Rusty's RV Ranch in Rodeo, New Mexico houses upscale glamping accommodations with private patios and comfortable furnishings. The property maintains several glamping campsites including safari-style canvas tents and cabin-style glamping units with full hookups, electricity, and modern amenities. Lordsburg KOA, approximately 40 miles northeast, offers additional glamping experiences with yurts featuring climate control and comfortable bedding. Both locations provide access to clean shower facilities, picnic areas, and essential amenities for luxury camping experiences. The sites are strategically positioned for visitors seeking a blend of outdoor immersion with refined comforts. "The gathering hall is clean and inviting, and the facilities are well-maintained with lovely showers," noted one guest about Rusty's property.
The surrounding high desert landscape creates an exceptional setting for stargazing, with Rusty's specifically catering to astronomy enthusiasts through dedicated concrete pads with power outlets for telescope equipment. Hiking trails circle the property's perimeter, allowing glampers to explore without venturing far from their accommodations. The Chiricahua Desert Museum sits nearby, offering educational exhibits about local ecology and history. Guests can observe wildlife including deer and wild turkeys in the natural surroundings. Rusty's also features unique on-site attractions including duck ponds, bird enclosures, and goat interactions that enhance the glamping experience. According to a camper, "This is perfect for astronomers and stargazing, with very dark skies and concrete pads that could support two telescopes with power outlets to run all astronomy gear." Winter months see the highest occupancy as visitors seek comfortable accommodations in the milder desert climate.
"We wanted to get away for a few days during Covid and wanted to stay south where it was warmer so we found Rusty's RV Ranch in Rodeo New Mexico."
"She’s built trails and has goats/birds that the campers can interact with. Showers are lovely. The gathering hall and laundry room is clean and inviting."
from $29 / night
"Nice clean bathrooms, picnic tables, fire pit, and bear box. Campgrounds are next to a creek with a trailhead leading to a waterfall, couldn’t ask for more for a free campsite."
"The campground is situated right next to a mountain stream that is cool to explore. It's a little tough to get to but it's worth it. Not very many sites though so it may fill up on weekends"
"We stayed at the KOA Journey in Lordsburg, New Mexico on New Years Eve. Pulled in around 10:00 PM and rolled out about 10:30 AM, so this was a quick overnight, not a vacation."
"Campground was close to 10 but not to bad noise wise."
RangerI probably would have stayed at the dispersed area lower down, but was climbing Chiricahua. I'm a disabled Vet, so I get a discount at campgrounds. I didn't see another person the whole time I was there.
GuideStopping here didn’t disappoint! Nice spacious level sites. The animal features & dog park were added bonuses. It felt like we were at a KOA being escorted to our sites. The staff there was great!
TravelerWe stayed at the KOA Journey in Lordsburg, New Mexico on New Years Eve. Pulled in around 10:00 PM and rolled out about 10:30 AM, so this was a quick overnight, not a vacation.
I honestly did not know what to expect. In my head I pictured some campers doing a little holiday hangout, maybe a fire, maybe someone brave enough to share a questionable casserole. Nope. This place was as dead as a graveyard. Not a bad thing if you want sleep, but my imagination was doing way too much.
Late check in was easy. Staff left a map in the after hours registration box, and that was a life saver when you pull in late and just want to park and stop thinking.
Campground itself felt clean and basic. Nothing fancy, nothing sketchy. I did not use the restrooms at all, we used our trailer bathroom, so I cannot speak on the bathrooms.
What I did notice, they have a fenced dog run area, looks roughly 30 feet by 15 feet. There is a playground with a teepee and some little kid swings. There is a clubhouse type building with picnic tables out front and a basketball hoop. They also have a few small cabins you can rent, and one labeled “deluxe cabin” that looks a little bigger, plus it has its own private sitting area with walls around it. I am guessing it is for blocking wind and giving a little privacy, and there is a cover for shade.
Our hookups worked fine, no drama, and we had a nice little picnic table at the site. I also saw a propane tank setup, so I am assuming they sell propane if you need it. Also, random detail, there is an old phone booth on the property and it made me laugh, felt like stepping into 1993 for a second.
Overall, it did exactly what we needed, quiet, simple, clean, and easy to check in late. I would stay again for an overnight stop. If you are looking for a campground with a bunch of action, this probably aint it. I am giving it 4 stars for a solid no hassle night.
LegendWe had a minor problem with our camper and needed a place to stay so we could do the fixes. This KOA was close so we landed here. The road to the park has a few abandoned building but once you get here it is safe a secure. The sites are graveled and they are close together, but we came in October and it was fairly empty. Although they do seem to have a few long term campers. It is quiet at night in the park, but you can hear the train and the I10 freeway close by. The park has a great laundry room although I picked the day all the full time residents were doing laundry as well so it was crowded and took longer that I expected. They have a clubhouse, store, playground, pool and super clean bathrooms. They offer WIFI and cell coverage is decent. Staff was helpful and even came over to the office to check us in during their lunchtime. The tent site area has an outdoor sink and the have 3 small cabins and a larger one as well. Overall it was a good stay!
LegendWe have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 28 for 5 nights in early/mid September. The CG is clean, well maintained. The CG roads are gravel, as are the sites. The sites themselves are all level. The sites were fairly well spaced, particularly for a private CG. The CG was very quiet and peaceful. There were only 5+ other campers in the whole CG, some looked to be long-term. Our site, 28, was a pull-through, as were most, but some were back in. The trees, though plentiful, are fairly short and don’t provide much shade.
AT&T coverage was good, but only 1 bar of 5G service with speeds up to 8 MB/s. We had a clear view to the N at the site, so Starlink was fine with speeds up to 25 MB/s.
ScoutThis is a very basic KOA clean neat but no frills basic desert camping spaces are well space particularly the large ones great for an overnight stop
TravelerWe travel with our fifth wheel and a utility trailer aka triple tow. It’s hard to find Rv parks that can accommodate 60 plus feet rigs. The staff is very friendly and there’s plenty of space to navigate to the site with more than enough space in between the rigs. The cost is a big high but keep in mind it’s a KOA but as KOA’s go it reasonable.
TravelerWe stayed in a dispersed spot about a mile before Sycamore Campground - it was great! Very private and next to a babbling creek. No cell service and so very quiet and peaceful. We saw 6 turkeys! There is a long stretch of primitive road (quite rocky) to get out the campground. We also took Apache Pass to get there - and would not recommend this ‘shortcut’ - almost 30 minutes of primitive bumpy road.
GuideMarch 6th 2024 camped here. Got here about 6 PM and the lagoon was filled with cranes. Got amazing pictures of them. In the morning the lagoon was empty. You must have to get here during certain migrations.
The Rodeo area sits at approximately 4,150 feet elevation in New Mexico's high desert environment, creating distinct seasonal patterns for glamping visitors. Summer temperatures often exceed 95°F while winter nights can drop below freezing. The region features characteristic Chihuahuan Desert vegetation including mesquite, yucca, and various cacti, creating a stark landscape contrasted by the nearby Chiricahua Mountains.
Explore remote hiking trails: The area around Sycamore Campground provides access to secluded mountain paths often overlooked by visitors. "We took a ride over to the Coronado National Forest and coming from the wide-open desert we felt like we had stepped into another world. Definitely worth the trip," notes a camper who stayed near Sycamore Campground.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Spring and fall migrations bring diverse bird species to the playa regions west of Rodeo. "Got here about 6 PM and the lagoon was filled with cranes. Got amazing pictures of them. In the morning the lagoon was empty. You must have to get here during certain migrations," reports a visitor at Playa Dispersed Campsite.
Visit historic border communities: Proximity to the US-Mexico border allows for day trips to historic towns. "We needed some supplies so we drove down to Douglas AZ at the Mexico border. Visited Walmart and got some tacos that were excellent. Not much between Rusty's and Douglas but was a good drive with little to no traffic."
Dark sky observation platforms: The area's limited light pollution creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "Very nice place, well maintained. Very quiet place too. Perfect for astronomer/stargazing. Concrete pad (could support 2 telescopes) are available with power outlet to run all astronomy gear," notes an astronomy enthusiast who visited Rusty's RV Ranch.
Spacious, private sites: Many glamping accommodations in Rodeo offer generous spacing between sites. "Nice sites that are well spaced. All roads and sites are dirt, so it can get a bit dusty, especially when the wind blows," explains one reviewer. Another camper adds, "The space was huge and very private. We didn't have to unhook our toad vehicle until we needed the car which was really nice."
Reliable amenities: Established glamping operations maintain consistent service standards. "Level gravel sites. FHU worked fine; appears to be maintained. Nice staff, well stocked store," reports a camper who stayed at Lordsburg KOA, noting the convenience for travelers along I-10.
Limited connectivity: Cell service and internet access vary significantly throughout the area. "We have t-mobile and I will tell you we had no service here. We hooked up to their park wi-fi but could barely check our email." Another camper reports, "AT&T was about four bars of 4g and Verizon is one bar of 4g, not very good."
Supply logistics: The remote location requires advance planning for provisions. "Bring supplies because the closest place for decent shopping is Douglas, AZ about 55 miles south." A different camper adds, "There are a couple of restaurants nearby and the closest has a convenience store but that is it... so be sure that you are stocked up on supplies before you go or expect to drive to get them."
Weather considerations: High desert conditions create specific challenges. "Bring some tie down, the wind could be very strong," advises a camper at Playa Dispersed Campsite. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with hot summers and cool winters.
Pet management: For those bringing pets to glamping sites, special considerations apply. "If you bring your pet be sure to have some flashlights to walk them at night because it is dark dark." Many locations offer pet-friendly accommodations with designated areas for animal exercise.
Educational opportunities: Several sites near Rodeo feature learning experiences for children. "While visiting we went exploring and visited the Chiricahua Desert Museum & the Apache Museum next door. Enjoyed all of the displays and history as Geronimo surrendered nearby."
Wildlife interactions: Unique animal encounters provide memorable experiences. "Rusty does a lot to keep this little rv park a cool place to visit. She's built trails and has goats/birds that the campers can interact with," notes a visitor to Rusty's RV Ranch.
Leveling and site preparation: The desert terrain requires attention to stabilization. "The sites themselves are all level. The sites were fairly well spaced, particularly for a private CG," reports an RV owner with a 36-foot Class A and tow vehicle.
Extended stay planning: Seasonal considerations affect glamping availability near Rodeo. "Fall and Winter are the busiest times here with people looking for warmer winters and avoiding the hot summers." Advance reservations become particularly important during peak winter months.
Road conditions: Access routes vary in quality throughout the region. "We also took Apache Pass to get there - and would not recommend this 'shortcut' - almost 30 minutes of primitive bumpy road," warns a camper who visited Sycamore Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Rodeo, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Rodeo, NM is Rusty's RV Ranch with a 4.9-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Rodeo, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 glamping camping locations near Rodeo, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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