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Best Campgrounds near Ruidoso, NM

468 Reviews

The mountains around Ruidoso, New Mexico, give campers several good options within short driving distance. Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park sits just five miles from Ruidoso Downs, letting you stay close to town while still having some quiet. History buffs might want to check out Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, about 23 miles away in Bent, NM, where you can see ancient rock carvings. If you're traveling with kids, the Alamogordo / White Sands KOA (38 miles from Ruidoso) has a playground and pool that children typically enjoy, plus it's convenient for day trips to White Sands National Park. Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground is closer at six miles from town and has good access to hiking trails and fishing spots. The Rio Grande and Sangre de Cristo Mountains make a nice backdrop for camping in this part of New Mexico. Most people come to hike, fish, or visit White Sands while staying in the area. Be ready for big temperature swings between day and night, and bring extra water and sun protection, especially in summer. The campgrounds near Ruidoso work well for both active campers and those who just want to relax.

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Best Camping Sites Near Ruidoso, New Mexico (114)

    1. Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park

    14 Reviews
    Ruidoso Downs, NM
    5 miles
    +1 (575) 964-8555

    $45 - $70 / night

    "Close to shopping. We initially booked for a week...2 days in we extended our stay to 1 month. Already reserved for 1 month in December. A MUST if you are in Ruidoso, NM."

    "This was a decision while we were in Alamogordo trying to find an RV place in Ruidoso. What sold us to be there was the 5 star review."

    2. Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground

    8 Reviews
    Ruidoso, NM
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 336-4325

    $40 - $54 / night

    "I was looking to get away from the heat in Albuquerque and maybe even do a little fishing. I picked a site next to the upper river (Rio Bonito)."

    "Beautiful surroundings, not far from downtown shopping in Ruidoso, most helpful hosts on site. My husband was not in the best of health when we went."

    3. Slow Play RV Park

    6 Reviews
    Ruidoso Downs, NM
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 378-4990

    "Ruidoso is an amazing city that we fell in love with. Great places to eat - cafe rio, hall of flame, and Anaheim jacks being three of them."

    "We received a call about 10 minutes prior to our arrival to ensure we knew where they are located. Upon arrival we were greeted and escorted to our site and advised on hookups."

    4. Fort Stanton Cave Campground

    8 Reviews
    Capitan, NM
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 322-0030

    "Lots of access to trails (hiking, biking, and horse access only)."

    "Close to Lincoln, NM. Historical Fort Stanton just down the road."

    5. Eagle Creek RV Resort

    4 Reviews
    Ruidoso, NM
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 336-1131

    $40 - $45 / night

    "Awesome hill/mountain side campsites, close to the lakes and creeks. Look out for wild turkeys, deer, elk, bears, and even wild horses!"

    "It’s a little of the beaten path and the spots are no more than open areas.. it gets busy during the holiday times. But it’s just a few minutes to the lakes."

    6. Riverside RV Park

    4 Reviews
    Ruidoso Downs, NM
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-3428

    "Pulled in the wrong entrance and immediately was greeted by people offering help. Had a nice deck overlooking the creek."

    7. Monjeau Campground

    4 Reviews
    Ruidoso, NM
    7 miles
    Website

    "The drive up is full of narrow switchbacks that you just hope and pray nobody else happens to be coming around at the same time as you are. There are some quite steep grades as well."

    "There were also some horses roaming around. Oh and it’s free! Can’t beat it."

    8. Skyline Campground

    4 Reviews
    Ruidoso, NM
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 257-4095

    "Me and two of my buddy's went there and had a great time hiking and just hanging around camp and chilling."

    "Lots of camping spots and great hiking trails to go on! Gets a little windy since you’re at the top, but totally worth it!"

    9. Along The River RV Park & Campground

    4 Reviews
    Ruidoso, NM
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 336-4444

    "Best rv campsite in the area clean and spacious sites , access to the River, firewood for sale and friendly owners. We have camped here the last 3 years and we love this place."

    10. Grindstone lake

    3 Reviews
    Ruidoso Downs, NM
    6 miles

    "We spent a couple hours at the lake and the weather was perfect. We saw a few people fishing, not much shade for this and no one in the water swimming."

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Recent Camping Photos near Ruidoso, NM

158 Photos of 114 Ruidoso Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Ruidoso, NM

468 Reviews of 114 Ruidoso Campgrounds

  • TheFoxphire F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    Forest Rd 568 Dispersed

    Lovely

    One of our favorites. Room for big rigs prior to road intersection pretty rough beyond that. Able to get our 31’ class C with no issues other than unevenness. The good: beautiful tree coverage, trails that lead to town, road biking distance to town, daily short rains, wild mustangs walking right through our site, plenty of room. The bad: rocky unlevel sites, local dude that drives in daily maniacally to smoke his cigar then speeds off.

  • r
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Saddle Campground

    Tall pines, quiet, wildlife

    One of many campgrounds in the Cloudcroft area. Tents and RVs mixed. No hook-ups. Dump and showers for a fee at top camp known as Overflow which is a gravel parking area but handles large rigs the best.

  • R
    Jul. 30, 2025

    El Campo Glamping

    Lovely Place

    The accommodations were great and the views were beautiful. Would definitely come back.

  • Haven D.
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground

    So good!

    A fantastic spot to relax for a few days and soak in nature. Stunning cliffs rise to the east, with a wide-open valley stretching beyond. The starry night skies are absolutely beautiful. Facilities are decent—nothing to complain about. Strong cell service with both Verizon and T-Mobile. Great location for day trips to the mountains or White Sands. The open sky also makes it perfect for slope setups

  • Manuel P.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

    Super Busy

    Been camping here several times a year and it just keeps getting busier and busier. Need to find a new place!

  • Jeff V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground

    Not for the 4th of July, unless you just escaped Hell

    Oddly this popped up in my feed as a late 4th of July choice.  Good God, no.  I like heat and live in New Mexico.  Northern new Mexico, in the mountains, where no one needs air conditioning. 

    Cooler times of the year, like mid-winter, I do recommend the area, particularly Dog Canyon, a great winter or early spring hike. 

    But for mid-summer?  No, unless you're an infernal demon it's a bit warm those months.

  • Aly E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 24, 2025

    Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

    Elk everywhere!

    We drove in around 10pm and the small town of Cloudcroft was beautiful for anyone needing a place to stop before heading into the forest. We saw more elk than we could count! Just glowing eyes everywhere and all in the road. The road dead ends at a fenced private property so we turned around and just got a pull off spot for the night since we camp in the truck but there's tons of tent spots. Some rock made fire pits around. And we didn't see anyone around us for miles. Tons of bullet shells everywhere. It was almost errie how quiet it was! Camped here on our way down to the White Sands.

    Road isn't bad, but we are in a higher up Toyota Tacoma. Poor cell signal for T-Mobile but Verizon did!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2025

    Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

    Beautiful disbursed camping spot

    This amazing camping spot near cloudcroft nm is a perfect place to stop by and see the beautiful woods and mountains of Lincoln mountains.

Guide to Ruidoso

Camping near Ruidoso, New Mexico, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking for a cozy RV spot or a tent site surrounded by nature, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the beautiful trails around the area. Many campers enjoy the short paved nature trail through the lava beds at Valley Of Fires Recreation Area. One visitor mentioned, “The hike through the lava rocks was informative and easy. Love this place!”
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. A camper at Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping shared, “We saw 6 big elk and several deer while driving in.”
  • Fishing: If you’re into fishing, check out Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground. One guest noted, “I picked a site next to the upper river (Rio Bonito). The water was clear and moving.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park highlighted, “The bathrooms were clean and showers are always a plus.”
  • Stunning Views: Many campgrounds offer breathtaking views. A visitor at Valley Of Fires Recreation Area said, “Overall Rating: 5 for a campground offering space and extraordinary views.”
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the welcoming atmosphere. One reviewer at Boot Hill RV Resort remarked, “Lovely sights, friendly staff and close to White Sands National Park!”

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping, don’t have drinking water or toilets. A camper advised, “If you don't feel like dropping 20 bucks a night or more for a spot to camp, this is a great alternative.”
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor at Three Rivers Petroglyph Site noted, “First come first serve. 2 sites with electric/water, no sewer hookup.”
  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads. A camper at Edgington RV Park mentioned, “Very noisy at night with lots of ambulances driving by.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One family at The Camp @ Cloudcroft said, “My 8-year-old boy had such a great time and spotted some deer close to camp.”
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand makes things easier. A camper at Cool Pines RV Park suggested, “Bring all your supplies though— not much in town except for a cafe, convenience store, and hotel.”
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. A visitor at Baca Campground shared, “The sites were easy to find, clean, and ours at least had a fire ring.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park mentioned, “The ease of picking a spot that worked for our situation made it surprisingly one of the best RV experiences we’ve had.”
  • Look for Full Hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with full hookups. A camper at Boot Hill RV Resort noted, “Level sites, friendly helpful staff.”
  • Be Prepared for Limited Cell Service: Some areas have poor reception. A visitor at Cool Pines RV Park said, “AT&T is non-existent but I have 2 bars of T-Mobile.”

Camping near Ruidoso, New Mexico, offers a unique experience with plenty of options for everyone. Whether you’re in an RV or pitching a tent, you’ll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

¿Dónde puedo encontrar lugares para acampar en Ruidoso, Nuevo Mexico?

En el área de Ruidoso, puedes acampar en Mountain Springs Ranch, un hermoso parque con espacios de grava que ofrece impresionantes puestas de sol y observación de estrellas, además de contar con un manantial natural donde a veces se pueden ver búhos. Otra opción es Mama Bear RV Park en Capitan, aproximadamente a 20 millas de Ruidoso, un parque limpio con personal atento. Para quienes buscan una experiencia en el bosque, el Monjeau Campground ofrece acceso para vehículos y a pie, con baños disponibles en un entorno natural tranquilo.

What are the best campgrounds in Ruidoso, NM for tent camping?

Moonflower Meadows RV Resort offers a tranquil tent camping experience hidden away near Ruidoso and adjacent to Lincoln National Forest. Its quiet location away from traffic makes it ideal for tent campers seeking peace while staying close to area attractions. For a more rustic experience, consider Skyline Campground near Alto, which offers hike-in access options and basic facilities including toilets. The natural setting provides an authentic outdoor experience while still being accessible to Ruidoso's amenities.

Where can I find camping near Sierra Blanca in the Ruidoso area?

For camping near Sierra Blanca, Oak Grove Campground is an excellent option located just north of Ruidoso off Highway 532. It offers affordable camping at just $6 per vehicle (half price with an annual pass) and provides a forested setting. Another great choice is Deerhead Campground — Lincoln National Forest, which offers a true forest experience with stunning natural surroundings. The campground has no cell signal, making it perfect for those looking to disconnect while exploring the Sierra Blanca region.

What camping sites are available near Ruidoso, New Mexico?

The Ruidoso area offers diverse camping options. Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground sits alongside the clear waters of Rio Bonito, offering peaceful sites near the creek with beautiful views. For those seeking free dispersed camping, Picacho Road Dispersed Camping provides decent pull-off spots from a dirt road, though there's a slight ditch to navigate when accessing the area. Other options include Grindstone Lake with water access and reservable sites, and several RV parks like Mountain Springs Ranch that accommodate various camping styles.

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