Best Campgrounds near Roswell, NM

The area around Roswell has several camping options that connect you to both its quirky UFO culture and natural surroundings. Bottomless Lakes State Park Campground sits just 12 miles outside town, with its unusual sinkhole lakes creating good swimming spots during summer months. You'll find shaded tables and well-maintained bathrooms there, which helps during hot New Mexico days. If you're driving an RV and want to stay closer to town, Red Barn RV Park is only 3 miles from Roswell's center with basic but clean sites. Many campers use Roswell as a base to take day trips to the Rio Grande or head toward the Sangre de Cristo Mountains for hiking trails and fishing spots. Watch out for rough roads when heading to more remote sites like Alamo Road Camp - high clearance vehicles work better there. Check if you need permits before camping in certain areas, and always follow current fire rules, especially when it's been dry. Most locals recommend camping here in spring or fall instead of summer when temperatures regularly hit 90+ degrees. White Sands makes a worthwhile day trip from here if you have time. Remember to pack out everything you bring in and follow basic outdoor ethics to keep these camping areas in good shape for others.

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Best Camping Sites Near Roswell, New Mexico (18)

    1. Lea Lake Campground — Bottomless Lakes State Park

    67 Reviews
    Dexter, NM
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 988-3638

    $10 - $35 / night

    "Bottomless lakes has the best sunset views. It’s only 20 min from Roswell. The sites have enough room between each other. There is a large swimming area as well."

    "The lake is nice, really crowded in summer. Most of the rangers are really nice. We have watched a power player but only one time, rude."

    2. Red Barn RV Park

    19 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 623-4897

    $40 - $240 / night

    "What a nice, cozy spot in Roswell!"

    "Really an oasis is in Roswell. Sites are very clean nestled next to an alfalfa field. There are stockyards near by but as the saying goes - occasionally smells like money."

    3. Trailer Village RV Park

    17 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 623-6040

    $42 - $46 / night

    "Great little stay to explore Roswell for a couple of days. No fires because it is NM but I was allowed to pull out my charcoal grill so I did not go hungry. Spots are organized great by size."

    "The park is typical, but with Roswell Alien charm added. There are alien statues outside, and inside there is a quaint little shop."

    4. Town & Country RV Park

    8 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (575) 624-1833

    "I'd say that it's the best RV park in Roswell. Only suggestion that ai would have is that they enlarge their dog park. Showers, bathrooms, and pool weren't open while we stayed due to Covid."

    "Chose this campground to allow us to visit Roswell. Sites were nice and level. Staff was friendly. There were quite a few long term sites but plenty of open as well."

    5. Alamo Road Camp

    4 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    11 miles

    "This is about 12 miles outside Roswell.
    Temps this week look to be 80’s for hi, and 50-60 for lows. The road to camp is not labeled at all."

    "Located directly across from Bottomless lake state park easy to get in. Flat wide open so wind can be tough. High winds warning for tonight up to 70mph gusts. Good cellar service with Verizon."

    6. Lake van

    10 Reviews
    Dexter, NM
    16 miles
    +1 (575) 734-5482

    $9 - $15 / night

    "Although a bit rough around the edges, if you are traveling in SE New Mexico, this location is great for an overnighter."

    "There are some small parking areas around the lake you can dry camp in. Only a few of these spots were level. It's $9 a night for dry camping or $50 a week."

    7. Spring River RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 625-5530

    8. Alamo Road Dispersed

    3 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 627-0272

    "Plenty of places to drive our utv to explore a bit even though the Polaris app shows no trails in the area."

    9. Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    17 Reviews
    Roswell, NM
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 627-0272

    $5 / night

    "Only 4 camp sites but overnight camping in the parking lot is allowed. great views of the sunset but not a dark sky site as Roswell, New Mexico is visible to the southwest."

    "We had the place to ourselves and watched another amazing New Mexico sunset. We only stayed one night with our 45 foot fifth wheel while traveling through."

    10. Casa Querencia

    Be the first to review!
    Roswell, NM
    3 miles
    +1 (575) 840-5274

    $45 - $50005 / night

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Recent Camping Photos near Roswell, NM

6 Photos of 18 Roswell Campgrounds


Recent Reviews near Roswell, NM

171 Reviews of 18 Roswell Campgrounds


  • Julissa M.
    Aug. 21, 2025

    Lea Lake Campground — Bottomless Lakes State Park

    Enough if you just want to get away from it all

    We thought we were going to be paddleboarding in a big lake or sinkhole, but we were sadly mistaken. The main lake is small and right next to your campsite. There are paddleboards you can rent. There is a small area designated in the water for children to play in. There are hiking trails. There are also other sinkholes you can enjoy, but I wouldn't go in them. The water is stagnant and smells like rotting fish. Would I go back? No, I would not, but if you are looking to get away for a day and relax, then this is the place for you.

  • Alex T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    So many spiders

    Very nice camp site with bathrooms but good lord the spiders here are ridiculous. Black widows and massive tarantulas everywhere. We are not locals so it was startling to say the least.

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2025

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Haystack Mountain-what mountains?

    Great rest stop if you are passing through. Its just off the highway. You can here the semi-trucks but its not a heavily traffic hwy. There are four pavilions, each with trash can, fire pit, and grill. Two clean pit toilets. The site is next to cell towers. I have att, showing 5g with full bars. Site #3 has the best view. No water source so bring plenty of water.

  • Ryan G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 7, 2025

    Baca Campground

    Disperesed

    Cool campground. I got there at about 930 at night so didn’t really get to scope too much since I left the following morning. What I did see was nice. There were a few other campers around but it was nice that we weren’t right on top of each other. Close to Ruidoso which is always fun to explore.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 26, 2025

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Beautiful sunset and great views

    We had the place to ourselves and watched another amazing New Mexico sunset. We only stayed one night with our 45 foot fifth wheel while traveling through. It was so nice that we contemplated staying longer. Beware that there are rattle snakes in the area as we watched one slither across the road at a distance. Well worth the $5!!!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 23, 2025

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Peaceful spot

    Fantastic view! This place was quiet and peaceful, even with dirt bikes and ATVs on the trails! When I arrived there was one camper. I stayed for 3 days (over Easter weekend). The place filled up and some OHV showed up to play. Sun shelter over a picnic table and garbage can at each. No water, but pit toilets that were really clean.

  • James B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2025

    Town & Country RV Park

    Nice stay for a few days

    Chose this campground to allow us to visit Roswell. Sites were nice and level. Staff was friendly. There were quite a few long term sites but plenty of open as well.
    We extended our stay another day since we enjoyed the area and campground.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2025

    Haystack Mountain OHV Area

    Very nice spot

    We got here towards the evening and it was so beautiful driving up! There is some great views and facilities are really clean.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 10, 2025

    Alamo Road Dispersed

    Couple of choices for our 43' RV

    We stayed for 5 nights--there's a spot immediately to the left off of Alamo road. We pulled in during a freak snow 😳, so went exploring in the truck the next day. That immediate spot was easy to pull into with plenty of space --didn't unhook the road. But --Alamo Road is pretty busy, so we then moved to a spot off the main road --we turned down the 2nd road to the left (toward a natural gas pump?) and enjoyed a huge spot there. The roads weren't suitable for our RV after that (bumpy) and with small ditches on each side to get through to get to sites, we couldn't make those but other campers did & were out camping. The roads need graded but...BLM land and gov cuts. 🤷🏻‍♀️ As another reviewer said, it's sad that in some places there's a ton of garbage--too much for one person to pick up. It seems that people use it for a city dump out where they target shoot. Our campsite had some trash but wasn't terrible, and we left no trace & cleaned up what had been left there. Plenty of places to drive our utv to explore a bit even though the Polaris app shows no trails in the area.


Guide to Roswell

Camping near Roswell, New Mexico, offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and stunning landscapes. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Kayaking and Canoeing: Bring your kayak or canoe to Bottomless Lakes State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The beach area was not crowded at all during our time here. Bring your kayak/canoe/SUP."
  • Explore Local Attractions: Roswell is famous for its UFO history. One camper noted, "You’re just 8 minutes from all the action in Roswell, and we highly recommend hitting up Black Cock Brewery while staying here."
  • Hiking and Biking: Check out the trails near Bottomless Lakes State Park Campground. A reviewer shared, "There is also a 3-mile bike ride."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the parks. A visitor at Red Barn RV Park said, "The restrooms are spotless and it is just a couple miles east of town."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campers rave about the welcoming atmosphere. One review for Red Barn RV Park stated, "Lee is a wonderful host who allowed us to charge our EV from the 50 amp outlet at our site."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at Bottomless Lakes State Park Campground. A camper remarked, "The sites are roomy enough that even when full it doesn’t feel crowded."

What you should know:

  • Reservations Required: Many campgrounds, like Bottomless Lakes State Park Campground, require reservations. A visitor noted, "Reservations are needed and can be made online through the NM State Park website."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, such as Lake Van, have limited facilities. One camper mentioned, "There are no water or electricity hookups or sewer hookups."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Be prepared for wildlife. A camper at Haystack Mountain OHV Area shared, "My company was a tarantula hawk wasp, very large blue dragonfly, some desert ants and an owl hooting down in the ravine."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Bring Bug Spray: Mosquitoes can be a nuisance, especially at dusk. A camper at Bottomless Lakes State Park Campground advised, "The mosquitos were out around dusk, so be sure to have bug spray!"
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to pack gear for water sports and biking. One family enjoyed, "The water is clear and I bet feels really great in the summer heat."
  • Check for Pet Policies: If you're bringing pets, check the rules. A visitor at Bottomless Lakes State Park Campground noted, "Dogs are not allowed on the 'sand beach' but there are plenty of access points around the campground."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites for easier parking. A reviewer at Town & Country RV Park mentioned, "Sites are 95% level rock."
  • Wi-Fi Availability: Many campgrounds offer Wi-Fi. One camper at Town & Country RV Park said, "The Wi-Fi works well and we have 4 bars of 5G."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure your campground has a dump station. A visitor at Red Barn RV Park noted, "The facilities are excellent."

Camping in Roswell, NM, provides a great mix of outdoor fun and local culture. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Roswell, New Mexico camping sites?

Red Barn RV Park offers comprehensive amenities including nice showers, laundry facilities, clean restrooms, and welcoming common areas stocked with books and DVDs. The park features level sites and is an excellent base for exploring southern New Mexico. For a more rustic experience, Lake Van provides basic accommodations that work well for overnight stays. While full hookup sites are often occupied by long-term residents, the location is convenient for travelers passing through southeastern New Mexico, with staff available by phone to assist with check-in.

Where are the best campgrounds in Roswell, NM?

Lea Lake Campground — Bottomless Lakes State Park is a top choice just 20 minutes from Roswell, offering stunning sunset views and spacious sites. The park features a large swimming area and beautiful scenery. For those looking for dispersed options, Haystack Mountain OHV Area provides great sunset views with only 4 designated campsites, though overnight parking is allowed in the lot. It's quieter during weekdays but can get busier on weekends due to OHV activities. Both options provide different camping experiences while staying close to Roswell's attractions.

Do I need reservations for camping in Roswell during UFO Festival season?

Reservations are strongly recommended during UFO Festival season as Roswell experiences significantly higher visitor traffic. At Bottomless Lakes State Park, reservations are mandatory and can only be made online (even same-day bookings). The standard camping fee is $14 plus a $4 reservation fee. For those seeking alternatives, Picacho Road Dispersed Camping offers free options outside town, though access requires navigating a slight ditch. During peak events like the UFO Festival, expect all established campgrounds to fill quickly, so securing reservations well in advance is essential.