Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Corona, NM

We love it here! We stayed for a weekend at campsite #6. Ours and A few other sites have RV hookups (electric only). No sewer hook up but dump station on site with water. There are multiple Drinking water spigots available; one next to our campsite 6, at the group shelter, by the dump station, and another spigot at the office / visitor center (closed right now) but that had a lock on it. Some sites have a nice brick and metal shelter and a charcoal grill, but all sites seem to have a picnic table, and fire ring. This is a pretty small electrical loop campground and some sites are pretty close, separated by trees, and vary in driveway length. There’s tent sites (some have good privacy) as well as day-use only sites that look very clean and with shelter. Our site had the picnic table and charcoal grill on one side of the driveway and the fire pit on the other side which is kind of weird but that just means we can drive in or back in depending on our awning side preference. I saw in some reviews that this was a problem for people.

Behind our site there’s a horseshoe area and group site not too far after. The group site has a small parking lot across the way for it and has a large shelter area with nice cement tables and large grills. Next to the office there’s a trail for the outer loop and nature trail. There are several trails within the park and all are pretty easy (kid-friendly) and not too long. This is a pet-friendly campground with dog stations to pick up after your pet. Make sure to bring your own firewood and kindling as gathering is not allowed in the area. There is phone signal for t-mobile and Verizon as well. Vault toilets were clean but no showers.

There is no lake or stream/river in the state park. The nearest lake is Manzano Lake it’s about 10 minutes from the campground in the small town of Manzano. Fishing and picnicking, not a very large lake - more like a pond really but still beautiful and something to see and do. Currently the lake just opened and there’s a sign at the entrance that the fish have not been stocked. Not much for some decent stores around but a grocery store in Mountainair (25 mins away) Also nearby is the Quarai Ruins (15 mins) to check out which has some trails and also pet friendly so long as they’re on a leash.

Also, getting here by GPS, just takes you to where the pavement ends on HWY-131 but you’ll need to go another mile on unpaved road to get the the campground. Just follow the signs for the state park. Also, make sure to check on weather because although the unpaved road is typically well-grated and maintained; when it rains hard - it tends to wash out which makes the last mile to the state park hard for some. Also, there’s not gas stations nearby to this camp.

Overall a great and beautiful place to stay. Definitely bring some bug spray and repellent, lots of flies and mosquitoes to be had! There’s not a whole lot to do besides relax, eat, and check out some trails so bring your own entertainment as we brought a remote control all-terrain car, frisbees, lawn darts, board games, card games, etc to entertain the kids. We would definitely recommend the place and we will certainly be back!

Due to New Mexico Governor’s decision to close state owned campgrounds, we scrambled to find a place to stay prior to visiting White Sands...thank you BLM!!

This area provided a peacefully quiet landscape with expansive views of the lava valley and a memorable sunset. The area was well maintained and offered a 1-mile informational loop hike through the lava field. First Come, First Serve with pay at entrance envelopes.

Flush toilets and showers were unfortunately locked due to the state’s covid ordinance and there was no management on site, but there were multiple potable water pumps and pit toilets available.

Terrific waypoint between Carlsbad Cavern and White Sands.

Gem of a USFS campground in the Cibola National Forest near Corona, NM. Can get crowded on weekends and most especially during Fall hunting season.

Note that directions from Maps/Dyrt tries to send you the wrong way off County Rd 22, so follow the brown signs to the campground and you can’t miss it.

Pros:

• Road in is reasonably well maintained and accessible (we saw a mix of trucks, RVs and vans all making way easily, even a few passenger cars; go slow)
• Several dispersed sites also available near entrance to campground and down road passed campground
• Pit toilets were fine and seem to be maintained; trash bins also available
• Reasonably spaced sites with tables and fire pits (no water to my knowledge, so pack in)
• Beautiful views up the road on way to a fire tower and a zone that’s still pretty bare from previous fires
• Family of livestock roam the area which is entertaining (just watch out for the giant cow pies)

Cons:

• Might see some dirt bikes/UTV traffic, which can get noisy
• Can get really crowded during hunting seasons and likely near holidays, so be aware (talked to a local and got the scoop from their many times staying here)

This was a great campground. Friendly host, paved roads and good accessibility. Hot free showers, water onsite. Tent camping was cheaper only $7 but felt too remote at far end of campground for me traveling solo with my dog so I stayed in a site with electric near bathrooms and camp host. Paved walking trail and informative posts through the amazing lava flow bed. Sites have shelters and fire rings but are exposed and it was VERY windy while we were there. Prickers if you venture even a few inches off paved roads - my dogs pads got cut and took a few days to heal. Hot showers were amazing and bathrooms clean. $18 for sites w water and electric. Some sites online reservation, some first come.