent at Chicano Beach site #2 (there are only two on that ridge), far away from any crowds upon a knoll overlooking a western "dog-leg" of the 170 acre reservoir. Even though the man-made Clayton lake was down from 32' to 19' depth…it was tranquil and bustling with wildlife. Coyotes barked in the distance, strutting turkey's gobbled, jackrabbit's darted, fish jumped and mule deer grazed the shoreline grasses and taking in late night and early morning drinks. Bring your binoculars to glass the shore and ridge lines. Fascinating park, the sandstone formations were varied and interesting…worn away by generations of rain. The rock garden is worth a scramble…very cool columns…(R4 campsite is nestled deep within them and the most highly coveted tent site). Highlight: The dinosaur tracks (uncovered at the spillway around 1982 after a flood) at the spillway are of particular interest. Informational signage lines the spillway and the small pavilion atop the levy. The 471 acre state park was quiet and peaceful. Mark, the park ranger, is full of great information of the area…and incredibly helpful, having spent his entire life in these parts…truly as nice a man you could meet (and the first ranger to ever return my phone message when calling for last minute availabilty). The visitor center and every other aspect of this park is spotlessly clean and meticulously maintained. The visitor center, though small, utilized every inch to bring you desired information of the park's history. New signage and informational displays were going in as we left. A heated restroom/ shower house was a wonderful creature comfort. Plenty of very new and clean pit latrines and water spigots dotted throughout the campground. If you don't want crowds avoid the fishing tournament the second weekend of June when about 900 campers descend to camp and fish…and most summer holidays. Other than that there is room….and no bad spots. I'd recommend using the online reservation portal. Tent sites are cheap($10 developed/$8 primitive)…actual too cheap, in my opinion…the state parks are nearly bankrupt, if not already so. Skeleton staffs are underpaid, yet they worked tirelessly to keep the parks to the highest standard. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/claytonlakestatepark.html

    •A nearby highlight is the Capulin Volcano National Monument an hour away up Rt 87. The walk around the rim of the dormant volcano offers epic views of the surrounding high plains, Sante Fe trail and the jagged snow capped mountains to the West.

  • George C.
    Jun. 10, 2019

    Lake Alice Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

    First visit and wow!

    After a long drive from south Texas, this was my first visit to Sugarite Canyon and it definitely exceeded my expectations! The staff was friendly and helpful and the amenities were accommodating. The area is absolutely beautiful. This little park has something for everyone. Highland trails, lakes and streams, primitive and car-camping sites. Plenty of wildlife to see, birds and other critters everywhere. And of course the vistas. I will definitely be back there soon. Thanks, New Mexico!

  • gail A.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    Dinosaur Tracks

    We stayed here when state of New Mexico scheduled my vaccination nearby here rather than nearby my home. Otherwise, who knows when we would have discovered this place.

    The sites are easily accessible, and probably best before it gets too hot.

    The amazing part is the hike to the dinosaur tracks. The story of their preservation is worth the visit all by itself.

  • Terry P.
    Sep. 8, 2022

    Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    Night Sky Viewing and Dinasaur Tracks

    Clayton Lake State Park near Clayton, New Mexico turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It is a small state park with several small camogrounds spread around the reservoir which is popular for fishing. Our campground had about a half dozen sites overlooking the lake. The opportunity to see dinasaur tracks and attend star parties make this park unique. The campground host is an amateur astronomer who regularly hosts very well-attendedstar parties. Water and electric were available at our campsite, but the park does not have a dump station.

  • Judy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 24, 2025

    Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    Unusual and interesting campground

    Clayton Lake State Park lies in the NE corner of New Mexico. It is about 12-15 miles North of the small town of Clayton. Most camping sites are basic and seven are electrical with water hookups. There is a horseshoe pit and a volleyball area along with a pavilion for group gatherings. There is a visitor center and a bathroom with two flush toilets and two shower stalls (which could use some updating). 

    The main attraction is the dinosaur tracks, uncovered when topsoil was removed to build the dam. That caused a lake to form and some trees that were along the banks are now visible standing in the lake. There is a boat launch area and it is for trolling motors, canoe or kayak use. It can get very windy. The lake is surrounded by a rocky cliff-like shoreline. Swallows make their nests in the clift face.

    The electrical sites are terraced near the boat launch area near the dam end of the campground. The basic sites are scattered around several loops and nest in rock outcrops at the other end of the campground. The visitor center and bathroom are near the entrance.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2024

    Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

    Very easy to get to off of I-25

    Traveling from Denver to Southern New Mexico, this is a nice stopping point. Very easy to get to off I-25.

    Pit toilets are very clean. Unfortunately the camper next to me had his generator running the whole time until 10 pm. Even when they left their camper for the day. Very annoying. Other than that it was a quiet campground. The campground is less than half full (Tuesday night). 

    Note: The park office closed at 4. The sites are reservation only and there is no cell service. The sign at the gate states that you need to drive down the road to get cell service and make a reservation. Also the gate closes at dusk, so make sure you get there before then on your first night. After that you can get the combination to get in after dusk. 

    The campground staff were very friendly and helpful.

  • J
    Oct. 8, 2018

    Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    Dated but has everything that you need

    There are very few developed sites for RV campers, but there are plenty of primitive sites. The restrooms and showers are dated, but the do everything that you need. The dinosaur tracks are a true bonus and the information that they have posted with the tracks are very informative. The park ranger and camp host are great and most of all, you can’t beat the New Mexico State park prices.

  • AJ M.
    Jun. 26, 2019

    Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    Such a gem!

    We stayed one night on the way to Colorado and this is such a great place to camp. We had primitive site C4 which provided Mr 8 with boundless adventures scrambling in the rocks. The dinosaur tracks were also a bit hit.

    Showers & toilets were clean albeit a bit dated.

    The lake is a big attraction and we also chatted to a fellow camper who had a large telescope with him. We got to see Jupiter and it’s 4 largest moons at dusk. This whole area of New Mexico has really dark skies at night with so many stars visible

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Capulin, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Capulin, NM is Lake Alice Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Capulin, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Capulin, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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