Tularosa sits at the base of the Sacramento Mountains in south-central New Mexico, where elevations vary dramatically from 4,000 feet in the basin to over 9,000 feet in the mountain forests. This transition zone creates distinct camping microclimates within short driving distances. Summer temperatures in the basin can exceed 100°F while mountain campsites remain 15-20 degrees cooler, making elevation selection crucial for comfort.
What to do
Petroglyph viewing: Three Rivers area is accessible year-round and contains over 21,000 ancient rock carvings. "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," notes Jacob W. from Three Rivers Campground.
Mountain hiking: Cloudcroft trails offer pine-shaded paths at 9,000 feet elevation. "We visited Sleepy Grass in May 2021 and it was an amazing campground fairly close to the town of Cloudcroft, but secluded enough to feel like the middle of an alpine forest," shares Jeff T. from Sleepy Grass Campground. "One of the highlights was that we got to see a wild stallion grazing in the campground while we were there."
White Sands exploration: The gypsum dunes of White Sands National Park are just 30 minutes from Alamogordo. "Everyone was super nice! Place was well kept and clean... White Sands National Park is very close," reports James W. about staying near the dunes.
What campers like
Cool mountain temperatures: Escaping summer heat at higher elevations. "It was chilly and breezy at night with temps dropping into the high 30's in mid-May (campground elevation is about 9,000ft)," notes Jeff T. about Sleepy Grass Campground.
Secluded natural settings: Finding quiet spots away from crowds. "About 20 minutes to white sands, clean bathrooms, well kept. Maintained a lot of space between campsites during pandemic," writes Kristen about her stay at Alamogordo / White Sands KOA.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening animal sightings. "Beautiful spot! It had a little over 21 sites surrounded by Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir trees. There is lots of wildlife. We saw plenty of deer and even an elk," reports J. Tom S. about his experience at Sleepy Grass Campground.
What you should know
Seasonal wind considerations: Spring brings challenging conditions. "BEWARE: March is 'Windy season'. We got caught on the first day of it I think! Big gusty winds at night for us. The drive there can get dangerous and could possibly expect a bumpy night in a camper there!" warns Nicholas from Alamogordo / White Sands KOA.
Train noise near some campgrounds: "Train tracks not far away and one night I heard it at least 5 different times. 6:45a trash pickup on Tues mornings FYI. Just be aware if you're a light sleeper," advises Nick H. about his otherwise positive experience.
Extreme temperature variations: Prepare for both heat and cold. "Oddly this popped up in my feed as a late 4th of July choice. Good God, no. I like heat and live in New Mexico... But for mid-summer? No, unless you're an infernal demon it's a bit warm those months," cautions Jeff V. about Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground in the summer.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. "After half a week of boondocking we were in need of showers and laundry. This was our first time at a KOA. It was clean, quiet, and extremely convenient to White Sands National Park. The staff were super helpful and friendly. Our kids enjoyed the playground," shares Elena C.
Stream exploration: Look for campgrounds with water features. "We truly enjoyed our three night stay. The owners and managers were welcoming and friendly. The bath house has two large individual restrooms that each have a shower. We took our 8 year old boy and he had such a great time and spotted some deer close to camp. Rio Penasco is a nice small river that runs thru camp," describes Jessica U. about The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park.
Pet considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate dogs equally. "This campground is clean and well maintained. The downside is there is no grass. We travel with our dogs, and the gravel is large, and the dogs struggled to find potty spots," notes Sarina about her experience.
Tips from RVers
Water pressure management: Bring regulators for some parks. "Local to everything in Alamogordo. Propane available, laundry, cabins, hot as hell showers, water pressure is really high at around 155 psi. So definitely bring a regulator," advises Christian M.
Site selection for privacy: Choose carefully based on layout. "We paid extra for a site with swing, paver patio, table and chairs. Site was very large, private, and well worth the extra $," recommends Nick H. about his glamping close to Tularosa, New Mexico experience at Boot Hill RV Resort.
Cell service varies widely: Coverage changes with elevation. "I was looking to get away from the heat in Albuquerque and maybe even do a little fishing... 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," reports Jan R. from Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground.
