Anthony NM Rest Area Northbound provides a horse corral for overnight stays when traveling with horses. The corral includes a water spigot for equine hydration. While space is somewhat limited—vehicles with large trailers cannot turn around without backing up—the dirt road access accommodates big horse trailers. When arriving at the I-10 rest area, travelers should keep left at the entrance and watch for the corral sign indicating where to turn left onto the dirt road. The area offers basic amenities for horses but limited facilities for human campers.
The rest area serves primarily as a convenient stopover point rather than a destination horse campground. Horse owners transporting their animals through New Mexico appreciate this practical option for breaking long journeys. Surrounding terrain provides limited riding opportunities compared to dedicated equestrian campgrounds. Most visitors use this location strictly as an overnight rest stop while traveling between major destinations. No formal trail systems connect directly to the corral area. The site focuses on providing essential horse containment rather than recreational riding opportunities. Winter travelers should check weather conditions as water facilities may be affected by freezing temperatures.
"Southeast New Mexico has mountains believe it or not. The camp is nestled up against one. It’s Memorial Day weekend and not too crowded. Highly recommend for the price (basically free)."
"I've been on a nationwide roadtrip for a few months that now and I have tent camped alone in many sites from Florida to Arkansas to, now, New Mexico."
"Additionally, the sites are quite close to another nearby main road that is primarily parallel to the road you camp off."
"Able to get our 39’ toy hauler into this location without any issues."
"So the road in is at the 151 Mesquite Exit off IH 10. First 2 miles were blacktop, then 2 miles of 2.5 vehicle wide gravel road then 2 miles of single vehicle gravel road."
"Lots of side by sides rip ridin around"
"If you do one thing in New Mexico--and it would be a shame if you only did one thing, but I digress--full moon camping at White Sands National Monument might be it."
"The hike from the parking lot is barely 2 miles, but when you get to the site there is just seas of white surrounding you. And if at all possible try to camp here during a full moon."
"No border problems. No javelinas this time, just a jackrabbit. Gap Tank was dry but nearby Mesquite Tank had water and even a little ice on the edges."
"Gap Tank is located in the gap between Mt. Riley and the E. Potrillo Mountain ridge in the Desert Peaks National Monument on BLM land in the Chihuahuan Desert. Very few people out there."
"Close to the water from camping sites....Grills tables and shade area...."
"My favorite part about caballo lake is floating down from elephant butte to caballo lake in a giant floaty."
RangerStunning mountain views 30 minutes from White Sands. Narrow, curvy road but well-paved and marked. Wouldn’t want to be arriving to find a campsite after dark, though.
RangerMany sites available, trees around to give privacy, first come first serve, easy pay (cash, check or credit card). Trash cans at most sites. There is water available although make sure you have a 25-30 foot hose to get to it. You can’t drive up to it. Quite a few toilets around although did not use. Nice hikes around and beautiful views from most sites.
ScoutThe Highlights The mountain views are stunning, and the campsites are impressively clean. My site featured a great rustic rock fire ring. The Access The trail in is very bumpy and rocky. Do not attempt this with a long motorhome or a low-clearance camper. Bottom Line A beautiful, clean getaway if your vehicle can handle the trek!
TravelerNice clean place with a great view. $7 per night camping and full of families.
GuideI stayed 2 nights out here, in my 22’ RV. The roads in are doable, however big rocks and heavily uneven. Just be prepared for that.
Otherwise, views are awesome and hiking trails are easily accessible!
GuidePaved first couple of miles, then rough washboard. After a bit, it then becomes a rocky, one lane, two track type road. Cell service is great! Att 5G solid five bars. Lots of obvioua pull off places as you approach the trail head. Saw two trailer campers, so you could bring in a trailer. I wouldn't, but others obviously do. You can hear noise from some liquid sewage processing plants (trucks beeping, etc.), but thankfully no smells from those processing plants. It is windy out here, at least today. I would have no problem staying here again.
GuideI’ve stayed at many BLM sites, and this was by far the worst experience I’ve had. Multiple people parked inside my designated campsite rather than using the nearby trailhead parking. As a solo traveler, I did not feel comfortable with strangers choosing to park directly next to my camper.
There were several hunters who were openly disrespectful and appeared annoyed that I was camping there, despite the fact that I stayed inside my camper and did not interact with them. The only noise from my site were my dogs barking when people got too close. They also took issue with my Ring camera, which continued recording because they were standing very close to my camper.
After hunting, they left animal remains outside my camper and made comments hoping my dogs would get into it. As they left, they ran over and destroyed the fire pit. I contacted a BLM officer, who said they would come clean it up, but no one ever did.
The views are beautiful, but I would not return. The roads are very rough, and only a few campsites are camper-friendly unless you have a high-clearance vehicle.
TravelerSite 8 was spacious with a covered picnic table and pretty level.
The bathrooms weren't horrible.
(SIde note: Mija Coffee in Las Cruces is great!!!)
However, the camp host’s behavior was unexpectedly rude and accusatory. The only time I saw him, he approached me without so much as a greeting and immediately asked if I’d had trouble with the gate the night before (which closes at 6 PM). I explained that I hadn’t left the campground in two days. Despite that, he took a photo of my Jeep and claimed that surveillance footage showed me breaking into the park—then warned me to expect a visit from the rangers. When I tried to clarify, he abruptly drove off. Later, while walking my dog, I saw him chatting with another camper who also had a Jeep. That guest admitted to the rangers that he was the one who had damaged the gate. Had the host handled the situation like a civilized adult, I would give the campground 4 stars.
GuideWe loved this place. We have a small 24’ trailer. We were worried about getting up to this spot but we were just fine. Our site #16, was not level and we had to do quite a bit to get situated but it was so worth it! The trail near by was lovely with amazing views. The rocks of the Organ mts turn pink at sunrise so be sure to get up early. Lots of bugs. Jurassic grasshoppers and lots of wasps. There were wasp nests in one of the bathrooms. Bathrooms were clean though.
The Anthony NM Rest Area Northbound extends beyond basic equestrian facilities to offer practical overnight accommodations for travelers with horses. While primarily serving as a transit point, the area features specific equine infrastructure rarely found at standard rest stops. The corral setup includes basic containment systems with direct water access, though human amenities remain minimal.
Trail riding from dispersed sites: At Oregan Wilderness Dispersed camping areas, horse owners appreciate the landscape's riding potential. "Lots of dispersed sites but looks like a very popular area we passed over 20 campers before finding a spot. Spots are pretty well spaced out with lots of vegetation inbetween," notes camper Tessa T.
Mountain access exploration: Riders seeking mountain terrain can explore areas near Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground. "Met some BLM peeps who were very nice, helpful and provided great information re: geology of the area and other points of interest," shares Mark M. Though not specifically for horses, the surrounding land offers potential riding opportunities.
Desert camping excursions: For equestrian camping near San Ysidro, New Mexico that offers vast desert landscapes, Gap Tank dispersed camping provides primitive options. "Gap Tank is located in the gap between Mt. Riley and the E. Potrillo Mountain ridge in the Desert Peaks National Monument on BLM land in the Chihuahuan Desert. Very few people out there," reports Jacob W.
Privacy between sites: Many horse campers appreciate adequate space. At Oregan Wilderness, Mike M. notes, "I would definitely try to get spots here before Sierra Vista or Baylor Pass trailhead as you don't have to deal with the traffic trying to get to the parking area to hike."
Natural water features: For those seeking water access when camping with horses near San Ysidro, Caballo Lake RV Park offers alternatives. "Great place to kayak especially when the sun rises you will see it over the mountains. My favorite part about caballo lake is floating down from elephant butte to caballo lake in a giant floaty," says Christy L.
Stargazing opportunities: The regional dark skies enhance equestrian camping experiences. "The sky was dark at night and we couldn't see any electric lights. Kind of cool so close yet so far from El Paso," reports Jacob W. about Gap Tank, making it ideal for evening rides.
Road conditions for trailers: Many horse-friendly sites require navigating challenging roads. At BLM Dispersed camping along B059, Laura M. warns, "Road in is rocky and rutted in places; we made it in our 26ft Class C but a higher clearance vehicle would have made for a much less stressful drive in."
Water availability varies: Unlike Anthony's dedicated horse water supply, many dispersed sites lack reliable water. "Gap Tank was dry but nearby Mesquite Tank had water and even a little ice on the edges," notes Jacob W., highlighting the importance of bringing your own water supply.
Site limitations: When selecting equestrian camping spots near San Ysidro, check size restrictions. Mark M. mentions at Aguirre Spring, "BLM recommends nothing more than 23' long. Water available at host site near gate before driving about 4 or 5 mi to campsites."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near San Ysidro, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near San Ysidro, NM is Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 59 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near San Ysidro, NM?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near San Ysidro, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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