Rock climbing draws many visitors to Luna Park Campground in the Cibola National Forest outside Monticello, New Mexico, where a handful of both sport and trad routes sit close to camp. The site count is small, just two or three spots, which means the campground fills quickly and does not always guarantee solitude. Reviewers note that the eastern views are a genuine draw, with open sightlines back across the high desert landscape, and that clear nights produce exceptional stargazing.
Getting here requires planning. Access from the south via FR139 and Luna Park Road demands a high-clearance vehicle or careful driving, and as marycatmathis puts it, "the roads are tough up to it." Google Maps does not reliably route drivers on this approach, so downloading offline maps or consulting a forest service map beforehand is worth the effort. A pit toilet is on-site, and some scrub juniper is available for burning, though firewood is limited.
Temperatures swing significantly between day and night, and wind storms can develop quickly, so campers should come prepared for variable conditions regardless of season. Scorpions and small rodents are active after dark. The campground has occasionally attracted non-camping visitors at night, so some reviewers recommend staying aware of surroundings. Nearby alternatives include Kingston Campground and The Black Range Lodge to the south, both within the same general range of the Black Range mountains. Luna Park is open April through November; early spring and fall tend to bring cooler, more manageable daytime temperatures than midsummer.
Description
Odd volcanic rock formations give moon-like appearance to this popular picnic spot which also has three campsites, but little shade and no water.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCibola National Forest Luna Park Campground is located in New Mexico near Hillsboro
Directions
8 miles northeast of Monticello via FRs 139 & 225
Coordinates
33.07655960490767 N
107.68011861348167 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 user- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 1 user
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
Drive Time
- 1 hr 42 min from Las Cruces, NM
- 2 hrs 17 min from El Paso, TX
- 2 hrs 55 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 4 hrs 40 min from Sierra Vista, AZ
