Elephant Butte Lake State Park and the surrounding Winston area offer several glamping options with varying amenities and locations. The region sits at approximately 4,500 feet elevation with desert terrain that experiences dramatic temperature variations between seasons. Water levels at Elephant Butte Reservoir fluctuate seasonally, affecting access points and available recreation opportunities throughout the year.
What to do
Hiking on nearby trails: At South Monticello Campground, a 7-mile curvy road from I25 exit 89 leads to quiet camping with excellent trail access. One camper noted, "There is a great hiking and mountain biking trail right out of the campground which winds between all the other park roads, picnic areas and amenities on the western side of the lake."
Water activities: Despite fluctuating water levels, Elephant Butte Lake State Park remains popular for boating and water sports. A visitor shared, "The campsites and facilities were excellent. Wildlife: Qual, Dove, Lizards, Rabbits, Deer and more. The lake front was crowded with campers and people. Water was clear and cool with lots of carp."
Mineral hot springs: Truth or Consequences, just 15 miles south of Elephant Butte, provides access to natural hot springs. A guest at Hot Springs Glamp Camp mentioned, "It has lovely clean hot spring tubs that are open 24/7. It's an intimate camp so we rarely had to wait for a tub."
What campers like
Stargazing opportunities: The clear desert skies provide excellent night viewing. At Iron Creek Campground, visitors enjoy "About 10 sites, most of them shaded with picnic tables and fire rings. Usually peaceful and quiet. Nice hiking trails throughout. No cell signal."
Wildlife viewing: Many glamping sites near Winston offer chances to spot local wildlife. One camper at South Monticello Campground reported, "Lots of open space and using my Starlink was a breeze. Hope to stay again!"
Affordability: State park camping options provide good value. A visitor to Elephant Butte Lake RV Resort noted, "Very clean, well kept resort. Almost full. We were here in early June and the day temperatures were in the low 100's with very low humidity. Sites are pretty tight with close neighbors. WiFi is good."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer temperatures regularly reach 100°F while winters can be quite cold, especially at night. A visitor staying at Elephant Butte Lake State Park mentioned, "I used my NM state park pass on this stay and for only $4 a night includes 30Amp and water. I have about 20 channels available, wifi works well and no problems with my Verizon service."
Water level fluctuations: The reservoir levels vary significantly year to year. A camper observed, "Lions Beach Campgroud was very clean. The view from our spot was very nice and the site had water and electricity. Only a couple of minutes to the lake. October is a great month for this lake."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require navigation on unpaved roads. At Springtime Campground, a visitor warned, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Choose developed campgrounds: For families with young children, sites with more amenities provide convenience. At Railroad Canyon Campground, a camper shared, "This is a solid little campground with 3 (maybe 4?) campsites and few amenities. This campground has many trails to access the wilderness from, and a small creek running behind each of the three campsites."
Pack for temperature swings: Desert temperatures can drop significantly at night, even in summer. One visitor noted, "We enjoyed how small this campsite is and we were the only people there during our visit. It has large trees and flat camping spots. It even has a vault toilet."
Plan water activities early: Mornings typically offer calmer water conditions for families with children. A camper at Caballo Lake reported, "Great place to kayak especially when the sun rises you will see it over the mountains."
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Many glamping yurts and RV sites near Winston have specific size limitations. At Continental Divide Park & Camp, a visitor noted, "Lots of pull throughs, clean showers, friendly host! Laundry great too! This is a gem, quiet and peaceful to boot!!"
Consider boondocking: For self-contained RVs, dispersed camping options exist in the national forest areas. One RVer stated, "Very clean park. Concrete roads and gravel sites. Very nice shower/laundry facility. Sites are a little close upfront and the road noise can be a bit of an issue."
Make reservations in advance: Popular glamping options like yurts book quickly during peak seasons. A visitor to Elephant Butte mentioned, "Very affordable RV camping at under $20 a night, which is a steal with both water and electric hookups."
