2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Santa Rosa Lake State Park near Fort Sumner offers limited options for equestrian camping. The park consists of two campgrounds: Rocky Point and Los Tanos, both situated along Santa Rosa Lake on the Pecos River. Neither campground features horse corrals or dedicated equestrian facilities based on available data. Both campgrounds permit pets, though specific horse policies are not detailed. The lake's water level is frequently reported as low, which may affect water access for horses.
Rocky Point Campground provides electric hookups (30 and 50 amp), water hookups, sewer connections, showers, and toilets. The campground has multiple loops with varied site types, including both pull-through and back-in options. Some sites feature covered picnic tables. Los Tanos Campground similarly offers electric hookups, sewer connections, and basic amenities. Both campgrounds are accessible via paved roads approximately 10 miles from Interstate 40 near Santa Rosa. Trail options include the Shoreline Trail, which offers hiking opportunities but has no specific designation for equestrian use.
"Book on Reserve America for New Mexico “Santa Rosa Lake” very pretty and peaceful. Not all streets were labeled but the directions worked to get us there just fine."
"The spaces are large and provide a decent amount of room away from other camp sites, the facilities are well maintained and the campground has excellent views of the lake!"
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Catch the cool evening desert breezes from the Rocking Point loop, which sits across the dam and above the lake. The drive to the park from I 40 is on a nicely paved road so the distance feels less."
from $15 / night
Check Availability
GuideBook on Reserve America for New Mexico “Santa Rosa Lake” very pretty and peaceful. Not all streets were labeled but the directions worked to get us there just fine. Park for kids, gorgeous sunsets and the stars show off at night. Clean bathrooms. Had hookups.
TravelerCampgrounds were fairly clean here. Keep in mind that if you are tent camping A LOT of the spots are extremely rocky and just full of gravel! Campground has clean showers and bathrooms as well. Sites are fairly close to the lake too. The campground is also only about 12 minutes away from the town of Santa Rosa if you’re in need of supplies!
LegendCatch the cool evening desert breezes from the Rocking Point loop, which sits across the dam and above the lake. The drive to the park from I 40 is on a nicely paved road so the distance feels less. Also, close to Santa Rosa for supplies. Not much to do here, but it was peaceful and the stars were beautiful. The Shoreline Trail is a nice hike.
Back in site fairly level with concrete picnic table under cover, which is nice because there is very little to no shade in this loop. Beautiful views of the reservoir, but sad to see how low the water level is now.
Good overnight stopover.
GuideThe spaces are large and provide a decent amount of room away from other camp sites, the facilities are well maintained and the campground has excellent views of the lake!
TravelerI stayed in Rocky Point , A loop. Nice campground in desert setting overlooking the lake. A lot of pull thru sites as well as back ins. Electric was all thru the loop, however water hook ups were not. A pump was located a little ways down the loop, however. Some sights had covered picnic tables, others not. If shade is important check the details before booking and it will tell if you have water and the pic will show the picnic table. Nice trails. Enjoyed the scenic lake loop. Juniper campground was walk-in only and looked to be much more secluded but without amenities. There was also a primitive camping area.
ScoutSites clearly marked. All seem to be pretty level. HOT showers and clean bathrooms. 10 min walk down to lake. Beautiful area with lots of wildlife walking through the campground.
RangerSadly, the Lake is low, but it is a great overnight spot. Can’t beat the price. Just a bit off the beaten path. It was quite windy though.
ScoutWe stopped here for one night in late October on a cross country road trip in our new-to-us-Roadtrek camper van. Campground was easy to reserve online and easy to find despite it being very dark when we arrived. It was windy as heck but my husband and I marveled at the stars before tucking in for the night. Bathhouse was open and clean but I could NOT get the shower to get warm despite multiple times pushing the button in all of the available stalls. Ah well. Would definitely stop in again for a few more nights if we’re ever in the area again!
GuideWe spent a few days at this campground and I was especially impressed with how clean the bathrooms and showers were. There were trails that we enjoyed off the loop we were on. It was super quiet and yet very close to town in case we needed anything. My kids enjoyed the playground!
Santa Rosa Lake State Park provides equestrian camping options near Fort Sumner, New Mexico, though specific horse facilities are limited. Located at approximately 4,600 feet elevation, the park experiences dramatic temperature shifts between seasons with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter lows dropping below freezing. The surrounding landscape features juniper and pinion pine vegetation typical of New Mexico's eastern plains.
Shoreline hiking: The Shoreline Trail offers opportunities for both hiking and equestrian use when water levels permit. "Nice hiking trails and the hosts were on their game, really keeping up with the grounds. I'd come back if I was passing through again," notes a visitor at Rocky Point Campground.
Stargazing: The remote location provides exceptional night sky viewing with minimal light pollution. "The stars show off at night," reports one camper who stayed at Rocky Point. Winter months offer the clearest skies, though summer provides warmer evening temperatures.
Wildlife observation: The park's natural setting attracts diverse wildlife. According to one visitor, there's "Beautiful area with lots of wildlife walking through the campground." Early morning and dusk offer the best viewing opportunities when animals are most active.
Site spacing: Campers appreciate the generous distance between sites, especially at Rocky Point. "The sites are all spaced very far apart for a campground and each site has a covered area with a picnic table and grill. Plenty of room," shares one visitor to Santa Rosa Lake State Park.
Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance receives consistent praise. "HOT showers and clean bathrooms. 10 min walk down to lake," reports one camper. Another notes, "Bathroom/shower facilities are great! Most sites have a covered picnic table and grill."
Natural setting: The landscape provides a peaceful environment despite low water levels. A visitor to Los Tanos Campground explains, "Catch the cool evening desert breezes from the Rocking Point loop, which sits across the dam and above the lake... it was peaceful and the stars were beautiful. The Shoreline Trail is a nice hike."
Limited connectivity: Cell service is restricted to certain areas. One camper reports, "Cell signal only at the scenic overlook. Very quiet area in the foothills of juniper and pinion trees."
Fire restrictions: Campfire regulations are specific. "There are no fire pits and no ground fires allowed although you can have one in the grill if you bring your own wood," cautions a visitor at Rocky Point.
Reservation system: All bookings must go through a specific platform. "Reservations must be made through ReserveAmerica. Some sites have power but no water but there's a water fill station in the CG," advises one experienced camper at Rocky Point Campground.
Playground access: Families with young children benefit from dedicated play areas. "There is a playground for kids and dumping station. It's about a 7 mile drive from Int 40," notes a visitor to Rocky Point Campground.
Site selection: For families requiring more space, certain areas provide better options. "Rocky Point was one of two campgrounds we saw in Santa Rosa Park. All sites had picnic tables, some sites had electricity and water, and some sides just had water," reports one camper describing the layout.
Water level awareness: Families planning water activities should check current conditions. "Beautiful views of the reservoir, but sad to see how low the water level is now," warns one visitor, indicating that water recreation may be limited during certain periods.
Site leveling: RV campers note varying terrain across the campground. "Not many level sites," cautions one RV owner, while another mentions, "Sites clearly marked. All seem to be pretty level."
Loop selection: Different camping loops offer varying experiences. "I took the last site on short notice with electricity for four nights over the weekend, the handicap site... The sites are very close together," reports one RV camper at Rocky Point Campground.
Utility connections: Hookup availability varies by site. "Most cites have full hook ups but some only have electricity. Keep in mind when booking," advises one experienced RVer who found the distinction important for planning purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Fort Sumner, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Fort Sumner, NM is Rocky Point Campground — Santa Rosa Lake State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 34 reviews.
Keep Exploring
