Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Sunspot, NM

While some of the sites are a little close together, the campground itself is very spacious (15 acres!) with a large dog park and a new building for activities. The bathhouse is a set of single bathrooms (one women’s, one men’s) with one toilet and one shower each, so I’d recommend using the bathroom in your rv if possible to avoid a line, but the bathrooms are very clean and feel like a bathroom you’d find inside someone’s home. Sites are placed far enough back from the road that there is very very minimal noise. The entire property was very quiet and peaceful, and Gail was a dream to work with.

My only complaint was the WiFi signal was very poor, and virtually unusable during the evenings—cell service is also minimal due to the location, but I was able to work remotely using my T-Mobile hotspot.

As of May 2021, through end of Sep 2021, camping is BY RESERVATION ONLY, via reserveamerica.com. 

The amenities of each campsite, as well as "driveway" length, are listed on that website.

All campsites have a picnic table and a fire ring with grill.  

Only some have shade shelters.

Hydrant water is potable (except from blue hydrant at dump station).

Pets on leash (6' or less) at all times;  lots of garbage cans to dispose of pet waste.

After recent rains, the park is strikingly green for being in the desert.  The Nature Trail is a bit challenging, not having been reconstructed after the 2019 flood, but still offers a short easy hike to where there is flowing water prior to requiring you to clamber over boulders either up or down the canyon.  The Dog Canyon Trail is steep -- bring lots of water!  The Visitor Center is open each morning except Monday, and staffed by knowledgeable volunteers.  Call the park phone # and listen to the recording to find if there are any changes.

At this time (through Sept 15) MASKS ARE REQUIRED in the VC and comfort station.

Volunteer camphosts keep the comfort station spotless.  They also sell firewood for the Friends of Dog Canyon (cash only), and if the VC is not open can sell you an annual pass (also cash only).  They will loan you a free sled/saucer for White Sands.

Glass containers are prohibited (outside your RV).

ATVs/OHVs are prohibited.

Lots are leveled, very quiet, pet friendly, safe spots from flash floods, beautiful views from the tops of the near by peaks, hiking trails close by. The forest was burnt near the park about 4 to six years ago. $10.00 a night but there is other off the road camping free. Camp host was friendly and watched the camp closely. As weekend came on more people started showing up with loud music and lots of camp fires all day. Smoke was getting thick as winds calm down. The air was smokey already because of the California fires. First few days were nice and peaceful, but on the weekend it got busy.

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.