Las Cruces sits at approximately 4,000 feet elevation in the Mesilla Valley, surrounded by the Organ Mountains to the east and the Rio Grande river basin. Camping options extend beyond traditional RV parks to include tent camping with mountain views and cabins with modern amenities. Many campgrounds provide year-round access due to the region's desert climate, which features hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 100°F and mild winters with occasional freezing nights.
What to do
Visit White Sands National Park: Located about 52 miles northeast of Las Cruces, this natural wonder makes an excellent day trip. "We took extra day to visit white sands and experience some New Mexico Mexican food at Andele Restaurant. Weather was perfect in October," shares a visitor at Sunny Acres RV Park.
Explore La Mesilla: This historic district offers shopping, dining, and cultural attractions just minutes from Las Cruces. "Took a short drive to La Mesilla and the farmers market in Las Cruces—definitely recommend both," advises a reviewer from Las Cruces KOA.
Evening stargazing: The desert skies provide exceptional night viewing opportunities. "We loved the views overlooking the city and mountains—especially at night with the lights," notes a camper who stayed at Las Cruces KOA.
What campers like
Dog-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds accommodate pets with designated areas. A reviewer at Hacienda RV Resort mentioned, "They have a dog wash area and one of the best dog run areas I've found at an RV park or resort! There is actually room for the dogs to run."
Clean facilities: Maintained bathrooms and showers rank high on campers' priority lists. "The bathrooms are private and include a toilet and shower- clean!!" reports a visitor to Hacienda RV Resort.
Recreational activities: On-site amenities provide entertainment without leaving the campground. One camper at Sunny Acres RV Park noted the "Clubhouse with kitchen, Game and DVD library, Billiards, ping pong table, pickle ball and croquet."
What you should know
Varying noise levels: Traffic sounds impact some locations more than others. A review for Siesta RV Park states, "The street noise is tolerable. All the big trucks go to the opposite side of this complex."
Temperature fluctuations: Desert climate means significant day-to-night temperature swings. "It was very hot (>100) and so we kept fan/AC on all night," reported one camper at Hacienda RV Resort.
Site spacing: Many RV sites offer limited privacy between units. "The sites are small, but have everything you need with level concrete pads and full hook ups," observed a visitor to Hacienda RV Resort.
Reservation policies: Some parks have specific booking requirements. A reviewer at Sunny Acres RV Park noted, "Rates are about $464 / month. Pet park allows children for a few days only."
Tips for camping with families
Look for play areas: Some campgrounds offer dedicated recreational facilities. At Las Cruces KOA, one family reported, "The kids enjoyed cornhole, basketball, tetherball, and the playground."
Consider age restrictions: Verify family policies before booking. "This 55+ park is in town so close to shopping. Good view of Organ Mountains. Park is clean and well maintained. Even though this is 55+ children and grandchildren are welcome," mentions a visitor to Sunny Acres RV Park.
Pack for varied activities: Bring equipment for both indoor and outdoor recreation. "We were the only ones in the tent sites so that probably made the experience better because we enjoy solitude. I'm sure it gets filled in the warmer months," notes a tent camper at Las Cruces KOA.
Tips from RVers
Water pressure management: Several parks report high water pressure that requires regulation. At Fort Bliss RV Park, a visitor cautioned, "Water pressure seemed pretty high, just so happens I lost our regulator and we blew out a hose(thankfully not an RV line)."
Check hookup positions: The location of utilities affects setup convenience. "The flaw in the design is that all the sites are back in and the pedestals and sewer ports are behind the RV when parked," noted a camper at Love's RV Hookup.
Consider site orientation: Sun exposure impacts comfort in hot weather. One RVer at Love's RV Hookup observed, "All six sites orient each camper pretty much due east west with the passenger side to the south."
Security considerations: Some campgrounds offer additional safety measures. "Staff is friendly and let us know that if we wanted, we could keep bikes inside their office at no charge (open 9 to 5)," shared a visitor to Hacienda RV Resort.
