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.
$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."
$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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
$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!"
$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."
$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."
GuideGreat 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.
TravelerThis 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.
GuideCampsites 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.
GuideSouth 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!
GuideHad 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.
ScoutWe 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.
GuideGreat 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.
GuideElephant 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.
GuideBig 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
TheDyrt.com has all 40 dog-friendly camping locations near Elephant Butte, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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