Campgrounds near Ruidoso, New Mexico sit at elevations between 6,500 and 7,500 feet in the Sierra Blanca mountain range. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing while summer highs average around 78°F, creating distinct camping seasons throughout the year. Cell service varies significantly between campgrounds, with better connectivity at lower elevations and limited or no service at higher-elevation sites.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Campers at Rainbow Lake Cabin & RV Resort appreciate the immediate trail access. "I literally walked out of my door and up the road" into Lincoln National Forest, notes Jeffrey T.
Fishing opportunities: Grindstone Lake offers trout fishing just 1.5 miles from Rainbow Lake Cabin & RV Resort. "We fished about 1&1/2 miles away at Grindstone Lake. Was just what me and my Family needed," shares Joe Z.
Wildlife viewing: Moonflower Meadows RV Resort provides excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. Kelly notes, "The campground is surrounded by fields with a creek bed on the back side and horses on another," while Michele S. mentions "nightly visits by elk."
Mountain exploration: The Apache reservation area offers unique opportunities. Tommy M. from Eagle Creek RV Resort recommends, "Drive up the mountain to SkiApache, there are awesome overlooks on the drive... rode the gondolas to the top of the mountain, then hiked to the summit where you could see the next mountain over which is sacred land to the Apache."
What campers like
Peace and quiet: Many rv sites near Ruidoso, New Mexico offer seclusion from city noise. At Moonflower Meadows RV Resort, Kelly explains it was "very quiet and dark enough at night to see the stars light up the sky."
Landscaping and nature: Shannon at Moonflower Meadows RV Resort maintains "beautiful flower bushes around the whole park" according to Michele S., who adds there are "mature trees at each site and throughout the park, and there's an open field behind it."
Creek access: Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground features Rio Bonito flowing alongside the property. Sue G. observes, "There are horseshoe pits and sand volleyball available for entertainment... Rio Bonito flows along the side of the campground."
Pet amenities: Bonito Hollow RV Park is particularly pet-friendly. Bill F. notes the campground "has an enclosed run where you can take them off the leash for a bit, also has several locations with poop bags available."
What you should know
Road conditions: Several campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Pine Ridge RV Campground, Sue G. warns, "Roads are steep and turns are tight, so if you have a big rig, you may need to stay near the front."
Connectivity limitations: Cell service and internet vary widely. Jan R. at Bonito Hollow RV Park reports, "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."
Bathroom access restrictions: Some campgrounds have unusual policies about shower access. At Along The River RV Park & Campground, Juli Z. notes, "if you have a shower in your rv, you will not get access to showers!"
Fire restrictions: Check current policies before planning campfires. Nick H. mentions Pine Ridge RV Campground has "NO fires allowed, regardless of any local burn bans in place or not."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Slow Play RV Park (formerly Circle B) offers family amenities. Matt S. describes "a game room with a few arcade games" and "enforced quiet times" for peaceful evenings.
Creek play areas: Bonito Hollow RV Park features water play opportunities. Charles B. notes, "Smaller campground with plenty to keep the kids entertained. Playground. Some of the campsites back up to a nice running creek."
Management assistance: Attentive staff can make family camping easier. At Rainbow Lake Cabin & RV Resort, Joe Z. appreciates that "The manager passed by day and night making sure everyone was taken care of."
Security considerations: Some campgrounds offer enhanced security measures. Sue G. notes Bonito Hollow "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."
Tips from RVers
Site width considerations: When reserving rv sites near Ruidoso, check the width specifications. At Moonflower Meadows RV Resort, Michele S. found "Our site was wide enough for my 32ft travel trailer, my pickup, my partner's car, and his trailer with his motorcycle on it, and we still had room to move."
Leveling needs: Be prepared with leveling equipment. Sue G. at Pine Ridge RV Campground notes, "We have a 30 ft and managed to stay at the top, although we had to use leveling blocks."
Seasonal operations: Verify operating schedules before booking. Eagle Creek RV Resort operates seasonally from April 1 to October 31, while others like Pine Ridge RV Campground maintain year-round access with 48 sites available throughout winter.
Location benefits: Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park offers in-town convenience. Richard T. highlights, "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 RV parks as a pass through in our journey."
