Looking for the best options for tent camping near Roswell? Finding a place to camp in New Mexico with your tent has never been easier. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Roswell, New Mexico's most popular destinations.
Ranger
I stayed here for the second week of November. It rained a day or two before I got here and the mosquitoes were still a little bad but the weather was great up until my moving Day when I was leaving today November 18th. As long as it doesn't rain hard the ground should be good but if it rains really hard it gets really muddy. The cell phone signal is amazing for T-Mobile it's very quiet at night your neighbors are a couple football fields away if you have any at all. There is a target shooting range on DOD land about 2 mi away so during the day you do hear gunshots from time to time. Everyone shooting there is shooting North so stay south of the zig zag road sign.
Guide
Although a bit rough around the edges, if you are traveling in SE New Mexico, this location is great for an overnighter. When we arrived, all of the full hook-up sites were taken (looked like long term locals). I called the number at the un-manned office and the gentleman who answered was very friendly and let us know that we could camp anywhere around the lake for $9. The location is close to a nice residential area, so it’s relatively quiet with the exception of the occasional train passing by. There is a scent of cow manure depending on which way the wind is blowing; but it’s not unbearable. Overall, it was a nice place to stop over for the night as we were heading towards the Carlsbad Caverns the following day.
Ranger
Reservations only, but we were able to reserve online while surveying campground to see what was open: https://newmexicostateparks.reserveamerica.com/ (on way north so stopped for a night, getting there late afternoon).
Pretty basic. Most sites have no shade except for over picnic table. Lots of flying things: flies, mosquitos. Many stickers (so walk dog carefully).
--->At 02:30 in morning a drone very noisily buzzed us and sounded like it circled us for what seemed like 5 min. Not sure what that was about.... Racoon walked up to door screen and pawed at it while we were making dinner.
Scout
I travel from Durango to San Antonio frequently. This is such a nice sleep-over in my van. Weekends can be tough with drunken, blaring radio, 200,000 lumen, ATVs running all night. I had one light-up my old trailer by the bathrooms - note to self - don’t park here again!!!!
When its kicking, sleep by the dumpsters, they will never go there 😉
But seriously, this is an OHV park and there are few places for folks to have this kind of fun. I wouldn’t mind a rip through these dunes on an ATV myself 😜
This was an offseason midweek visit with nobody else around and quiet all night.
GuideReservations are needed and can be made online through the NM State Park website. The drive into the camp area was a little bumpy. Watch the curves! At the time we arrived the water was a beautiful aqua color with a clear sunny sky. The rest of our time there was overcast which gave us a nice break from the heat. The beach area was not crowded at all during our time here. Bring your kayak/canoe/SUP. They rent pedal boats. The mosquitos were out around dusk, so be sure to have bug spray! We would definitely stay again.
Traveler
This was a great spot not too far from the main parts of town and had all the amenities you need. Did not see any tent camping but a great RV spot.
Guide
Wrong time of year too come to Baca , snow covered. Able too park , spent one nite. Saw one other camper maybe two hundred yards away. Very quite. I’ll be back when the weather warms up for sure.
Guide
This is a lovely park. Clean, shaded, with a comfortable common area. Lee is a wonderful host who allowed us to charge our EV from the 50 amp outlet at our site.
Traveler
I spent 2 nights here and while the sunsets are something to write home about, I clearly stayed in a place where locals use it as target practice. Shelf casings and garbage abound. I don't carry big trash bags with me but I picked up what I could. I would not discourage people from staying here. If I ever come back to the area, I will probably stay here again....I will just bring a bunch of trash bags with me.
LegendRoom between sites. Most sites are gravel with shaded picnic tables. Peaceful nights.
ScoutThe intake person was respectful which is my reason for 2 stars and not 1 star. I left my belongings to run to the store. I came back to everything gone. Even my daughter's bible! I am surprised by this. I had just dropped the payment in the payment box for the stay so I lost the $27 too. I didn't stick around for the police because I immediately felt unsafe. I'm disappointed. We had planned to enjoy the views and relax.
ScoutWe were planning to go to southern Utah but Mother Nature vetoed that plan. My wife had wanted to visit Roswell which was out of the route the storms were taking so I agreed thinking we’d stay a couple of nights if we liked…we are now on our second week. Leigh is a wonderful host…the park is intimate with only a dozen spaces…the rest rooms are spotless and it is just a couple miles east of town. Roswell itself is a perfect sized community with great restaurants and cultural sites.
RangerHasn't changed much in the 7 years between visits. Very little shade but neat to see the lakes. Water is clear and I bet feels really great in the summer heat. Still pretty full considering the time of year. Local sites are just down the road at the Bitter Lake Rec area. There is also a 3 mile bike ride.
Ranger
We stayed a week. The camp host/Manager was great. Unfortunately, my wife and I were sick most of the week and didn't take pictures or get out much. The park was clean, well-maintained, and quiet in the overnight hours. Our site was a pull-through on a gravel pad. UFO museum, and we ate at Farleys which was ok.
TravelerThe road is much less worn than we're used to. Not too many campsites but could easily park a camper. Roswell, with many supply chains within 20 minutes including big R, Tractor supply, Walmart and various sporting goods stores. Not a bad spot to crash heading to the next one. Alamo road does wind on a quite a bit further than we traveled down it, so there may be even better options.
Scout$14+$4 ReserveAmerica Fee This is a local park for us. We were in Site 19 which is a Handicap site with a concrete pad (RA did not specify that this was a handicap site). Other sites are packed gravel. Site was a "short" site and close to the bathhouse which we did not use. Sites are 50/30/20 with a water hookup. Only a few sites have sewer. Dump station is at the entrance of the campground. The deer flies were not a problem during our visit (they are worse around the salt cedar trees). We were only bit twice and we did not use insect repellant. Since we could not check in until after 4PM, we parked over in the picnic area by the lake. We knew this and had planned it. Dogs are not allowed on the "sand beach" but there are plenty of access points around the campground& picnic area edges of the lake that pets can use. Goat's Head stickers are a problem here, as they are in most of the desert. Our dog wears "shoes" to protect her feet from the stickers and from hot pavement. Wifi was available in the park but we could not connect. We stayed in a Truck Camper 7/4 - 7/5/2023.
GuideReally 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. Leigh is an awesome host and the facilities are excellent. This will be our go to when we are in Roswell.
TravelerThe red rocks and contrasting blue lake make it a beautiful place to camp. The sites are roomy enough that even when full it doesn’t feel crowded.
GuideFine campground. Geared mostly for RVs. Not very big so books up quickly. Reservations online. $14 + tax and fees = $18ish for the night. Nice lake area. Outdoor beach showers.
LegendWe are full-timers in a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow. We were in site 5 for 4 nights in late March. The campground is nice, well maintained and quiet CG. It was quite windy the day we arrived with wind speeds of 25 mph and gust up to 45 mph, which kicked up a little dust from time to time, but the weather was beautiful otherwise. Lea Lake is deep blue and crystal clear.
AT&T coverage was excellent, with 1-3 Bars of 5G service and speeds up to 12 MB/s. We had an unobstructed view of the sky and so we were able to receive all 3 SW Dish satellites and Starlink had up to 20 MB/s. We didn’t try to load any OTA channels.
Scout
I will give this one extra star because of the absolute beauty of the campground there are many many campsites with burn pits the only drawback is there are no water or electricity hookups or sewer hookups there is however a men and women's bathroom at the top of the campgrounds and the bottom of the campgrounds.
LegendThis was a great experience staying at the campground. Bathrooms are cleaned by custodial company daily. The Wi-Fi works well and we have 4 bars of 5G. Paved roads throughout the campground and sites are 95% level rock. Biggest downfall would be that all sites are buddy sites. You’re just 8 minutes from all the action in Roswell, and we highly recommend hitting up Black Cock Brewery while staying here.
GuideFor just a spot for the night it costs $9 which is basically nothing, but it really should be free. The place smells SO strong of all the poop from the birds and wow it’s windy. I’m from Idaho and have dealt with that kind of thing a lot on the little lakes up there but omg it’s awful here. On the bright side it is very quiet and pretty with easy access to stores around. I would not pay to stay here unless you’re desperate and don’t mind not going outside
RangerVery nice little state park. We used it as a stop over. Lots of scenery, quite the change from most of Eastern NM. Would be a nice place to spend a weekend in the summer when it's warm enough to use the lake.
TravelerWe stayed one night; called ahead and did an after hours check in. Nice dog run. Bathrooms are okay, showers need new curtains and one stall needs a good bleach and scrub.
GuideIt’s twisty roads getting to the park and no where is made for anyone with a trailer. Tight spaces, gravel, covered picnic tables. Water and power, surprised booking fee. Makes it not on the cheap side anymore. Haven’t found the dump station, but it’s got to be close,
RangerWhat a nice, cozy spot in Roswell! It has all you need for a home base from which to explore southern New Mexico: nice showers, laundry, restrooms, common areas with books and dvd's, even bottle of pop for $2 each. Lovely sunsets, level sites, friendly hosts. Couldn't be better!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Roswell, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Roswell, NM is Alamo Road Camp with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Roswell, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 tent camping locations near Roswell, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
