Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Capulin, NM

Capulin RV Park accommodates pets across its tent sites, RV spaces, and cabin rentals, situated directly across from Capulin Volcano National Monument entrance. Dogs must remain leashed in all common areas with a dedicated pet walking zone along the perimeter. The campground features clean restrooms and showers that receive consistent praise from visitors with pets. Sites are closely spaced on crushed limestone pads with full hookups available for RV campers. Most tent campers describe the designated tent area as a basic field across from the main RV section, providing minimal amenities specifically for tent campers with dogs. Bear boxes are provided at each site for secure food storage, keeping wildlife away from both campers and pets.

Dog owners visiting Capulin Volcano National Monument should note that while pets are allowed in the parking areas and paved sections, they are prohibited on most hiking trails to protect wildlife. The nearby Sierra Grande Rest Area provides an alternative quick stop with picnic areas where leashed pets can stretch their legs. Lake Alice Campground at Sugarite Canyon State Park, approximately 35 miles away, offers more extensive pet-friendly hiking options with dedicated pet waste stations. The park's hiking trails through old coal mining camps provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs. Temperatures in summer months can exceed 90°F, requiring careful monitoring of pets for heat stress and ensuring adequate water supplies. Visitors frequently mention that tent platforms at Lake Alice make sleeping with pets more comfortable than directly on the ground.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Capulin, New Mexico (23)

    1. Capulin RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Capulin, NM
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 278-2921

    "We stayed here on route between Texas and Colorado - close to the volcano national park so popped in there too. This is a crushed rock lot with pull through sites - nothing scenic here."

    2. Lake Alice Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

    18 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-5607

    $10 - $35 / night

    "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."

    "**

    Campground Review:

    Located in NW Raton, New Mexico..."

    3. Soda Pocket Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park

    9 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-5607

    $15 / night

    "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."

    "This State Park is beautiful, with hiking/fishing/historic walks galore. We arrived late on Friday, June 23 after a 10 hour drive from Arkansas. We were in Site #23 in the Soda Pocket Campground. "

    4. Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge

    21 Reviews
    Cimarron, NM
    35 miles
    Website

    "I felt bad rolling in to the lot because there were other people set up and tucked in. A few were blasting music and chatting loudly, but everyone was quiet from 10pm to 8am."

    "Pit toilets and recycling at  the entrance. The lake was completely dry but has fishing and trolling motor boats only allowed when there is water. Very quiet place to stay the night."

    5. Raton Pass Camp & Cafe

    14 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-8500

    "Large dog walking area, excellent service and there hasn’t been a theft here in 22 plus years!"

    "This is a small RV Park at Raton Pass almost to the Colorado border. Situated at the top of a hill, the views here are outstanding."

    6. NRA Whittington Center Campground

    4 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-3615

    "Plenty of wildlife to see around the area and a very quiet place to set up camp."

    "There are lots of trees around and natural grass growing. There aren’t any shooting competitions going on at the time, so we don’t hear much shooting."

    7. Summerlan RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    26 miles
    +1 (575) 445-9536

    $30 / night

    "It’s within range of the Capulin Monument, NRA Whittington Center and Sugarite Canyon State Park. Try Bruno’s Pizza in town. La Cosina has the best authentic New Mexican food."

    8. Raton KOA

    5 Reviews
    Raton, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 445-3488

    9. Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    23 Reviews
    Clayton, NM
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 374-8808

    $15 - $45 / night

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

    Beautiful oasis nestled away in the windswept high plains of NE New Mexico."

    "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."

    10. Carpios Ridge Campground — Trinidad Lake State Park

    24 Reviews
    Trinidad, CO
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (719) 846-6951

    $36 - $41 / night

    "This site had great views of the mountain and lake. Enjoyed the short hike on Levsa - a one mile loop with up high views of Lake Trinidad. The Carpios trail was steep and rocky."

    "This place has something for everyone: camping, hiking, fishing, boating on the lake, playground for kids, and close to Trinidad for supplies and dining."

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Showing results 1-10 of 23 campgrounds

Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Capulin, NM

168 Reviews of 23 Capulin Campgrounds



Guide to Capulin

Camping options near Capulin, New Mexico are located in a high desert region at elevations between 6,500-7,000 feet, where summer high temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with cool evenings dropping into the 50s. This northeastern corner of New Mexico experiences dramatic weather shifts, with afternoon thunderstorms common from July through September. Most campgrounds in the area feature crushed limestone or gravel sites to manage the region's seasonal rainfall.

What to do

Hike volcano formations: Capulin Volcano National Monument offers several hiking trails ranging from 0.2 miles to 2 miles, with the Crater Rim Trail providing a one-mile loop with panoramic views. At Raton Pass Camp & Cafe, camper Chad notes, "Nice little hike starting from the campground and really nice views to the South."

Visit historic coal mining sites: The abandoned Sugarite Canyon coal mining town provides a glimpse into early 1900s New Mexico history. At Sugarite Canyon State Park, Matt B. explains, "The visitor center is small but with a lot of good exhibits, and adjacent to the hiking trails of the abandoned coal camp and mine. The coal camp trails have lots of informative stands explaining what everything was, how the people lived, etc."

Explore dinosaur tracks: Clayton Lake State Park preserves hundreds of dinosaur footprints uncovered during dam construction. Valentina A. mentions, "Pretty neat to see the dinosaur tracks!" while AJ M. adds that the tracks were "also a big hit" with their 8-year-old during their stay.

What campers like

Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region hosts diverse wildlife including deer, turkey, and various bird species. At Lake 13-Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge, Abby M. shares, "Not much of a lake left but plenty of birds & beautiful sunsets to watch."

Dark night skies: The rural location provides excellent stargazing conditions. Laura M. states of Maxwell Wildlife Refuge, "The Milky Way was to die for," while at Clayton Lake, a camper mentioned meeting "a fellow camper who had a large telescope with him. We got to see Jupiter and its 4 largest moons at dusk."

Clean bathroom facilities: Multiple campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept restroom facilities. At Soda Pocket Campground, Fred S. reports, "Two vault toilets; very clean with toilet paper," while Lords C. confirms, "Clean vault Johns."

What you should know

Weather extremes: The high elevation means rapid weather changes are common. At Carpios Ridge Campground, Thomas B. warns, "Nice place to stay, but gets VERY HOT. And can also have some unpredictable weather roll through with high winds. Remember this site is on a hilltop."

Cell service varies significantly: Connectivity depends entirely on location. At Sugarite Canyon State Park, a camper reports, "No cell service for either of our carriers, and I don't think for any, until about a mile beyond the shower house," while another camper at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge notes, "Also had great AT&T service."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Capulin, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Capulin, NM is Capulin RV Park with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Capulin, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 23 dog-friendly camping locations near Capulin, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.