Dog-Friendly Camping near Weed, NM

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    The Camp @ Cloudcroft RV Park welcomes pets throughout its grounds, offering level sites positioned beside a beautiful stream in a peaceful mountain setting. Located in Mayhill, this full-hookup campground provides dedicated spaces for both tent and RV campers who travel with their animals. Campers reference The Dyrt for top tips on camping near Weed, New Mexico. The park features accessible waste disposal areas, making longer stays with pets convenient. No breed restrictions are enforced, allowing families to bring various dog types when visiting the Sacramento Mountains. The clean restroom facilities include two large individual restrooms with showers, providing comfort after outdoor adventures with pets. Local wildlife frequently visits the campground, with mule deer and wild turkeys making regular appearances that fascinate both campers and their leashed pets.

    Dog-friendly trails wind through Lincoln National Forest, providing excellent exercise opportunities for pets and their owners near several Weed-area campgrounds. James Canyon Campground offers free primitive camping with pets allowed, featuring clean pit toilets and designated tent pads perfect for overnight stays with dogs. The small creek running through The Camp @ Cloudcroft provides a refreshing water source where pets can cool off during warmer months. Owners should maintain awareness of wildlife in the region, keeping pets properly secured particularly during evening hours. Cool Pines RV Park accommodates pets across its 15 acres of wooded pine slopes, giving animals plenty of space to exercise while maintaining appropriate leashing. The higher elevation campgrounds maintain significantly cooler temperatures than surrounding areas, with temperature differences reaching up to 25 degrees cooler than nearby desert regions—a critical consideration when camping with heat-sensitive dogs during summer months.

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    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Weed (85)

      1. Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground

      4.8(69)23mi from Weed42 sitesRVs, Tents

      "I like heat and live in New Mexico.  Northern new Mexico, in the mountains, where no one needs air conditioning. "

      "Very beautiful hidden away RV and Raised Primitive State Park full of marked and unmarked foliage and a nice museum reflecting on the surrounding area of New Mexico."

      from $15 - $30 / night

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      2. Camp Rio

      5.0(9)6mi from Weed14 sites

      "We took our 8 year old boy and he had such a great time and spotted some deer close to camp."

      "We stayed in the teardrop camper — so cold outside but the teardrop was warm and cozy. Since then we’ve been back several times! They have new beautifully renovated shower houses."

      from $55 - $85 / night

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      3. Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping

      4.1(17)13mi from WeedRVs, Tents

      "We arrived in Cloudcroft NM around 7pm on Thursday the 6th got some last minute supplies at all sups gas station and headed to the ranger station just down the 130 Cox Canyon Hwy to get a map of the park"

      "This is a quiet area tucked away in Lincoln National Forest. It's not too far from Cloudcroft, NM so it's easy to resupply on water, snack, etc."

      4. James Canyon Campground

      4.4(10)7mi from WeedTents

      "This is one of the easiest campgrounds to access, if yiure a senior or have someone with difficulty getting around thos is the place."

      "Located just a couple miles outside of Mayhill, NM inside the Lincoln National Forest, this primitive camping spot is directly off of US 82 and has a 5 spots total."

      5. Cool Pines RV Park

      4.9(9)8mi from WeedRVs

      "with a large dog park and a new building for activities."

      "Just can from Midland Tx where it was around 98, today at Cool Pines RV Park 72° at 3pm in the afternoon. Very friendly staff and are definitely practicing social distancing."

      6. Forest Road 568 - Dispersed Camping

      4.5(20)17mi from Weed

      "It was a short drive off the main road to get to the camp. The spot I found felt pretty secluded despite there being a lot of other campers in the area."

      "nearby within walking distance. Sugar Pines RV Park is 10 minutes away and offers dump and fill for $10."

      7. Alamogordo / White Sands KOA

      4.5(40)27mi from WeedRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "They had a dog park, laundry room, clean showers and bathroom. The pools was closed but looked perfect! Thanks for such a great experience!"

      "In direct contrast to the White Sands backcountry camping which offers absolutely zero thrills and access to luxuries, the White Sand KOA is a great place to stay for those wanting some of the comforts"

      8. Dog Canyon

      4.3(26)24mi from WeedRVs, Tents

      "Lots of abandoned and run down houses on Dog Canyon road leading to the area made it feel a bit sketchy. But in reality a lovely, quiet spot with great views of the nearby mountains."

      "Dog friendly."

      9. Deer Spring RV Park

      3.0(3)6mi from WeedRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Our experience was without doubt top, including management who welcomed us at the entrance and explained the rules. We for sure will be back."

      from $50 - $70 / night

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      10. Deerhead Campground — Lincoln National Forest

      4.7(7)16mi from Weed19 sitesRVs, Tents

      "I have seen mostly upper New Mexico and well when I found this area in comparison that or anything else near El Paso, I was more than a bit confused as to where I was."

      "A very beautiful campground within about 6 miles out of Cloudcroft New Mexico. This is dispersed camping. Amenities include water, vault type toilets, picknic tables, fire rings, and a camp host."

      from $32 / night

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    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Weed, NM

    483 Reviews of 85 Weed Campgrounds


    • Jody J.
      Jul. 20, 2021

      Boot Hill RV Resort

      Convenient Location

      We 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.

    • Merrisa P.
      Jan. 15, 2020

      Alamogordo / White Sands KOA

      Very clean and well maintained

      The 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!

    • Jeff V.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 3, 2025

      Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground

      Not for the 4th of July, unless you just escaped Hell

      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.  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.

    • E
      Apr. 6, 2024

      Picacho Road Dispersed Camping

      Decent Place to Stop, Nothing Special

      It'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

    • J
      Jul. 7, 2023

      Bonito Hollow RV Park & Campground

      Nice park, friendly hosts

      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). 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.

    • D
      May. 25, 2019

      Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground

      Scenic 10+

      Very beautiful hidden away RV and Raised Primitive State Park full of marked and unmarked foliage and a nice museum reflecting on the surrounding area of New Mexico. Everything above standards with wonderful staff. Was there with a friend and had an outstanding experience.

    • Lindsey S.
      Oct. 1, 2019

      Apache Campground — Lincoln National Forest

      Great Overnight on our way from the Caverns to White Sands

      Beautiful drive on Highway 82 west towards Cloudcroft. Stop at the roadside petting zoo! 

      Apache appeared to be the only campground of the three open in late September. Super nice hosts and well maintained - there were even trash cans and hand sanitizer in the restroom which was a nice touch. 

      The sites were relatively far apart and backed up into a nice wooded area. 

      Hardly anyone else there on a weeknight in September. 

      Strange animal noises at night!

    • Cari E.The Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 30, 2024

      Cool Pines RV Park

      Peaceful and spacious

      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.

    • John M.
      Aug. 27, 2021

      Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground

      Super-clean restrooms & showers

      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.


    Guide to Weed

    Camping in Lincoln National Forest near Weed, New Mexico sits at elevations between 6,500-8,000 feet, creating a temperature difference up to 25 degrees cooler than surrounding desert areas. This mountain region features a mix of pine and fir forests with dispersed and established camping options throughout the Sacramento Mountains. Most campgrounds remain open from May through September, though some sites offer year-round access.

    What to do

    Hiking in James Canyon: Free primitive camping sites at James Canyon Campground provide a perfect base for exploring local trails. "This a small campground with only 6 sites. The pit toilets were clean. The site stayed at had a fire ring/grill, picnic table and a tent pad. One of the sites had an Adirondack shelter," notes Rick G.

    Stargazing after sunset: The mountain elevation creates exceptional night sky viewing conditions. At Forest Road 568, campers appreciate the dark skies. "Beautiful area with 8-10 pull off sites. Arrived around 6 pm on a Tuesday evening. Took a right at the fork (sweet group campsite there but occupied) and stayed the night at a pull off to the left, about halfway up the hill," shares Scott B.

    Wildlife watching near campsites: Early mornings and evenings offer the best animal viewing opportunities. "We camped here for 5 days. Our view was absolutely amazing you can't ask for a better one. The area was quiet tons of deer and elk came in daily," reports Jessica W. from 16 Springs.

    What campers like

    Privacy between sites: At Deerhead Campground, the layout provides separation between camping areas. "The sites are spaced nicely where we didn't feel crowded even though the campground was probably 90% capacity. Everything was clean, nobody bugged us, and we had our own space," writes Alicia L.

    Moderate temperatures: The elevation creates comfortable camping conditions even in summer. "Arrived in about 7:30 pm so all of the lower spots were taken. We followed the road all the way to the gated closure. There was someone already there in a nice spot, so we turned around (we were able to do this in our 20 ft class c rv)," notes Sarah H. about Forest Road 568.

    Accessible nature spots: Many campsites offer immediate access to natural features. "This is a dispersed area, so no bathrooms or showers, but well worth it for the scenery. There was a dry water run off that ran the entire length down the mountain and a tree lined bluff across from there," describes Scott F. about Forest Road 568.

    What you should know

    Limited cell coverage: Prepare for minimal connectivity throughout the area. At The Camp @ Cloudcroft, "The WiFi is good but cell signal is hard to come by. There is a nice Cafe in Mayhill, as well as a convenience store and gas station about 2 blocks from the campground," explains Chip.

    Weather fluctuations: Mountain conditions can change rapidly. "We went when it got down to 32 degrees so it was nice for the heater and heated blankets they also had a nice creek with trees and trees by far the best for a weekend nights," shares Naythin H. about The Camp @ Cloudcroft.

    Primitive facilities: Most dispersed sites lack amenities. "This is a primitive camping spot. It can get pretty crowded so hiking in is important. The car-camping and RV camping is right on the road," notes J E. about Bluff Springs.

    Tips for camping with families

    Short hiking trails: Choose family-appropriate paths for easier outings. At Saddle Campground, "There's a nice, short trail surrounding the site. Clean toilets, fire wood available for sale by host, and plenty of flat, soft areas for tents," shares Rachel H.

    Water play options: Creeks near campsites provide natural entertainment. "I had a great time including my family the place was so nice everyone there was respectful and friendly. They also had a nice creek with trees," reports Naythin H. about The Camp @ Cloudcroft.

    Pet-friendly hiking routes: Many trails accommodate families with dogs. "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 that was very relaxing to hear in the background and has a walking trail next to it," explains Jessica U. about The Camp @ Cloudcroft.

    Tips from RVers

    Access considerations: Some forest roads have limitations for larger vehicles. "Beware of the dust coming from the road! The winds can be strong and will sweep the dust into your camp," warns imnotpriscilla about Bluff Springs Dispersed Camping.

    Water pressure warnings: Check systems when hooking up. At Cool Pines RV Park, "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.

    Level sites availability: Scout for appropriate parking surfaces. "Big trees, level camp site and for the most part spaced out. Absolutely beautiful. First come first serve I would suggest arriving Thursday's around lunch to snag your self a beautiful camp site," recommends Greg T. about Saddle Campground.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Weed, NM?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Weed, NM is Oliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 69 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Weed, NM?

    TheDyrt.com has all 85 dog-friendly camping locations near Weed, NM, with real photos and reviews from campers.