Best Campgrounds near Portales, NM
The eastern plains of New Mexico near Portales provide several camping options primarily focused on RV accommodations and state park facilities. Oasis State Park Campground, located about 6 miles southwest of Portales, serves as the primary developed camping area in the immediate vicinity. This state park features both electric and non-electric sites with pull-through access suitable for RVs and tent camping. Additional options extend to nearby Clovis, approximately 20 miles northeast, where several private RV parks including Travelers World Campground, Clovis RV Ranch, and Clovis RV Park offer full hookup sites for travelers passing through this high plains region.
Reservations are essential for most campgrounds in the area, particularly at Oasis State Park where online booking is required. The region experiences extreme temperature variations with hot summers and cold winters, while spring brings high winds across the open plains. Most campsites feature gravel pads with minimal natural shade, making summer camping particularly exposed. As one camper noted, "Great dark sky for stargazing and photography! Watch your pets, a pack of coyotes came through camp the night I stayed there." Cell service is generally available but varies by carrier, with AT&T showing around 2 bars at Oasis State Park. Water quality concerns occasionally arise, with some visitors reporting high nitrate warnings at certain times.
Many campers describe the Portales area campgrounds as convenient overnight stops rather than destination camping. Fishing opportunities at Oasis State Park's pond attract visitors, with facilities receiving positive reviews for cleanliness and layout. "Sites are spaced well, nice place to watch the sunset, quiet area. Facilities look fairly new and well maintained," reported one visitor to Oasis State Park. The campgrounds typically feature modern restrooms and shower facilities, though limited recreational activities beyond fishing and short hiking trails. Wildlife sightings commonly include coyotes, deer, prairie dogs, and various bird species. Summer visitors should prepare for limited shade, while the region's dark skies offer excellent stargazing opportunities year-round.
