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

Oliver Lee Memorial State Park — Oliver Lee State Park

Gorgeous state park! If you want electric you better reserve though. Very much a hidden gem with restrooms, hookups and showers. Will definitely go again.

Gorgeous state park! 

**Campground Review:**

Oliver Lee is an amazing place to stay in southern New Mexico. This park is located about 20 minutes south of Alamogordo and a half hour drive to White Sands National Monument. We spent two nights here and were blown away with the desert views that surround the site. They have both developed sites with access to electricity and water as well as some undeveloped sites. We went in the middle of June during a heat wave that was hitting the southwest United States, but was really able to enjoy the park and surrounding hiking during the morning and afternoons.

I was actually pretty surprised at the amount of other campers that were there, and available amenities. When I was beginning to look at camping here I thought it would be a pretty primitive site, but was blow away at the available bathrooms, showers, and hook ups. While we were here they were replacing much of the water hook ups in the park, which meant the water was shut off during most of the day, but really increased the availability of the water.

If we are ever back in southern NM we will definitely be sure to swing by and stay for a night.

Click [here](https://youtu.be/Q5_nD8uQBnU) to see the video review!

**Product Review:**

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I occasionally get products to test, and on this trip i was able to test the [Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe](https://www.klymit.com/insulated-static-v-luxe.html) sleeping pad. 

I was excited to be able to test out this pad primarily for its claim of being comfortable for side sleepers. 

With other pads that I've tried in the past I always run into the problem of whenever I try to sleep on my side I get spots what are always in contact with the ground and will eventually begin to hurt. 

Not with this pad. Except for the times when I was changing my sleeping position, I never felt the ground. 

I am truly in love with this pad! So far I've only been able to use pad in warm climates, so I can't attest to its insulative properties, but I can't wait to take it out this winter!

Click [here](https://youtu.be/E4iotc6cxCI) to see an extended video review!

**Camping with the GO: DAY 1**

During our road trip around the US, I was able to try out the [GO](https://www.sylvansport.com/go/) camper from [SylvanSport](https://www.sylvansport.com/). This was the first night we stayed in the GO and were blown away. Our first impression of this camper is SPACIOUS!! There is so much room in this camper, it's almost unfair. Definitely, loved our first night!

Ranger Review: Klymit Insulated Static V Luxe at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, NM

Great little campground at the base of the mountains. Provides great opportunity to hike and learn about some history in the area. Initial part of the hike is pretty strenuous but it becomes easier after about .7 miles. Campground has hookups for RVs and plenty of flat lots for tents. I believe the fee for the state park was 5 dollars per night. This camp ground is far enough off the high way you don't get any vehicle noise. Only vehicles you'll hear are people coming and going from the campground or hiking trails.

Quiet escape with hiking available

Amazing little gem located half an hour from White Sands. Recommend reservations if looking for electric sites. Plenty to do and see. Close drive into town for just about anything you could need but far enough to get the high desert. 
Clean bathrooms and showers. We only used electric site. Used the air conditioner for the hot mid days and heat in the early mornings. One evening we could hear what we think to be artillery explosions from the White Sands missile range by the Air Force Base. Nothing alarming if you have heard artillery before. Short lived and did not interrupt our experience. 

Mid October 

Probably the nicest state camp group designed with full RV sites I’ve seen. We have just a pop up so mix it up between hook ups and primitive spots when we are traveling. The is a heavily occupied camp group with some reserved sites and some one night FCFS sites. End of April every site was full. Nice shower facilities, but u like KOA there are natural and manmade barriers very strategically placed. Good jumping off point to Lincoln forest day hikes and white sands area. Really beautifully landscaped. Our site backed up right to the mountains. Gorgeous at dusk/dawn. 

Perfect RV camp spot

Serene view

Staying at this park. Very comfortable, great views, beautiful hike from the park and great people. We only plan to stay one day but ended up staying a couple because it was so nice. Close to Alamogordo so easy to get supplies or go out to do things. The space museum is nearby which was very fun. Would definitely go back again.

Loved Staying at this park. Very comfortable, great views, beautiful hike f

Very beautiful hidden away RV and Raised Primitive State Park full of marked and unmarked foliage and a nice museum reflecting on the surrounding area of New Mexico. Everything above standards with wonderful staff. Was there with a friend and had an outstanding experience. 

Scenic 10+

Read a book in one sitting watching the sun set.

Stunning views, friendly skunks. 

Good, clean state park campground central to Alamogordo and White Sands.

Pros:
* Location/easy to get to
* A good mix of pull through and tent sites with plenty of room to drive in.
* Views on both sides are spectacular 
* Reasonably spaced, not super private but that is pretty much any paid campground
* Clean bathrooms and pit toilets (showers still closed)
* Sites are relatively spacious and very well kept with tables and fire rings; some have partial shelter

Cons:
* Seems to get a little crowded, which is to be expected due to its proximity to White Sands

Nice/central to White Sands

Pretty campground, no shade most sites. 80 percent of sites require reservations. Good hosts.

Make reservations 

Gorgeous campsite. Everyone is nicely spaced out. Amazing breeze in the morning and evening, beautiful stars, clean bathrooms, friendly people and hosts. Absolutely would recommend. 

Amazing (I mean AMAZING) views

Reservation camp ground about 15-20 min from Alamogordo. Great views, although a little windy at night since you're right up against the mountains. Bathrooms were clean and the pull in spots are nicely spaced out, so it's nice and chill. They also have quiet hours from 10p-7a daily. Office was closed when I was there (Monday) so I can't speak to the staff, but the campground looked pretty well maintained.  
  

There are two trails if you want to hike. One is flat and goes through the canyon for about a mile and a half. The other is basically straight up for 5 miles - I didn't try that one :) - but I imagine the views are great if you can swing it.

  

The only complaint about this campground (which can't be fixed) is the flies. So. Many. Flies. They're everywhere and they are impossible to deter no matter how many times you swat them. It's insane. Maybe it was the time of year (late June) but it made tent camping pretty tough at times. If you're in an RV/camper I imagine it wouldn't be quite as bad for you.

Great views and close to town

We stayed on Site #9 for 3 nights. We wanted to stay longer.  However, our site was extremely unlevel.  We tried front tire blocks.  Had to go buy more blocks and just could not get level enough.  Pros: Absolutely breathtaking views!  Spacious. AT&amp;T and Verizon coverage.  


Stunning views!

What a gem of a state park. Sites were private, spaced well apart and had mountain and city views.  Each site had a picnic table (some have shelters over them) and a fire ring. We stayed in site 10 and really liked it. It had a path to the comfort station, which was clean and well equipped. This park is very convenient to visiting Alamogordo and White Sands (a must do), each are a short drive away. Night views from the park are as amazing as daytime. Highly recommend this. 

Glorious mountain views, clean sites, friendly staff 

We tent-camped at Oliver Lee State Park on 8/14/2021. Overall good experience. We took a 2 mile hike down and around the riparian trail where there was water in the canyon that disappeared in the creek bed beyond the canyon. We didn’t attempt the steep trail to the ridge. Although we visited in August, it wasn’t too hot because of recent rains. 

Nice campground with two trails

The campground is located in the Oliver Lee State Park, with access on paved roads. There is a dump and water fill station at the entrance. 
Many sites have electric and water. All have picnic tables, fire rings/grills, but no shade. 
The Comfort Station is well kept and clean, with running hot and cold water in showers and sinks. Toilets have running water. 
It’s very quiet in the night so you can enjoy the sound of night creatures. Sadly, although there is electricity at the sites, generators are run at times tearing up the silence and tranquility. 
Hiking trails 
are accessible from the campground, a strenuous treck into Dog Canyon and an easy Nature trail. The park is only twenty minutes from White Sands National Park. 
Great experience! I would come back here any time!

Great location! Super clean 

Perfectly level, no trash, beautiful stars, sunset and sunrise over the mountains. A few other campers. No amenities but hoping no one leaves trash (as that rudeness has closed many other great BLM sites). Went to White Sands National Monument early (25 miles) to get spot to park RV. 

BLM dispersed right before state park is great 

Great campground about 20 minutes south of Alamogordo. Nestled in the rocks. Alamogordo itself seemed a little sketchy but this campground is far enough away. Some sites have water and power. Some more level than others. 
The water and dump station is VERY conveniently located just outside the entrance. 

Great campground

I stayed at A-30, and while there was no electric or water hookup, to me, it had the best view! Right behind me was the beautiful mountain and I was very close to the visitor center and Dog Canyon Trail.

Water was nearby and the restrooms/shower was a few hundred feet away.

Hosts were nice and helpful along my hiking trip and I can’t wait to come back when there are full hookup sites available (I see why they are reserved often).

What a great place to stay and what an amazing view each morning!

What an Amazing View!

Beautiful view, very clean, water and 50 amp hookup

Amazing

This State Park is Amazing.

It has everything I would want in a campground and for only $10 a night.

The Fog Canyon Trail is great too

Oliver Lee Is My Hero

Absolutely stunning. I will definitely be coming here again. The sunrise, sunset and night sky were all breathtaking. I loved every bit of it. Va unity was so clean and bathrooms were also very clean.

BEST CAMPGROUND YET

Great location with beautiful sunrises, sunsets, AND moon rises over the Sacramento mountains.  

Clean location, clean restroom/shower facilities.  Campground was full the week we were present.  A friendly campground host patrols periodically.  

Beautiful location overlooking Tularosa Basin

Great campground with interesting history. Dog canyon trail is a must to get the whole experience. Tours to Oliver Lee ranch are available. Can be windy and lots of bugs during our visit. Only one trail.


Nice campground with a view

This is such a scenic place to camp. Mountains, sunrise, sunset, trails. Bathrooms are clean and good showers. Wow! I hope we can come here again.

Beautiful state park near Alamogordo, NM and White Sands national monument.

This was a fantastic state park very close to White Sands National Park.  The park is halfway up a mountain with great views of the desert valley / Tularosa Basin below.  It’s far enough outside Alamogordo to feel remote but close enough to be able to get to White Sands and nearby amenities easily.  Not all the sites in the park are level so be ready.

Outstanding campground near White Sands

30 minutes from White Sands, quiet and well maintained. Book ahead of time to reserve covered picnic table sites especially if going during the summer.

Near White Sands

This park is in a beautiful spot and is well maintained! Quiet and nice bathrooms/showers. Would for sure visit again if out that way.

Beautiful 

Stayed here for one night and loved it - chanced upon this beautiful location close to White Sands national park. Only problem was that it was super windy when we stayed so had to sleep in the car in the middle of the night! We were unlucky 

Beautiful location - great views and super cheap!

Beautiful views

The sites were spacious and the campground was very quiet. The rangers were very friendly and they have loaner sleds that you can take to the White Sands dunes which are about 30 minutes away. Every site seemed to have pretty views. Bath houses were very clean and heated. Would definitely stay here again. 

Clean facilities and spacious sites

Perched on a slight elevation at the base of the mountain, Oliver Lee State Park provides a wonderful scenic overlook.  On a normal clear day you can see White Sands National Park in the distance. 

No water or electrical at the park.  There is a dump station.  

The nature trail is well done and the informational museum does a nice job describing the history of the area. 

Beautiful view of Tularosa Basin

My wife and I enjoyed our visit to this park. The views alone made the trip. The history of the location amazed us. The hikes/exploring kept us busy. Take the guided tour and learn the history of the area. The sites are large and clean. The staff and hosts are very polite and helpful. 

Breathtaking views 

Loved this campground. Views were awesome and several trails leaving from the campground. Bathhouse was dated but usable. Vault bathrooms were very clean. Loved it! 

Awesome views

Stayed here last month and loved it so much we had to come back! Camp hosts Bob and Donna are helpful and welcoming - they have lots of sleds to borrow if you want to take a trip to the dunes for some fun. No sewer at the site but dump station is easy to access. Good shower facilities. Site #41 is our absolute favorite - huge, 2 level site with lots of room for our son to play. Nice cement table, fire pit and gravel tent pad as well. Nestled next to the mountains but full sun during the day which is great for us since we have solar panels and no electric at the site. 
Some walk in sites available if you don’t have a reservation - first come, first served. Always see a combination of campers, rvs, tents and vans. Peaceful with gorgeous views.

Great spot with beautiful views

**General:** Nicely laid out state park about 15 miles from Alamogordo where you could stock up on anything you need. 

  

**Site Quality:** The sites are level, gravel, and generous in size; each would have room for an extra vehicle if needed. I believe all of them have water and electric hookups. The only odd thing is that these hookups are located near the front of the site which could be awkward if you do not have a long enough cord. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring; some (but not all) have a covered shelter. 

  

**Bathhouse:** The bathroom appeared clean. Two shower stalls appeared clean, but I did not use them. There is a gravel path leading to the bathhouse, but it is twisty and rocky; make sure you bring your flashlight after dark. 

  

**Activities:** There are guided tours four times a week where you will drive your own vehicle to the ranch. There is also an occasional Saturday morning “coffee and conversation” where staff is available to answer questions about the history of the area, plants, and wildlife. Unfortunately, we arrived after dark in the rain and left the next morning around 9 am still in the rain and not on a day that any of the programs were offered. From what I could see, this looks like a very well-laid-out park, and I would definitely like to return to see the ranch and explore more of the area.

Well laid-out state park

Big sites, had a tiny camper and tent. Plenty of room. Table and fire pit. Beautiful views! Showers, trails and a visitor center. Less than 30 min from white sands and Alamogordo. 
PRO-TIP go to Nenas ice cream and snack shop on Alamogordo and order mango creama with a scoop of ice cream. SUPER FRESH ingredients. Also Amigos Bakery has amazing baked goods and burritos.

BOOK A SITE! it was great

As other people have mentioned, there are some sites that have small shelters built over the picnic tables, but I couldn't figure out a pattern to them, so it would be difficult to reserve ahead. (Also, many of them were at the RV sites--which have water and electricity but no sewer connections--which seemed like a waste since RV's come with built-in shade. Luckily, we had brought an 8' square canopy which was a lifesaver. About 15 minutes from Alamogordo and 30 minutes from White Sands, so convenient, too. It seemed to be full on Friday night but only half-full on Saturday night. (The Trinity Site was open on Saturday, so my guess was that some people went there and then moved on.) Nice flush bathrooms with free showers, and there were additional spigots and vault toilets for backup. Didn't go on it but the Dog Canyon trail looks like a beast and started from the campground. Highlight was definitely the views, especially during sunrise and sunset. The sites across from us ($42 and #44) would have been even better for views (though neither had the prized picnic table shade!).

Bring Shade but It Has Everything Else You Could Want

Great state park. Clean and well thought out camping sites. Not much shade but some sites have shelters over picnic tables. Stayed at dry site (no water or electric) but water is available around campground. 