Camper submitted image from Brantley Lake State Park Campground - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Brantley Lake State Park Campground - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Brantley Lake State Park Campground - 3
Roads
Camper submitted image from Brantley Lake State Park Campground - 4
Buildings
Camper submitted image from Brantley Lake State Park Campground - 5
Facilities

Established Camping

Brantley Lake State Park Campground

Brantley Lake State Park Campground, near Carlsbad, New Mexico, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a few modern conveniences. The campground offers spacious sites, each equipped with picnic tables and shade shelters, making it a comfortable spot to kick back and relax.

Visitors appreciate the well-maintained facilities, including clean bathrooms and showers. One camper noted, “The bathrooms were clean, and the showers were hot,” which is always a plus after a day of exploring. The campground is pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the nearby lake is perfect for swimming and cooling off, especially during the hot summer months. The sunsets here are stunning, and many campers have taken advantage of the trails for biking and hiking. As one reviewer mentioned, “The sunsets are incredible,” making it a great spot to unwind after a day of fun.

While the campground can get windy at times, the overall atmosphere is friendly and accommodating. With easy access to Carlsbad Caverns and other local attractions, Brantley Lake State Park Campground is a convenient base for your adventures in southeastern New Mexico.

Description

State Park

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!

Suggest an Edit

Location

Brantley Lake State Park Campground is located in New Mexico

Detail location of campground

Directions

Located 12 miles north of Carlsbad, NM via US Hwy 285, turn right (east) on County Road 30 ( Capitan Reef Road). Go 4.5 miles and then turn left into the park. Campground is 2 miles past the visitor center.

Coordinates

32.5639066 N
104.380601 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Good
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

27%
48%
21%
10%
0%

4.0

out of 5

34 Reviews

Reviewed Nov. 5, 2024

Windy but peaceful

Way 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.

Site39
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Shawn , November 5, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Shawn , November 5, 2024
Reviewed Nov. 2, 2024

Well-priced overnight stop

We 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.

Site35
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Kim G., November 2, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Kim G., November 2, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Kim G., November 2, 2024
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Oct. 10, 2024

Another great example of a NM state Park

Well 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.

Site9
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jun. 20, 2024

Limestone Campground

Arrived towards the end of July on a Sunday evening.  Campground was largely empty.  Some sites are marked "Reservation Only"  however there were plenty of walk up sites to choose from.  Sites were spaced out very well.  Each site has the usual grill, and picnic table.  Tables were shielded from the elements by a shade shelter roof.  Fire rings were absent. 

We especially liked the QR code on the campsite number post that allows you to link directly to the website and pay for your site. No need for exact cash or a visit to the park office.

All facilities were well maintained.  Trails were easy to follow. 

As with most desert like environments,  all the plants want to kill you.  Be careful going off trail and don't let your pets wander. 

RV dump station was convenient on our way out.

Site#19
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Texas Roving Ranger , June 20, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Texas Roving Ranger , June 20, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Texas Roving Ranger , June 20, 2024
  • (8) View All
Reviewed May. 26, 2024

Affordable stop

We stopped here for 2 nights to escape the heat after dry camping outside of Carlsbad. I booked this easily online, and the other campers that weekend were very friendly. Overall this place is accommodating and quiet at nights. The sunsets are incredible. We biked to the lake for a swim and cool down. Would stay here again!

Great T-Mobile service. Bathrooms clean. Showers okay. $18 a night, booked last minute

They have an entire first come first serve section that had a lot of availability.

Dump station under construction- can dump for free at Eagle Draw Park in Artesia.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Brian and Janet S., May 26, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Brian and Janet S., May 26, 2024
  • Play button icon
Reviewed May. 26, 2024

Good place to stay in south east NM

You can reserve a few van/RV spots but most are first come first serve. Don't worry about the check in time - all hookups and bathrooms/shower are unlocked. If you get a reserved spot you can pay online, otherwise self pay AT the campground, not at the gate (just in case they're full). Showers are good. Ok playground for little kids (4-5 age). Every site has a covered picnic table with stationary grill.

Convenient to Carlsbad, 30- 40ish minutes? north of the caverns, little over an hour south of Roswell.

Site42
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Mike B., May 26, 2024
Reviewed Apr. 1, 2024

Nice Trails

Dump station OOC until summer '24, but surprisingly pleasant campground otherwise.

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Robert G., April 1, 2024
Reviewed Feb. 18, 2024

Nice State Campground

Nice campground for an overnight. Probably wouldn't stay more than a day or so. Not much to do and see.

Pros - Clean bathrooms and showers, hot showers, wheelchair accessible showers and bathrooms, electrical and water at each site, each site has a nice pavilion with wind block, picnic table and grill. Nice playground for the kids, Dumpsters available. There are some pull through sites. Sites are asphalt. Both reserveable and first come sites 2 primitive camp areas. Nice lake.

Cons - Very windy, not much to do at the campground. Gave me time to read a good book.

Site33
Month of VisitFebruary
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by rob D., February 18, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by rob D., February 18, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by rob D., February 18, 2024
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jan. 5, 2024

Where is the lake?

Nice desert shaped park. When there is water I am sure it's wonderful. Without it's a good stop.

Site23
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by John R., January 5, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by John R., January 5, 2024
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by John R., January 5, 2024
  • (8) View All
Reviewed Dec. 12, 2023

Great Park

Great NM state park. No real complaints other than the heat was not working in the bathhouse, making showers a little on the cold side this time of year. Staff were helpful and friendly. Each site had a small shelter for shade, otherwise no shade available. It was extremely windy during my visit. Verizon and to mobile worked fine, even better with a cell booster. Beautiful views, especially during sunrise/sunset. Easy drive to both Carlsbad Caverns NP as well as Guadalupe Mountain NP. Would stay again.

Site22
Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Emerson F., December 12, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Emerson F., December 12, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Emerson F., December 12, 2023
Reviewed Nov. 24, 2023

Standard lakeside camping

I stayed with electric services but kind of wish I'd done the remote.camping down by the water which was pretty neat. Nothing exceptional as a lakeside campground but well cared for and clean.

Site28
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Teresa T., November 24, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Teresa T., November 24, 2023
Reviewed Jul. 11, 2023

Brantley Lake State Park

We arrived after dark on Saturday 7/8/2023. Parked at one of the first come first serve sites. Site 45. Park is well maintained and very peaceful. Most sites are water and electric only, but there is a dump station just a short distance away within the park. There is a shower and restroom facility on site as well. You are not allowed to dump grey water and when we were here grilling and fires were not permitted. $14 per night for sites with electric and water. I'm not sure what the full hookup sites cost. Lots of lizards and tarantulas can be spotted. It is definitely hot, but with the reflective bubble wrap in your windows it is not bad. This is a great spot if you are visiting Carlsbad Caverns and Roswell.

Site45
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Dustin C., July 11, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Dustin C., July 11, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Dustin C., July 11, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Apr. 15, 2023

Windy

Small quiet campground. Sites were close together. The dump station was not open. $84 for 3 nights for my class c with a toad. High winds for 2 out of 3 days.

Site13
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Apr. 7, 2023

Lovely views

Nice campground. Dump station closed for two weeks, but alternative at one of the camp host sites. Great place for bike riding, walking, water sports

Site32
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Sharilyn K., April 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Sharilyn K., April 7, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Sharilyn K., April 7, 2023
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Apr. 6, 2023

Quiet campground, nice spots

Nice campground, pretty quiet unless you're next to the playground. Facilities are clean, showers were hot, so there is nothing to complain about there. Dump station was not open, must have had an issue.

Campground is not near the water, day use area is only a couple minutes away. Use the map to choose a site where you can see the water, otherwise its a pretty boring area.

A few minutes drive from Carlsbad, maybe 45 minutes to an hour from the caverns and a lot nicer than anything you'll find closer to the park.

Site7
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Brandon S., April 6, 2023
Reviewed Apr. 4, 2023

Brantley Lake SP

Stopped here to get out of the wind. On our way to Carlsbad Caverns. Wind gusts were relentless. Looks like several other campers are here doing the same thing. Nice campground $14 FCFS electric/water. On a lake this is white capping today.

Site42
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Karen Y., April 4, 2023
Reviewed Jan. 27, 2023

Great camping in a state park

This campground is in a state park. There is potable water, dump station, electric and water hookups, and clean showers! The sites are nice with a picnic table and covered patio area. Spaces are not too cramed together, so you have a bit of privacy. The site overlooks the lake and has walking trails around the area. There is a playground for kids near the bathrooms.

Bathrooms were clean! They have three showers each in the men's and women's restrooms, as well as two private showers with a toilet and sink.

There is a self pay station or pay online. Self-pay is cash or check only. $14-18 dollars depending on what hookups you need. Staff was helpful and friendly. Overall, it was a wonderful and quiet stay near Carlsbad.

Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Noah E., January 27, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Noah E., January 27, 2023
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Noah E., January 27, 2023
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2022

Would be perfect except...

For the methane and H2S games that waft through the camp. This morning the air was unbreathable. We read water quality reports and the lake fish should not be eaten due to ddt Nice camp if you only stay a couple of days to see the caves. We were at Sitting bull falls and experienced a 5.4 fracking quakes.

Site#17
Month of VisitNovember
Reviewed Nov. 4, 2022

Great park

Park is very clean and very quite. Sites are spread out and bathrooms are very clean. Will be back for sure.

Site38 and 42
Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Tammy S., November 4, 2022
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Tammy S., November 4, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2022

Nice campground

Nice campground on small lake. Each site has a covered patio with a picnic table and privacy wall on one side. No campfires allowed currently. Our site has water and electric and cost $18 for the night. Really easy to reserve online. Bathhouse with three showers and flush toilets. Service is great on Vz and Att able to stream, and work the whole day with video calls.

Site20
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Jan. 1, 2020

Super Quite/ Amazing Stars

Just stayed at Brantley Lake state park and loved it. With my NM state park pass my stay was only $4 per night with 30amp and water. This site is about 4 miles off the highway which makes it super quite. Dump station available, two dumpsters in the loop. Great cell service (Verizon) also got like 30 over the air channels.

  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Joseph W., January 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Joseph W., January 1, 2020
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Joseph W., January 1, 2020
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2019

👍

We just needed a place to stop for the night and this was a great camp ground. Very very nice and clean facilities.

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2019

A fairly secluded and windy desert campground

We stayed here for 4 nights in late November/early December. It is a bit of a drive to get out to the campground from the highway, as you have to circle around the dam the get to the campground. The campground loops are situated up on a hill overlooking the countryside. There is a nice playground underneath a shade cover next to the central bathhouse, which is large and clean. There are trails that go down to the lake boat ramp and a trail that goes between the visitor center/entry booth. This campground was our basecamp to Carlsbad Caverns, which was about an hour drive, if I remember correctly. We enjoyed our stay here, but the wind made us a little worried. There were two days where during the day the wind blew consistently over 25 mph and gusted to 40. Shook the trailer enough that our stabilizer blocks blew away and flagpoles broke. I would stay here again during the winter but I would watch the wind forecast.

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by Erin S., July 31, 2019
  • Video of wind.
    Play button icon
Reviewed Jul. 12, 2019

Great Spot

Good spot. Nice and flat and very spacious. Not much around. Not really any trees either. We went in November so it was veryyy cold.

Reviewed Jun. 29, 2019

Great little place.

Not much to do in the surrounding area, but the park has nice sites with covered picnic tables at every site. Electric and water hookups. Bathrooms are decent and it has hot showers.

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2019

Nice enough for a desert in New Mexico

This is an oasis in the middle of a, well, not an oasis. The sites are nice enough with shelters and fire rings. The main downside is the extreme sulfur smell coming off the fracking wells in the distance. They release Hydrogen Sulfide (which is pretty toxic) in the evenings and night and this smell permeates everything. Imagine living near these!

Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by J E., June 12, 2019
  • Review photo of Brantley Lake State Park Campground by J E., June 12, 2019
Reviewed May. 28, 2019

Reservoir RV Site

We stayed at Brantley Lake last summer driving back to Austin TX. We came in late and drove to our site well after dark. The park facilities are very nice with extensive shower and restroom facilities. The site has good hookups for water and electric. The low rating is based on the location. The site is desolate in a very remote area with few if any activities for guests. This area gets very hot in the summer with daytime temps over 100 degrees. If you need one night stay over or something close to the town this camp could be an option but keep your expectations grounded.

Reviewed Feb. 22, 2019

Right on the lake

Sites are roomy, pets allowed, good wifi with booster. Walk down to the lake at sunset, so beautiful!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Brantley Lake State Park Campground?

    Camping at Brantley Lake State Park Campground can cost between $8.00 and $18.00 depending on the site.

  • Does Brantley Lake State Park Campground have RV hookups?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Brantley Lake State Park Campground has 50 amp electric hookups, water hookups and sewer hookups.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Brantley Lake State Park Campground?

    Brantley Lake State Park Campground allows vehicles up to 45 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Brantley Lake State Park Campground?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Brantley Lake State Park Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Brantley Lake State Park Campground have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Brantley Lake State Park Campground does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Brantley Lake State Park Campground?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is good.