Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Elephant Butte, NM

Are you in need of a campground near Elephant Butte, NM? There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Elephant Butte and user-submitted reviews.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Elephant Butte, New Mexico (41)

    1. Lower Ridge Road Camping Area — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    29 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5923

    $30 / night

    "It’s desert cove in the elephant butte campground. There are other campgrounds but this is the one I chose. It’s a short walk to the lake and there is a teal nice trail to walk my dogs."

    "Elephant butte is great for a short getaway. You can rent kayaks, jets skiis & more while you're there. I bring my own kayak and go at least 2X a year."

    2. South Monticello Campground — Elephant Butte Lake

    16 Reviews
    Truth or Consequences, NM
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5923

    $30 / night

    "South Monticello Campground is part of Elephant Butte State Park. It is very quiet compared to Lions Beach and definitely the rowdy beach camping further South on the lake."

    "It’s inside the Elephant Butte lake state park, but seems to be a dispersed site. No one around. No amenities. There is a vault toilet maybe a half mile away. There are pay stations around."

    3. Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5996

    "A very short drive to Elephant Butte State Park. Site was pretty level, very quiet and peaceful. Staff was very easy to get a hold of during business hours. Security patrols the park regularly."

    "We pulled in to Elephant Butte RV Park in the dark, called the security number, and he directed us to a spot. It was easy to hook up, to pull in, easy to pull out with our 36’ 5th wheel."

    4. Riverbend Hot Springs

    7 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 894-7625

    "While the campground itself isn’t much to write home about (just a parking lot across the street), quick access to the pools, the environment, and the scenery are simply amazing."

    "Situated right on the river with awesome hot springs! There multiple pools to chose from and for privacy. They have running water and showers too."

    5. Monticello Road Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Truth or Consequences, NM
    10 miles

    "You can go all the way to the old camp grounds for the upper end of Elephant Butte reservoir, but you might struggle getting back up the hill with anything bigger than a teardrop."

    "Vast desert with mountains in distance. Flat pull out 1 mile from I25."

    6. Hot Springs Glamp Camp

    6 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 740-6775

    $50 - $75 / night

    "It’s tucked away and such a cozy and slow place to stay. We stayed in a campsite for 5 nights. Highly recommend more than one day so you can enjoy the springs and the town!"

    "It is only a short walk to Main Street but it is very quiet at night. Highlight: It includes access to incredible mineral water baths built out of kitschy farm troughs!"

    7. Quail Run Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    2 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5923

    $30 / night

    "I love the Elephant Butte State Park and have stayed around 4 times. February 2024 I spent a week there in my small travel trailer."

    "Good view of the lake and a decent amount of birds flying around. Good place for a family vacation but not a great place to get back to nature."

    8. Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    2 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    1 mile
    +1 (575) 744-5923

    $30 / night

    "Had to duck in here one afternoon to avoid 70 mph cross winds on the highway.  What a find!  Loops A, B, and C of Lions Beach are terraces high above Elephant Butte Lake.   Spectacular lake views!   "

    "According to their website, the B loop is waterfront, but that just means it has the best water view, we are about three quarters of a mile from the actual lake.

    The actual campground is very quiet."

    10. Cedar Cove RV Park

    1 Review
    Truth or Consequences, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-4472
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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Elephant Butte, NM

174 Reviews of 41 Elephant Butte Campgrounds


  • Christy L.
    Jun. 27, 2016

    Caballo Lake RV Park

    Caballo lake

    Great place to kayak especially when the sun rises you will see it over the mountains. My favorite part about caballo lake is floating down from elephant butte to caballo lake in a giant floaty.

  • w
    Nov. 4, 2021

    Lower Ridge Road Camping Area — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    Clean and beautiful

    This is a fantastic campground. It’s desert cove in the elephant butte campground. There are other campgrounds but this is the one I chose. It’s a short walk to the lake and there is a teal nice trail to walk my dogs. Sites are water and electric. $14.00 per day.

  • S
    Mar. 23, 2021

    Appaloosa Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

    Yes

    Campsites are well sized and maintained. Bathrooms not open. Beautiful lake. Close to beautiful Gila National Forest. Ride on hwy 152 was awesome. Close to Elephant Butte’s perfect beaches. W/E. There are a few FHU.

  • S
    Nov. 1, 2021

    South Monticello Campground — Elephant Butte Lake

    Gorgeous Setting

    South Monticello Campground is part of Elephant Butte State Park. It is very quiet compared to Lions Beach and definitely the rowdy beach camping further South on the lake.

    Unfortunately because the lake is so low the boat ramp is out of the water and only the Rio Grande River runs through there. Keeps the crowds down!

    There’s a great trail that wonders from the campground 11 miles south. We rode our bicycles and most of the trail was well maintained but there can be spots where flooding cause sandy spots and can be difficult to ride through. Perfect for an adventure walking or running. Photo of the map on review.

    We were there in October and many flocks of Sandhill cranes fly over and sometimes land in the valley below near the river.

    The shelters are great with large smooth concrete bases and nice big tables. The sites are raked in a fun Fen Shui pattern by the Camphost.

    The spaces are spread out along several loops along the edge of the mesas over looking the valley to the Rio and Elephant Butte lake. Water and electric hook ups!

    It’s 9 miles to Elephant Butte for gas, a dollar store and several decent “eats”. A golf course in town that looks nice but we don’t golf so no review on that.

    Another 5 to the town of Truth or Consequences for WalMart, Sonic, McDonalds, Denny’s, etc! T or C is know for its hots springs and Ted Turner owns Sierra Grande a motel and spa. I’ve heard some rooms have hot springs tubs in the room!

    Would have loved to stay longer but the park has a 14 day limit!

  • Stuart O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 20, 2024

    Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    What a find!

    Had to duck in here one afternoon to avoid 70 mph cross winds on the highway.  What a find!  Loops A, B, and C of Lions Beach are terraces high above Elephant Butte Lake.   Spectacular lake views!   Loop B  (sites 66 thru 79) is particularly sweet because the sites back up to the edge of the terrace for gorgeous lake views right from your camper window.  We wish we could've stayed longer.

  • R
    Jul. 13, 2021

    Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort

    Excellent stay, very clean and accommodating.

    We stayed there for three nights. A very short drive to Elephant Butte State Park. Site was pretty level, very quiet and peaceful. Staff was very easy to get a hold of during business hours. Security patrols the park regularly.

  • Julie F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2024

    South Monticello Campground — Elephant Butte Lake

    Primitive site just outside state park campground

    Great flat spot with great views. It’s inside the Elephant Butte lake state park, but seems to be a dispersed site. No one around. No amenities. There is a vault toilet maybe a half mile away. There are pay stations around. We had paid for a site on south Monticello campground but came here instead.

  • Christy L.
    Jun. 27, 2016

    Lower Ridge Road Camping Area — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    Ekephant butte lake, NM

    Elephant butte is great for a short getaway. You can rent kayaks, jets skiis & more while you're there. I bring my own kayak and go at least 2X a year. My favorite part is grabbing a floaty and float down to caballo lake a smaller lake that connects by river.

  • Jeff K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 10, 2021

    Monticello Road Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed Camping

    Big pullouts down gravel road off I-25. Great place for a quick overnight. You can go all the way to the old camp grounds for the upper end of Elephant Butte reservoir, but you might struggle getting back up the hill with anything bigger than a teardrop.


Guide to Elephant Butte

If you're looking for a pet-friendly camping experience near Elephant Butte, New Mexico, there are several great options that welcome your furry friends. These campgrounds offer a variety of amenities and activities to ensure both you and your pets have a fantastic time.

Dog owners appreciate spacious sites and amenities

Tips for camping with dogs near Elephant Butte

  • Bring plenty of water and bowls for your pets, especially at Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort, where you can enjoy lake views and easy access to amenities.
  • Make sure to keep your dog on a leash while exploring the trails around Monticello Road Dispersed Camping, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and open spaces.
  • Consider visiting Riverbend Hot Springs for a unique experience; while your dog may not be able to soak, the surrounding area is perfect for walks and relaxation.

Pet owners like the variety of activities available

  • Fishing and boating are popular at Caballo Lake RV Park, where you can enjoy a day on the water with your pet by your side.
  • Hiking trails are accessible from Riverside Campground — Caballo Lake State Park, providing a great way to explore the natural beauty of the area with your dog.
  • For a more relaxed experience, Hot Springs Glamp Camp offers cozy accommodations and access to hot spring tubs, making it a perfect spot to unwind after a day of adventure with your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Elephant Butte, NM is Lower Ridge Road Camping Area — Elephant Butte Lake State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 29 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 41 dog-friendly camping locations near Elephant Butte, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.