Searching for the best camping near Nogal, NM? Nogal is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Discover great camping spots near Nogal, reviewed by campers like you.
$15 - $35 / night
"These are all towns that Billy the kid frequented back in the day also the ghost town of White oak was the largest gold mining town in New Mexico."
"Due to New Mexico Governor’s decision to close state owned campgrounds, we scrambled to find a place to stay prior to visiting White Sands...thank you BLM!!"
$40 - $54 / night
"I was looking to get away from the heat in Albuquerque and maybe even do a little fishing. I picked a site next to the upper river (Rio Bonito)."
"Has been our number 1 go to location for almost 10 years now. Started in tents...then pop up...now a travel trailer. The park hosts are always extremely friendly and helpful."
$45 - $70 / night
"I think the ease of picking a spot that worked for our situation, the clean park and bathrooms and friendly staff and neighbors made it surprisingly one of the best RV experiences we’ve had."
"So close to everything, super clean PRIVATE bathrooms and the management is amazing and super attentive!"
"Lots of access to trails (hiking, biking, and horse access only)."
"Close to Lincoln, NM. Historical Fort Stanton just down the road."
"The drive up is full of narrow switchbacks that you just hope and pray nobody else happens to be coming around at the same time as you are. There are some quite steep grades as well."
"There were also some horses roaming around. Oh and it’s free! Can’t beat it."
"We had a great night drove through the entire area and off roads to find a nice quiet area we had our son and two big doggos and had plenty of space for them to roam."
"Good base camp for some of the best hiking around Ruidoso (Big Bonito Trail, Argentina Trail, etc.)
Be prepared for lots of dust with the dirt road uphill from sites."
"Me and two of my buddy's went there and had a great time hiking and just hanging around camp and chilling."
"Lots of camping spots and great hiking trails to go on! Gets a little windy since you’re at the top, but totally worth it!"
"Best rv campsite in the area clean and spacious sites , access to the River, firewood for sale and friendly owners. We have camped here the last 3 years and we love this place."
$40 - $45 / night
"Awesome hill/mountain side campsites, close to the lakes and creeks. Look out for wild turkeys, deer, elk, bears, and even wild horses!"
"It’s a little of the beaten path and the spots are no more than open areas.. it gets busy during the holiday times. But it’s just a few minutes to the lakes."
$6 / night
"We enjoyed our time and the site is near enough town that you can leave to enjoy a meal and then return."
"Located right off the 79 in Warner Springs, there are several wineries along the way if you're into doing some wine tasting before settling into camp life."
GuideBooked three nights for $25 per night with water and electric. It is a pull thru paved site #6 with a direct view of the lave field. If you book this site bring extra blocks as it is 3.5” out of level side to side and about 12” front to back on a 21’ trailer.
ScoutQuiet off the path. Gorgeous views clean restroom and showers
GuideOne of our favorites. Room for big rigs prior to road intersection pretty rough beyond that. Able to get our 31’ class C with no issues other than unevenness. The good: beautiful tree coverage, trails that lead to town, road biking distance to town, daily short rains, wild mustangs walking right through our site, plenty of room. The bad: rocky unlevel sites, local dude that drives in daily maniacally to smoke his cigar then speeds off.
TravelerOne of many campgrounds in the Cloudcroft area. Tents and RVs mixed. No hook-ups. Dump and showers for a fee at top camp known as Overflow which is a gravel parking area but handles large rigs the best.
GuideAfter hours and hours of driving through flat desert 100 degree oil country we were so glad to find this place of refuge. We drove past the ‘official campgrounds (which looked paved and nice) and a little ways down the road to find a perfect primitive camping pull off spot with a few well built fire pits. Lots of shade. Cool at night and we didn’t see not a car nor a soul for 24 hours. The woods are dry and filled with pines and junipers - ie tons of firewood that smelled wonderful. Our dogs loved it. The road seems to go for miles and miles and although dirt is pretty well leveled and was manageable in our Skoolie. We did have a peculiar invasion from a cow family at 8pm. They just quietly walked on in our campsite and then quietly left once the dogs let them know they were not welcome. This was all quite peculiar because we were at least 3 miles from the nearest ranch… but I’ll take cows over mountain lions all day. The road up to the national Forrest is gravel/dirt and grated so it was a slow going for about 3.5 miles but well worth it.
TravelerThe accommodations were great and the views were beautiful. Would definitely come back.
GuideThis is a nice site with loads of space. Even in the winter there was a fair amount of people around but we could all really spread out. Very good New Mexican food in nearby town of Corona too!!
I had a couple of bars of service (Verizon) in the camping area.
ScoutBeen camping here several times a year and it just keeps getting busier and busier. Need to find a new place!
RangerWe drove in around 10pm and the small town of Cloudcroft was beautiful for anyone needing a place to stop before heading into the forest. We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road. The road dead ends at a fenced private property so we turned around and just got a pull off spot for the night since we camp in the truck but there's tons of tent spots. Some rock made fire pits around. And we didn't see anyone around us for miles. Tons of bullet shells everywhere. It was almost errie how quiet it was! Camped here on our way down to the White Sands.
Road isn't bad, but we are in a higher up Toyota Tacoma. Poor cell signal for T-Mobile but Verizon did!
Camping near Nogal, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and unique experiences. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.
Camping near Nogal, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of nature and adventure. With a little planning, you can enjoy all that this beautiful area has to offer!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available in Nogal, New Mexico?
The Nogal area offers several camping options to suit different preferences. Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground provides sites alongside the clear waters of Rio Bonito, perfect for those seeking a creek-side experience. Just a short drive away in Capitan, Mama Bear RV Park offers a clean, convenient base for exploring the region. For those seeking more rustic experiences, Lincoln National Forest provides dispersed camping opportunities. Additionally, Fort Stanton Cave Campground offers free camping with basic toilet facilities, while Monjeau and Skyline campgrounds provide forest settings with vault toilets and scenic views.
Where is Nogal, New Mexico located and how do I get there?
Nogal is a small community in Lincoln County, New Mexico, nestled in the scenic eastern foothills of the Sierra Blanca mountains. It's located approximately 15 miles north of Ruidoso and about 10 miles west of Capitan along Highway 37. From Carrizozo (west), take US-380 east and then Highway 37 south. From Ruidoso (south), take Highway 37 north. The area is surrounded by Lincoln National Forest, with Deerhead Campground — Lincoln National Forest nearby, offering a beautiful forested setting. Most visitors access Nogal by car, as public transportation options are limited in this rural part of New Mexico.
What are the best outdoor activities to do while camping in Nogal, New Mexico?
The Nogal area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Hiking trails throughout Lincoln National Forest provide stunning mountain vistas, with Oak Grove Campground serving as a great trailhead. Wildlife viewing is exceptional around Mountain Springs Ranch, where visitors regularly spot Great Horned owls and enjoy spectacular New Mexico sunsets and stargazing. For geology enthusiasts, the nearby Valley Of Fires Recreation Area offers fascinating lava formations with interpretive trails. The region also features historical sites like Fort Stanton and the ghost town of White Oak, once a significant gold mining town. In winter months, nearby Ski Apache offers downhill skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
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