Best Campgrounds near Cubero, NM

Several established campgrounds dot the landscape surrounding Cubero, New Mexico, including Joe Skeen Campground, Sky City RV Casino & RV Park, and sites within Cibola National Forest. The area offers a range of camping styles from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV spots and cabin rentals at places like Grants KOA Journey. Most campgrounds are situated along the I-40 corridor, providing convenient access for travelers exploring the volcanic landscapes of El Malpais National Monument and cultural sites like Acoma Pueblo.

Camping conditions vary significantly with the seasons, with most facilities open year-round but experiencing different weather patterns. Joe Skeen Campground provides free camping with vault toilets but no water sources, while developed RV parks like Dancing Eagle offer full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections. Many campsites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and trash collection, though primitive sites have limited amenities. Summer temperatures can be hot, while winter brings cold nights at higher elevations. "Very quiet and easy to get to. Each spot has a flat dirt area and a large covered area with a picnic table. There are clean vault toilets and trash bins," noted one visitor about Joe Skeen Campground.

Campers frequently highlight the striking desert landscapes and volcanic features that make this region unique. The area's proximity to lava fields, volcanic formations, and Native American cultural sites creates distinctive camping experiences. Several visitors mention the peaceful atmosphere and dark night skies as major draws, particularly at campgrounds further from the interstate. RV parks associated with casinos like Sky City and Dancing Eagle provide convenient amenities for travelers, including showers, laundry facilities, and nearby dining options. A camper staying at the Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano area described it as "a remote part of New Mexico under pines with a Giant night sky above," noting the accessibility to nearby natural attractions. The region's campgrounds serve as ideal basebases for exploring El Malpais National Monument, El Morro National Monument, and Mount Taylor.

Best Camping Sites Near Cubero, New Mexico (41)

    1. Sky City RV Casino & RV Park

    10 Reviews
    Cubero, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 552-7965

    "18 rate if you mention the billboards on the highway, but $22 otherwise so it's a good deal. Park is close to the casino, pretty level sites, clean, with full hookups (including sewer), no riffraff."

    "Level spots, electric, water and sewage hookups, huge field for you to walk your dog, Casino within walking distance or you give them a call and they come pick you up."

    2. Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

    25 Reviews
    San Rafael, NM
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 280-2918

    "We walked to the top of the adjacent hill for sunset which was very nice."

    "Gorgeous drive in from 40 to the campsite. Awesome pull-through site.

    Only saw one person doing tent camping. Looked like a cold stay Oct 30th-31st."

    3. Grants KOA Journey

    20 Reviews
    Grants, NM
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 287-4376

    $45 / night

    "General: Conveniently located close to I40, there are 20 pull-through 50-amp sites, 16 pull-through 30-amp sites, five back-in water/electric sites (ok for tents), five tent-only sites (no hookups)"

    "Close to Hwy 40. There is a walking path next to the campground that is in a lava field and there are signs along the path with fun facts of the history of the lava field."

    4. Dancing Eagle RV Park

    3 Reviews
    Laguna, NM
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 552-7730

    $18 / night

    "There’s a casino nearby if that’s your flavor. There’s also a gas station, grocery store, DQ, and all kinds of things as close as across the street!"

    5. Joe Skeen Campground

    13 Reviews
    San Rafael, NM
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 280-2918

    "It was dead quiet from the time we arrived until we left at 1:30pm the next day even though there were campers close by. The surrounding landscape was beautiful."

    "The campground: It's about a fifteen minute drive off highway 40. Once inside the campground the road is gravel and fairly easy to navigate."

    6. Coal Mine Campground

    5 Reviews
    San Mateo, NM
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 287-8833

    $10 / night

    "Visited the coal mine campground after driving a 500 mile day, so it was a set-up eat and crash situation."

    "There is a nice hiking trail available from the campground. La Mosca lookout is a nice drive from the campground with beautiful views."

    7. Lavaland RV Campgrounds

    7 Reviews
    Grants, NM
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 287-8665

    $40 - $50 / night

    "It’s not scenic by any means but, it is close to Mal Pais National Monument (across the street) and the people that work here are super nice."

    "Sites are very close to each other and there are no tables. The dog run is very small. Road noise from I40. There is a small brewery on site, hence upgraded to 4 stars."

    8. Cibola National Forest Lobo Canyon Campground

    2 Reviews
    Grants, NM
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 287-8833

    "The surrounding area is gorgeous! The camp spot is nestled in the trees and has plenty of shade for the summer months. Currently in April the picnic area was closed."

    9. Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    Prewitt, NM
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 876-2391

    $15 - $90 / night

    "This was the only lake we saw on our trip to the cattle ranch in New Mexico ;) The park is lovely and we truly enjoyed our time here. There is a nice beach as well as boating and fishing."

    "Beautiful New Mexico sunset."

    10. Blue Spruce RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Grants, NM
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 287-2560

    $40 / night

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Recent Reviews near Cubero, NM

265 Reviews of 41 Cubero Campgrounds


  • Stacia M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano

    A little run down but nice people

    We planned on staying the night here but ended up moving on because the lack of space. Nice if you’re just stopping in for the hike and to see the volcano & ice cave!

  • Krista S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Dancing Eagle RV Park

    Great spot

    Self serv pay is great and love that it’s $18!

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 18, 2025

    High Desert RV Park

    Very good

    Easy pull thru. Site was long enough. I did not have to disconnect and I could drop the tailgate of the toy hauler. I parked in the opposite direction. Most people would for a better view. I had more sky to the northwest and a good view of I 40.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    Dancing Eagle RV Park

    Gravel lot

    It’s just a gravel lot but there is power, water, and septic for $20.

  • Jordan A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    BLM land near Grants, NM

    It's a place to stay

    Road is a little rough getting in and can be bad if it rains. Plenty of room to park. No fire rings. There is an unofficial shooting range on the property.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Isleta Lakes & RV Park

    Good stop.

    Large park with a choice of gravel or concrete. Sites are good size but not set up well. Beautiful fishing lake. Casino with all the amenities.

  • Robert N.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

    Calm and quiet

    It is after Labor Day, the Canyonside Campground is deserted except for myself. I can hear the breeze moving through the pinions. Beautiful New Mexico sunset.

  • K
    Jul. 20, 2025

    High Desert RV Park

    Beautiful rv park

    We have stayed at this rv park a couple times and every single time it’s clean, easy to access, mimi is so kind. Would recommend to anyone!

  • Janie O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

    Car camping newbie

    This was my first car camping site, and it was beautiful. It was very clean. The compost commode was very clean, a campfire ring was available, and there was a covered picnic table area. Overall an excellent site.


Guide to Cubero

Camping spots near Cubero, New Mexico range from full-service RV parks to free dispersed sites in Cibola National Forest. Located in the high desert at approximately 6,000 feet elevation, the area experiences significant temperature swings between day and night. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though visitors should prepare for cold nights even during summer months due to the elevation.

What to do

Explore volcanic landscapes: Bluewater Lake State Park offers hiking trails with views of the surrounding mesas. "The sites with power were already taken, but we can boondock and the pull-through sites were great. Lovely view of the lake with a gorgeous sunset," reports Grace D., who visited in April.

Visit local attractions: Lavaland RV Campgrounds provides convenient access to El Malpais National Monument across the street. As one camper noted, "It's not scenic by any means but, it is close to Mal Pais National Monument (across the street) and the people that work here are super nice."

Experience stargazing: The clear desert air provides exceptional night sky viewing opportunities at Joe Skeen Campground. "Beautiful dark sky, quiet-not big rig friendly," reports Jennifer P., adding that it was "mostly empty" during her stay.

What campers like

Budget-friendly options: Sky City RV Casino & RV Park offers economical full hookup sites with additional discounts. "Make sure you mention the billboard for the cheapest rate of $19 per night otherwise it's $29 per night," advises Lee D. Multiple reviewers mention the billboard discount.

Convenient amenities: Many campgrounds provide essential services for travelers. At Dancing Eagle RV Park, "There's a casino nearby if that's your flavor. There's also a gas station, grocery store, DQ, and all kinds of things as close as across the street!" according to Lisa M.

Quiet surroundings: The remote nature of many local campgrounds appeals to those seeking peace. One camper at Cibola National Forest Lobo Canyon Campground stated simply: "We were the only campers in the campground. Loved the quiet. This is dispersed camping in the national forest."

What you should know

Site availability varies: Popular free camping areas like Joe Skeen fill quickly. "These fill up fast, so come early. Most people leave early in the morning, so if you can get here before noon, you may get lucky. We arrived around 11 am & there were only 2 sites open," advises Moe F.

Water access is limited: Many campgrounds lack water hookups. At Coal Mine Campground, "No water available, no hook-ups, no dump station," reports Mark M. Plan to bring water or know where to fill up beforehand.

Terrain considerations: The high desert environment presents unique challenges. One camper at Joe Skeen Campground warns, "Watch your dogs stepping in cactus. Dogs need to be on leash, but not enforced. Our dog loved this spot but he did sniff cactus too close ouch."

Tips for camping with families

Look for designated sites: Campgrounds with specific facilities make family stays easier. At Bluewater Lake State Park, "Playground for the kiddos, lots of areas to explore with the puppers, and plenty of bathrooms and Ramadas available for day use," notes Sara S.

Consider cleanliness: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. One Grants KOA Journey visitor appreciated that "They have amazing FREE showers, very cheap laundry services, amazing views, FREE breakfast. Awesome KOA!!"

Check for coverage: Cell service can be unreliable. At Joe Skeen, one reviewer reported, "Spotty with Verizon. I could make calls, but couldn't text or use the internet. My spot was near a ridge, so maybe other spots had better service."

Tips from RVers

Access limitations: Large rigs face challenges at some campgrounds. One RV owner at Joe Skeen noted, "The wash to get into the campground is steep on both sides. We drug a bit on the way in and a lot on the way out. We have a silverback 37bh that specs say is 39'11". Would not try it again."

Level sites: Many RV sites require leveling equipment. At Blue Spruce RV Park, electric and water sites are described as "basically on the park road," though there are "some a little better."

Overnight options: RVers passing through favor certain spots for convenience. Sky City RV Casino & RV Park gets recommendations as "Great place for one night," with Dennis W. adding "Rv park has nice level sites with full hook ups. We've stayed here a few times for just one night."

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Cubero, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Cubero, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 41 campgrounds and RV parks near Cubero, NM and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Cubero, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cubero, NM is Sky City RV Casino & RV Park with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Cubero, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Cubero, NM.