Best Campgrounds near Winston, NM

Winston is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Winston, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

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Best Camping Sites Near Winston, New Mexico (81)

    1. Lower Ridge Road Camping Area — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    29 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5923

    $30 / night

    "Convenient spot when driving south in New Mexico. Nice campground. The water level on the lake was pretty low."

    "But camp host made a few calls and as it worked out we were able to remain in location. The helpfulness of each person along the way made this an excellent spot."

    2. Monticello Road Dispersed Camping

    11 Reviews
    Truth or Consequences, NM
    22 miles

    "Vast desert with mountains in distance. Flat pull out 1 mile from I25."

    "We drove all the way to the power line rd, made a right and then proceeded through multiple BLM gates that we had to open then close behind us."

    3. Cibola National Forest Luna Park Campground

    5 Reviews
    Hillsboro, NM
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (505) 854-2381

    "Driving into this campground was incredible. The scenery all around was well worth the trip. Be prepared to endure whatever nature has in store for you."

    "Access is possible from the south via FR139 and Luna Park Road, but Google Maps won't show you that because it requires a high clearance vehicle or very careful driving."

    4. South Monticello Campground — Elephant Butte Lake

    16 Reviews
    Truth or Consequences, NM
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5923

    $30 / night

    "Situated on the edge of a sprawling reservoir along the Rio Grande river, this park is the perfect place to enjoy the vast landscape of the area."

    "Good size spots with good distance between sites. Ramadas at each site provide precious shade. Lots of trash bins nearby. Long flat trail (bike/walk) starts at the campground."

    5. Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort

    8 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 744-5996

    "Nice area to visit with the lake and dam close by."

    "Nice level Lake view spot. Easy access to site and dump station. Fire pit and shade over picnic table."

    6. Riverbend Hot Springs

    7 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 894-7625

    "While the campground itself isn’t much to write home about (just a parking lot across the street), quick access to the pools, the environment, and the scenery are simply amazing."

    "The hook ups are all There and it’s easily accessible to the hot springs , but don’t expect any privacy or space. You’re paying for a parking space to have access to the hot springs ."

    7. Black Canyon Campground - Lower

    4 Reviews
    Mimbres, NM
    25 miles
    Website

    "Beautiful campground in Santa Fe New Mexico. We came to stay one night to go to Meow Wolf and ended up staying 3 nights I liked it so much."

    "I liked this place so much we booked it again this summer, but were disappointed to see it closed for the month due to wild fires nearby and extreme drought. We get it, but are super bummed."

    8. Hot Springs Glamp Camp

    6 Reviews
    Elephant Butte, NM
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 740-6775

    $50 - $75 / night

    "It’s tucked away and such a cozy and slow place to stay. We stayed in a campsite for 5 nights. Highly recommend more than one day so you can enjoy the springs and the town!"

    "It is only a short walk to Main Street but it is very quiet at night. Highlight: It includes access to incredible mineral water baths built out of kitschy farm troughs!"

    9. Springtime Campground

    1 Review
    Winston, NM
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 854-2281

    "The road in may require 4x4 depending on any precip or how one drives. Once there, you're rewarded with Adirondack shelters and shaded sites."

    10. Gila Hot Springs Campground

    11 Reviews
    Gila National Forest, NM
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (575) 536-9551

    $7 / night

    "Beautiful area with cliff dwellings nearby you can walk through and around. We love the Gila Hot Springs!"

    "Well managed, and a respectable surrounding community."

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Recent Reviews near Winston, NM

242 Reviews of 81 Winston Campgrounds


  • Kenny R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Bear Canyon Road Camp

    Pretty area!

    Pulled my 24 foot (tip to tip) travel trailer up the mountain. Curvy, narrow roads… just be careful and go slow.

    Plenty of campgrounds along the way, as well as these dispersed areas. Plenty of well used sites, as well as some that are less obvious (slightly overgrown but still accessible). I chose the more overgrown one with big open sky for Starlink signal.

    Beautiful area and nice to escape a little bit of the heat in the summer compared to silver city or south of there. About 5-10 degrees cooler and lots of shade.

  • Manuel P.
    Jul. 27, 2025

    Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area

    Quiet getaway

    Went here without knowing where to stay. During the day there were a lot of UTV's and ATV's, however, it got pretty quiet during the night. People were very respectful and bathrooms were clean. We left our kayaks to go venture around and they were still there when we returned. Also found plenty of firewood around.

  • John H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 5, 2025

    Dipping Vat Campground

    After a torturous drive in, the campground was... meh.

    We were warned.  The trip to the campground was 50ish miles of very rough dirt roads.  Took over two hours to make the drive.  We arrived at the campground mid-day and were pretty surprised.  As mentioned in another review, there are two loops.  There is a sunny loop and a shady loop.  We opted for the sunny loop for the view of Snow Lake.  We tow a 19' travel trailer and there were very few sites that would accommodate it.  I have to say that the sites were very overgrown and far from level. In the sunny loop, you can see every other camper there.

    The shady loop seemed pretty nice although again, the sites were smallish and not at all level.

    The bathrooms were clean and well cared for and there were well maintained water spigots for drinking water.

    Dripping Vat is on the Continental Divide Trail (hiking) and we had a steady stream of through hikers.

    Snow Lake is a small 90-acre lake with a nice boat ramp.  The scenery was spectacular and overall, we enjoyed our stay.  Its Just not a place we will return to.

  • Tj R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 7, 2025

    Lions Beach Campground — Elephant Butte Lake State Park

    Pretty view, far from water

    We stayed on the B loop in spot 86, with a 40 foot motorhome. It was easy to get in and out. We have a water hook up and a thirty amp.Hookup but no sewer. According to their website, the B loop is waterfront, but that just means it has the best water view, we are about three quarters of a mile from the actual lake.

    The actual campground is very quiet. There's more fifth wheels in class c.Motorhomes down on the actual beach dispersed camping. It looks like a ton of fun but a little risky driving on the sand. I talked to a guy that had to get towed out of the sand yesterday. People are loading their boats and jet skis right on the beach.

    The RV site has a nice concrete pad with a cover over it and a picnic table. There are a few little trees as well.

    Great cell service for AT&T and Verizon

  • Francis W.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2025

    Appaloosa Campground — Caballo Lake State Park

    Very clean and kept

    This is a campsite predominantly for RV and fifth wheels, but can accommodate tent camping. It’s quite expensive for an overnight camp outing but also doesn’t shut the gate to set up late at night. The morning is gorgeous looking over the lake…can’t find many hikes around it though.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 26, 2025

    Truth or Consequences Camp on Rio Grande

    Great Overnight Stay

    Right along the river. Many pull-offs to choose from. Take your pick. Most are flat. Some are shaded. We use solar for charging and had plenty of sunshine!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2025

    Upper Gallinas Campground

    Such a nice location to visit and view what nature has to offer

    I really enjoyed the scenery here, there are restrooms and a long stream that you could sit next to and see all the creatures that are in the stream. The ground is solid for RV’s

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2025

    Kingston Campground

    Beautiful scenery, environment and vibe

    Me and my gf fell in love with this camping spot, the weather was nice when we were there, cute wild or domesticated animals walk the space not aggressive just cute and helpful with the leafs and cycle of vegetation foods/leafs in the area.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2025

    Railroad Canyon Campground

    Very nice location to camp at, they got restrooms picnic tables flat surface for RV’s

    they got restrooms picnic tables, flat surface ground for RV’s the weather is nice the water stream is very satisfying to view while relaxing away from town or city life.


Guide to Winston

Camping near Winston, New Mexico, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're into fishing, hiking, or just soaking in the scenery, there's something for every outdoor enthusiast.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Elephant Butte Lake State Park is a hotspot for fishing and boating. One visitor mentioned, "If you like to fish or have a boat, this is the place for you!" The marina makes it easy to get out on the water.
  • Hiking Trails: There are several hiking trails around the area. A camper noted, "Nice trails adjacent to campgrounds," making it a great way to explore the natural beauty.
  • Hot Springs: For a unique experience, check out the Gila Hot Springs Campground. One reviewer said, "Love the hot springs, great hosts, calm, and not too many people," highlighting the relaxing atmosphere.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the sites. A visitor at the South Monticello Campground remarked, "Great campground. Good size spots with good distance between sites."
  • Friendly Staff: Many reviews mention the helpfulness of the campground staff. One camper at the Gila Hot Springs Campground said, "The host was just wonderful. I cannot say enough about how clean this place is."
  • Scenic Views: The views are a big draw. A camper at the Caballo Lake State Park Campground noted, "Waking up with calls from the cranes across the lake made my day happy!"

What you should know:

  • Reservations Required: Many campgrounds, like the Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort, require reservations. A visitor mentioned, "Had to book online or phone. Used both methods and was fairly easy."
  • Limited Amenities: Some sites, like the Upper Scorpion Campground, have minimal amenities. A camper noted, "There is a very clean bathroom with vault toilets and there are a couple small water spigots."
  • Weather Considerations: The area can get hot in summer. One camper at the South Monticello Campground mentioned, "I'm guessing very hot in summer with no shade."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Some campgrounds, like the Desert Cove Campground, have playgrounds for kids. A visitor said, "Childrens' playground on site."
  • Spacious Sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites. A camper at the Lower Ridge Road — Elephant Butte Lake State Park mentioned, "Each site has a fire ring, and covered picnic table."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Fishing and hiking are great family activities. One camper noted, "We enjoyed Riverbed Hot Springs a few miles down the road," which can be a fun outing for the whole family.

Tips from RVers:

  • Big Rig Friendly: Many campgrounds, like the Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort, are big rig friendly. A visitor said, "Easy to hook up, to pull in, easy to pull out with our 36’ 5th wheel."
  • Internet Access: Some campgrounds offer internet access. A camper at the South Monticello Campground mentioned, "Great reception for Mint. Internet is available for $8/day."
  • Dump Stations Available: Look for campgrounds with dump stations. One RV traveler noted, "Easy access to site and dump station" at the Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort.

Camping near Winston, New Mexico, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Winston campgrounds?

Campgrounds near Winston offer varying amenities to meet different camping needs. South Monticello Campground at Elephant Butte Lake provides reservoir access and proximity to Truth or Consequences where you can find supplies, food, gas, and hot springs. Appaloosa Campground at Caballo Lake State Park offers kayaking opportunities and pet-friendly trails. Other campgrounds in the area typically provide drinking water, trash bins, picnic tables, and grills. Some sites feature clean bathrooms, while others offer hot springs access for a unique camping experience.

Where are the best camping spots in Winston, New Mexico?

Winston offers excellent camping opportunities at nearby Lower Ridge Road Camping Area at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, which provides convenient lake access and hiking trails. For a more secluded experience, Dipping Vat Campground offers isolation and clean facilities, though it requires about an hour of off-road driving to reach. Both locations provide beautiful views of the New Mexico landscape and water access, making them ideal for outdoor activities like swimming, fishing, and hiking.

What is the best time of year to camp in Winston, New Mexico?

Spring and early summer are ideal for camping around Winston, offering pleasant temperatures and good lake access. Mesa Campground provides decent lake shore access, though water levels can be variable by season. Early season camping at Hot Springs Glamp Camp offers a less crowded experience with 24/7 access to clean hot spring tubs. Fall is also excellent for comfortable temperatures. Summer can get quite hot, but the proximity to water features helps mitigate the heat if you plan water activities as part of your camping experience.