Best Tent Camping near White Sands, NM
Searching for a tent campsite near White Sands? Find the best tent camping sites near White Sands. Search nearby tent campsites or find top-rated spots from other campers.
Best Tent Sites Near White Sands, New Mexico (2)
1. Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park
23 Reviews•123 Photos•276 SavesHolloman Air Force Base, New MexicoDue to rehabilitation of camping sites, backcountry camping is closed.
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Market
- Trash
- Drinking Water
2. Hueco Mountain Hut
1 Review•8 SavesSocorro, TexasCampsite outside of a climbing shop near Hueco Tanks. This campground allows affordable camping for climbers looking to visit Hueco Tanks, especially if they are looking for a guide which the business also offers.
From Website: "Our Campgrounds host 30 Tent Campsites and 5 RV Electric Sites. We’re located 1 mile from the Hueco Tanks park entrance gate on paved roads. Campsites measure approx. 15 ft. x 15 ft. and can hold 2-3 standard tents (4-6 people maximum). If you have a large group we will provide additional Campsites according to availability."
- Electric Hookups
- Tents
- WiFi
- Showers
- Toilets
Recent Tent Reviews near White Sands, New Mexico
349 Reviews of 2 White Sands Campgrounds
Lindsey M.
Guide
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park
Lovely Little Stop
Car camped in a tent site for just a night after visiting WSNP. Non-flush toilets without sinks near tent sites and the full bathhouse is a bit of a walk away. Worth it, though, with spacious shower stalls and well-kept buildings. Sweet views of the valley and mountains and far off the highway.
- AAmy H.
Traveler
Franklin Mountains State Park Campground
Other than the view...
Dont have high expections for this place. It was tough to camp in a tent. Staff underestimated the walk-in, which was hard - mostly because of uphill, but also because of unstable and uneven rocks. No showers, of course, because you are in desert’s territory. This place isn’t good for tent camping because it is camping on rock, and you cant stake your tent into rock. Heads up! We used rocks inside our tent, at the corners, to hold it down against the winds. This is a better place for RVs and the like.
Megan E.
RangerOliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park
Near White Sands
30 minutes from White Sands, quiet and well maintained. Book ahead of time to reserve covered picnic table sites especially if going during the summer.
Madisyn P.Traveler
Dog Canyon
Convenient and lots of options
This site was very convenient and close to town and not far from white sands national park. There were plenty of spots to choose from and fire pits already available! We loved waking up to the Mountain View’s
- Kari M.Guide
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park
BOOK A SITE! it was great
Big sites, had a tiny camper and tent. Plenty of room. Table and fire pit. Beautiful views! Showers, trails and a visitor center. Less than 30 min from white sands and Alamogordo. PRO-TIP go to Nenas ice cream and snack shop on Alamogordo and order mango creama with a scoop of ice cream. SUPER FRESH ingredients. Also Amigos Bakery has amazing baked goods and burritos.
- JJason
Scout
Alamogordo / White Sands KOA
Great KOA. Four stars because of the wifi.
Well managed KOA and short driving distance from White Sands National Park and Lincoln National Forest. This KOA is in the city so there is some traffic noise and there is a train that passes through at night. They have sleds to borrow for White Sands which saves you the hassle and cost of getting a sled at the White Sands park. Wifi was unreliable, but cellular internet worked fine on our phones.
Julie F.GuideDog Canyon
Great spots, easy access, cell service
Many great spots available and easily accessible by low clearance vehicles (we have a camper class B van). Very close (less than a mile?) to the state park, and about 30 minutes from white sands NM. Very quiet. Cell signal. Dog friendly.
- PPaula M.Guide
Alamogordo / White Sands KOA
The friendliest staff
City camping close to restaurants and stores. Only about 10 minuets from White Sands State Park. Partly shaded gravel sites with water, electric, fire ring, picnic table. Campsites are very close to pool, playground, and restroom/showers. Very clean with a well stocked store and friendly staff. The staff gave us great tips for local venues, loaned us sleds for White Sands and rewarded my boys with popsicles for their good manners.
- CCypressTraveler
Holloman AFB FamCamp
Still open!
Despite the warning that it's closed for the season there were plenty of other folks spending the night here. A bit busy but spots are well spread out and the view over the lake is worth it! Minutes from white sands np and just what I needed for a nice overnight on my way west.
Brian T.Traveler
Las Cruces KOA
Not just a stop over
I worked for a few days in Las Cruces and I don't typically stay in developed campgrounds, especially off major interstates. What a treat this place was. I was very impressed at the quality, cleaniness, and care that has gone into maintaining this facility. Very friendly. It's on the list every time now heading down the I10. About 1 hour from White Sands.
Wendy C.Guide
Leasburg Dam State Park Campground
So beautiful!!
We have been living in our airstream for the past month now and this has been my favorite place we have stayed. Nice cement pad and shaded picnic bench with the mountains in the background! It was so cheap too I think $15 a night you can’t beat it. 15 minutes from las cruces and 50 minutes from white sands np.
- Ashlee G.Guide
Holloman AFB FamCamp
Good dispersed sites
Not a bad dispersed site but not a great maintained road. Our rig is 35ish feet and we were okay getting off the road to find a spot, but the road is a little washed out and tight in places. You don’t get much privacy either. But pros are the pretty lake (don’t swim in it!) and that it’s 5 minutes from white sands.
Crystal C.
LegendAlamogordo / White Sands KOA
Desert Oasis Fun For All Ages
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 of home. Located about 10 minutes from White Sands this campground is in a great location for a run to the store, a meal at one of the great local restaurants or a trip to some of the other area attractions.
While visiting here I noticed there were plenty of options for RV campers, something lacking at the White Sands itself. But RV camping is not all created equal, and this one by far surpasses other area options. Sites were latge enough even for the largest of rigs but also offered smaller sites for someone traveling a bit lighter like myself.
Tent row seemed to be a very popular options and while the sites here were a bit closer together there was still plenty of room to move around.
The hosts were extremely friendly and welcoming. The restrooms were private and very well throught creating a feeling of being at home while on the road. There was even a small store located on property with goodies and merchandise to commemorate your trip to the area.
This place really has the family in mind with a pool, playground and game room which will leave a smile on the faces of even the smallest guests.
Tips:
- Go check out the New Mexico Space Museum where you can find the first primate launched into space's memorial, some awesome space rockets and tons of information that will leave your head in space.
- Take a trip out to the White Sands only a short 10 minute drive from camp and spend the day sledding down the cool white dunes.
Jon S.GuideOliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park
Mid October
Amazing little gem located half an hour from White Sands. Recommend reservations if looking for electric sites. Plenty to do and see. Close drive into town for just about anything you could need but far enough to get the high desert. Clean bathrooms and showers. We only used electric site. Used the air conditioner for the hot mid days and heat in the early mornings. One evening we could hear what we think to be artillery explosions from the White Sands missile range by the Air Force Base. Nothing alarming if you have heard artillery before. Short lived and did not interrupt our experience.
Brett H.GuideOliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park
Nice/central to White Sands
Good, clean state park campground central to Alamogordo and White Sands.
Pros:
- Location/easy to get to
- A good mix of pull through and tent sites with plenty of room to drive in.
- Views on both sides are spectacular
- Reasonably spaced, not super private but that is pretty much any paid campground
- Clean bathrooms and pit toilets (showers still closed)
- Sites are relatively spacious and very well kept with tables and fire rings; some have partial shelter
Cons:
- Seems to get a little crowded, which is to be expected due to its proximity to White Sands
Tori K.LegendAlamogordo / White Sands KOA
KOAs are a go to on the road
KOAs tend to be a go to chain for me. They usually offer similar amenities between locations and good prices. I should probably consider becoming a member. This KOA was great. They had spotlights at each tent pad that you could turn on and adjust where they point. This made my nighttime arrival set up experience so much smoother. I'm pretty skilled at night time set up at this point, but having light always makes things move faster when you're solo. Each tent site also had a water spicket and 1 or 3 tables. The tent sites are huge and can fit any tent I've ever seen. Close to white sands national park. They also offer sleds you can borrow for free and wax for a $1 deposit. I highly recommend going there and sledding. Be aware of the weather/season because the sand will be hot during the day in the summer months
- LLinGuide
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park
Great location! Super clean
The campground is located in the Oliver Lee State Park, with access on paved roads. There is a dump and water fill station at the entrance. Many sites have electric and water. All have picnic tables, fire rings/grills, but no shade. The Comfort Station is well kept and clean, with running hot and cold water in showers and sinks. Toilets have running water. It’s very quiet in the night so you can enjoy the sound of night creatures. Sadly, although there is electricity at the sites, generators are run at times tearing up the silence and tranquility. Hiking trails are accessible from the campground, a strenuous treck into Dog Canyon and an easy Nature trail. The park is only twenty minutes from White Sands National Park. Great experience! I would come back here any time!
- Alistar B.Traveler
Aguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground
UNIQUE
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. I chose Aguirra because of its close proximity to White Sands National Park. It is a First Come First Serve site and you must pay in cash. I was lucky to find a site in the afternoon. There are many sites. Over 40. I lucked out with 43 because it is huge! It's a jilly Rocky site with no one around me and several stone fire pits, a BBQ grill, and animal proof garbage can. There are Porta John's in close proximity. I have not found any water yet. Not sure. No RV hookups. But what do you expect for 7 bucks a night. I was here over Easter weekend so it got noisy with Fiesta music and someone throwing up across from my site at midnight! Whole families come here, jam their music etc. It's Easter so whatever. There is a covered picnic table and lots of tree cover to deal with the intense NM sun. I love how this place is at the end of an ascending, remote, windy road though. It's large enough that no rangers come and bug you for trivialities.
- WWilliam M.Scout
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park
Bring Shade but It Has Everything Else You Could Want
As other people have mentioned, there are some sites that have small shelters built over the picnic tables, but I couldn't figure out a pattern to them, so it would be difficult to reserve ahead. (Also, many of them were at the RV sites--which have water and electricity but no sewer connections--which seemed like a waste since RV's come with built-in shade. Luckily, we had brought an 8' square canopy which was a lifesaver. About 15 minutes from Alamogordo and 30 minutes from White Sands, so convenient, too. It seemed to be full on Friday night but only half-full on Saturday night. (The Trinity Site was open on Saturday, so my guess was that some people went there and then moved on.) Nice flush bathrooms with free showers, and there were additional spigots and vault toilets for backup. Didn't go on it but the Dog Canyon trail looks like a beast and started from the campground. Highlight was definitely the views, especially during sunrise and sunset. The sites across from us ($42 and #44) would have been even better for views (though neither had the prized picnic table shade!).
- Megan E.Ranger
Franklin Mountains State Park Campground
Beautiful Campground
Visited this park in both November & February multiple times. It’s a great place for primitive camping though official tent sites are available. No showers that I am aware of but vaulted toilets are located near tent pads. There are many trails to explore which extend all the way into New Mexico. However, at that point, you will be past park boundaries. One of my favorite areas in the Southwest.
Nicoli D.ScoutAguirre Spring Recreation Area and Campground
Great spot to camp! Not the best for RVs or Trailers.
It really is beautiful here. 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). If you are tent camping and low maintenance this place rocks. If you have a huge rig I’m not even sure I would want to make the drive up the road to the camp site. Spots are small, so you would need to find the best spot if you have an RV or Trailer.
Angela C.RangerAlamogordo / White Sands KOA
Helpful service
I messed up thinking I had booked this campground - I hadn’t. It was five minutes to seven pm and the staff called me back and got me a site for less than $50 for the night. It was a nice, level pull through site with water/sewer/cable/electric. I was pretty relieved that we would have somewhere to camp - no one else picked up their phones.
We didn’t arrive until nearly nine and the same staff person was still working - helping someone back into their site. She was very kind and welcoming.
The next morning I checked out the campground. The area was pretty industrial, but less than two minutes to the science museum and zoo. Individual spaces were generous (especially the tent sites - they would fit any tent size) and I liked the little patio we had. The playground was newish, the pool looked like it would be nice when filled, the laundry room looked great (but cash only - I prefer the card ones) and there was a lovely store and rec room. There were also showers and a small dog run.
This KOA had everything you could need - including excellent customer service.
20-25 minutes to White Sands National Monument.
Lei B.ScoutLas Cruces KOA
Great First Stay
Tent camping was wonderful at this location. Clean and reasonably priced.
Kari T.LegendAlamogordo / White Sands KOA
Great Location, But All Cement!
We stayed at this campground during our #9Parks12Days road trip, and this was the fourth campground of ten on our trip. We did not have advanced reservations and arrived around 4:00 PM to find many open sites (this was early June). The sites are private, separated by cement brick walls, with a level gravel pad for the RV. However, there was a four-inch cement "lip" that stepped up to a huge, all-stone picnic table that could be a HUGE issue for accessibility. We have a special needs preschooler who cannot see well, including differences on the ground that are the same color. Luckily, when he did trip and headed straight for the huge, cement picnic table, I was between him and it, and he only ended up with a skinned knee and not a head injury.
The pool was nice and clean, we swam well into the evening hours after arriving on a very hot day. The playground was quite... scary. The equipment looks to be from the 1970's and was mostly climbing bars, swings, and a merry-go-round. Only the swings were appropriate for our little guy, although our 9-year-old had a lot of fun climbing around. I noticed the playground is no longer mentioned or shown on their website, so maybe the equipment has been pulled out.
The rec room is great - it was our saving grace on this stay along with the pool. Plenty for the family to do, and the welcome center is very nicely kept. In the morning we filled up our coffee mugs with great brew and chatted with the managers, who were very friendly and helpful.
For a quick overnight, we would stay here again, because it is only 15 minutes away from White Sands National Monument, and several other attractions are only a day trip away. Would like to see more shade, more grass or other softer ground cover in the future (i.e. mulch) and for it to be more accessibility-friendly.
- AAndrea S.Guide
Las Cruces KOA
Laundry day
Got here around 7pm. The only sites available are tent sites which is fine as we are self contained and small. The tent sites are flat for parking. The bathrooms are clean. The Big rigs are very close to each other. The only downside is it was a cold night and a few rigs turned a generator on. Nice store. No front loader laundry. But the laundry was pretty quick. The staff is very nice.
- Kera P.Ranger
Mission RV Park
Good for RVs, not great for tents
Crowded RV park, but had trees which was nice! Right off I-10 so traffic noise is always present. This would be a good place for RV camping, but not tent camping.
Kylee K.TravelerOliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park
Gorgeous Campground
Pros - gorgeous 360 views, quiet spot, clean pit toilets, water available throughout grounds
Cons - zero shade so it is HOT especially if you're tent camping, nothing to "do" at the campground but plenty activities in a reasonable drive
Guide to White Sands
Tent camping near White Sands, New Mexico offers a unique experience surrounded by stunning landscapes and serene environments. Whether you're looking for a primitive site or a more developed area, there are options that cater to various camping styles.
Tips for tent camping near White Sands
- For a truly immersive experience, consider the Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park, where you'll need to hike in about a mile to reach your site, allowing you to enjoy the tranquility of the dunes.
Tent campers like these nearby activities
- Enjoy breathtaking sunrises and sunsets at the Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park, where the isolation of the sites provides a perfect backdrop for stunning views.
Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20
- Camping at the Hueco Mountain Hut offers a budget-friendly option, making it an attractive choice for those looking to explore the area without breaking the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near White Sands, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near White Sands, NM is Backcountry Primitive Sites — White Sands National Park with a 4.7-star rating from 23 reviews.
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