Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Whites City, NM has a lot to offer. Whites City is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Whites City and user-submitted reviews.
Chosa Campground consists of a 3.5-acre, pipe-rail fenced pad that offers a trash container and a safe parking space for your Recreational Vehicle plus a protected area to set tents, whatever your camping style. Chosa campground provides visitors a fee free location strategically located between two national parks with Carlsbad Caverns a short 11-mile drive north and Guadalupe Mountains National Park 27 miles south on highway 62.
Sunset Reef Campground is a reclaimed well pad with 11 developed campsites; five RV spaces and six tent sites. Each site has a shaded picnic table, fire pit and grill for your camping convenience with a vault toilet on site. Visitors can dry camp at this campground for a maximum of five nights for free. If on the hunt for a great place to camp while exploring the two national parks in the area, this is the place to stay! Carlsbad Caverns is a 25-minute drive (14 miles) to the north and Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a 35-minute drive (30 miles) to the southwest. __
$20 - $45 / night
Located twelve miles North of Carlsbad, NM, the park offers boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking trails, exceptional bird watching, developed and primitive campsites and restrooms with showers. Whether you’re picnicking for the day, or camping in your RV for a week, you’ll be sure to find adventure at Brantley Lake State Park!
$8 - $18 / night
From the KOA website: Kick back with family and friends at this beautiful desert oasis built in 2000. This award-winning KOA is big rig friendly: All sites are huge 30/50-amp pull thrus with free Wi-Fi and free cable TV. The staff will spoil you as you enjoy the 2,000-square-foot community room, meals delivered to your site, a beautiful commercial laundry, outstanding restrooms, a fenced dog park and a heated pool. From this KOA in the heart of SE New Mexico, visit Carlsbad Caverns, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, Roswell's International UFO Museum and White Sands National Monument. Check out the Robert H. Goddard rocket collection at the Roswell Museum and Art Center and the "Billy the Kid" history at the campground. A horse hotel also is available. See how this KOA is going green with the help of a wind turbine. Pool: March 15 - October 15. Max pull thru: 75 feet. Your hosts: Scott, Susan and Brian Bacher.
The Pine Springs RV campground is not a traditional campground. Be aware, this is a paved parking lot. The area shares a popular and busy trailhead accessing four major trails. The area is frequently congested with day use hikers searching for available parking and with foot traffic from overflow parking areas. Before booking a reservation: It is your responsibility to review all (Site Details, Allowable Equipment, Allowable Vehicle/Driveway and Need to Know) for the individual campsite. Failing to do so may result in being prohibited from occupying the site upon your arrival. Refunds are not provided by the park. Pine Springs Campground is located near the Pine Springs Visitor Center, just off U.S. 62/180 and at an elevation of 5,730 feet. The location offers great hiker access to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park trail system. The campground is situated at the opening to the Pine Springs Canyon with spectacular views of the worlds best example of a fossil reef and of the vast Permian Basin to the east. The campground is open year-round and is busiest, March-May and September-November. High winds with over 50 mph gusts are common, especially during winter and spring.
The Pine Springs Trailhead includes access to many different types of hikes. Hikes to Guadalupe Peak or the Bowl are strenuous, 8-9 miles, and have 2500-3000 feet of elevation gain. Another strenuous hike is the Devils Hall Trail (4.2 miles round-trip, 500 feet elevation gain, of the trail in a rocky, uneven wash which includes route-finding and boldering skills). For a more moderate hike consider the the Frijole/Foothills Trail. The El Capitan Trail offers excellent open views of the surrounding desert and close approaches to the cliff face of El Capitan. Because of its distance, lack of shade, some primitive route travel, and numerous elevation changes, this trail is best saved for cooler times of year and for people with experience in route-finding. The ruins of a Butterfield stage station, called the Pinery are next to the highway, and a short, paved nature trail connects the visitor center and the historic site. The Frijole Ranch & History Museum is 1.5 miles away. The grounds are always open, but the museum is staffed intermittently. Seven miles to the east on Hwy 62/180 is McKittrick Canyon. This area offers three trails, the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail (0.9 miles loop), McKittrick Canyon Trail (4.8 miles round-trip to Pratt Cabin or 6.8 miles round-trip to the Grotto) and the Permian Reef Trail (8.4 miles round-trip, for serious geology buffs).
The Pine Springs Campground is in an area with small, scattered trees, shrubs, and grasses. Trees include gray oaks and alligator junipers, which cast partial shade at some sites. Texas madrones, bigtooth maples, chinquapin oaks, and ponderosa pines become more common along the canyon floor. Higher elevations include Douglas fir and hop-hornbeam. Shrubs include whitethorn acacia, Mexican orange, Apache plume, sumacs, and algerita. Desert-adapted plants also occur in this area, and include prickly pear cactus, New Mexico agave, sotols, and soaptree yuccas. Hunter Peak and cross-sectional views of the Capitan reef are visible from the campground. Roadside pullouts (one mile and four miles away) provide excellent views of El Capitan. Hiking into Pine Springs canyon or along the foothills reveals Guadalupe Peak. The Guadalupe Peak trail ascends to the highest point in Texas and offers excellent views of the surrounding desert. Birds commonly seen and/or heard around the campground can include Canyon towhees, turkey vultures, white-winged doves, common ravens, chipping sparrows, Says phoebes, common poorwills, and phainopeplas depending on the season. Night sky visibility is excellent and nearly pristine directly overhead, to the south, and the southwest. Nearby high ridges and peaks are situated to the west and north.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park: In addition to a variety of cave tours, the national park also offers hiking trails and a scenic drive. Rattlesnake Springs and Slaughter Canyon, part of Carlsbad Caverns are nearer attractions for day use activities. Birding is excellent at Rattlesnake Springs. Lincoln National Forest: The Guadalupe District of the Lincoln National Forest is located just over the state line, north of the national park. Road access is through New Mexico, north of Whites City, via Dark Canyon Road to NM SR 137 through Queen (also the way to the national parks Dog Canyon). The forest provides for various camping, hiking, caving, hunting, and picnicking opportunities. Sitting Bull Falls is a nice waterfall and picnic area in the Lincoln National Forest. Five Point Vista is a glorious ridge road ride of the area, closer to Dog Canyon. Fort Davis National Historic Site and State Park: Fort Davis is one of the best surviving examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post in the Southwest. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. This is located about 2.5 hours south of the park. A state park is located nearby with camping and a scenic drive. Also located in Fort Davis is McDonald Observatory with several programs available. White Sands National Park: Rising from the heart of the Tularosa Basin is one of the world's great natural wonders - the glistening white sands of New Mexico. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand have engulfed 275 square miles of desert, creating the world's largest gypsum dunefield. White Sands National Park preserves a major portion of this unique dunefield, along with the plants and animals that live here. Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site: Hueco Tanks State Park is located on the east side of El Paso, about an hour and a half from the Guadalupes. At Hueco Tanks, you can hike, rock climb, bird watch, study nature and history, picnic and stargaze. Visitors can take guided and self-guided tours to view rock imagery.
Individual Site: A $10.00 service fee will apply if you modify your reservation or change your stay dates. Cancelling your reservation prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time two nights before your stay will incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. Camping reservations cancelled the day before and day of arrival incur a $10 cancellation fee and forfeit the first night's use fee. If you need to cancel or modify your reservation, you must do so through Recreation.gov. Group Site: Customers who cancel a group overnight reservation less than 14 days before the arrival date will pay a $10.00 service fee & forfeit the first night's use fee.
$20 - $60 / night
Traveler
Visited in Feb. Very close to Carlsbad Caverns. Definitely go slow going up unless you have a higher rig (I'm in a jeep) lots of large rocks but the view is worth it. A few other rigs but you all kind of have your own spot. Super windy at night which was nice with the heat.
Traveler
Close to both National Parks.
Drove back far enough so it's quiet without the noise from hwy 62. Great cell coverage! Maybe 3 others campers in a big space.
Scout
Restrooms were clean and showers were hot! Super windy while we were there, but made for a nice, quiet place to sleep. About an hour from Carlsbad Caverns, which was awesome! Dump station, if you care, was closed while we were there.
Scout
This was by far one of my favorite spots and it's free. Just like a National park site. Just a pit toilet. No water. Beautiful spot sunset, sunrise and stars. I stayed one night when going to Carlsbad Caverns NP. Then went to Guadalupe Mountains NP.
ScoutBrantley Lake State Park Campground offered a pleasant camping experience. The spacious sites, complete with picnic tables and shade shelters, provided a comfortable base for our explorations. We appreciated the clean and well-maintained facilities, especially the hot showers after a long day of hiking. Our dog enjoyed the pet-friendly environment, and the proximity to the lake was a huge plus, offering a refreshing escape from the New Mexico heat. The sunsets were indeed breathtaking, and we made sure to catch them every evening. While the wind did pick up at times, it wasn't a major deterrent. The campground's location made it easy to access Carlsbad Caverns and other nearby attractions, making it a convenient choice for exploring southeastern New Mexico.
Guide
GUMO has tent camping with more typical sites. Water and pits toilets. RV camping sites are in a medium sized parking lot. Sites 21-25 have picnic tables. No fires
Scout
The campground is old and unkept. Definitely not worth $41 per night. We stayed because we needed electric to heat our camper due to unusually cold weather. There is BLM land a mile down the road. It is truly unfortunate the Campground has fallen into such a state of disrepair. It once was a thriving place.
Guide
We moved from our free dispersed campsite to fill up, charge up, shower and do laundry. Very friendly staff and clean facilities. It appears to be heavily used during peak season at Carlsbad Caverns. We treated ourselves to a delicious burger at the Cactus Cafe after our last tour the the caverns.
GuideWe stayed three nights for free while hiking and exploring Guadalupe Mountain NP and Carlsbad Caverns NP. Plenty of space and a room to let the dog explore. Close to both parks. Even in January the spots stayed full but there is lots of room around the parameter. We preferred those spots as it kept more distance from the other campers.
Scout
Perfect and quiet open space in the desert with an amazing view of the Guadalupe mountains.
Ranger
I drove up to the area and a long the path they have put a row of rocks and gravel about a foot foot and a half tall to keep people from driving through so you can't access the dirt path to get to the area anymore. Also there was some clearing about two miles before that closer to the highway that had a sign that said area closed road closed no camping no soliciting
Traveler
Several level Gravel sites with covered picnic table. Pit toilets. OHV access point so it can be noisy. This time not too bad just a small group of rvs group together. Last time it was empty. 14 day limit
Guide
We headed past the open campsite, first dirt road on the right then veered left and ended up at a fire ring site. It was quiet and we were far enough from the road that the cars were not a bother. Unfortunately it was extremely windy that night and we had to close up our rooftop tent and sleeping the truck. But overall site was lovely.
Traveler
Large open area with washed out hills. Access was easy but the road back does have issues because of gully wash. It was lightly raining when I arrived and I did a bit of a walkabout before it got dark. Many flat spots to choose from. Ground is a white flaky soil. But saw no problems with sinking into it. Might be a different story if there is a hard rain.
GuideWay off the beaten path. It happened to be extra windy the day I was there. Nice desert/lake view. Quiet. No working dump station right now. Ranger was very friendly and helpful.
RangerWe stayed here before going to Carlsbad Caverns. Pros: only $14 for electric and water site. Sites well spaced and private. Easy to make online reservations. Clean bathrooms with flush toilets and showers. Friendly staff. Cons: ran out of hot water when no one else was showering. Not much to do here if you are not using the lake (which seems low). Pretty far from anything. I’d stay again if needing a spot while passing through, but wouldn’t make a point of coming here just for the campground.
GuideThe road in is a bit rough to travel but it’s less than one mile off the paved road . The sites are well marked and each site has a canopy over a cement slab with a grill , trash can and a picnic table . Five outta five stars …. It very close to Carlsbad Park
Ranger
If not for the great locale for hiking, this would be a 2 star (nice views). As noted in other reviews, this is a paved parking lot, with sites in middle being parking spaces. Parking on perimeter have some tables. Due to middle spaces being pull through parking spaces, with the markers on ground and receipt post across street there was a misunderstanding with a couple of hikers who parked in wrong place and so camper who paid waited and waited for them to finish their hike (hikes here can take all day). IF you can, mark your spot with something before you leave.
We did not reserve but got last spot 27 for a Mon/Tues stay. Nice clean bathrooms with flush toilets and soap. Campground is adjacent to trailhead parking so busy and some parked cars overnight. Nice view of stars and milky way. Only 1 short trail for dogs.
We also used this as base to go to Carlsbad Caverns.
RangerWell appointed. Easy to make the reservation online. Clearly marked sites with convenient stone-marked pathways to the restrooms/shower. Hot showers, clean bathrooms.
All states should be this good
Campsites all have covered eating area although early and late sun can get under it.
GuideI car camped here on the tent grounds, where sites are FCFS with grass and gravel options, some with awnings/tables/campfires/etc. Pretty views and near Carlsbad, CCNP, and GMNP; however, bathhouses were lacking shower curtains and toilet stalls didn’t have proper doors. Prices were steep, considering this.
Scout
Your work support equipment is very good, Slice Master that proves effective work productivity!
Scout
This is the place where nature is most generous with beautiful scenery like in a picture. If I have the chance, I will definitely come here Geometry Dash Scratch once in my life with my companion.
ScoutThis tourist area Fall Guys has many interesting activities
Scout
I really like natural places like this, the air here is definitely good and that is strands something that many people want to enjoy. I will try to arrange time to come here and explore it.
Guide
What an incredible spot. 6 yurts. 4 cabins with power and all amenities. A hot shower. Less than 30 minutes to the park. Soooo peaceful and beautiful. 15 minutes from Dell City for supplies. I'm so glad the park was full and I stumbled onto this place. This place could be a destination on its own.
ScoutTejas Wilderness Campground neal fun in Guadalupe Mountains National Park sounds like a dream destination for true nature lovers and those seeking a break from the hustle of modern life. The remote, tent-only setup offers a pure, immersive experience, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and deep shade from tall trees—perfect for those hot Texas summers. While the absence of amenities like electric hookups or showers might be a drawback for some, it’s exactly what makes this spot ideal for a peaceful retreat. Just be sure to come prepared with water and enjoy the beauty of the wilderness!
Guide
Nice gravel sites. Wide roads to get into sites. Pool, playground. Restrooms OK. Only issue not great Wifi.
Camping near Whites City, New Mexico, offers a unique experience with stunning landscapes and proximity to natural wonders like Carlsbad Caverns. Whether you're looking for a free spot or a more established campground, there are plenty of options to suit your needs.
Camping near Whites City, New Mexico, offers a mix of free and established campgrounds, each with its own charm and challenges. Whether you're in an RV or tent camping, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Whites City, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, Whites City, NM offers a wide range of camping options, with 39 campgrounds and RV parks near Whites City, NM and 9 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Whites City, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Whites City, NM is Chosa Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 50 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Whites City, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 9 free dispersed camping spots near Whites City, NM.
What parks are near Whites City, NM?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 parks near Whites City, NM that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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