Rodeo, New Mexico sits at an elevation of 4,150 feet in the San Simon Valley near the Arizona border. The area features a mild desert climate with warm days and cool nights year-round, making it accessible for camping during all seasons. The surrounding Chiricahua Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop for campers seeking rural desert experiences with minimal light pollution.
What to do
Stargazing sessions: Smugglers' Roost offers exceptional night sky viewing opportunities. "Our host couldn't have been nicer or more helpful to us. He gave us great advice on local places to explore & even showed us the stars through his telescope! The night sky there is incredible!" reports one camper at Smugglers' Roost.
Wildlife observation: The Chiricahua Mountains area supports diverse bird and animal species. "There's a good chance to see wildlife if you hike one of the various trails around the area," notes a visitor to Chiricahua Mountains, who adds "It's a forest wonderland compared to the surrounding Arizona desert."
Mountain exploration: Venture into nearby mountain ranges for hiking. "We took a very scenic drive up into mountains to silver city, cute old town, we passed through Gila national forrest, it's about 45 miles, but a very easy nice drive on very good roads," shares one visitor staying at Lordsburg KOA.
What campers like
Dark sky visibility: Many campsites in the area offer premium stargazing conditions. At Rusty's RV Ranch, a visitor notes, "Very nice place, well maintained. Perfect for astronomer/stargazing. Concrete pad (could support 2 telescopes) are available with power outlet to run all astronomy gear."
Diverse terrain access: The region provides easy access to both desert and mountain environments. "Enjoyed all of the displays and history as Geronimo surrendered nearby. 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," shares one camper.
Spacious camping lots: RV sites near Rodeo, New Mexico typically provide ample space. At Lazy Horse Ranch, all sites include full hookups with reviewers appreciating that "the place guarantee a beautiful sunset. Really. You can use fireplace and firespot to warm yourself."
What you should know
Limited services: The area has minimal retail or grocery options. One camper at Alaskan RV Park advises, "Super nice staff, cash only, no Wi-Fi but good cell service as is right by interstate."
Weather considerations: Desert climate means variable conditions. "Bring some tie down, the wind could be very strong," warns one astronomer who visited Rusty's RV Ranch multiple times.
Transportation planning: Expect to travel for supplies and services. A visitor mentions, "Right off highway 10 so you get the road noise. Park has large gravel/dirt sites with hook ups."
Cell service variations: Connectivity depends on provider and exact location. "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."
Tips for camping with families
Cooling options: During summer months, seek campgrounds with shade. At Stewart Campground, one visitor notes, "Each site has the standard picnic table, bear locker, fire ring and lots of shade... Perfect for tent camping though. Great for warmer months."
Educational wildlife experiences: Several campgrounds feature animal interactions. "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."
Hiking difficulty levels: Consider trail options for various abilities. "Beautiful, easy trail right off the campsite when you are ready for something a bit less demanding," reports a visitor to Chiricahua Mountains.
Weather preparation: Desert temperatures fluctuate significantly. "If you take Turkey Creek Rd to Sycamore campground, you'll sleep with the beautiful sound of a mountain stream behind you...Snows during winter often. Not as good for hiking and backpacking but makes for a fun snow day!"
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: When selecting RV sites near Rodeo, verify size compatibility. "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 28 for 5 nights... The sites themselves are all level. The sites were fairly well spaced, particularly for a private CG."
Budget options: More affordable RV camping exists in the region. At Mountain View RV, "Level spots and full hook ups $26. There is a food truck next to the store that offers burgers, hotdog and Mexican food for a reasonable price."
Power considerations: Solar-dependent RVers should choose sites carefully. "This campground is rustic, with full hookups. Just like boondocking on the desert floor with 50amp - water - sewer. You can't beat the value."
Multiple-vehicle accommodations: Some sites accommodate larger setups. "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."
