Dog-Friendly Camping near Cubero, NM

31 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Grants KOA Journey accommodates pets with designated dog areas and full-hookup sites for RVs, tents, and pet-friendly cabins. The campground maintains clean, well-organized facilities with pull-through sites easily accessible for larger vehicles. Route 66 RV Resort provides multiple fenced dog parks scattered throughout their property, with spacious concrete sites featuring picnic tables and fire pits. Dogs must remain leashed outside designated areas. The metal artwork around High Desert RV Park creates an appealing atmosphere for pet owners, with three fenced dog lots available for off-leash play.

    Joe Skeen Campground offers free camping with pet-friendly sites featuring covered picnic tables and fire rings. Dogs need supervision around the surrounding desert terrain where cacti can pose hazards to curious pets. The campground's quiet environment provides excellent walking opportunities, though pets must be leashed on trails through El Malpais National Monument's sharp lava rocks. Bluewater Lake State Park Campground occasionally has wild horses grazing near the campsites, requiring pet owners to monitor their dogs carefully. The park's hiking trails accommodate leashed pets with scenic views of the surrounding canyon and hills. Most campgrounds in the region maintain standard pet policies requiring leashes, proper waste disposal, and considerate noise management to prevent excessive barking during quiet hours.

    Petrified Forest National Park Camping Guide - The Complete Guide

    Get the guide now

    View Guide

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Cubero (31)

      1. Sky City RV Casino & RV Park

      4.1(11)2mi from CuberoRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "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."

      2. Joe Skeen Campground - El Malpais NCA

      4.8(29)20mi from CuberoRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "BLM dirt road near the entrance you can walk / hike down. Brochures of El Malpais at the entrance to the campground. Got there at 4 pm and only half the sites taken."

      3. Grants KOA Journey

      4.4(22)20mi from CuberoRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $45 / night

      Check Availability

      4. Dancing Eagle RV Park

      4.3(3)5mi from CuberoRVs

      "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!"

      from $18 / night

      Check Availability

      5. Joe Skeen Campground

      4.5(15)20mi from CuberoRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "like five but the last time we were there there was a group in two converted buses that seem to be living there and we noticed them making the rounds at 1:30 in the morning, had it not been for our dogs"

      6. Lavaland RV Campgrounds

      4.0(7)18mi from CuberoRVs, Glamping

      "It has a couple of dog runs, but they are too small for play. Not much dog walking space without cacti. I was most excited about the brewery on-site, but sadly I was too tired once we got there."

      "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."

      from $40 - $50 / night

      Check Availability

      7. Cibola National Forest Lobo Canyon Campground

      5.0(2)13mi from CuberoTents

      "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."

      8. Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

      4.3(38)36mi from Cubero73 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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."

      from $15 - $90 / night

      Check Availability

      9. Bar S RV Park

      4.2(6)22mi from CuberoRVs, Tents

      "Spots are right next to each other but it’s a super quiet and safe campground. It has trees throughout so you don’t feel like you’re in the dessert."

      "The campground is conveniently located off I40 and is very reasonable priced for full hookups. The campground is clean and the office staff were very nice."

      from $20 - $22 / night

      Check Availability

      10. Route 66 RV Resort

      4.5(22)33mi from CuberoRVs

      "You will keep driving west on service rood past Casino parking lot. On west end turn left and go straight back to gated entrance to RV park."

      "The sites next to us on both sides are a good 40 feet on both sides. So your not right on your neighbors utilities stations. The Power polls has both 30amp and 50amp and 20amp power outlets."

      from $45 - $60 / night

      Check Availability

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time


    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Cubero, NM

    294 Reviews of 31 Cubero Campgrounds


    • Ryan L.
      Jan. 15, 2021

      American RV Resort

      A quaint pull-through park

      A well organized park by a helpful staff. The pull-through sites are easily assessable and long enough for an F250 w/30’ travel trailer and not be detached. The park is clean and quaint. *Pet friendly but doesn’t allow “outside pet cages, kennels, or pet fencing” probably because they don’t want the dogs outside alone. Overall, and it being the first time visit I would recommend American RV Resort.@

    • Michael M.
      Aug. 30, 2017

      Coal Mine Campground

      Great for a weary traveler

      Visited the coal mine campground after driving a 500 mile day, so it was a set-up eat and crash situation. I did make a reservation on line, but that cost more than the $5 per site fee and was not necessary even though it was memorial day weekend. The fee is great because it is primitive, no electricity, no water at all, not just hookups, but the bathrooms were nice and clean with no sinks.

      If you are prepared for a primitive camp with your own water and batteries for your electronics it is great. They have fire rings, grills, picnic tables and level places for tents.There are also nice back-in sites for boondocking RVs and the road up to the campground is fine for big rigs.

      I ran into two mountain biker's here from Ireland that were riding the Continental Divide trail from The Mexican border in New Mexico to the Canadian border in Montana. They were staying here since the Trail goes through here. Paddy & Conner were very interesting people and I was fortunate to have run into them here.

      I enjoyed my stay with a peaceful quite nights sleep and a short hike in the morning before breakfast cooked on the campfire. I would recommend this over a hotel stay if your passing through Grant's New Mexico on I40. You can probably get a site for the night anytime your passing through.

    • Craig & Linda  L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 14, 2022

      Route 66 RV Resort

      Great camp Route 66

      A well laid out RV park! Your GPS will take you to the front of the 66 Casino. You will keep driving west on service rood past Casino parking lot. On west end turn left and go straight back to gated entrance to RV park. The park has a pool, club hose group BBQ area, several bathrooms, showers, laundry rooms, several fence in dog parks, most sites are pull through concrete level slabs sites with tables and fire pits at all sites. You get a card key to open gate for after hours and club house. High water pressure so pressure regulator highly recommended and sold in check in office. There is a $25 security fee that is returned to your credit card after checking out.

    • kristin S.The Dyrt PRO User
      Aug. 31, 2020

      Ice Cave & Bandera Volcano

      Beautiful, cheap and quiet boondocking

      A fun little campground with space to park an RV or rent a cabin. There are no hookups but you’re in a remote part of New Mexico under pines with a Giant night sky above. Plus you’ve got easy access to two fun little explorations... a 1.5 miles hike to the rim of the Bandera volcano and a 1/4 mile hike to the ice cave. It’s a family run business and they have a nice little gift shop and market with a few supplies. Once the park closes for the night, you have the hikes to yourself to take in sunset with lava rock surrounding. It’s a really beautiful area with a lovely family running the business. They charge $20/night for trailer parking but I’m not sure the price of the cabins. They’re also right by Malpais and El Morro national Monuments. Highly recommend for an overnight along your journey through New Mexico!

    • Craig & Linda  L.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 27, 2022

      Route 66 RV Resort

      Wide long concrete slab parking

      The whole campground is well spread out with big picnicking tables and fire 🔥 rings in each site. The parking pads are long. Enough so I could park two of my 25 ft RV trailers on the driver through camp sites and still have room for my crewcab long bed truck on the sites. The sites are well spaced out. The sites next to us on both sides are a good 40 feet on both sides. So your not right on your neighbors utilities stations. The Power polls has both 30amp and 50amp and 20amp power outlets. The fresh water spiket is the cold weather antifreeze type. The sewerage dump actually was good enough I was able to screw my 90° elbow into. No rock required on top to make sure there was no blowout when dumping. The landscape is a natural high desert 🏜 look to fit in with out side of park. There are at least three fenced in dog park scattered around the park. The same the bathroom, shower and laundry room with two washers and dryers. There is a large group Pavilion with several gas BBQ there. Pool house and pool, entertainment room. Over all a well laid out campgrounds.

    • Reuben
      Nov. 3, 2020

      Route 66 RV Resort

      Nice and new!

      We spent one night here in early April, 2020. We live in Albuquerque, and it was the middle of the early Coronavirus lockdown, but were looking to just get away from the house and still be away from people. With all the state and national parks closed, we had to go commercial. Rt. 66 RV Resort is just loaded with amenities (none of which we used, thanks to social distancing). It was not crowded at this time, so we requested and received a lot well away from anyone else. Full hook-ups, all in great shape. The park is less than 2 years old, I think, and it shows. Everything is pretty much immaculate. Service was VERY friendly and the guy led us right to the lot in his golf cart. Nice and flat. Picnic table. Fire pit. We had lovely weather so sitting out as the sun set was a nice treat.

      In the morning, we walked around the whole place, and they really do have excellent amenities, all still in great shape. The pool area (not open) looks very inviting and attractive. The club house, while simple, looked very inviting. A couple of bathhouses around and a couple of dog parks. A big outdoor pavilion with a batch of grills and sinks and loads of tables in case you want to have a big party. The casino, restaurants and hotel were all closed, of course...but if you were looking for a place to stop and eat at a decent restaurant and do a little gambling...this RV park puts you just a couple hundred yards from the casino doors. Would be fun!

      (Since that time, the casino has reopened.)

    • Sara S.
      Jul. 25, 2016

      Bluewater Lake State Park Campground

      oasis in the desert

      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. The campground is broken up into a couple areas. Our site was somewhat shaded, which was nice in the heat of the summer. Very cool sites overlooking the lake. I wouldn’t say the sites are secluded, but it’s still a neat place. I haven’t been to many state parks in New Mexico so it was a unique experience!

    • T
      May. 12, 2021

      Route 66 RV Resort

      Great Park

      Really enjoyed the RV Park itself but felt like a second class citizen since the Casino wasn’t open to non New Mexico residents.

    • 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.


    Guide to Cubero

    Joe Skeen Campground offers free dispersed camping about 10 miles south of Cubero. Located at 6,500 feet elevation, the area features volcanic terrain with lava flows and sandstone mesas. Daytime temperatures range from 70-90°F in summer, while nights can drop below 40°F even in July. Most pet friendly campgrounds near Cubero provide access to hiking trails through El Malpais National Conservation Area.

    What to do

    Lava flow exploration: Visit Joe Skeen Campground where you can hike through ancient lava fields. "Gorgeous drive in from 40 to the campsite. We saw chipmunks scurrying about in the morning. We were hoping to see more wildlife but can't complain for pulling in around 3:30," notes one camper who appreciated the geological surroundings.

    Stargazing sessions: The clear desert skies offer exceptional night viewing with minimal light pollution. "Amazing dark sky view of the stars. Mostly empty," reports a visitor who stayed at Joe Skeen Campground. The area is known for its dark sky preservation, making it ideal for constellation viewing or astrophotography.

    Mountain hiking: Trek through Cibola National Forest's Lobo Canyon for high elevation pine forest trails. "The surrounding area is gorgeous! The camp spot is nestled in the trees and has plenty of shade for the summer months," notes a visitor to Lobo Canyon Campground. These trails are less trafficked than those in the national monument.

    What campers like

    Covered picnic areas: Many sites include sheltered eating spaces. "Each site has a covered patio with picnic table and a fire pit. We stopped through here for one night on our way to AZ and it worked out really well," reports a Joe Skeen Campground visitor. These shelters provide valuable shade during hot summer days.

    Desert wildlife viewing: The region supports diverse desert animals. "Wild horses roaming around the lake were also pretty cool," notes a camper at Bluewater Lake State Park Campground. Morning and evening hours offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities when animals are most active.

    Budget-friendly options: Several affordable camping options exist throughout the area. "Great price for a full hookup with clean bathrooms and showers," mentions a visitor at Lavaland RV Campgrounds. Casino RV parks frequently offer discount rates when mentioned on billboards.

    What you should know

    Limited water availability: Most dispersed camping areas lack potable water sources. "No water or any kind of hook ups," notes a camper at Joe Skeen Campground. Fill containers before arriving, as the nearest water sources may be 10-15 miles away at visitor centers or gas stations.

    Challenging road access: Some campground roads have rough entrances. "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," warns a visitor about Joe Skeen Campground. Low-clearance vehicles may struggle during wet conditions.

    Seasonal temperature extremes: Temperature swings of 40°F between day and night are common in this high desert region. "Even as it got hot during the day, it cooled nicely at dusk and in the evenings," explains a visitor at Grants KOA Journey. Pack layers regardless of season.

    Tips for camping with families

    Child-friendly amenities: Select campgrounds with appropriate facilities. "There is a nice beach as well as boating and fishing. The campground is broken up into a couple areas," explains a Bluewater Lake visitor, noting the lake provides swimming opportunities during summer months.

    Desert safety awareness: Teach children about desert hazards. "Watch your dogs stepping in cactus. Dogs need to be on leash, but not enforced," warns a camper about Joe Skeen, highlighting the prevalence of cactus that can injure both pets and children.

    Educational opportunities: Visit ranger stations for junior ranger programs. "Car camping newbie...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," notes a first-time family camper at Joe Skeen Campground. Rangers often provide educational materials about local geology.

    Tips from RVers

    Arrival timing strategy: Secure spots early at popular free campgrounds. "We were pleasantly surprised by how nice this free campground was. 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," advises a Joe Skeen Campground visitor.

    Hookup limitations: Many sites offer partial connections only. "We have a pull thru site that has all hookups. Make sure you mention the $18 billboard to get that rate," suggests a visitor at Sky City RV Casino & RV Park, highlighting the importance of asking about discounts.

    Water pressure considerations: RV parks may have high water pressure that requires regulators. "We were told that the water pressure was about 90 psi and it was, so use a reducer," warns an RVer. Most campgrounds don't provide pressure regulators, so bring your own to prevent damage to your RV plumbing system.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Cubero, NM is Sky City RV Casino & RV Park with a 4.1-star rating from 11 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 31 dog-friendly camping locations near Cubero, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.