Camping spots near Roswell, New Mexico are situated in a high desert region at approximately 3,600 feet elevation, with sparse vegetation and dramatic temperature fluctuations between day and night. This area experiences hot summer days that can exceed 100°F while winters bring freezing temperatures, especially at night. Camping areas around Roswell range from basic dispersed sites on BLM land to established campgrounds with varying levels of amenities.
What to do
Stargazing opportunities: Haystack Mountain OHV Area, located about 20 minutes east of Roswell, offers exceptional night sky viewing due to minimal light pollution. "The sunsets were simply amazing. The area offered miles and miles of OHV trails which were good for hiking and mountain biking as well," notes a visitor to Haystack Mountain OHV Area.
Wildlife watching: The camping areas surrounding Roswell provide opportunities to observe desert wildlife. At Red Barn RV Park, one camper shared: "The best part was seeing all the Canada geese and Sandhills cranes land in the fields right next to the property. There were hundreds and listening to them come and go throughout the day was so peaceful."
Lake recreation: Swimming and paddleboarding at Lea Lake in Bottomless Lakes State Park offers a cool break from the heat. A visitor mentioned, "Super 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."
Historical exploration: Visit the nearby Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge while camping in the area. "It was a short and easy ride into Roswell to tour the alien paraphernalia. And, I also took in Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge. The sand cranes were arriving and it was interesting to see them create line formations in the valleys," reported a winter camper.
What campers like
Quiet, spacious camping: Many campers appreciate the peace and isolation at Alamo Road Camp. A visitor noted, "I stayed here for the second week of November. It rained a day or two before I got here and the mosquitoes were still a little bad but the weather was great. The cell phone signal is amazing for T-Mobile, it's very quiet at night, your neighbors are a couple football fields away if you have any at all."
Clean facilities: Town & Country RV Park receives praise for its well-maintained grounds. One camper mentioned, "This park is very clean, has full hookups and the staff are friendly and courteous. Spaces are gravel and pretty level with some shade trees."
Budget-friendly options: Several camping areas offer affordable stays. At Haystack Mountain OHV Area, a reviewer shared, "With a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and shelter, you cannot complain for $5 a night. The bathrooms were the cleanest pit-toilets we've ever seen and the area had extremely strong LTE."
Winter camping viability: The Roswell area allows for comfortable winter camping. A visitor to Bottomless Lakes State Park shared their experience: "Traveling back from Texas, I had planned an overnight in this State Park. Due to weather, I ended up staying 3 additional days. The bottomless lakes were mesmerizing and the sunsets beyond compare! Being winter, there were only a few in the campground. It made for a nice, relaxing experience."
What you should know
Weather considerations: The area can experience high winds and sudden weather changes. At Alamo Road Dispersed, one camper warned: "Located directly across from Bottomless lake state park easy to get in. Flat wide open so wind can be tough. High winds warning for tonight up to 70mph gusts."
Road conditions: Access roads to dispersed camping areas may require careful driving. A visitor to Alamo Road Camp noted: "The road to camp is not labeled at all. The road is pretty primitive, with potholes along the entire length. You do not need four wheel drive, just drive slow."
Campsite selection: When choosing a dispersed campsite, look for previously established areas. "As far as camps, just pull off in areas that look cleaned out/camped in and you can't go wrong. I've seen bus campers and class A RV's here, as well as fifth wheels camping. Just pick the camp site that suits your mode of camping," advised an Alamo Road camper.
Insect awareness: Depending on season and recent weather, pests can be an issue. At Bottomless Lakes State Park, one visitor warned: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities for children: Red Barn RV Park offers family-friendly spaces and nearby activities. "We were passing through on our way back home from carlsbad. This place was great. Plenty of space to pull in and out, clean private bathrooms and showers, real nice farmland right next to the spots," commented a visitor.
Entertainment options: Some campgrounds provide indoor recreation for down time. At Red Barn RV Park, a camper noted, "They keep open a little space in the lodge so you can watch TV and they also have plenty of board games and books to keep you entertained."
Pet considerations: Be aware of potential hazards for pets in the desert environment. A visitor to Bottomless Lakes State Park advised: "Love the looks, wouldn't bring pets," due to issues with sandburs affecting their dogs' paws.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare children for potential wildlife sightings. "Beware that there are rattle snakes in the area as we watched one slither across the road at a distance," warned a camper at Haystack Mountain OHV Area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose your RV site carefully based on hookup locations. A visitor to Lake Van shared: "There 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."
Leveling considerations: Look for level sites to avoid setup challenges. A camper at Town & Country RV Park noted: "Spaces are gravel and pretty level with some shade trees."
Dispersed camping with large rigs: Big rigs can access some dispersed camping areas with planning. At Alamo Road Dispersed, a camper with a large RV reported: "We stayed for 5 nights--there's a spot immediately to the left off of Alamo road. We pulled in during a freak snow, so went exploring in the truck the next day. That immediate spot was easy to pull into with plenty of space--didn't unhook the road."
Winter camping preparation: RV camping during winter requires extra planning. "Traveling back from Texas, I had planned an overnight in this State Park. Due to weather, I ended up staying 3 additional days," shared a winter visitor to Bottomless Lakes State Park, highlighting the need to be flexible with travel plans during winter months.
