Best Campgrounds near Ruidoso Downs, NM

Smooth driving into spot - albeit I did not go all the way back. Quiet all night and occasional security driving through. People mostly cleaned up after themselves.

Can be challenging finding a level spot..I ended up on a slight incline in my van.

Nice campground with showers, power and water

Wonderful views from the base of the mountains. We got there around dusk (on a Friday) and it was pretty full. We got one of the last spots, but they have a lot of versatile lots for camping needs. Bathrooms got the job done and had warm water. The sites are pretty spread out, but since there isn’t much vegetation, not a ton of privacy.

Nice area. 3mi from White Sands National Park. About 20 miles from Alamogordo NM. Weekend evenings get a little crowded with photographers but all in all it's a great place to stay. No services.

My second time here. Great sites, and the Dog Canyon hike is excellent. Quiet and friendly!

Visited in late February. Stunning sunsets over the Lake. Even with a lot of rigs, I was able to find my own spot several feet away from others ( although you will be in sight of other rigs) border patrol surveys the area. Fire pit available at some sites. Pretty quiet, some aircraft noise from the base nearby.

They have redone the bathrooms and showers as of about 2023. They also have a very cool ADA compliant scenic trail into the lava flow field.

They have electric and water hookups at this recreation area. They also have about 5 tent spots at the very back. You can reserve online and they also have some that are first come first serve.

Hosts are usually nice. The bookstore isn't always open due to staff shortages.

This campground is not easy to get into. The road access is excellent, but the two dozen sites are about half reservable and half walk up only. So you don't have a clue about the walk up sites until you get there and they don't stay vacant very long. The reservable. sites don't follow a weekday/weekend pattern. Where the weekends are the most busy. I was going to stay a week or two, but somebody made a one day reservation in the middle of my plans for the only site I could find for even four days in a row. The winds can be pretty fierce so watch out for your awning.. There are a couple of gas stations at the intersection of 380 and 58 in the little town of Carriozo.

This site was very convenient and close to town and not far from white sands national park. There were plenty of spots to choose from and fire pits already available! We loved waking up to the Mountain View’s

The road is a bit lumpy getting in, so bigger rigs will have to take their time. But once you’re in, there’s good spacing so you’re not on top of everyone. Lake is very peaceful in the morning and evening, but wouldn’t swim in it.

Has one handicap accessible & next to bathroom). There is a group site that has three picnic tables under a shelter and two grills. 2 RV sites have covered picnic tables and grills and water and electric hookups. Five tent sites. One of the tent locations is at the handicap accessible site. CLEAN restrooms with flush toilets and drinking water are available. Pets are allowed in the campground(on leash), but are not allowed on the trails. Petroglyph trails are rocky, but not difficult (keep your eyes peeled, there are petroglyphs everywhere). Hosts were very nice. Campground has well-functioning electronic/pay check-in. Great BLM campground. Other places in area include Malpais lava flows. Sierra Blanca hovers to the east. Sunset was early in Nov. so if hiking trails in late afternoon take a flashlight. Nearby Carrizozo reportedly has a photo gallery or three that we were told were well worth checking out but we did not get chance to do so.

Beautiful location for sunsets. Sites are spread out, private, and a bargain at $10 ($14 for electric/water). Clean bathrooms. One very strenuous hike from the campground. We only went up 1/4 mile. The footing was challenging (along with the elevation gain). Good overnight. Quiet at night.

We spent three nights here. It was far enough off the main road, a couple miles, so there was no traffic noise. The owner, Crystal, super attentive to communications. The camp hosts Bob and Mardyth were so sweet. We had truck trouble and had to take it to a mechanic, and Bob came and picked us up and brought us back to the park. The park has full hook ups, a nice shower and laundry and book exchange, and a central area for relaxing and barbecuing. Some nice hiking in the area. A good spot to have as a homebase to visit White Sands National Park and Alamogordo, where the Space museum was.