5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Horse Corrals Group Area within Sugarite Canyon State Park is designated for equestrian use, accommodating riders with horses just outside Folsom, New Mexico. The campsite features electric hookups with both 30-amp and 50-amp options, along with water connections for campers and their horses. Fire rings are provided at each site, and firewood is available for purchase within the park. While the group area lacks dedicated toilet facilities at the immediate site, campers have access to shower facilities and a sanitary dump station for RVs. The campground maintains a pet-friendly policy, allowing dogs to accompany horse owners during their stay. Reservation requirements apply for securing spots at this specialized camping area.
Located approximately 21 miles northwest of Folsom, the equestrian camping area connects to several miles of trails winding through the canyons and forest landscapes. The park's higher elevation campground, Soda Pocket, offers additional camping options with clean vault toilets and covered picnic tables, though it lacks dedicated horse facilities. Many equestrians appreciate the bear boxes provided at campsites for secure storage of feed and equipment. The state park entrance provides visitor information about trail conditions and seasonal restrictions that may affect horse access. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the camping areas, with no reception at the horse corrals or main camping loops. Riders should bring adequate water supplies as potable water access can be inconsistent at some campground locations, particularly at the higher elevation sites.
"After a long drive from south Texas, this was my first visit to Sugarite Canyon and it definitely exceeded my expectations! The staff was friendly and helpful and the amenities were accommodating."
"** Campground Review:
Located in NW Raton, New Mexico..."
from $10 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Traveling from Denver to Southern New Mexico, this is a nice stopping point. Very easy to get to off I-25. Pit toilets are very clean."
"Sites 1, 3, 14 and 16 have shade and a little more distance. Bathrooms were in great shape, and there is a free shower near the park entrance which had good water pressure and was very clean."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"New mexico state parks nearly all online reservations now. Funny I had no printed copy and nobody checked me. Pretty area in the middle of open prairie."
"We stayed here when state of New Mexico scheduled my vaccination nearby here rather than nearby my home. Otherwise, who knows when we would have discovered this place."
from $15 - $45 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $45 / night
Check Availability"Campground close to Highway near schools. Bathhouse had hot showers. Also had Wi-Fi. $31 for 30 amp hookup. Site was level did not unhook."
TravelerNew mexico state parks nearly all online reservations now. Funny I had no printed copy and nobody checked me. Pretty area in the middle of open prairie. Well spaced non electric sites but it can be a long walk to toilets.
GuideAfter a long drive from south Texas, this was my first visit to Sugarite Canyon and it definitely exceeded my expectations! The staff was friendly and helpful and the amenities were accommodating. The area is absolutely beautiful. This little park has something for everyone. Highland trails, lakes and streams, primitive and car-camping sites. Plenty of wildlife to see, birds and other critters everywhere. And of course the vistas. I will definitely be back there soon. Thanks, New Mexico!
GuideWe stayed here when state of New Mexico scheduled my vaccination nearby here rather than nearby my home. Otherwise, who knows when we would have discovered this place.
The sites are easily accessible, and probably best before it gets too hot.
The amazing part is the hike to the dinosaur tracks. The story of their preservation is worth the visit all by itself.
GuideClayton Lake State Park near Clayton, New Mexico turned out to be a pleasant surprise. It is a small state park with several small camogrounds spread around the reservoir which is popular for fishing. Our campground had about a half dozen sites overlooking the lake. The opportunity to see dinasaur tracks and attend star parties make this park unique. The campground host is an amateur astronomer who regularly hosts very well-attendedstar parties. Water and electric were available at our campsite, but the park does not have a dump station.
RangerClayton Lake State Park lies in the NE corner of New Mexico. It is about 12-15 miles North of the small town of Clayton. Most camping sites are basic and seven are electrical with water hookups. There is a horseshoe pit and a volleyball area along with a pavilion for group gatherings. There is a visitor center and a bathroom with two flush toilets and two shower stalls (which could use some updating).
The main attraction is the dinosaur tracks, uncovered when topsoil was removed to build the dam. That caused a lake to form and some trees that were along the banks are now visible standing in the lake. There is a boat launch area and it is for trolling motors, canoe or kayak use. It can get very windy. The lake is surrounded by a rocky cliff-like shoreline. Swallows make their nests in the clift face.
The electrical sites are terraced near the boat launch area near the dam end of the campground. The basic sites are scattered around several loops and nest in rock outcrops at the other end of the campground. The visitor center and bathroom are near the entrance.
GuideTraveling from Denver to Southern New Mexico, this is a nice stopping point. Very easy to get to off I-25.
Pit toilets are very clean. Unfortunately the camper next to me had his generator running the whole time until 10 pm. Even when they left their camper for the day. Very annoying. Other than that it was a quiet campground. The campground is less than half full (Tuesday night).
Note: The park office closed at 4. The sites are reservation only and there is no cell service. The sign at the gate states that you need to drive down the road to get cell service and make a reservation. Also the gate closes at dusk, so make sure you get there before then on your first night. After that you can get the combination to get in after dusk.
The campground staff were very friendly and helpful.
ScoutThere are very few developed sites for RV campers, but there are plenty of primitive sites. The restrooms and showers are dated, but the do everything that you need. The dinosaur tracks are a true bonus and the information that they have posted with the tracks are very informative. The park ranger and camp host are great and most of all, you can’t beat the New Mexico State park prices.
GuideWe stayed one night on the way to Colorado and this is such a great place to camp. We had primitive site C4 which provided Mr 8 with boundless adventures scrambling in the rocks. The dinosaur tracks were also a bit hit.
Showers & toilets were clean albeit a bit dated.
The lake is a big attraction and we also chatted to a fellow camper who had a large telescope with him. We got to see Jupiter and it’s 4 largest moons at dusk. This whole area of New Mexico has really dark skies at night with so many stars visible
LegendClayton Lake State Park, Clayton, NM…5200 ft elev.
Beautiful oasis nestled away in the windswept high plains of NE New Mexico. Not only for today's travelers but for yesterday's pioneers we take the Cimmaron Cutoff from the Santa Fe trail. We pitched tent at Chicano Beach site #2 (there are only two on that ridge), far away from any crowds upon a knoll overlooking a western "dog-leg" of the 170 acre reservoir. Even though the man-made Clayton lake was down from 32' to 19' depth…it was tranquil and bustling with wildlife. Coyotes barked in the distance, strutting turkey's gobbled, jackrabbit's darted, fish jumped and mule deer grazed the shoreline grasses and taking in late night and early morning drinks. Bring your binoculars to glass the shore and ridge lines. Fascinating park, the sandstone formations were varied and interesting…worn away by generations of rain. The rock garden is worth a scramble…very cool columns…(R4 campsite is nestled deep within them and the most highly coveted tent site). Highlight: The dinosaur tracks (uncovered at the spillway around 1982 after a flood) at the spillway are of particular interest. Informational signage lines the spillway and the small pavilion atop the levy. The 471 acre state park was quiet and peaceful. Mark, the park ranger, is full of great information of the area…and incredibly helpful, having spent his entire life in these parts…truly as nice a man you could meet (and the first ranger to ever return my phone message when calling for last minute availabilty). The visitor center and every other aspect of this park is spotlessly clean and meticulously maintained. The visitor center, though small, utilized every inch to bring you desired information of the park's history. New signage and informational displays were going in as we left. A heated restroom/ shower house was a wonderful creature comfort. Plenty of very new and clean pit latrines and water spigots dotted throughout the campground. If you don't want crowds avoid the fishing tournament the second weekend of June when about 900 campers descend to camp and fish…and most summer holidays. Other than that there is room….and no bad spots. I'd recommend using the online reservation portal. Tent sites are cheap($10 developed/$8 primitive)…actual too cheap, in my opinion…the state parks are nearly bankrupt, if not already so. Skeleton staffs are underpaid, yet they worked tirelessly to keep the parks to the highest standard. http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/SPD/claytonlakestatepark.html
•A nearby highlight is the Capulin Volcano National Monument an hour away up Rt 87. The walk around the rim of the dormant volcano offers epic views of the surrounding high plains, Sante Fe trail and the jagged snow capped mountains to the West.
Sugarite Canyon State Park offers equestrian camping options near Folsom, New Mexico at an elevation of approximately 7,000-9,000 feet. The park features multiple campgrounds with varying levels of amenities for horse enthusiasts. Temperatures in this area range from upper 40s at night to warm days during summer months, with occasional thunderstorms common in the region.
Fishing opportunities: Clayton Lake State Park Campground provides stocked fishing areas throughout its 170-acre reservoir. "The lake was hopping with fish, and looked clean. Signs said there was an algae bloom so jumping in the lake was not advised," notes Stacy J.
Dinosaur tracking: Clayton Lake State Park Campground features preserved dinosaur tracks that draw visitors. "The main attraction is the dinosaur tracks, uncovered when topsoil was removed to build the dam. That caused a lake to form and some trees that were along the banks are now visible standing in the lake," explains Judy B.
Hiking diverse trails: Several trails extend through Sugarite Canyon with varying difficulty levels. "The Little Horse Mesa Trail which takes you to the top of the mesa you can see to the north of Soda Pocket Campground... When you get to the top though it's like another world. It's a pasture like setting with trees, and beautiful views from a trail that follows the cliffs," reports Matt B.
Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife visible from campsites. "Coyotes barked in the distance, strutting turkey's gobbled, jackrabbit's darted, fish jumped and mule deer grazed the shoreline grasses and taking in late night and early morning drinks," describes Dave V. from Clayton Lake State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Soda Pocket Campground maintains well-kept vault toilets and common areas. "Vault toilets were clean, sites nicely spread out with covered picnic tables, fire circles and bear boxes to store your food and supplies," reports Angie S.
Star gazing: The remote location of these horse campgrounds near Folsom provides excellent night sky viewing. "Very dark at night so great for star viewing," notes Mary C. from Soda Pocket Campground.
Limited connectivity: Cell service is extremely limited in most horse camping areas. "No cell service for either of our carriers, and I don't think for any, until about a mile beyond the shower house, prior to the entrance of the park," reports Dare To Everywhere from Lake Alice Campground.
Water availability: Some campgrounds require campers to bring their own water. "Soda Pocket has no water, so bring plenty for a stay," advises Lords C.
Road conditions: Access roads to higher elevation campgrounds can be rough but generally passable. "The road was a typical dirt road, and not in bad shape at all," states Matt B., contradicting some warnings about difficult access.
Raised tent platforms: Many sites offer improved sleeping surfaces. "The tent sites had raised platforms to put your tent on and the ground underneath was softer, so it wasn't that uncomfortable to sleep on," explains Madeline B.
Bear safety: Bear boxes are provided for food storage at many sites. "They have bear boxes provided at campsites for secure storage of feed and equipment," points out Callie C. from Lake Alice Campground.
Exploring opportunities: Kids enjoy the natural rock formations. "We had primitive site C4 which provided Mr 8 with boundless adventures scrambling in the rocks. The dinosaur tracks were also a bit hit," shares AJ M.
Site selection: Some RV sites offer better spacing and views than others. "Sites 20-23 have spectacular views of the canyon, but you trade that for some serious wind and neighbors as there is no natural shade. Sites 1, 3, 14 and 16 have shade and a little more distance," advises Matt B. from Soda Pocket Campground.
Hookup considerations: RV sites vary significantly in layout. "Upon arriving at Lake Alice we confirmed what another reviewer had said - it's a tightly packed campground, very close to a busy road and not close to the lake itself. On top of that, there was a boil water notice for the water hookups, and to top it off, the utility hookups for Site 06 are on the Wrong (i.e. the passenger) side of the rig," warns Jeff T.
Reservation requirements: Booking in advance is necessary for the best equestrian camping spots. "Limited electric/water hookup sites so be sure to reserve ahead of time," cautions Valentina A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Folsom, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Folsom, NM is Lake Alice Campground — Sugarite Canyon State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Folsom, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Folsom, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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