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Best Equestrian Camping near Carlsbad Caverns, NM

92 Reviews

Limited equestrian camping options exist near Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico. The primary campgrounds in the region - Carlsbad RV Park & Campground, Carlsbad KOA, Dog Canyon Campground, and Pine Top Wilderness Campground - do not feature dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine facilities according to available data. Most area campgrounds accommodate standard recreational camping with tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, but lack horse-specific amenities. The campground data indicates these facilities are not equipped with horse corrals, highlines, or designated equestrian campsites that would typically be necessary for horse camping.

Trail riders seeking equestrian opportunities near Carlsbad Caverns may need to investigate alternatives, as the established campgrounds within reasonable proximity to the national park do not advertise horse-friendly accommodations. Both Carlsbad RV Park & Campground and Carlsbad KOA allow pets but make no specific provisions for horses. Visitors interested in exploring the region on horseback should contact the Guadalupe Mountains National Park or Carlsbad Caverns National Park offices directly for information about potential backcountry equestrian access points and regulations, as the commercial campgrounds reviewed don't provide the specialized facilities required for proper horse camping.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico (4)

    1. Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

    35 Reviews
    Carlsbad, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 885-6333

    "Very convenient to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Nice indoorheated pool and a family-friendly environment. Treats for your dog and several dog parks fort off leash fun."

    "It’s a little rough around the edges but they are remodeling the bathrooms, and the laundry room is great. The employees are as nice as can be!"

    2. Carlsbad KOA

    39 Reviews
    Carlsbad, NM
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 562-9109

    "Located about 30 minutes from Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Quaint store, great play room (super nice staff- left the playroom open for us an additional hour due to downpour!)"

    "Despite the name, it is quite a hike from Carlsbad Caverns if that is your destination. It is very close to Beantly Lake and a very quiet setting. The pads are gravel but level. Excellent staff."

    3. Dog Canyon Campground — Guadalupe Mountains National Park

    15 Reviews
    Dell City, TX
    26 miles
    Website

    $20 - $60 / night

    "Dogs are allowed at the campsite, but not on any of the trails. I definitely recommend this site if you are going to be hiking around the national parks (Guadalupe Mountain and Carlsbad Caverns)."

    "Be aware that the park is on mountain time but close enough to the central time zone border that your smartphone/watch may not display the correct time!"

    4. Pine Top Wilderness Campground — Guadalupe Mountains National Park

    3 Reviews
    Salt Flat, TX
    29 miles
    Website

    "As you make your way to Pine Top, keep an eye out for wildlife and take in the natural beauty surrounding you."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Carlsbad Caverns, NM

92 Reviews of 4 Carlsbad Caverns Campgrounds

  • Amber J.
    Jun. 4, 2018

    Carlsbad KOA

    Crowded, charming, typical KOA

    Crowded, charming, typical KOA. Located about 30 minutes from Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Quaint store, great play room (super nice staff- left the playroom open for us an additional hour due to downpour!) Accommodated our family as our reservation was deleted and we had nowhere else to go! :) Great clean restrooms and showers.

  • Michael C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 4, 2020

    Carlsbad KOA

    Very good services

    Excellent full service RV park. The hook ups are in excellent repair. This particular KOA offers hot food delivered to the sites in Lou of eating inside the facility. Despite the name, it is quite a hike from Carlsbad Caverns if that is your destination. It is very close to Beantly Lake and a very quiet setting. The pads are gravel but level. Excellent staff. Would stay again!

  • Chris H.
    Nov. 23, 2021

    Carlsbad KOA

    Very clean and great staff

    This KOA was a great property in thy it was very clean and had a lot to offer for families with kids, and even adult only patrons. They had a really big “Rec Room” for kids and adults to play ping pong, or a video game. They also deliver food to your site, and they smoke their own BBQ on site! It’s less than an hour from Carlsbad Caverns, and only 15 minutes from Carlsbad proper, in case you need some supplies or want to go find a place to eat in town. The only downside to this place was the sulfur/propane smell from the gas/oil wells in the area, and the fact that there wasn’t much to block the wind.

  • Karen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2022

    Carlsbad KOA

    Great Communication!

    This KOA will start texting you in advance of your arrival, which I found a bit tedious, but it came in handy during our stay.

    Check in was simple and informative. The pool is open and was clean. It definitely came in handy during this heat!

    The campground is based about an hour away from Carlsbad Caverns, which worked for us so we could drop our rig and make the drive the next morning. Only about 20 minutes from the town of Carlsbad.

    On our second night, there was a wicked storm and we started heading loud booms. The park was thoughtful enough to text everyone after hours to reassure us that the pecan fields up the road use air cannons to prevent hail. Not sure about the effectiveness but was so glad to know what was happening.

    We would certainly return if we ever need full hook ups in the area.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 11, 2018

    Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

    Closest Carlsbad Campground to the Caverns

    Let's start with the fact that there are few actually camping areas close to Carlsbad Caverns or Guadalupe National Park. Assuming travelers are coming to Carlsbad to see these great places, the location becomes a major player. Fine print: there is a small campground (absolutely no amenity campground) in Guadalupe National Park which is first-come, first-serve (aka: full), and there a campground in White's City--although having driven past it, I don't think I want to stay there.

    Carlsbad RV Park is primarily an RV Park. In fact, while we were there, they were bulldozing their only tent sites and I'm not sure if they are upgrading them or replacing them with more RV sites. So the "tent" site status is tentative. As with most RV Parks, the RVs are crammed in, side by side, and really the place is like an RV parking lot with amenities and hook-ups--but they do appear to be mostly pull through and the staff will show the way to go to pull through without hiccups. These are not spacious by any means. We stayed in one of two cabins, which were very reasonably priced, esp. when comparing to Carlsbad KOA. They even came with a cable and a fridge.

    The RV Park (like all of the RV Parks in Carlsbad) has overall become a residence for the oil field workers, so be prepared to try and sleep through the 4 a.m. traffic rush out of camp to oil field. However, the neighbors are pleasant and quiet to have, even if they must drive away before the roosters announce the coming of the sun.

    The park has gated access and we felt very safe during our stay. There is a playground that was being bulldozed with the tent site; I am unsure if it is being upgraded or eliminated. There is a camp store, a pool, a game room, showers (which were ok), laundry, a dishwashing sink, picnic tables at the cabins, and universal fire pit. Please note that I am inherently biased against parking lot style RV parks--so 2 stars from me for an RV Park is quite a compliment.

    Carlsbad RV Park and Carlsbad KOA direct comparison: we have stayed at both the Carlsbad KOA and the Carlsbad RV Park. The KOA is NOT actually in Carlsbad, and is over an hour away from Carlsbad Caverns and 30 minutes from town. On the other hand, the RV Park is at the southern end of town and only 30 minutes to the Caverns. While the KOA lots are more spacious, they offer no more and no fewer amenities than the RV Park…well the KOA sort-of offers meals but the RV Park is right in town, so delivery is an option. The basic, no frill KOA cabins cost double the RV Park charges. Additionally, the KOA staff was not as friendly or as helpful as the RV Park staff, imho.

    While in Carlsbad check out Fiesta Drive-In for one of America's few remaining drive-in movie theaters.

  • John M.
    Apr. 17, 2022

    Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

    Perfect location for Caverns

    A very nice campground with brand new bath houses. Nice laundry facilities. Gift store with ice cream, yes. Very convenient to Carlsbad Caverns National Park and to Carlsbad, New Mexico. Nice indoorheated pool and a family-friendly environment. Treats for your dog and several dog parks fort off leash fun. We managed to get one of these shaded sites for our pop-up trailer.

  • B
    Aug. 18, 2020

    Carlsbad KOA

    Clean

    This place was clean and easy to reach. Large place with plenty of sites for hookup. Only con is that sites were very close to one another. We stopped here to go to Carlsbad caverns. It’s about an hour away from this KOA, so be sure to wake up early and arrive early to reserve first come first serve tickets for the caverns!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 2, 2021

    Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

    Older park but worked just fine

    Ok so this is an older rv park. It’s a little rough around the edges but they are remodeling the bathrooms, and the laundry room is great. The employees are as nice as can be!

    This worked out great for a visit to Carlsbad Caverns which were phenomenal .

  • m
    Feb. 9, 2023

    Carlsbad RV Park & Campground

    Great park

    Check in was a breeze, the camp hosts escorted us to our site, which is nice and big. No issue parking the F150 behind the 36’ RV. Pool was closed for yearly maintenance. Very nice gift shop and 4 clean dog parks. Quiet even though it’s near the road. Turn in to Carlsbad Caverns is 12 miles away.

Guide to Carlsbad Caverns

Horse camping in New Mexico offers a unique way to explore the stunning landscapes while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With various campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Equestrian campgrounds include ample amenities

  • At Carlsbad RV Park & Campground, you'll find features like water hookups, electric hookups, and sanitary dump stations, making it a convenient choice for horse campers.

Tips for equestrian camping near Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

  • When staying at Carlsbad KOA, take advantage of the spacious sites and nearby trails that are perfect for horseback riding.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Carlsbad Caverns, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Carlsbad Caverns, NM is Carlsbad RV Park & Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 35 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Carlsbad Caverns, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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