Oliver Lee Memorial State Park encompasses this well-designed campground situated at the base of the Organ Mountains, about 15 miles south of Alamogordo. New Mexico State Parks manages the 44-site facility, which operates year-round with rates ranging from $15-30 per night. The gravel sites accommodate RVs up to 40 feet and feature generous spacing that allows room for additional vehicles.
Campers consistently note the expansive desert views available from nearly every site, with the Organ Mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. "Setting: Nestled close to the mountain range with nice views of the desert below," observes Roger W.. The campground divides into Loop A with electric hookups and Loop B without, though both sections provide water access through scattered spigots. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with some featuring covered shelters.
The park offers guided ranch tours four times weekly and occasional Saturday morning educational programs covering local history and wildlife. Hiking options include a shorter nature trail and the challenging Dog Canyon Trail, which climbs steeply into the mountains. The visitor center operates most mornings except Mondays, staffed by knowledgeable volunteers. Camp hosts maintain the facilities and offer firewood sales plus free sled loans for White Sands visits.
Access requires navigating a somewhat rough road, particularly after rain. The comfort station provides flush toilets and private shower stalls, though it closes at night to prevent unauthorized use by dispersed campers in the area. "Every site here has an extraordinary view," notes Roger W., with sites 42-44 offering particularly impressive sunset vantage points. Cell service varies by provider, with some campers reporting connectivity challenges.
Nearby Dog Canyon provides a more primitive alternative less than a mile west.
Description
Set against the dramatic Sacramento Mountains, this park features a historic ranch house, quiet camping in the Chihuahuan Desert, and pools of water under the cottonwood trees of Dog Canyon. Springs flow year-round and ferns cling to the sides of mossy rocks. The water in Dog Canyon has attracted people to the area for millennia.
The park’s namesake, Oliver Milton Lee (1865-1941) was a colorful figure in New Mexico history. In 1893 he settled at the mouth of Dog Canyon and built an extensive house at his ranch headquarters. At its peak, his holdings reached about one million acres. Oliver Lee explored ways of bringing water to the dry Tularosa Basin and was instrumental in establishing the town of Alamogordo. Lee is also credited for using his influence to attract the railroad to the area.
Oliver Lee’s home at Dog Canyon Ranch has been completely rebuilt from ruins. It is authentically furnished providing visitors with a glimpse of Lee’s life at the ranch. The house is closed for renovations. Please monitor the park events page to find out when tours resume.
Want to Visit?
The campground, just southwest of the mouth of Dog Canyon, is dry and rocky with desert grasses, mesquite, ocotillo, creosote, yucca, and various species of cacti. The sites vary widely in elevation offering privacy and incredible views across the Tularosa Basin.
Travel Tips:
Peak season for the park is October through April Park Elevation 4,400 ft We are the closest campground to White Sands National Park (30 min. / 27 miles) The park makes an excellent base for day trips Ruidoso 1.25 hours / 66 miles Three Rivers Petroglyph Site 56 min. / 50 miles Cloudcroft 44 min. / 35 miles There are attractions in Alamogordo less than 30 minutes away Alameda Park Zoo New Mexico Museum of Space History Heart of the Desert Pistachios & Wine McGinn’s Pistachio Land The nearby Lincoln National Forest offers miles of trails ranging from very easy to very challenging
Fee Info
Peak Season Oct 01 2023 - May 31 2024 Daily Entrance $5.00 Camping $10.00-$90.00
Off Peak Season Jun 01 2024 - Sep 30 2024 Daily Entrance$5.00 Camping$10.00-$90.00
Peak Season Oct 01 2024 - May 31 2025 Daily Entrance$5.00 Camping $10.00-$90.00
*Displayed rates do not reflect discounts, attribute fees (electrical hookups / water hookups), taxes or incremental charges
**Weekly rates may not be available for all sites
Warning 7 Alerts are In Effect
There are 7 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 7 Alerts are In Effect
There are 7 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, charcoal, coal, or wood stove is prohibited. The use of devices fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three (3) feet of the device. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building.
To ensure compliance with ADA regulations, vehicles parked at handicap campsites must visibly display a valid handicapped placard or possess a license plate indicating handicapped status; otherwise, relocation will be required.
The use of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs) is prohibited in New Mexico State Parks, as stipulated by the NM OHV Act and State Park Regulations (NMSA 66-3-1011, 16-2-33 19 NMAC Ch 5 Sec 2.16 A).
Make it your goal to extinguish hot coals. If your campfire is too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave. Drown it with water, stir it with a shovel, and repeat until your campfire is out cold! Learn more from Smokey Bear.
THE CUSTOMER MUST CONTACT THE PARK TO ADVISE THEM OF LATE ARRIVAL THE SITE WILL BE RELEASED FOR RESERVATIONS / FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED ON THE SECOND DAY AFTER 4:00 P.M.. NO REFUND WILL BE DUE.
Please bring proof of your reservation with you to your campsite.
The entry to Oliver Lee Memorial State Park is currently under construction. This work is projected to wrap up around June 2026. The park will be open during this time with the following exceptions: The group area will be closed. No overflow camping will be available. The dump station will be closed. Alternate dump sites available upon request. Sites 9-13 are the closest to the construction zone. We apologize for the inconvenience.
RV Road Trip Guides
Location
Public CampgroundOliver Lee Memorial State Park Campground is located in New Mexico
Directions
LOCATED APPROXIMATELY 12 MILES SE OF ALAMOGORDO, NM. FROM ALAMOGORDO, TAKE US HWY 54 SOUTH 8 MILES. TURN LEFT(EAST) ON DOG CANYON ROAD AND GO 4 MILES TO THE PARK.
Address
409 DOG CANYON RD
Alamogordo, NM 88310
Coordinates
32.74527108 N
105.91523027 W
Connectivity
- T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 4/17/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 54 usersLast on 4/17/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 27 usersLast on 4/17/26
Connectivity
- T-MobilePossible CoverageVerified by 12 usersLast on 4/17/26
- VerizonLTEGood CoverageVerified by 54 usersLast on 4/17/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 27 usersLast on 4/17/26
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
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Contact
General Info
Reservations
Drive Time
- 1 hr 13 min from El Paso, TX
- 1 hr 23 min from Las Cruces, NM
- 3 hrs 22 min from Albuquerque, NM
- 3 hrs 44 min from Santa Fe, NM




















































