Glamping close to Grenville, New Mexico places visitors near the junction of the high plains and volcanic landscapes. The region sits at elevations between 6,000-8,000 feet, creating dramatic temperature shifts between day and night even in summer months. Primitive camping and glamping options in this region offer access to dinosaur tracks, volcanic features, and dark sky viewing opportunities.
What to do
Hiking to Oklahoma's highest point: Black Mesa State Park Campground offers access to the highest point in Oklahoma via a moderate 8.4-mile round trip trail. The trailhead is a short drive from the campground, where visitors can explore unique geological features. "Trail is simple and easy to follow. Near the trail head is also 3-corners, and fossilized dinosaur footprints. Definitely worth a visit," notes Dusty G.
Wildlife viewing: NRA Whittington Center Campground provides expansive natural settings where wildlife sightings are common. "Plenty of wildlife to see around the area and a very quiet place to set up camp," explains Taylor M. The campground's large, spacious sites provide natural habitat viewing opportunities throughout the property.
Visiting geological features: The volcanic landscape offers educational opportunities at Capulin RV Park, positioned directly across from Capulin Volcano National Monument. "Closest camping to Capulin Volcano National Monument. Friendly folks," mentions Geoff G. Guests can spend a day exploring the volcanic features before returning to their accommodations.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many visitors appreciate the generously sized camping areas at NRA Whittington Center Campground. "This is an amazing RV Park! The spaces are huge! We are on an end and I think ours is about a quarter acre in size," says Melody M., who also notes the beautiful views and natural grass surrounding the sites.
Dark sky viewing: Black Mesa State Park Campground receives praise for its exceptional stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. "Very quiet and dark for star gazing. Amazing trails!" reports Bruce K. The park's remote location creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts and casual stargazers alike.
Modern bathroom facilities: Clean, well-maintained facilities are consistently mentioned in reviews. "This campground has clean bathrooms and showers. There is a mix of tent and RV sites," notes Rob S. about Black Mesa. Similarly, at Capulin RV Park, Douglas S. commented on the "incredibly kind and helpful" staff and excellent facility maintenance.
What you should know
Remote location preparation: The isolated nature of these camping areas requires advance planning. "When we were about 30 miles from the park we started to wonder what we got into. The landscape driving up to the park is like desert," explains Dan M. about Black Mesa. "I had zero cell service in the area, which was fantastic, but be sure to plan for it!"
Weather considerations: Temperature extremes are common, with hot days and cool nights even in summer. "Plan for heat and take plenty of water if you go on the High Point hike," advises Gentri R. Summer thunderstorms can develop quickly in the afternoons, particularly during monsoon season (July-August).
Limited supplies: Raton KOA provides convenient access to grocery stores, unlike more remote locations. "The close proximity to grocery stores was an added bonus!" says Sara B. Most other glamping options near Grenville require bringing all necessary supplies as nearby towns have limited services.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Families can explore dinosaur tracks and geological features throughout the region. "The area is popular for the star gazing... the scenery and wildlife was beautiful enough to make up for the lack of stars," shares Andrew T. about the Black Mesa area, noting it's "highly recommended for families."
Wildlife encounters: Capulin RV Park serves as a convenient base for nature observation. "We were greeted by a small herd of pronghorn deer bouncing along the road. We also ran into a herd of mule deer in the park that were quite accustomed to people," notes Andrew T. about exploring the broader region.
Playground access: For families needing traditional play structures, certain campgrounds offer these amenities. "There's a smaller playground which our son enjoyed," mentions Stephen K. about Raton KOA, making it suitable for families with young children needing recreational options.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are available at most glamping locations near Grenville. "Just a 1 night stay but will return. It has just about everything you need to enjoy a longer stay. Great sites and many are pull through," notes Steve C. about NRA Whittington Center Campground.
Dumping stations: For travelers needing to refresh their RVs between destinations, Raton KOA offers convenient services. "We stopped for a night on our way from Great Sand Dunes National Park to Palo Duro Canyon, needing to dump our tanks and do some laundry after boondocking for a number of days. Raton KOA was just what we needed," explains Sara B.
Seasonal water access: Water availability varies by season at some locations. "The water is off for the winter season but they do have water to fill your tanks if you wish. It was $50 for our site for the night," notes Rhianna W. about Capulin RV Park, highlighting the importance of checking seasonal limitations.
