For those who want to experience Dexter, but still want the creature comforts of home, consider glamping for your trip. Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right New Mexico glamping spot for you.
Located just 14 miles southeast of Roswell, Bottomless Lakes State Park is your place for bottomless fun! Enjoy non-motorized boating in your kayak or canoe, camp, fish, picnic, swim, hike, go birding or even scuba dive! The unique lakes at this park are sinkholes, ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep. The greenish-blue color created by aquatic plants is what gives the lakes the illusion of great depth.
$18 / night
$9 - $15 / night
From the KOA website: Kick back with family and friends at this beautiful desert oasis built in 2000. This award-winning KOA is big rig friendly: All sites are huge 30/50-amp pull thrus with free Wi-Fi and free cable TV. The staff will spoil you as you enjoy the 2,000-square-foot community room, meals delivered to your site, a beautiful commercial laundry, outstanding restrooms, a fenced dog park and a heated pool. From this KOA in the heart of SE New Mexico, visit Carlsbad Caverns, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, Roswell's International UFO Museum and White Sands National Monument. Check out the Robert H. Goddard rocket collection at the Roswell Museum and Art Center and the "Billy the Kid" history at the campground. A horse hotel also is available. See how this KOA is going green with the help of a wind turbine. Pool: March 15 - October 15. Max pull thru: 75 feet. Your hosts: Scott, Susan and Brian Bacher.
Guide
This was our first time staying at a KOA and in general, we liked it. It’s about an hour from the Caverns which is doable, the staff is friendly and the amenities (shower, laundry, flush toilets) are very nice to have. It’s a great site for those who prefer glamping. However, it’s not very scenic and you are very close to your fellow campers (we listened to a couple fight the whole two nights we were there). There is a lake nearby and the dessert surrounding provides its own type of scenery but it was not my favorite campground.
Scout
Stayed for 2 nights in mid November 2021. Area has full hookups or tent/dispersed camping. Located in Dexter, NM.
Legend
Great scenery here, and luckily New Mexico now allows camping again at its state parks, but... there are about a trillion sandburs on the grass here. We have 4 dogs and have spent an inordinate amount of time saving their paws from the burs. Love the looks, wouldn’t bring pets.
ScoutI bought a year pass during covid for New Mexico State park in 2019. I only used it 2 times and parks shut down. Now due to fires many parks have had to close. I do not recommend buying a year pass . I received no notification of any compensation for not being able to use the parks.
GuideAlthough a bit rough around the edges, if you are traveling in SE New Mexico, this location is great for an overnighter. When we arrived, all of the full hook-up sites were taken (looked like long term locals). I called the number at the un-manned office and the gentleman who answered was very friendly and let us know that we could camp anywhere around the lake for $9. The location is close to a nice residential area, so it’s relatively quiet with the exception of the occasional train passing by. There is a scent of cow manure depending on which way the wind is blowing; but it’s not unbearable. Overall, it was a nice place to stop over for the night as we were heading towards the Carlsbad Caverns the following day.
TravelerVery pretty. Not a lot of hiking. Decent campsites. Really hot in the afternoon in May, but still cool at night. The staff does a pretty good job at trying to keep up with visitors' messes but there's still trash in a lot of places... i.e. bathroom, Lea Lake, shower, campsites. Might be better for winter camping. The night sky has some light pollution but it's still very pretty. There's shelters at the sites but the sun can be brutal so bring an extra tarp and rope for shade. Lots of bunnies, hawks, other birds, lizards and some tiny fish were seen on our trip.
Dexter and Roswell are close enough for resupply if need be.
The lake in natural spring fed so it's very cold. Even a shocker in 100+ degree temps. Totally worth it though.
Bringing your own grill might be better especially with the wind and common drought environment.
GuideGreat fishing and camping right in town
GuideWe were travelling through in late September and the camping appeared to be shut down for the season. No one around and just a few back in sites for RV's. Picnic tables were in a grouping and not site specific. Didn't appear to be campfire rings.
GuideIt's a City Park campground but well maintained and a well-stocked Lake. You can boondock for a small fee or have a full hookup.
GuideA great stop over. Cheap full hookups or boondocking. During the week you pretty much have the whole park to yourself.
GuideThere are about 9 full hookup RV sites at this little park. They aren't drawn out very well and depending on how other RVers park it can be hard to figure out where to go.
We ended up in spot number 3 which had the sewer connection in the back so we had to stretch our sewer hose pretty far.
There's supposed to be a 30 day camping limit with a 7 day in between period but there were campers there that we're obviously just living there.
When you get there just look at the numbered electrical boxes and fit in between the "residents" as well as you can.
It's $15 a night for full hookups, $95 a week, or $350 a month.
There are some small parking areas around the lake you can dry camp in. Only a few of these spots were level. It's $9 a night for dry camping or $50 a week.
ScoutGreat deal for tent camping ($9) but the lack of a map of where to camp was confusing (maybe you can actually camp anywhere?). Ended up here due to an unexpected delay on our way to White Sands. Camped near the RVs mostly due to exhaustion. There was an unpleasant sewage smell. Several bright lights around the picnic tables were annoying. Bathrooms are heated though, big plus. After driving around the lake in the morning there seem to be several level spots down by the lake that would be nice for tenting. Outhouses are scattered around but very few picnic tables. Overall a great deal for a basic city campground.
GuideFor just a spot for the night it costs $9 which is basically nothing, but it really should be free. The place smells SO strong of all the poop from the birds and wow it’s windy. I’m from Idaho and have dealt with that kind of thing a lot on the little lakes up there but omg it’s awful here. On the bright side it is very quiet and pretty with easy access to stores around. I would not pay to stay here unless you’re desperate and don’t mind not going outside
ScoutThe intake person was respectful which is my reason for 2 stars and not 1 star. I left my belongings to run to the store. I came back to everything gone. Even my daughter's bible! I am surprised by this. I had just dropped the payment in the payment box for the stay so I lost the $27 too. I didn't stick around for the police because I immediately felt unsafe. I'm disappointed. We had planned to enjoy the views and relax.
GuideThis place has quite a few campsites to choose from. Where I stayed we had our own picnic table and steel awning with a concrete patio. The main recreation area is soo pretty. The beach is nice and there are plenty of picnic tables and awnings. The orange rock is just beautiful.
GuideNice lake for swimming, they rent paddle boats, bathhouse, sun shelters, it’s hot here but lake was very refreshing, lots to explore in area
GuideThere are some really beautiful sights at this campground. Be prepared for a rocky and long drive in. You won’t have much signal and there might be an echo of voices from all the open space. The stars are great and the lakes are really neat. Lots of bats!
GuidePlenty of level sites, all within walking distance of the lake. Great wifi! Iffy AT&T service.
ScoutThis is by far one of my favorite places to camp. We got here late at night and the people were so nice, even willing to help set up our camp. The lake was absolutely beautiful the water was perfect we got to see a lot of wildlife and our campsite was really close to the water. The weather was perfect and we were only about 15 minutes outside of Roswell. Can't wait to do it again.
GuideA fun lake to snorkle! Not many trees at the sites. Great wifi with a booster (at&t and verizon). Pets allowed. A lot of places to walk.
GuideBeautiful desert landscapes littered with deep lakes ranging from small to rather large. Public swimming area in one of the lakes, and it has saltwater in it... the water is ice cold and super refreshing, once you get acclimated to it, lol. There’s hiking trails, ports-johns, and RV hookups. Be ready for flies in the summer though. At night, make sure you take the time to see how many stars are really up there, because the light pollution is very low at this sight.
TravelerFun place to spend the weekend, we tent camped at D4 and it was quite and peaceful, great bike trail leading to the big lake too!
ScoutSuper fun day trip with friends. You can rent paddle boards for cheap, and the water is surprisingly clear and blue. It’s a kind of oasis for people surrounded by dirt and cacti. Also have covered picnic tables to eat and outdoor shower heads to rinse of the salt water.
GuideSummer is hot out here bring sunscreen. Watch for snakes as well but overall safe.
GuideIt rained the whole 3 nights I was here in October, but that isn’t the campgrounds fault! It was beautiful and not terribly busy which I liked. I got the bejeezus scared out of me by what appeared to be maybe a bobcat walking back from the bathroom to my campsite—never saw it but it sounded like a crying baby?! Which, honestly, just made it all more awesome.
GuideThe sites are nicely spaced, close to the water, tables and shade. okay bathrooms and visitor center. It's a place that locals visit frequently. I went on a Saturday, both the campsites and lake were packed. There was litter EVERYWHERE. I usually bring a trash bag and pick up items along my hikes. Not something I could of done here. It's such a shame to see a beautiful park trashed. It made it really hard to enjoy the park. There was a hiking trail that went out the the other 'lakes'. Doesn't seem like anyone goes for the hikes, cause I didn't see anyone the whole time. The 'lakes' are just small murky ponds. Some have campsites next to them. Several folks have died jumping in the smaller lakes, so please refrain the urge! It's an okay place to stop if you are just passing thro and it's the only other thing available. I wouldn't recommend it as a weekend trip.
TravelerWe decided to take our girls tent camping for the first time here. Had a nice spot (D4) and some shade. Was too hot to stay the whole night so we went home. Saw some cool animals and had a raccoon raid the garbage can. Definitely will camp again..during the week of winter in January or February...
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Dexter, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Dexter, NM is Bottomless Lakes State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 66 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Dexter, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 glamping camping locations near Dexter, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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