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Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park welcomes pets at its forested camping location in downtown Ruidoso. Tent campers and RV travelers can bring their dogs to any of the designated pet-friendly sites, which feature drinking water, electric hookups, and picnic tables where families can gather with their animals. Riverside RV Park's sites overlooking the creek provide level, gravel pads suitable for camping with pets. Bathrooms are kept clean and decorated in a welcoming style at both locations. Slow Play RV Park (formerly Circle B) enforces quiet times so pets and their owners can enjoy peaceful evenings with minimal disturbance. The park offers a dog walk trail where pets can stretch their legs after traveling. Most campgrounds in the area provide trash receptacles for proper disposal of pet waste.
Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground offers pet-friendly cabin accommodations for travelers who prefer not to tent camp with their animals. The surrounding Lincoln National Forest provides numerous trail options where leashed dogs can explore alongside their owners. Wildlife viewing opportunities include regular visits from mule deer and elk, though pet owners should keep animals secured to avoid wildlife encounters. Wild horses occasionally visit Along The River RV Park & Campground, requiring careful pet management. During summer months, deer flies can become an issue at some campgrounds, particularly Eagle Creek RV Resort, though they typically lose interest quickly. The mountainous terrain provides shaded sites under abundant pine trees, creating comfortable spaces for pets during hot summer months. Most campgrounds remain accessible year-round, though Oak Grove Campground operates seasonally from May to September.
"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."
from $45 - $70 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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)."
from $40 - $54 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Clean & quiet site with a dog walk trail. Highly recommended if you are visiting Lincoln National Forest."
"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."
from $40 - $45 / night
Check Availability"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!"
"Pulled in the wrong entrance and immediately was greeted by people offering help. Had a nice deck overlooking the creek."
"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."
"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."
"We enjoyed our time and the site is near enough town that you can leave to enjoy a meal and then return."
"Located right off the 79 in Warner Springs, there are several wineries along the way if you're into doing some wine tasting before settling into camp life."
from $6 / night
Check Availability"My family and dog tent-camped at Three Rivers campground on Labor Day weekend 2014. There were shaded spots. The water in the river was running and fresh. There were a couple nice bathing holes."
"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."
GuideWe were able to get in last minute for a two night stay. We stayed in Site 604. Pull through, level spot. Very close to neighbor RVs. But, nice and quiet. Dogs enjoyed the fenced dog park (although gravel). Full Hookups.
Location great for White Sands National Park, Cloudcroft, NM (Brewery up there at 9000 ft) and Las Cruces, NM.
ScoutThe staff was very friendly and helpful! They had a dog park, laundry room, clean showers and bathroom. The pools was closed but looked perfect! Thanks for such a great experience!
RangerI don't know where Lindsay was, but this campground is nowhere near any highway called 79. Oak Grove is just north of Ruidoso off 532, which intersects 48 in Alta. Six bucks per vehicle for camping or day use, half off with the annual pass. The only parking is on the main road through the campground, you can't park away from the traffic. Three little bear proof dumpsters were emptied very regularly. The horses are fascinating and with horses come horse apples. There are piles of horse apples have a foot thick. Bring a rake. In May the meadow was blooming with purple irises of some sort. This made for a dense population of hummingbirds and huge wasps. The waspes are not aggressive but they are a nuisance. The low prices bring low income families, I wish it was twice the expense to camp here. Most plates were from Texas a few from New Mexico and even an occasional Colorado. On the weekends the place gets pretty full. This campground is closed in the winter because the road in is steep curvy with sheer drop offs. There is firewood galore to be picked up off the ground. The biggest concern of the camp post and the forest service rangers is forest fires. Please be sure to bring enough water to drown your campfire completely.
GuideOddly 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.
GuideThis campground has it all. 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. The hosts helped him set up, with them doing the majority of the work, in the rain. The campground is pet friendly, has an enclosed run where you can take them off the leash for a bit, also has several locations with poop bags available. This seems to be a super secure location as hosts are on duty 24/7. No one comes into the campground without stopping at the office and checking in, anyone failing to do this, will be followed in and information gathered or asked to leave. Sites, once vacated are gone over with a fine tooth comb to make sure Nothing is left behind, the fire pits are cleaned, and everything is in order for the next camper. There are horseshoe pits and sand volleyball available for entertainment. Showers and laundry facilities are available and kept super clean. Rio Bonito flows along the side of the campground
ScoutStayed here recently and honestly loved how peaceful and quiet this RV park is. The sites are spacious with beautiful open New Mexico views, and check-in was simple and stress-free. It’s a perfect place if you want a calm, safe stop away from busy highways but still close enough to town for essentials. The atmosphere feels relaxed and welcoming, especially at night when the sky is full of stars. I would definitely stop here again for a comfortable and easy RV stay.
GuideIt's a decent pull off from a random dirt road in New Mexico. You have to drop off into a slight ditch to get to the spot, about 3-4 inches I'd say. We were fine in a truck camper but it's something to consider. There was a decent amount of local trees traffic on the road, but we were far enough away from the highway that we couldn't hear much of any road noise. Literally just a patch of somewhat level gravel
ScoutI 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). The water was clear and moving, but no sign of any fish. The river is more of a creek (expected for New Mexico), but still pretty. It was barely visible from my camp, but just a short hike away. No ATT or Verizon cell service at my site, but I did find a weak signal up near the office. The wifi was a struggle. It was barely adequate the first day, but absolutely miserable the second day. I could easily connect to their router, but constantly got an error of “no internet service” and had to log off and on several times. I had limited shade at my site, but thankfully the AC kept the trailer cool enough, as it was nearly 90 degrees outside. The hosts were very nice and the park is kept pretty clean. No tents allowed, though.
GuideThe pictures I saw didn’t do this park justice. That’s a switch. Yeah, the RV spots are gravel. But it’s southern New Mexico. There is an actual spring here. The trees around it have a couple of Great Horned owls who have come out nightly. But it’s the New Mexico sunsets and stars that make this such a nice place. Good price for full hook ups, and John our host is a really nice guy
Camping areas near Ruidoso, New Mexico sit at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 7,500 feet, creating cooler summer conditions compared to surrounding desert regions. The mountainous terrain provides natural shade from abundant pine forests while most campgrounds remain accessible throughout the year. During summer months, afternoon thunderstorms frequently occur between July and September, bringing brief but intense rainfall.
Trail exploration with pets: Lincoln National Forest offers numerous hiking trails where leashed dogs can accompany owners. At Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground, campers appreciate the location for trail access. One visitor mentioned, "This campground has a small creek that runs along the grounds and nice spots to sit and chill out," while another noted there are "horseshoe pits, fenced in area for dogs to do their business."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The Ruidoso area hosts diverse wildlife including mule deer, elk, and wild horses. Along The River RV Park & Campground provides regular wildlife sightings according to campers. One reviewer stated, "Deer, wild horses come to visit," making it an excellent option for animal enthusiasts. Sites are described as "spacious" with tables and fireboxes available.
Mountain recreation access: Skyline Campground offers proximity to higher elevation activities. A camper reported, "You have 360 views of the region," while another mentioned, "Lots of camping spots and great hiking trails to go on!" The campground provides access to scenic overlooks though visitors should prepare for wind exposure at this higher-elevation site.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds throughout Ruidoso prioritize maintenance of bathroom facilities. According to a Riverside RV Park visitor, "The bathrooms are kept clean and are decorated cute," making them comfortable for guest use. The campground also offers "level, gravel pads" for camping vehicles.
Pet-friendly accommodations: Multiple options exist for pet friendly camping near Ruidoso. At Slow Play RV Park, campers appreciate the dedicated pet areas. One reviewer highlighted the "dog walk trail" where pets can exercise. The same visitor noted "peaceful evenings, with enforced quiet times" that benefit pets and owners alike.
Central locations: Campers value proximity to Ruidoso's amenities. A Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park visitor explained, "The best part about this place was how close it was to stores, food, and gas. It's really opened my eyes to how we can use RV parks as a pass through in our journey." Another camper called it "Perfect location, perfect hosts."
Weather considerations: Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms while winter can bring snow at higher elevations. At Skyline Campground, reviewers caution, "It can get quite torrential and there is not a ton of shade but there is some!" Another camper advised, "Gets a little windy since you're at the top, but totally worth it!"
Wildlife management: Pet owners should maintain control of animals due to regular wildlife encounters. Campers at Eagle Creek RV Resort report, "During our stay we had regular visits from a group of about 11 male mule deer!" Another visitor mentioned, "Look out for wild turkeys, deer, elk, bears, and even wild horses!"
Seasonal availability: While many campgrounds operate year-round, some have limited seasons. Oak Grove Campground operates only from May to September. A visitor explained, "This campground is closed in the winter because the road in is steep curvy with sheer drop offs."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated children's areas. One Bonito Hollow visitor noted, "Smaller campground with plenty to keep the kids entertained. Playground. Some of the campsites back up to a nice running creek."
Water activities: During summer months, nearby water features provide recreation options. A Grindstone Lake visitor shared, "They've really improved this place. They've got a floating play island and canoes. Good times for the whole family."
Site selection for privacy: When camping with children, consider spacing between sites. At Oak Grove Campground, one camper advised, "Most sites have decent space between them, some are more private than others." Preparation is key as "there is no water" available on-site.
Size limitations: Some campgrounds restrict larger rigs. A reviewer at Oak Grove warned, "Most parking is for a car or van. The camp host will send you on your way if your rig is over 23 feet."
Hookup availability: Campgrounds offer varying utility options. At Riverside RV Park, sites feature full hookups with "nice deck overlooking the creek." Twin Spruce RV Park provides practical amenities including the ability to "refill your propane on site."
Road conditions: Access roads vary in quality throughout the area. A Bonito Hollow visitor noted, "I picked a site next to the upper river (Rio Bonito). The water was clear and moving." However, at other locations, campers report rougher access roads requiring careful navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ruidoso, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ruidoso, NM is Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park with a 4.9-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ruidoso, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 93 dog-friendly camping locations near Ruidoso, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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