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Best Tent Camping near Elephant Butte, NM

154 Reviews

Tent camping near Elephant Butte, New Mexico provides access to several established campgrounds within driving distance of the reservoir. Rocky Canyon Campground in the Gila National Forest offers tent-only sites with basic amenities and is situated along the Continental Divide Trail. Railroad Canyon Campground, located near Hanover, provides walk-in tent sites with a small creek running behind each campsite, making it ideal for backcountry tent camping enthusiasts seeking water access.

Most tent campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through November, with closures during winter months. Access roads to primitive tent camping areas like Rocky Canyon require high-clearance vehicles or 4WD, particularly after precipitation when roads become difficult to navigate. Vault toilets are available at most established sites, though drinking water is limited or unavailable. Fire regulations vary seasonally, with restrictions common during summer months due to wildfire concerns. Temperature variations are significant, with campers reporting nighttime temperatures dropping 30 degrees below daytime highs, necessitating appropriate sleeping gear for tent campers.

The tent camping experience near Elephant Butte features notable solitude and natural settings. According to reviews, Railroad Canyon Campground offers "some privacy from the road, which was better than other campgrounds nearby," with only 3-4 sites available. This small size creates opportunities for quiet, secluded tent camping. At Rocky Canyon, one visitor noted it's "definitely tents only" and "very quiet," positioned right on the Continental Divide Trail. Black Canyon Campground provides tent sites near running streams with abundant birdlife. Bear Trap Campground in Cibola National Forest features cement picnic tables spaced for privacy and access to a stream, making it popular for summer tent camping when seeking relief from lower elevation heat.

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Best Tent Sites Near Elephant Butte, New Mexico (9)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Elephant Butte, NM

154 Reviews of 9 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.

  • 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.

  • Mark O.
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Railroad Canyon Campground

    Clean Quick Stop

    This is a solid little campground with 3 (maybe 4?) campsites and few amenities. This campground is a “little” more hidden from the road than other nearby campgrounds. Railroad Canyon Campground has many trails to access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites.

    The campground does have a toilet, fire pits, picnic tables, and trash service. Please clean up after yourself, and leave no trace.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2019

    South Monticello Campground — Elephant Butte Lake

    Quiet, Inexpensive, & Warm in December!

    This very popular state park, on the edge of the Elephant Butte reservoir, is a great wintertime get away. We spent the winter solstice here and woke up at sunrise to see the moon setting in the west and the sun rising in the east. Spectacular!

    The campground offers many reservable spots, as well as first-come, first-served sites. Each site has water, electric, picnic table (with sunshade) and a fire ring. The bathrooms are either vault toilets or full service with showers. There are no trees for privacy, but the sites are nicely spaced apart so you don't feel like you are on top of your neighbors.

    Now, we don’t normally get critical of other reviews on this site. But some were very negative about the bathrooms, and we simply cannot understand why. The bathrooms were heated, the toilets were clean, as were the showers. The water was warm! Yes, these showers are the push-button type which only gives you a minute or so of water before you push it again. However, the showers were free with the campsite, which only costs $14 (2018) and is in the desert! Water is a precious resource here, so you can’t get your nose out of joint over decisions made by management to limit water consumption when you’re only paying this little.

    During the summer months when the reservoir is up to recreational levels, boating and fishing are the most popular activities. Judging by the size of the boat-launch parking lot, you’re going to have to get up early in the morning to grab a spot. There is a great hiking and mountain biking trail right out of the campground which winds between all the other park roads, picnic areas and amenities on the western side of the lake. The trail is relatively new and in most areas is graveled. However, rainstorms have washed a lot of sand across the trail in areas and it can be pretty soft. Further south along the trail we encountered many more arroyos which upped the challenge. The nice thing is that you can always hop back on the pavement to return to the campground.

    The town of Elephant Butte is nearby which offers a few restaurants, a general store, and gas. But just 15 miles south is the larger town of Truth or Consequences (interesting story about the name). This town has everything you might need, grocery, gas, food and other lodging....and hot springs! Check out our blog for more details about the latter.

  • Shari G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2024

    South Monticello Campground — Elephant Butte Lake

    Beautiful, Remote, & Inexpensive

    Situated on the edge of a sprawling reservoir along the Rio Grande river, this park is the perfect place to enjoy the vast landscape of the area. The nearby town of Truth or Consequences, NM is small, but has all the services you might need for food, gas, supplies, or soaking in hot springs. 

    The campground is well spaced out, each spot has a picnic table with shade/rain structure (I’ll let you guess which purpose gets more use) and nearly all have electricity and water. That means NO generators! The bath house is clean and offers flush toilets, running sinks and warm showers. All sites are reservation only, but you can do that when you get there as there is plenty of LTE cell service.  We've never seen this place crowded in the winter months.  For what you get at this campground, it’s a bargain at twice the price. 

    The campground is ideal for solar power, as is the New Mexico weather. We also had no problem connecting with Starlink.  Hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing and all other sorts of desert recreation is available right from the campground.  Definitely worth the visit!

  • Mark O.
    Apr. 17, 2021

    Railroad Canyon Campground

    Clean Quick Stop

    This is a solid little campground with 3 (maybe 4?) campsites and few amenities. This campground is a “little” more hidden from the road than other nearby campgrounds. Railroad Canyon Campground has many trails to access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites.

    The campground does have a toilet and trash service. Please clean up after yourself, and leave no trace.

  • RoadTripEddie V.
    Aug. 9, 2021

    Iron Creek Campground

    One of my favorites in the Gila Forest

    About 10 sites, most of them shaded with picnic tables and fire rings. Has garbage collection, and a vault toilet. Usually peaceful and quiet. Nice hiking trails throughout. No cell signal. Most spots are fairly flat with slight adjustment.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2023

    Lower Ridge Road Camping Area — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    HUGE state park with many camping options

    General: There are many different camping options at this state park from dispersed (especially on the beach) to those with electric/water hookups. We stayed in the Lions Beach campground with the w/e hookups. 

    Site Quality: Lions Beach is laid out much like an RV park with little to no separation between sites. Each site has a fire ring, and covered picnic table in addition to the hookups. The driveway was paved and level. 

    Bath/Shower: Only vault toilets close to the Lions Beach campground. They are ADA accessible complete with a ramp but although clean, there was no hand sanitizer in any of them. The only restrooms with running water, flush toilets, and showers are located about a mile from Lions Beach and IMO, not adequate for the crowds this park attracts, especially on the weekends. The showers looked sketchy, and I decided not to use them. 

    Activities: If you like to fish or have a boat, this is the place for you! There is a marina. Some hiking trails. We enjoyed Riverbed Hot Springs a few miles down the road in Truth or Consequences. We don’t have a boat or fish so although we stayed for two nights, we chose this campground because it was on our route. 

    Because dispersed camping on the beach is allowed, it is very popular, especially on the weekends but be warned the sand is soft and deep – I’m not sure how vehicles without 4-wheel drive can navigate it without getting stuck. We were told there were wall-to-wall RVs on the beach on the weekend before our arrival (third weekend in April) so thankfully we were not there on a weekend! If we were to return, we would select the sites overlooking the lake on Ridge Road with no hookups but generally, not our preferred camping vibe but for others, it might be different.

  • Dennis P.
    Jan. 2, 2021

    Springtime Campground

    4x4 encouraged

    The road in may require 4x4 depending on any precip or how one drives. Once there, you're rewarded with Adirondack shelters and shaded sites. We even had split firewood at our site courtesy of a fire crew, I think. A trail starts from the last campsite that climbs in altitude to some awesome views. No water, toilets, or other amenities, but clean sites w/ picnic tables.

Guide to Elephant Butte

Tent camping near Elephant Butte, New Mexico offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Tent campers should check out Springtime Campground

  • Located in Magdalena, Springtime Campground features shaded sites and Adirondack shelters, perfect for a comfortable stay.
  • The campground allows fires, making it ideal for cozy evenings under the stars, though you'll need to bring your own firewood.
  • With no water hookups or showers, it’s a great spot for those looking to disconnect and enjoy a more rustic experience.

Explore the scenic beauty of Kingston Campground

  • Nestled in the Gila National Forest, Kingston Campground offers a peaceful retreat with a small creek nearby, perfect for a refreshing dip.
  • This campground is free and features clean vault toilets, making it a convenient choice for budget-conscious campers.
  • While it doesn’t allow pets, the serene environment is ideal for those seeking solitude and natural beauty.

Enjoy outdoor adventures at Railroad Canyon Campground

  • Situated in Hanover, Railroad Canyon Campground provides access to numerous trails, perfect for hiking and exploring the wilderness.
  • The campground features picnic tables and fire pits, allowing for enjoyable meals and gatherings with fellow campers.
  • With its proximity to a small creek, it offers a tranquil setting for relaxation and wildlife observation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elephant Butte, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elephant Butte, NM is Springtime Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Elephant Butte, NM?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Elephant Butte, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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