Best Campgrounds near Hatch, NM

Campgrounds near Hatch, New Mexico include several state parks along the Rio Grande River and Caballo Lake. The region includes Percha Dam State Park Campground in Arrey and Caballo Lake State Park with multiple camping areas such as Riverside, Stallion, Appaloosa, and Palomino campgrounds. Most facilities accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of hookups and amenities. Several sites offer waterfront access to either the lake or river, and a few locations like Las Cruces KOA provide cabin options approximately 40 miles south of Hatch.

The camping landscape features a mix of developed sites with utilities and more primitive areas for dispersed camping. Rough roads may require higher clearance vehicles in some areas, particularly near Caballo Lake's dispersed camping zones. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing. "The lake water is murky, goathead thorns are everywhere, and you will hear and see Hwy 25," noted one visitor about dispersed camping at Caballo Lake. Most state park campgrounds offer water and electric hookups, though dump stations are limited with visitors sometimes needing to travel between parks to find facilities. Cell coverage varies significantly throughout the area, with stronger signals near Interstate 25.

Campers report high satisfaction with Caballo Lake State Park's multiple camping areas, which provide different experiences ranging from lakeside views to more sheltered sites. According to one visitor, "Nice walking trails and spots with some privacy and full hook ups" are available at Stallion Campground. The region experiences significant seasonal variation in visitation patterns. Several reviews mention that weekends bring larger crowds of locals to the lake and river areas, while weekdays offer more solitude. Wildlife viewing opportunities include sandhill cranes and various waterfowl, particularly during migration seasons. Many campers note the striking sunset views over Caballo Lake and the surrounding mountains as a highlight. Goathead thorns are frequently mentioned as a concern for those with pets or bicycles in multiple campgrounds throughout the region.

Best Camping Sites Near Hatch, New Mexico (87)

    1. Leasburg Dam State Park Campground

    24 Reviews
    Radium Springs, NM
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 524-4068

    $15 - $30 / night

    "You can't beat New Mexico State Parks. Water and electric hook-ups for $18. Great views and a concrete picnic shelter to boot."

    "Like many New Mexico State Parks, Leasburg Dam offers beautiful views and nice facilities. We have the facilities here to be among the best. We love the adobe shelters!"

    2. Appaloosa Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

    13 Reviews
    Arrey, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 743-3942

    $30 / night

    "The sites are all pull through  with water, electric (20 amp and 30 amp), and shelter; and the dump station. surrounded by a cactus garden, makes the nasty job of dumping a little more palatable ;-).  "

    "Beautiful view of the mountains and Lake. Lovely sunsets.(look for the elephant shadow on the mountain at sunset). Serenaded by mourning doves and flocks or overflying geese."

    3. Percha Dam State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Arrey, NM
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 743-3942

    $30 - $35 / night

    "Can’t canp near the water, but can stay at sites within walking distance. Grills and bathrooms, nice to sit in a tube and float down and has a trail to hike back up after the ride"

    "Tucked in next to the Rio Grande, Perch Dam Campground is quiet, clean, and enjoyable. The bathrooms were spotless and well maintained, as were the pit toilets in the dispersed area. "

    4. Las Cruces KOA

    60 Reviews
    Mesilla, NM
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 526-6555

    "We stopped at this KOA for one night while passing through New Mexico.   We had a great view of the valley below and our site had everything we needed--full hookups."

    "We only stayed one night but this was a convenient location or far off the highway. Bathroom was clean and staff was nice. Large clean dog park. Nice views of the city."

    5. Riverside Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

    6 Reviews
    Arrey, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 743-3942

    $30 - $35 / night

    "Being physically limited and having to walk clear across the campground was very difficult. Otherwise everything was great."

    "It was nice to walk along the riverbank with the dogs."

    6. Horner Hacienda

    2 Reviews
    Radium Springs, NM
    14 miles
    +1 (575) 636-7227

    $35 - $60 / night

    "The water was high so we couldn’t camp to close to the river edge. It was so nice to see all the stars at night. It is very sweet as well."

    7. Palomino Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

    5 Reviews
    Arrey, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 743-3942

    $35 / night

    "Palomino Loop is small and quiet, facing Caballo Lake. Site 7, full hookups, allowed our bay windows to look out onto the lake."

    "Quiet at night, just some road noise from the highway. The lake is great with easy access for kayaking at the boat ramp. We would stay here again."

    8. Caballo Lake RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Caballo, NM
    19 miles
    +1 (575) 743-0502

    "Close to the water from camping sites....Grills tables and shade area...."

    "My favorite part about caballo lake is floating down from elephant butte to caballo lake in a giant floaty."

    9. Arrey RV Park, LLC

    1 Review
    Arrey, NM
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 267-1049

    10. Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground

    57 Reviews
    White Sands, NM
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 525-4300

    "Southeast New Mexico has mountains believe it or not. The camp is nestled up against one. It’s Memorial Day weekend and not too crowded. Highly recommend for the price (basically free)."

    "I've been on a nationwide roadtrip for a few months that now and I have tent camped alone in many sites from Florida to Arkansas to, now, New Mexico."

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Recent Reviews near Hatch, NM

574 Reviews of 87 Hatch Campgrounds


  • Vidalia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 21, 2026

    Rockhound State Park Campground

    Great view of the valley

    A lovely campsite on the side of the Florida mountains, naturally, landscaped by desert flora, overlooking the chihuahuan desert. I loved that the campsites were on different elevations, and surrounded by desert plants. Each site had a picnic table on a concrete pad with a shelter, fire ring with grill and trash bin. Parking was on gravel. Even the gravel had collectible stones! Hot showers, and flush toilet and water available. There is one advertised fully ADA accessible site. If you want to stay here, you should make reservations well in advance. We were lucky and able to get a last minute cancellation spot day of. Do not miss a visit to the Geolapidary Store and Museum in the Adobe building with all the solar panels about a half mile down the road from the campground entrance. Fair T-Mobile coverage. Groceries and gas in Deming less than 30 minutes away. Non-Electric and full service sites available.

  • Vidalia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 21, 2026

    City of Rocks State Park Campground

    Not to be missed

    The drive out here is a long stretch of flat barren Chihuahuan desert, and then as you go over a hill in the distance you see literally what looks like a "city of rocks", enormous weathered volcanic rocks sticking out of the ground. The non-electric campsites here are scattered around the rocks, screened from one another, although not from the road by these enormous rocks. The full hookup campsites are more conventional, with gravel pads. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill, and a trash can. The visitor center has flush toilets, water and hot showers. Several vault toilets scattered around the campground, and a common potable water source. We were here in the winter time so we appreciated the fact that our site (12- Corona australius) had full morning and afternoon sun. Deming and Silver City groceries and gas, each about 30 miles away. T-Mobile service was fair. There were several sites available to reserve day of. Don't forget to hike to the top of Tabletop Mountain.

  • Kevin K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 19, 2026

    Organ Mountain Area Dispersed

    Organ Mts in January

    Pretty spot, quiet, easy enough to get to most spots in a normal ride height vehicle, busy but people were friendly & respectful.

  • James C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 19, 2026

    Hacienda RV Resort

    Friendly! Clean and organized

    Excellent place to stop if you want a reset. Very friendly staff that go out of their way to make you feel welcome. Large pad was raked smooth prior to our arrival. Very quiet in the park. I was against the wall next to the freeway but didn’t find the noise to be overwhelming, just background noise.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 18, 2026

    Leasburg Dam State Park Campground

    Well maintained north of Las Cruces

    Stopped for an overnight while traveling west to Phoenix. A little out of the way (20 mi north of I10), but nice campground with hookups and shelters at each site. Our site (28) didn’t have much depth for a trailer, so most sites did.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 17, 2026

    City of Rocks State Park Campground

    Great camping area

    I stayed in two spots. One in the main area on North side in site of Windmill. Second on in the Pegasus area on the far East side. Both were incredible. Vault toilets were very clean. Campsites had tables, garbage cans, and fire rings. Found out that if you sit behind the rocks there was no cell service. But step out and phone work well.

  • Vidalia S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 17, 2026

    Sierra Vista

    Sierra Vista trailhead

    This is the road and parking area for the Sierra Vista Trailhead. There are several spots for smaller RVs alongside the road, but once you get past the trailhead sign, the road becomes steeper and less well graded. As you drive farther down the road, there are many more dispersed campsites, but the road does get rough. No amenities other than the superb view. There seem to be three entries on dyrt for this same road. There are a couple of established fire rings.

    Great place to stay overnight to hike local trails.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 13, 2026

    Rockhound State Park Campground

    Great place for rockhounds

    Great place here and also around here for the rockhound. Clean bathhouse, nice sites, extremely good views. Also went to Deming to Trina's Rock shop for her expertise on where to go rockhunting. Namely just North of Deming to flourite mine area. Be sure to get reservation before coming to Rockhound SP.

  • Ashley D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 6, 2026

    Oregan Wilderness Dispersed

    Nice views, easy access to trails

    I stayed 2 nights out here, in my 22’ RV. The roads in are doable, however big rocks and heavily uneven. Just be prepared for that.

    Otherwise, views are awesome and hiking trails are easily accessible!


Guide to Hatch

Camping spots near Hatch, New Mexico are situated in high desert terrain at elevations ranging from 4,100 to 4,700 feet, creating significant temperature swings between day and night. The Rio Grande corridor provides multiple camping options with varying levels of facilities, from full hookup sites to primitive areas. Roads to some camping areas require careful navigation due to steep grades and narrow passages.

What to do

Hiking at Aguirre Spring: The 4-mile Pine Tree Trail offers a moderate loop with mountain views. "There is a lovely 4 mile hike that loops up in the mountains by the sites," notes one visitor to Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground.

Wildlife viewing: Winter months bring migrating birds to the Rio Grande corridor. "We'd been traveling a lot with lots of short stays and we're looking for 5 nights near Las Cruces to hunker down for a bit," shared a camper at Leasburg Dam State Park Campground, who used it as a base for regional exploration.

River access: The Rio Grande provides opportunities for wading and fishing. "We camped with water and electric for a few days then parked down on the lake and primitive camped for a few more," explains one camper about their experience at Appaloosa Campground.

What campers like

Mountain views: Many campgrounds offer panoramic views of surrounding ranges. "The park is on the lake it's named after. There are views of the lake and the nearby mountains," reports a visitor to Appaloosa Campground — Caballo Lake State Park.

Covered picnic areas: Most developed sites include shade structures over tables. "Spots are large with great covered tables. Views are beautiful. Many trails around Park down to the Rio Grande River," shares a camper at Leasburg Dam State Park.

Clean facilities: Bathroom maintenance varies by location but receives positive mentions. According to one visitor at Riverside Campground — Caballo Lake State Park, "This campground is well kept by the camp hosts. They are also really kind people."

What you should know

Site leveling challenges: Many tent sites require careful selection. "Ground is pretty hard and rocky so wouldn't be good for tent camping," warns one visitor to Appaloosa Campground.

Seasonal weather: Summer camping requires heat preparation. "This campground has clean toilets and showers. A bit windy but you get clean covered shelter with picnic tables and a grill (when available)," notes a camper at Leasburg Dam State Park.

Limited cell coverage: Signal strength varies throughout the region. "Verizon service was very good. Unfortunately, NM still has the Park Offices closed along with the showers," reported one visitor during COVID restrictions.

Facility limitations: Not all campgrounds offer full services. "Small campground with no dump site. All the electric/water sites are pull-through and very close to one another," explains a camper at Percha Dam State Park Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds offer ADA sites. "Spots were level. ADA campsite was more than adequate for a wheelchair. It was nice to walk along the riverbank with the dogs," shares a visitor to Riverside Campground.

Recreation options: Several campgrounds have family-friendly activities. "The kids enjoyed cornhole, basketball, tetherball, and the playground. The store was well stocked," explains a visitor to Las Cruces KOA, located about 40 miles from Hatch.

Educational opportunities: State parks sometimes offer interpretive programs. "The Visitor's Center is charming with a book exchange library," notes one camper about Leasburg Dam State Park.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: Look for leveled camping pads at developed sites. "The camping spots have a (mostly) level concrete pad to park your rig on, be it trailer, van or tent. We had water, electricity, fire pit and an Adobe structure covering the picnic table," shares a visitor to Leasburg Dam State Park.

Length restrictions: Some campgrounds limit RV size. At Aguirre Spring, "There are 55 total campsites here. First come, first serve. Smaller RVs only as a winding road takes you here and the spots are small," cautions a camper.

Hookup variability: Electric services differ between campgrounds. "Our site was good for our 36' 5th wheel," explains a visitor to Percha Dam State Park, but notes "Only one full hook up site."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best camping spots in Hatch, New Mexico?

The best camping spots near Hatch, New Mexico include Percha Dam State Park Campground and Elephant Butte Lake State Park. Elephant Butte offers excellent lakeside camping with hiking trails, a bike path around the lake, and spacious sites. The park provides convenient access when traveling through southern New Mexico, though water levels can vary seasonally. Both parks offer scenic views typical of New Mexico state parks, with reasonable access to Hatch while still providing a peaceful outdoor experience away from town.

Can I rent an RV in Hatch, New Mexico for my camping trip?

While Hatch itself has limited RV rental options, you can find rentals in nearby larger cities like Las Cruces. After securing your rental, Hacienda RV Resort in Las Cruces provides a convenient first stop with level concrete pads and full hookups right off Interstate 10. Another option is Las Cruces KOA, which offers full hookups and valley views. For the best experience, reserve your RV rental well in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, and check if delivery to your campsite is available as an option.

What RV parks and campgrounds are available in Hatch, NM?

The Hatch area offers several quality RV parks and campgrounds. Leasburg Dam State Park Campground provides water and electric hookups for just $18, featuring beautiful views and adobe picnic shelters. For those seeking proximity to water recreation, Caballo Lake RV Park and Riverside Campground — Caballo Lake State Park are excellent options. If you're passing through and need a quick overnight stop, Siesta RV Park offers basic amenities with gravel sites and WiFi access. Most parks in the region are big-rig friendly with reservable sites.