Camping opportunities near Raton, New Mexico extend beyond the popular state parks into lesser-known areas, offering experiences at elevations from 6,500 to 9,000 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing with occasional snowfall, while summer brings moderate days with temperatures rarely exceeding 90°F. Heavy afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through September, sometimes affecting dirt roads leading to campsites.
What to do
Fishing at Lake 13: Lake 13 at Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge provides free camping with wildlife viewing opportunities. "There are full bars and open spaces... With spring coming in, the birds were a great natural alarm. Sure the lake was empty, but it's free, easy to find, and free. The pit toilets were clean, and there were a few picnic tables at a few spots and lots of trash cans to keep it clean," noted one visitor.
Visit coal mining ruins: Soda Pocket Campground offers access to historical exhibits. "The visitor center is small but with a lot of good exhibits, and adjacent to the hiking trails of the abandoned coal camp and mine. The coal camp trails have lots of informative stands explaining what everything was, how the people lived, etc," reported a camper who appreciated the historical aspects.
Hiking diverse terrain: Multiple trail options exist within a short drive of Raton. "The Little Horse Mesa Trail is a two mile roundtrip but climbs to the highest point in the park, flat and giving long mountain views... When you get to the top though it's like another world. It's a pasture like setting with trees, and beautiful views from a trail that follows the cliffs," described one hiker who explored the area.
What campers like
Wide spaces between sites: Campers frequently mention appreciating campgrounds with adequate separation. At Lake Alice Campground, "Sites 15 and 16 are great. Site 13 and 14 are ON THE ROAD and the accessible site near the bathroom is literally a couple of feet away so beware! We were in site 16 and tucked away from everything," advised one camper detailing the site layout.
Convenient facilities: Clean bathrooms and showers are highly valued. "Running water and showers located 1/2 mile from the Lake Alice loop. Showers were very nice for a campground. They were actual showers, not just concrete or dirty tile, and had plenty of room and hooks for clothing. Two showers per side for Men's and Women's," noted a visitor in May 2024.
Night sky viewing: The minimal light pollution creates exceptional stargazing. "At night there is zero light pollution and you can see so many stars," mentioned a camper at Trinidad Lake State Park. Another camper at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge added, "the Milky Way was to die for."
What you should know
Road conditions affect access: Dirt roads leading to some campgrounds can become problematic after rain. "North eastern and north central New Mexico have had days of heavy rain and flooding alerts. Today was dry until shortly after we arrived... We deemed the ground too damp, figuring we would get stuck sinking into the soft earth if we drove onto the grass," explained a camper at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies widely between locations. "No cell service for either of our carriers, and I don't think for any, until about a mile beyond the shower house, prior to the entrance of the park," reported a Lake Alice Campground visitor. Another noted, "t-mobile service did not work at all, zero bars."
Seasonal closures: Raton Pass Camp & Cafe operates from March through November, with gates that "close at dark so if you are arriving after dark you will not be able to get in." Many campgrounds in the area have limited operations during winter months.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Carpios Ridge Campground offers facilities for children. "Really nice camp ground, cool play ground for the kids, fire place, picnic table and shed with great views. Views where great from every angle," noted a visitor who stayed with children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple locations provide chances to spot animals. "Plenty of wildlife to see. We were surprised and pleased with Sugarite!" shared one family. Another camper mentioned, "Lots of birds, a couple of deer, lots of coyotes off in the distance."
Safety considerations: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "Bear boxes provided, deer walked through campground often. I did see bear tracks while hiking but host said they've never been a human issue," reported a camper describing precautions at one of the best places to camp near Raton, New Mexico.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: NRA Whittington Center Campground provides spacious sites with utilities. "This is an amazing RV Park! The spaces are huge! We are on an end and I think ours is about a quarter acre in size! Really! There are lots of trees around and natural grass growing," shared an enthusiastic RVer.
Site leveling: Most campgrounds feature level sites requiring minimal adjustment. "Small campground near CO border. Perks would be lake at top of mountain, 5-7 min drive from CG and showers, at entrance to park," noted a visitor describing the layout at one location.
Winter accessibility: RVers report that while some roads can be challenging after snowfall, main campgrounds remain accessible. "We stayed right after Christmas and the snow was an added bonus," mentioned a winter visitor, indicating that camping near Raton is possible year-round with proper preparation.
