Trinidad Lake State Park provides cabins and camping options in a diverse landscape about 19 miles north of Raton, New Mexico. The park sits at an elevation of 6,300 feet, offering milder summer temperatures than lower-altitude areas nearby. Campsites range from basic tent spots to full hookup RV sites, with seasonal availability that varies depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Trinidad Lake State Park features excellent fishing with less pressure than many Colorado lakes. "The lake is fished nearly as much as Denver. Fish are bigger and easier to catch," notes Kayla M. about Trinidad Lake State Park.
Geocaching adventures: Families visiting Trinidad Lake can participate in geocaching activities throughout the park. "Beautiful view and fun stuff for the kids to do! Hiking, playground, geocaching. We will definitely be back!" shares Ali C.
Wildlife viewing treks: Drive to the NRA Whittington Center for exceptional wildlife spotting. "Love coming here in May b4 things get busy! Beautiful views & loved the wildlife! Drove to mine & enjoyed the history!" reports Cher & Walter P. about NRA Whittington Center Campground.
Mountain hiking: Explore the trails near Bear Lake Campground for alpine views. "They have great trails for hiking and ATVs here and campers frequently run into bears. So you need to prepare and take the necessary precautions," advises Steve & Ashley G. about Bear Lake Campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the room to spread out at some locations. "The site has better views of the mountain peaks than blue lake. The campsites have some privacy depending on the site," notes Steve & Ashley G. about Bear Lake Campground.
Dark night skies: Stargazing conditions are excellent at many campgrounds in the region. "At night there is zero light pollution and you can see so many stars," says Kayla M. about Trinidad Lake State Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms are frequently mentioned in reviews. "I must stay unequivocally this campground has the nicest bathrooms I've seen in a very long time. Very clean very modern and very well maintained!" reports Douglas S. about Capulin RV Park.
River sounds: Camping near water features adds to the experience. "Campground is very scenic and the river is directly behind us so you can hear that babbling brook sound - I love that!" shares Tammy C. about Tolby Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal weather patterns: Higher elevation campgrounds have shorter seasons. "We camped next to the retention ponds. There was plenty of peace and quiet. We were the only campers in the campground due to it being November," notes Terry R. about Tolby Campground.
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds have tighter spacing than others. "This was a glorified parking lot. It literally is a parking lot with the lines drawn to allow for campers to park parallel on the outside and have a wide spot down the middle. Zero trees," warns Laura H. about Tolby Campground.
Limited services: Many campgrounds have restricted amenities in off-seasons. "The water is off for the winter season but they do have water to fill your tanks if you wish," reports Rhianna W. about Capulin RV Park.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigating steep roads. "You drive about 5 miles up a step dirt and gravel road with multiple switchback to reach near lake," describes Steve & Ashley G. about Bear Lake Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Campgrounds with play areas help keep kids entertained. "There's a smaller playground which our son enjoyed. Across one road was a large field that gave us a view of a balloon festival," mentions Stephen K. about Raton KOA.
Book early for peak seasons: Popular sites fill quickly during summer months. "This place is very popular and reservations are a must in the summer months," advises Steve & Ashley G. about Bear Lake Campground.
Supply planning: Remote locations require careful preparation. "You will need to bring everything you need. There are not any stores really close by, you will have to go to Cimarron or Eagle Nest to stock on supplies if you are missing anything and they can be 30 minutes away," warns Ricky B. about Tolby Campground.
Pet-friendly sites: Many campgrounds accommodate pets with dedicated areas. "The campground offers a fenced in dog park where the pups can run off leash. There is also a nice grassy walking path around the perimeter of the property with trash cans and dog waste stations positioned every 100 yards," notes Jason F. about Raton KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose sites carefully based on your specific needs. "Recently stayed at the Tolby site at Cimarron state park and we had a great time. Mike, our camp host was awesome and had some great information about the area," shares Tony M. about Tolby Campground.
Utility availability: Be aware of seasonal restrictions on utilities. "No hookups and no water but we have solar. It's been 80s in the day and 50s at night which is amazing. I have one bar with T-mobile cell phone so I can text and get a little internet - enough to stay connected with the world," reports Tammy C.
Neighborhood noise levels: Some RV parks have nearby residential areas. "The campground was clean, older but well maintained. It is very much residential though. The neighborhood is very loud. Dogs have been barking for hours. This is out of KOA control but rather annoying," cautions Dusty B. about Raton KOA.
Connectivity options: Cell service varies throughout the region. "AT&T had two bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 36.6 Mbps down, 7.5 Mbps up. Free WiFi is available, but did not use it," reports David B. about Stonewall Lodge & RV Park.
