Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Hillsboro, NM is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Hillsboro is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your New Mexico camping adventure.
This state park has 173 developed campsites, beach camping and boat-in camping. If you like camping, fishing, boating, or just being outdoors, Elephant Butte is for you. There is plenty of water and plenty of beach room and this is New Mexico's largest State Park. Besides sandy beaches, the State Park offers restrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, and developed sites with electric and water hook-ups for RV's. Park Elevation 4,527 ft
Campground Facilities: 29 Developed Campsites 23 Electric Sites Water in Campground RV Dump Station Group Campsites Restrooms: Restrooms with water Showers Vault Toilets Gardens Gift Shop
$10 - $14 / night
Odd volcanic rock formations give moon-like appearance to this popular picnic spot which also has three campsites, but little shade and no water.
Apaloosa campground has 23 sites that are tent and RV friendly with 30 am hookups, water, toilets and is pet friendly. No showers at this location. But it is located within walking distance to Caballo Lake and has pull through sites with electric and water to accomodate motorhomes, travel trailers, 5th wheels or tent camping
$40 / night
$8 - $14 / night
Located within short walking distance of Rio Grande River, Riverside Campground has pull through sites with electric and water to accommodate motorhomes, travel trailers, 5th wheels or tent camping.
$14 / night
This state park has 173 developed campsites, beach camping and boat-in camping. If you like camping, fishing, boating, or just being outdoors, Elephant Butte is for you. There is plenty of water and plenty of beach room and this is New Mexico's largest State Park. Besides sandy beaches, the State Park offers restrooms, picnic areas, playgrounds, and developed sites with electric and water hook-ups for RV's. Park Elevation 4,527 ft
Campground Facilities: 29 Developed Campsites 23 Electric Sites Water in Campground RV Dump Station Group Campsites Restrooms: Restrooms with water Showers Vault Toilets Gardens Gift Shop
$10 - $14 / night
Odd volcanic rock formations give moon-like appearance to this popular picnic spot which also has three campsites, but little shade and no water.
Legend
This is a very nicely spaced campground. Can't really see the water from here but the sites have water and electric. The bathroom was being worked on so not open during the visit and the water level is at like 5 % capacity but there are lots of places to walk and bike and camping here in the winter provides very livable temperatures.
Legend
This is a pretty normal lake campground. Not a lot of shade or privacy but picnic tables and covered outdoor spaces. There are bathrooms close by and they seem fine. Quiet during the off season and nice hiking trails.
Legend
If it were to stay here again, I'd stay in this campground as the layout is a lot nicer and more private. This campground is full and none of the others are right now. Nice walking trails and spots with some privacy and full hook ups.
Legend
You can camp right up next to the lake if you want. This appeals to certain campers. No services and you are literally just parking. I'm not sure what the above review is on about, this would be just like camping near any other lake in NM.
Legend
Caballo is kind of hidden between Percha and Elephant Butte but has lots of places to camp and is well maintained. This has a nice paved road leading to it, tons of spots where you can have privacy and trees. During the spring, it would keep you out of the wind.
Legend
I stayed here in 2018 and the trees didn't look very good. They must have had to remove a lot of them and the spots are now in the sun. Very hot and dry most of the year and the river doesn't run most of the year either. Stickers everywhere and the trails are not well maintained.
Legend
I had hiked here before but staying was nice. Quiet and somewhat off spaces but very well maintained. Do not expect any privacy in spots.
Legend
I chose to stay in town this visit but these spots are much nicer and there are trails and things to see very close.
Legend
I think the campground is very nice and convenient to downtown. Full hookups, clean bathrooms and for the summer, nice shade. A lot of local tenants but it was quiet and well cared for with just a few spots coming and foing.
Legend
As the photos show, I'm not sure this is open. Nice long and private spots if it were open.
Legend
This is the most exposed of the campgrounds to the road. Nice and close to get to a picnic table but I'd stay at one of the others before staying here.
Legend
Of the handful of formal places to camp, this is very small but very nice. Trees, a decent hike on a maintained trail. Only a few spots to take but cute if you get one.
Legend
This is a picnic ground and you park on the road and walk up to. It is not maintained and I don't think the pit toilet is open
Legend
I walked through Kingstown and which is a friendly, adorable town. It is just up the road from their provided campground.
The campground is really just a couple of spots with a picnic table and not a destination but worthy of stopping if the mountains are cold.
ScoutRv park is great. Mostly everyone is a resident. There are a few nightly spots. The residents and owner have lots of community pot lucks. Common room, laundry and showers are all available at the main building. Plus plenty of space to store your RV, Boat or whatever youbwant to store. You bring they store it! There are many different types of camping. Full hookups down dry dry camping. The owners are super cool. It's a really nice place to live.
Scout
I love the Elephant Butte State Park and have stayed around 4 times. February 2024 I spent a week there in my small travel trailer. It can be quite windy in Feb/Mar so before booking I called the park office ans asked which campground might be more wind sheltered. They suggested Quail Run so that is what I booked. It was more out of the wind and a very nice, less exposed area. /bear in mind, the excellent prices are ending for 2025 and will be considerably more. I plan to spend a few days there in Dec before the prices go up.
Ranger
We stopped here for an unplanned overnight. It is ok. Friendly staff. Clean but dated bathrooms. Took 5 minutes to get hot water in the women’s shower and the water stream was very small. No space between rigs. Lots of people driving out late and early. Think some folks must live here and be heading off to work. Big clubhouse area with a library. Also indoor pool. Didn’t use these facilities. There is a laundry but we did not check it out. Reasonable price but we wouldn’t choose to stay here again.
Ranger
This small camp site is next to Smokey Bear Historical Park and museum is in a small town of Capitan, New Mexico.
RangerMan, free pulled pork BBQ every Sat. evening garnered this place the 5th star! :)
Stayed 4/23- 4/30. Nice RV park just outside of Silver City with large spaces and junipers between the spaces. We were in #16 which was huge. Full hookups, laundry. Only one bath with a shower. Naturalized pet relief area with some desert vegetation. Dirt road to the place from Kirkland. No playground so saw no kids staying there. Seemed like mature, respectful RVers. Some folks were extended stay, seemed like any long term residents were in a different area; overall nice, neat, quiet, and tidy. John keeps things in good order.
BTW, in Silver City for Tour of the Gila, cool to see the stage races.
Food aside: Heated up some frozen Bertolli pasta dinner and then: nothing on Sat. night because, free BBQ!! Donations appreciated.
ScoutOk RV PRk. No showers or rest rooms, Needs a serious upgrade. Owner is nice. Lots of permanent trailers. Goat heads are everywhere, along with lots if weeds.
Ranger
Our grandsons loved this place. We went without reservations so there was no open place but they allow the overflow to camp in the group sites if they are empty.
You can spend hours exploring all the rocks.
With reservations you can get a spot with power but they are closer together. We were very happy with the great place we had. Would love to go again.
Guide
Great campground. Good size spots with good distance between sites. Ramadas at each site provide precious shade. Lots of trash bins nearby. Long flat trail (bike/walk) starts at the campground. Note that is has a boat launch except there’s no more water in this area.
GuideGreat flat spot with great views. It’s inside the Elephant Butte lake state park, but seems to be a dispersed site. No one around. No amenities. There is a vault toilet maybe a half mile away. There are pay stations around. We had paid for a site on south Monticello campground but came here instead.
Scout
Road is a little rough but well worth it. No one camped near us. Was able to let the dogs roam without fear. Lots of wood in the area. A small creek along the road. Good hiking area. Will definitely go back.
Scoutgreat rural campground. lake valley ghost town is worth the ride
Legend
There are a few hot spring resorts that we keep in the back of our minds, always ready to return whenever we’re within striking distance…and this is one of them! A good friend who used to live in T or C raved about this place, and let’s say she was not wrong.
While the campground itself isn’t much to write home about (just a parking lot across the street), quick access to the pools, the environment, and the scenery are simply amazing. The campsites are full-hook up slots, tastefully divided by local plants and shade trees, but very close to each other. You’re within the city limits, but it feels somehow more like a quiet neighborhood.
The resort offers showers, bathrooms, and of course a multitude of pools at different temperatures to balance whatever the weather might throw at you. With nothing but the Rio Grande River, and the Chihuahuan Desert sprawling into the distance, the resort is serene, and feels a million miles away from the interstate which is only a couple miles away.
Even with the electrical hook ups, we still gathered all we needed with our solar powered system, and our south facing campsite was perfect for satellite internet as well, even though the resort has some spotty wifi.
The town within walking distance has everything you might want, especially if you like New Mexican cuisine, the answer is always “Christmas” WYKYK. Gas, food, Walmart all close by, etc. it’s all there.
Nearby is the Elephant Butte State Park with a massive reservoir for all kinds of boating recreation, mountain biking and hiking. Just make sure you go at the right time of year! Also check out the Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge if you are at all interested in birds and other wildlife. You'll find reviews for all of these places on our The Dyrt Reviews.
Guide
Very clean and well maintained. Staff were very friendly. No shade for the trailer, but the covered picnic table was good. Electric hookup worked. Water was off due to water system maintenance. We were able to fill up at the campground below the dam. 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.
Camping near Hillsboro, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Hillsboro, New Mexico, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some unforgettable memories!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Hillsboro, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Hillsboro, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 94 campgrounds and RV parks near Hillsboro, NM and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Hillsboro, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hillsboro, NM is Lower Ridge Road — Elephant Butte Lake State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hillsboro, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Hillsboro, NM.
What parks are near Hillsboro, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Hillsboro, NM that allow camping, notably Gila National Forest and Lincoln National Forest.
