Best Tent Camping near Roswell, NM
Tent camping near Roswell, New Mexico provides several primitive options in the high desert landscape of southeastern New Mexico. Alamo Road Camp offers dispersed tent camping approximately 12 miles outside Roswell, with walk-in tent sites spread across open terrain. Haystack Mountain OHV Area and Mescalero Sands North Dunes OHV Area both accommodate tent campers with basic facilities in distinctive desert environments. These primitive tent campgrounds provide access to the stark beauty of New Mexico's desert landscape while maintaining proximity to Roswell's amenities.
The tent campsites in this region require self-sufficiency and preparation. No drinking water is available at any of these locations, so campers must bring all necessary water supplies. Alamo Road Camp features no formal facilities, while both OHV areas provide vault toilets. Ground conditions vary significantly with weather; campers report that Alamo Road Camp becomes extremely muddy after rain, with fine dust accumulating on surfaces during dry periods. Fires are permitted at Alamo Road Camp and Mescalero Sands, though no firewood is provided. The desert climate brings temperature swings from daytime highs in the 80s to nighttime lows in the 50s, with strong winds common throughout the region.
Backcountry tent camping in the Roswell area offers solitude and unobstructed night skies. At Alamo Road Camp, campers noted that sites are spaced "a few football fields away" from each other, providing privacy rare in established campgrounds. The area experiences occasional wildlife encounters, with one visitor reporting cattle herds passing through at sunset. According to reviews, Mescalero Sands offers "stunning sunsets" but can become noisy on weekends with OHV activity. Haystack Mountain provides desert views but campers should watch for snakes. Rangers periodically patrol Alamo Road Camp, checking on campers once or twice weekly. For the most peaceful primitive tent camping experience, visitors recommend midweek stays when OHV areas see minimal traffic and the desert quiet is uninterrupted.
