Escondida Lake Park & Campground, near Socorro, New Mexico, is a straightforward spot that caters to both tent campers and RV travelers. It’s a decent place to pull over if you’re cruising through the area, with basic amenities like electric hookups and drinking water to keep you comfortable.

The campground is right next to a small lake, which is great for a bit of fishing or just enjoying the scenery. Visitors have mentioned that it’s usually quiet, making it a nice place to unwind after a long day on the road. One camper noted, “The site was very spacious and the campground nice and quiet, clean and well kept.” 

While the campground has its quirks, like being close to train tracks and a busy road, many appreciate the low cost and the availability of picnic tables and fire pits. If you’re looking for a simple overnight stop with the basics, Escondida Lake Park is worth considering. Just be prepared for some noise from the surroundings, and you’ll likely find it a pleasant place to rest your head.

Escondida Lake Park & Campground

Lemitar is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Lemitar is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Lemitar. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Lemitar

The Best Camping Near Lemitar, New Mexico

This is a state park campground that offers everything from basic tent sites to full hookups near a small pond for fishing (no swimming or boating). There's a picnic table (numbered with the site so there's no question which one is which) and fire ring. Bathrooms offer flush toilets, no showers and it is not heated. Numerous portable toilets also got the park around the pond and play area. In early December only 4 of the sites are occupied and one person was fishing. It's handicapped accessible with a paved path to a small dock.

A fishing pond and inexpensive sites

This was inexpensive but turns out it will cost us a bit more in the long run.  When we pulled up there was a maintenance employee doing his job.  We were trying to get into our spot.  My husband is hard of hearing and I was trying to guide him.  I tell him “nooooo” and the guy tells him to “crank it” and guess what?  He cranks it.  Dents our bumper to the truck.  Sooo yeah, that happened.  

The site.  It has all the amenities.  The bathroom is tended to but basic.  There is one light and it is right over campsite 13.  So be aware.  Luckily we have blackout blinds and that helped but dang it was bright.  There are little stickers so don’t let pets run in the “grass” or kids barefoot.  And bring your bug spray.  I am covered in bug bites.

We loved the little town of Socorro.  And this really was a pretty good deal overall.  The lake part is really just a pond and if you want super quiet this is not for you as it was close to a busy road with ATVs and trucks running constantly over the gravel road and the occasional train.  

Would I come here again?  No.  

But it was an adventure I suppose.  All part of the ride.  

Inexpensive, full hookup and bathrooms

But wait, there's more; free firewood! Place was clean, level gravel, had great neighbors, and caught a fish within 10 minutes throwing out my lure. Fishing was busier in the morning but caught this just before sunset. 

Do your reservations online, it's preferred according to their website (versus calling). It's easy and we stayed another night because it was chill and enjoyable. Was able to work on the RV without it being too hot or windy. 

First night I was in site #1 for RVs and it had shade but no fire ring (but I think you can make your own fire ring). Site #2 has no shade but had a fire ring. Site #3 has shade, no fire ring. 

FHU by the pond for $18?!

It’s okay. Has decent hookups and a firepit. Comes with free firewood, which was nice. Has a picnic table. No showers. No bathrooms during covid, which sucks. Campsites are pretty close together. 

Okay Park

I didn't stay but I did drive through to check it out for future stops. First impression was very clean! There are two basic areas, the fishing area around the pond which is good sized and shaped so that there's lots of shoreline. The other area is the camping area with hookups and tent sites. In between was the playground and bathroom area. There is a group shelter, and trees. It's a bit off the main highway but easy access. The river is nearby and there are some primitive access roads.

Better than expected! 

Great place to camp

Full hook ups

Shade trees

Pull through sites if small enough 

Public washrooms with hot water

But no showers 

Cheap price 

Quiet convenient on my trip to Albuquerque

Escondido lake campground 

Very decent Campground for the price! Only paid $6 a night. With water access and cell phone signal, can't ask for more at that price. Pretty quiet usually and very clean

Decent place!!

The perfect spot to relax and enjoy the scenery.


Day visit

Very pleasant spot for an overnight stop near I-25. Being mid-Dec there was only one other camper. It was a little confusing because all the spaces were marked “reserved” but it was pretty certain nobody else was coming. I called the number and the caretaker was super nice, said to take any site we wanted and to call the number on the sign to pay in the morning. I’ sure there are more folks in the warmer months but it was quiet and peaceful for us. Flush toilets &amp; hot water (but no outlets) in the bathrooms. Electric available but we didn’t use it. 

Pleasant overnight stop

This is a basic campground located about a mile from I-25. The campground has the basics but that's it. It's a good place to stop while traveling thru New Mexico. There's a baseball field and a small lake adjacent to the campground. The trains do blow their whistle in this area. 

  

Cell Coverage: Good

Simple Campground Next to Train Tracks

Stopped here as an in between on a road trip. We arrived just after dark and there was only one other truck with someone else tent canping on the other side of the camping area. We set up our tent and a little while later the people in the truck packed up and left. The site is near busy road and train tracks so it was pretty noisy but we went to sleep thinking everything was alright.

Right around 3am a van with a search light came through revving its engine with a man (who sounded drunk) screaming security, to wake up and come out with our hands up. We stayed in the tent and after a few mins of this he drove away, although we could see him go to the other side of the park and could still hear him yelling. This freaked us out but we hoped it was just a one time thing and decided to stay until the sun rose. About an hour later a different truck, also with a search light, came through. This one just quietly circled around and promptly left but it was freaky nonetheless. We decided to pack up and leave even though it was 4am and while we were getting everything back in our vehicle another car came through and circled the lot as well. We got out as soon as we could because it felt very unsafe with the harassment and the amount of vehicles coming through for seemingly no reason.

Aside from these occurrences the campground was okay. The bathrooms were gross with overflowing trash and the noisiness were not ideal.

We stayed here because we didn't see any safe BLM camping nearby so we decided to spend a few dollars for an established area but were very disappointed by the harassment and fear we experienced. Would not recommend staying here

Harrassed and felt unsafe

First night (Friday) was great. Quiet. Saturday was quiet as well. Not much to catch at the lake. 3pm someone rolls up next to us. Definitely in the wrong spot and he would have known that if he was aware of the “back in” policy. Gave the lake caretaker a call, no answer. No big deal they were quiet. Until 10pm. Loud music. Karaoke with children screaming into the mic with the already loud sound system. Tried calling the caretaker, no answer mailbox full. Didn’t want to bother the police department so decided to wait and see if one of the kids woke up and then I’d call, figuring then I’d be super late. The music stopped suddenly my guess is around 12-2am. I guessing someone called the police or got a hold of the caretaker. 
Will stay again, however  the campsite needs to be checked on by the county imo. If this were to happen again, I’d call non-emergency PD to deal with it. 

Photos of Escondida Lake Park & Campground

Real photos from real campers