Best Campgrounds near Caballo, NM

Caballo, New Mexico supports multiple campground options around Caballo Lake and the Rio Grande, with Caballo Lake State Park offering the primary developed camping in the region. The area includes several distinct camping areas, including Appaloosa, Palomino, Riverside, and Stallion campgrounds, all located within the state park boundaries. Most sites feature water and electric hookups suitable for both tent and RV camping, with some locations providing full hookups including sewer connections. Private options include Caballo Lake RV Park and Lakeview RV Park, which cater primarily to RV travelers. The broader region also encompasses Elephant Butte Lake State Park approximately 15 miles to the north and Percha Dam State Park just south of Caballo.

Road access throughout the region remains consistently good with paved roads leading to most established campgrounds. Water availability varies seasonally, with occasional system maintenance affecting some campgrounds. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Most campgrounds within Caballo Lake State Park require reservations, though some primitive camping is available near the lake. Cell service is generally reliable across the area. Elevation around Caballo Lake sits at approximately 4,200 feet, offering views of the surrounding mountains. A visitor noted, "We stayed in the Palamino Loop which has a nice view of the lake with full RV hookups, but the spots did feel cramped."

The shoreline camping areas provide scenic views of both Caballo Lake and the nearby mountains, making them particularly popular among visitors. Covered picnic shelters are common at established sites, providing shade in an otherwise exposed desert landscape. Wildlife viewing opportunities include mourning doves and migratory birds, with some campers reporting sightings of cranes across the lake. Hiking trails wind through the park, though they tend to be relatively short desert paths rather than extensive trail systems. Several reviewers noted the cleanliness of facilities, with one mentioning, "The park is very well taken care of. There are numerous trails outlined by rocks, and there's a variety of trails to go down to the Caballo Lake reservoir." Proximity to Truth or Consequences (approximately 15 miles north) allows campers to access additional amenities, including the town's famous hot springs.

Best Camping Sites Near Caballo, New Mexico (64)

    1. Appaloosa Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

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

    $30 / night

    "I come out here to mostly kayak, fish & walk my dogs. Kayaking is best when the sunrises because you get a beautiful view of it rising behind the mountains."

    "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."

    2. Lower Ridge Road Camping Area — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    29 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5923

    $30 / night

    "Convenient spot when driving south in New Mexico. Nice campground. The water level on the lake was pretty low."

    "But camp host made a few calls and as it worked out we were able to remain in location. The helpfulness of each person along the way made this an excellent spot."

    3. Percha Dam State Park Campground

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

    $30 - $35 / night

    "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. "

    "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"

    4. Riverside Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

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

    $30 - $35 / night

    "Caballo is kind of hidden between Percha and Elephant Butte but has lots of places to camp and is well maintained."

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

    5. Riverbend Hot Springs

    7 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 894-7625

    "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 hook ups are all There and it’s easily accessible to the hot springs , but don’t expect any privacy or space. You’re paying for a parking space to have access to the hot springs ."

    6. Palomino Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

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

    $35 / night

    "There are 3 different campgrounds at this Caballo Lake State Park. The Palomino campground is 7 full hookup sites with a host and a bathroom with showers. Very clean and well spaced."

    "There are numerous trails outlined by rocks, and there's a variety of trails to go down to the Caballo Lake reservoir."

    7. Caballo Lake RV Park

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

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

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

    8. Hot Springs Glamp Camp

    6 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 740-6775

    $50 - $75 / night

    "It’s tucked away and such a cozy and slow place to stay. We stayed in a campsite for 5 nights. Highly recommend more than one day so you can enjoy the springs and the town!"

    "It is only a short walk to Main Street but it is very quiet at night. Highlight: It includes access to incredible mineral water baths built out of kitschy farm troughs!"

    9. Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5996

    "Nice area to visit with the lake and dam close by."

    "Nice level Lake view spot. Easy access to site and dump station. Fire pit and shade over picnic table."

    10. Lakeview RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Caballo, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 743-2242

    $18 / night

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Recent Reviews near Caballo, NM

271 Reviews of 64 Caballo Campgrounds


  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Mesa Campground

    Camp on the Lake in New Mexico

    Okay so not right on the lake but you can hike down and the view is amazing from up above. The campground has sites on the outside of the road that are dry camping while the inside of the campground has electric and water hookups. The road is easy and big rig friendly. There are bathrooms, fire rings, tables, and garbage bins. The back part of the campground has sites that overlook the lake. There is a trial that takes you down to the lake. There is even a site that is ADA. The sites are level and the camp is very clean. Great spot for viewing night sky!

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Lake Roberts

    Not a place to camp but other things to enjoy

    This isn’t a campground. It is a boat launch and picnic area. There are lots of no camping signs but if you travel east or west you can find two campgrounds. This is a great spot to launch your boat into the lake. The launch has bathrooms and even a fish washing station!
    Be sure to check out the tree covered in lures next to the launch. The area to launch your boat is huge plenty of room to navigate down toward the water. There is also a dock extending out over the water if you don’t have a boat. The area was clean and had garbage bins. Can’t camp here but there was plenty of other things to do.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Upper End Campground

    Hidden Gem

    This place is fantastic. So many great amenities for campers. It does have a host although we were here in Oct and the host was gone. We had the whole campground to ourselves except for the herd of Mule deer enjoying the grass growing around the camp sites. It has bathrooms, fire pits, barbecues and tables. Some spots have tent pads. The sites are level. There are several water spigots along the road. They have a huge garbage bin and they have a trail that connects to the lake. This place is nestled in the trees right up against the side of a mountain. It is magical! The road in is easy, but there is no cell service at this camp which is okay since there is so much to do and enjoy! ATV riding is endless as is the night sky! Definitely worth a stop and stay if you are looking for an out of the way location in the mountains.

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Sapillo Campground

    Quiet Camping

    This is a campground right next to the dispersed camp. It looked like only tents were in this part of the park. When we were here there was some guys with DNR and they were cutting back all of the dead trees from a fire. The wood they cut was all around in stacks for campers to use while camping. The sites are clean and spread out with level spots for your tent. They have fire rings and tables. Pit toilets and garbage is also on site. The night sky is incredible and you can see the Milky Way. There is no cell service here. The road in is graveled but it is nice and no car or suv would have trouble navigating. There is a hiking trail head near the back of the campground. It is peaceful and relaxing here!

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

    Peaceful Park

    This park is nestled about 2 miles off the mail road. The road is graveled but easy for big rigs. There are hiking trails close by and tons of ATV trails for the off road enthusiast. It is cooler here so it was a nice respite from the heat of the desert. Trees provide shade no matter which spot you choose. Spots are level with fire pits and tables. They also have garbage bins, bathrooms and spots are fairly level. No cell service here and the Forrest service has gone through and cleaned up from a fire and there are stacks of firewood everywhere so no need to bring your own.
    It is worth staying just to see the beauty of the night sky!

  • Alisa P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2025

    Comfort Well Dispersed Camping

    You’ll Love it here

    This spot was gorgeous. It is surrounded by trees and the beauty of the surrounding mountains. You will only have to travel about .3 miles to get to the spot. The road is gravel but easy for big rigs. The cattle guard at the beginning does have a pretty good bump on the right so be careful! But the rest of the road is fine. It looks like a fire may have recently passed through here. There are a lot of signs asking for visitors to stay off so the land can heal. There is so much room back at the site and there are several fire pits but no tables. ATV riding here is endless. It is cooler at night and the sky is amazing without any light pollution. There are also hiking trails close by. This is definitely a mountain hideaway for anyone looking for a place to unwind. No cell service here.

  • Noah B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2025

    Mesa Campground

    Nice, but busy.

    Very nice spot, but it is not directly lake access. If you’re boondocking I recommend camping more into the forest itself.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 17, 2025

    Leasburg Dam State Park Campground

    Best it could be.

    Park made the most of what they had. Spots are large with great covered tables. Views are beautiful. Many trails around Park down to the Rio Grande River. Can't beat the park for the area.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Truth or Consequences Camp on Rio Grande

    Good for a night

    Very limited spots, right off the road so road noise can be a factor. You will get some cows across the river that wander through. It's good for a night but I wouldn't seek it out as a destination


Guide to Caballo

Caballo, New Mexico sits at 4,200 feet elevation, positioning it between the Caballo Mountains to the east and the Rio Grande to the west. The region generally receives less than 10 inches of rainfall annually, creating a desert camping environment where nighttime temperatures can drop 30-40 degrees from daytime highs. Primitive camping areas around Caballo Lake tend to have minimal shade, with native desert vegetation including mesquite and creosote bushes dominating the landscape.

What to do

Birdwatching trails: Explore the wildlife viewing opportunities near Elephant Butte Lake State Park, which attracts migratory birds throughout the year. "Wildlife: Qual, Dove, Lizards, Rabbits, Deer and more. The lake front was crowded with campers and people. Water was clear and cool with lots of carp," notes Jonathan M.

Shoreline fishing: Fish for carp and other species along the lake edges. The water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting access points. "When we got there the person at gate had no idea where the campgrounds were and would not let us check out sites without paying for day use. The campground had water shutoff on Memorial Day weekend. No bathrooms or showers," reports Brian and Janet S.

Mineral hot springs: Visit Riverbend Hot Springs in nearby Truth or Consequences for thermal soaking. "The springs at night are amazing. We got there at 9pm and there were three other people there which were hard to spot as the place is fairly large. There are multiple pools with differing temperatures. Everything was quiet and beautifully lit," describes Laura M.

What campers like

Desert hiking paths: Percha Dam State Park Campground offers riverside trails with wildlife viewing. "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," reports Dave G.

Covered picnic structures: Most developed campsites near Caballo have protected eating areas. "Level, stone covered sites. Picnic tables under gazebo covering. Various levels of hookups. FHU to none. Ours has H2O and electric. Walking distance from lake. Garbage containers in each separate campground," notes Kevin at Appaloosa Campground.

Affordability: New Mexico state parks offer economical camping options with yearly passes providing significant discounts. "With my NM state Park pass the over night stay is $4 with water/electric 30amp regularly $14. Sites with sewer include are $18 nightly. Nice level sites and super quite at night," shares Joseph W. about Riverside Campground.

What you should know

Water system interruptions: Water availability can be unpredictable throughout Caballo campgrounds. "Very clean and well maintained. 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," reports Timothy N. at Palomino Campground.

Limited shade coverage: The desert environment offers minimal natural shade outside of developed sites. "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," explains Teresa T.

Rocky terrain considerations: Most tent sites feature rocky, hard ground surfaces. "Stayed at the Appaloosa Campground. Was surprised when we should up that we had water. Electric works great. Ground is pretty hard and rocky so wouldn't be good for tent camping," mentions Brody from Appaloosa Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Swimming locations: The Rio Grande below Caballo Dam provides alternative water recreation to the lake. "Caballo Lake State Park has several campgrounds that aren't represented on the Dyrt app map. We tent camped at the Riverside campground below the dam over Easter 2014. It was ok. Kind of crowded and the Rio Grande flowed shallow and muddy," notes Jacob W.

Year-round activities: Plan family visits during spring or fall for moderate temperatures. "We stayed in the river campground which is right on the Rio Grande. Lots of families and group camping. Bathrooms were old and dated (didn't use but peeked inside). Spots were level. ADA campsite was more than adequate for a wheelchair," shares Maggie C.

Educational opportunities: The dam structure and visitor center provide learning experiences about water management. "The park is very well taken care of. There are numerous trails outlined by rocks, and there's a variety of trails to go down to the Caballo Lake reservoir," states Jeffrey T.

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategies: For RV camping at Caballo Lake RV Park, choose sites away from the main road to reduce noise. "Campground is very nice with great views. Grounds are well kept. Bathhouse is clean. Water in the showers are annoying because it auto cuts off after about 10-15 seconds and you have to keep it going for at least a minute or two to get hot water," advises Brett D.

Hookup variations: Different campground sections offer varying levels of RV services. "After spending 10 days here, it's time to give a review! We stayed at site 12, in the Appaloosa campground. 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," explains Dave G.

Weather preparation: Protect RVs from extreme temperature fluctuations with additional insulation during winter months. "Very helpful staff. The place was very clean and spacious. There are plenty of places to hike and fish. Great place to take the family to create memories," recommends Eric L.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Caballo, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, Caballo, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 64 campgrounds and RV parks near Caballo, NM and 7 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Caballo, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Caballo, NM is Appaloosa Campground — Caballo Lake State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 13 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Caballo, NM?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 free dispersed camping spots near Caballo, NM.