Best Cabin Camping near El Morro National Monument, NM

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!

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!

General: There are several options here: RV and tent camping, and cabins. As members of Harvest Host, we were able to stay here for free with the expectation that we would patronize the business. 

Site Quality: The tent section is behind the cabins, but RVs park in the gravel parking lot with no clearly defined spaces. The section at the top of the fence away from the trading post appeared to be level but otherwise, the lot is sloped. We opted to park closer to the trading post in our campervan, which was also closer to the pit toilet. 

Bathhouse: During the high season, there is a bathhouse and shower, but it was not open when we were there, but the pit toilet was very clean. When the trading post is open (9-5, later in the summer), there are restrooms inside. 

Activities: There is a trail to the ice cave (short but there are stairs) and a loop trail leading to the volcano (about 1.5 miles but wear sturdy shoes and you should be in reasonable shape). It was recommended that we do this hike in a counterclockwise direction and this was good advice. The fee is $12 for both and there are markers with an interpretive pamphlet explaining the history and geology of the area. There is a trading post with souvenirs and a small kitchen area where you can purchase some food and beverages. 

We were the only campers there on a VERY cold late March night so I imagine it would be very different during warmer months. We only heard an occasional car but otherwise, it was very quiet, and the night sky was beautiful. This is a family-run business, and everyone was very welcoming.

The camp sites are well laid out with picnic table. The bath room was primitive and I didn’t check out the showers. The lake and the area is enchanting!! It was my first visit to New Mexico and for sure I will be back! The lake is large and has fishing.

We were so grateful to stumble upon USA RV Park on our recent trip through New Mexico.  We were dealing with snow all the way from Colorado to Gallup, and decided about an hour out of Gallup to stop for the night.  We called USA RV Park, and while no one answered, they returned our call within the half hour.  They graciously accommodated our 2 trailers last minute with full hookups!  The campsite itself is large, clean, well marked, and very nice restrooms!  The store was well stocked with what we needed (including a tent repair kit for our pop up!).  The owner, John, was very kind, helpful, and a delight to chat with.  We filled our propane tank up on site and were on our way the next day!  Highly recommend! :)

Needed an overnight stay along Interstate 40 in New Mexico.  Check-in was quick and easy, the sites are arranged so that RV doors are not facing the neighbor's sewage pipe, which is something I always appreciate.  Most of the sites are pull-through.  The park is well laid out and covered with an attractive reddish-brown gravel.  The facilities were clean, the staff was pleasant.  The park felt safe though the neighborhood around it is economically distressed.  The park is family friendly; there is a dog-park, a nice pool, and attractive common area near the office with tables and statuary with a cute bear theme.  The only negatives are not under the control of the park: trains pass by frequently day and night, and in the evening the mosquitos are voracious.  My wife and I agree that we would return here.

We are boondocking at the Ice Caves and Bandera Volcano near Grant's NM. This location is open to Harvest Host members for a free over night stay. You can hike to the open face of the Volcano and then down to the amazing cold of the Ice caves. Entrance is about $12 each. Cell service is good through Verizon.

Spent the night at the Ice caves and Bandera Volcano with my wife. We did the hike up the Volcano and then down to the ice cave which cooled us off after the hike. They charge $12 per person with a discount for children. It was a very peaceful night. Cell service with Verizon was ok outside but poor inside trailer. There was no charge for this stay through our Harvest Host membership. I would definitely stay again.

Great state run campground with options from primitive to full hook ups at great prices. The primitive camping is all along the lake so you can park and walk right in with your canoe or SUP. Playground for the kiddos, lots of areas to explore with the puppers, and plenty of bathrooms and Ramadas available for day use. Boat ramp for those so inclined and good fishing for any anglers out there. The staff running the camp were so enthusiastic and friendly, you’ll want to plan a trip back ASAP.

Found this campsite heading west on I-40 on a memorial day weekend road trip last minute. Had 40 designated campsites with about 1/2 reservable online and 1/2 first come first serve. They also allow dispersed camping along the lake and there were probably 50+ groups of people in RVs and trailers comfortably spaced.

Wild horses roaming around the lake were also pretty cool.

We took a designated campsite overlooking the lake and added this park to the list of places to return to.

Fishing, camping, hiking! During Pinon season you can expect some yummy seeds!

Uncrowded when we were there State park located right on a man-made lake. unfortunately, the lake level is extremely low! Decent sites each with picnic table and fire pit some with shade canopies others with a little natural tree cover, not a lot of privacy. Pit toilets, no drinking water available except at maybe the RV sites with hookups and at the pump outstation? Weak cell signal. Seems more suited for RV's.

If I offered s as my advise, check the fires before committing. Limited electric sites. I think more than 60% of sites were not level. We’re self-leveling but took site B - dry camping, level and fitted between 2 ADA sites. We loved being so remote. Verizon/Visible/ Starlink all worked great

Great staff. Patrolled by rangers frequently, so felt safe

This place was fantastic. The rates are dirt cheap, but the park is worth many times more. I came in without a reservation and found a huge pull-through campsite on the hill, with a clear view of the lake (it is indeed blue). There was a deep and broad terrace for picnic table and tent, and some pines for shade. It was a little windy when I visited, but not uncomfortably so. It was dark and quiet at night, and I slept well.

The bathroom nearest my campsite was a vault toilet, but a clean one. Real bathrooms are available at the visitor center, a long walk north of my tent.

I recommend following the trail at the north end of the campground for a nice view of the dam (it was a 10 to 15 minute hike for me, narrow but level). The lake is also open for boating and fishing, with a launch ramp near the campground.

The only downside I can think of was the trash I found at my campsite, mostly bottle caps. I spent a few minutes picking it up before I left.

We stayed away from lake because of our dogs. They tend to bark if people go by. The space was nice but the sites were too close for us. I preferred more space for privacy but we’re new to RVing, so perhaps this is normal. Park Ranger was very nice and helped us settle in. The view to the canyon and hills was beautiful. I’m not sure we’ll stay again because we’d like more space and water hookups. But other than that, it was a beautiful spot!

Great area to camp in although it is monsoon season so we got rained out for six hours the first night. This park has a lot of campsites primitive, no electric, electric, full hook ups, seen a lot of RVs parked right next to the lake. They have showers facilities with warm water, bathrooms located throughout the park,



Beautiful lake, wonderful views, great staff, and spacious sites. Wished there were a bit more trees though. Will be going back when we can.

Very nice park & camping area. Wild horses & jack rabbits present. We dispersed & parked our truck camper right on the shoreline for $8. The hook up sites over looked the water (paved pad, pavilion, fire ring, 30&50 amp electric) bathrooms, showers, dump station. Boat ramp. Nice Pike and Muskie for the anglers.

Bluewater Lake SP is a unique campground in regards to the layout. You can pull up to all of the sites, and you can overlook the lake, be on the lake, be a little further away, private, have neighbors, really what ever you want. Checking in was very easy and the folks were quite nice. Also there were random horses and donkey’s walking around??? So that was a fun surprise.

Lovely clean campground. $10 for non reserved, or $8 for on the shore. Large sites, some reserved sites have electricity.

This is a wonderful campground. Our site (A) was perfectly level on a concrete pad. The site came with a large fire ring conveniently located in the rear part of the concrete pad and a picnic table covered with a roofed shelter. The site was clean, spacious, and even though it was not a lake side site, it had a beautiful view of the lake. Right now I’m watching a mix of snow and rain create a misty and magical landscape. My Verizon service varies from 2 - 4 bars. I would definitely stay here again!!!