Horse facilities are limited at campgrounds near Ruidoso, New Mexico, with most sites lacking dedicated horse corrals. Twin Spruce RV Park accommodates horses but does not offer specialized equine amenities. Most campgrounds permit pets but do not specifically mention horse facilities in their features list. Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area allows camping with tents near trails where horse riding camps operate during summer months. The area includes toilets and campsites along a creek with access to multiple hiking trails including Big Bonito Trail and Argentina Trail.
Lincoln National Forest provides dispersed camping opportunities for equestrians in the Ruidoso area, with West Mesa Trailhead BLM and Guebara Tank Camp offering free primitive camping suitable for horse owners. Stone Mountain RV Resort accepts pets and provides full hookups for those camping with horses and trailers. Skyline Campground sits at a mountain peak with 360-degree views and trail access. Riders should note that many campgrounds in this region experience seasonal limitations with some sites inaccessible during winter months due to snow. The Three Rivers Campground area connects to multiple hiking trails and wilderness areas, making it a practical base for horse campers exploring the White Mountain Wilderness area in Lincoln National Forest.
"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!"
"Good base camp for some of the best hiking around Ruidoso (Big Bonito Trail, Argentina Trail, etc.) Be prepared for lots of dust with the dirt road uphill from sites."
"First time camping in Ruidoso, NM and soooo happy we randomly chose this spot. We had 3 kids with us age between 3-10, lots of room to run around and adventure."
"It was also super quiet since it was so far away from the road. The actual camp was in the trees and great views of the surrounding mountains. Each spot has a table, fire pit, and gazebo."
"Good little camp ground..stow your food away from tent had a bear visit while there..also the road getting there is prone to flash floods"
"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."
"We live in Roswell and it is only a short drive to this campground. We got there around 5 or so on a Saturday night and it was not busy at all."
"Lots of things to see and do close Ruidoso is interesting Lincoln is interesting. Probably not the place to stay in high summer but otherwise really great location."
"Easy to find and not a rough drive. I saw several dirt pull offs surrounded by trees before parking. This was a very private remote area in the forest."
"Not to many trees that are tall so u get cover but not complete seclusion but enof to where it’s enjoyable and u see the sky at nights so path ways are very down sloap if ur in a car know how to drive"
"There are plenty of trails and campsites in the trees. Not a super popular area so they aren't too many people to fight over campsites with. They're are bathrooms there near the parking lot."
"This is a large cul de sac with camping areas around it. There is room for a couple RVs and dozens of tents around. There are nice treed areas that have fire rings."
from $40 / night
GuideThis place is absolutely stunning. The view of the mountains is amazing. You do have to take a gravel / dirt road about 6 miles to get to it. Be prepared to take it slow. We did it in a Ford Maverick pulling a light weight trailer. The campground road is actually worse than the main road. Once you here though it is worth it.
TravelerThe road was long but not bad. Since it was still cool there were lots of open campsites with views. Enough space between camps. The hiking was quite nice with the creek running. Tons of elk shit everywhere. Can hike far.
TravelerThe weather was chilly, and there was still some snow on the ground. The campsite is on a mountain. The dirt road up to the mountain is very well kept. Overall very nice campsite I would go again.
GuideThis is a large cul de sac with camping areas around it. There is room for a couple RVs and dozens of tents around. There are nice treed areas that have fire rings. The Karr Trail is a nice scenic trail back to a small private ranch.
TravelerFirst time camping in Ruidoso, NM and soooo happy we randomly chose this spot. We had 3 kids with us age between 3-10, lots of room to run around and adventure. Amazing views with deer sightings and wild horses. Dirt/rock roads, Fire rings at almost every campsite. Make sure to keep your trash out of sight from critters at night. Beautiful sightings everywhere here. 10/10 recommended!! Definitely will be back!
GuideOne of my favorite spots I camped at during my cross-country road trip. The drive in was easy and peaceful. I found a campsite up on the hill, though I passed several others along the way. I only saw one other camper, so it felt very quiet and solitary. Be sure to read the posted signs, as some sections appear to be closed to vehicles.
It gets very cold at night. Temperatures dropped to 15°F.
As a person of color, I felt very safe throughout my stay.
LegendThis campground is nestled right up against the San Francisco Mountains. We decided to leave our 38foot pull camper down at the petroglyph site and drive up to see if it was going to be easy for us to pull our trailer up. It would be easy except after a heavy storm where the road was flooded and there are only 2 sites we saw that would hold our camper. It was clean and looked like it would be a great place to hike and explore. I was surprised at how busy the area was! Lots of tent campers and tow behind campers. Maybe next time we will try as long as it has been dry and no rain!
GuideNot a bad place for a night. The drive in is a bit long and the road is rocky and washy in some places.
Also heard some annoying noises at night. Sounded like someone was splitting wood or hammering something. At 930pm... Dogs barking at night too.
Decent spot but probably won't be back.
TravelerBeautiful and secluded in mid-October. Camp hosts are super friendly and love to chat, definitely recommend stopping by to say hi.
Lincoln National Forest offers several equestrian camping options near Ruidoso, New Mexico. This mountain destination sits at elevations between 6,500 and 12,000 feet with pine forests and alpine meadows. Weather can change rapidly, with summer monsoon thunderstorms common from July through September and winter snow possible between November and March.
Mountain hiking trails: At Three Rivers Campground, trails connect to the White Mountain Wilderness with varied terrain. "This place is unique as it is one of the few places you can camp on the Western edge of Sierra Blanca / the White Mountain Wilderness. Tons of hiking opportunities with 3 separate trails originating at the campground," notes Jorge G. about Three Rivers Campground.
Wildlife viewing: Baca Campground offers opportunities to spot local wildlife in a forested setting. According to Jamie P., "I nearly always see lots of wildlife. The campsite s are large and widely spaced." Nikki B. adds about West Mesa Trailhead BLM: "Although I did not see anything, there were signs of wildlife everywhere."
Creek exploration: Visit seasonal water features at Upper Bonito when water levels permit. "Creek near by that didn't have much water in it. But over all pretty (Dry) Area," shares Jaedee B. about water conditions, while another camper mentions "We had a great night drove through the entire area and off roads to find a nice quiet area we had our son and two big doggos and had plenty of space for them to roam."
Secluded camping spots: Upper Karr Canyon Campground offers tent sites away from crowds. Carson P. reports, "I hiked into the trees a bit so there weren't super close neighbors. Plenty of downed trees for gathering firewood. There's an old logging road that makes for an easy hike." Upper Karr Canyon Campground provides this nature escape.
High-elevation views: Skyline Campground sits at a mountain peak with expansive vistas. "It's absolutely stunning to camp at the peak of a mountain. You have 360 views of the region, but beware, the wind can get quite torrential," warns Michael. Lev adds about Skyline Campground: "All in all a decent one night or two campground, very close to the road, and very slanted."
Year-round access: Some horse campgrounds near Ruidoso stay open throughout winter. A camper at Three Rivers notes, "I have been to this campground many time. It's one of my favorites because it's open all year!" though winter conditions may require preparation.
Weather considerations: Mountain conditions can change rapidly. "We got hit with a TON of crazy wind which made our tent bend all the way to the ground. We ended up seeking shelter in our car. We woke up to a bunch of snow and decided to drive out," warns Leah W. about Baca Campground.
Road conditions: Access to some equestrian camping areas requires careful driving. "DO NOT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE HERE IN WET CONDITIONS!" cautions one Baca visitor after getting stuck. Another camper at Three Rivers warns: "Good little camp ground..stow your food away from tent had a bear visit while there..also the road getting there is prone to flash floods."
Limited facilities: Most dispersed horse camping locations have minimal amenities. Upper Bonito has vault toilets but no water. West Mesa Trailhead has no facilities but allows free camping. Guebara Tank Camp has no toilets but allows horseback access.
Kid-friendly locations: Upper Bonito Recreation Area works well for families. "It's a nice area to spend with another person and even with kids, restrooms are clean, there's some privacy if you find s good spot," recommends Alex G. about Upper Bonito Dispersed Recreation Area.
Wildlife precautions: Teach children about bear safety at Three Rivers Campground. "Good little camp ground..stow your food away from tent had a bear visit while there," warns one camper, highlighting the importance of proper food storage.
Accessible trails: Some locations offer easier hiking routes for families with children. At Upper Karr, "There's an old logging road that makes for an easy hike. It leads into a meadow with a very small pond which I'm sure would be good for wildlife viewing if you sat there long enough."
Site selection for larger rigs: Stone Mountain RV Resort accommodates larger trailers and RVs with full hookups. "Several permanent trailers here, but we got a good site (#14 which was marked as 21). Outdoor fire pit and gas grill available. 30 or 50 amp ($10 more for 50). FHU. Friendly staff," shares Dennis P. about Stone Mountain RV Resort.
Work-friendly locations: Some campgrounds offer cell service for digital nomads. "It was late November and cold so I stayed where I had electric service... Good cell phone service. I plan on staying for a full week and working from here," mentions Teresa T. about West Mesa Trailhead.
Space constraints: Not all campgrounds accommodate large trailers. At Three Rivers, one visitor noted: "We decided to leave our 38foot pull camper down at the petroglyph site and drive up to see if it was going to be easy for us to pull our trailer up. It would be easy except after a heavy storm where the road was flooded and there are only 2 sites we saw that would hold our camper."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ruidoso, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ruidoso, NM is Skyline Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 5 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Ruidoso, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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