Raton Pass Camp & Cafe, near Raton, New Mexico, is a cozy spot that’s perfect for a quick overnight stay or a couple of days of relaxation. Perched on a mountain, it offers stunning views that many visitors rave about, making it a great place to unwind after a long drive.

The campground features well-maintained gravel sites, complete with picnic tables and electric hookups. Clean facilities, including a bathhouse and laundry, are available, which campers appreciate, especially after a day of exploring. One visitor noted, “The bath/shower house was very clean and there was laundry available for a very reasonable price.”

While the sites are close together, the quiet atmosphere and friendly staff help create a welcoming environment. Many guests have commented on the helpfulness of the staff, who assist with site selection and provide useful information upon arrival. As one camper put it, “The staff are wonderful and make you feel welcome.”

For those looking to stretch their legs, there’s a short hiking trail nearby that offers swings along the way to enjoy the views. Plus, being just a short drive from Raton means you can easily grab a bite to eat or explore local attractions. Whether you’re just passing through or planning a longer stay, Raton Pass Camp & Cafe is a solid choice for a peaceful retreat in the mountains.

Raton Pass Camp & Cafe

Raton is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Raton campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Raton, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Raton

The Best Camping Near Raton, New Mexico

I had the pleasure of staying several nights at Raton Pass Camp &amp; Cafe, I wasn't disappointed at all! The views are spectacular, with a panoramic landscape! Close to town but far away to see some stars of the eve.

Very scenic with wild life abundant!  

We have recommended this campground to many friends across the years. It used to be our favorite stop on our way to Colorado. It is still a beautiful location, but our most recent experience was not up to what it has been in the past. I will suppose that Covid-19 has something to do with that. We were assigned a very undesirable spot behind the office. The sites are all level and full hookup; many pull throughs.

Used to be our favorite

Staff was super friendly with two 9 month Golden Retriever puppies. Suggested the best campsite for availability overlooking the mountain. Beautiful sunset. Didn't use faculties but looks clean (lauder, shower, bathroom). 

Verizon 6.5 down / 1.6 up. 

Know that you'll lose some reception on the way up (coming from Colorado) so make sure your navigation is preset.

Fairly level gravel site, lake nearby is dry, nice small hikes with benches around. I believe the Cafe is closed currently due to Covid. 

Nice view, surprisingly quiet next to freeway

Stayed one night.  Staff was friendly, informative and helpful.  Enjoyed the camp ground which was well maintained and I will definitely stay again when in the area.

Nice facilities 

This is a small RV Park at Raton Pass almost to the Colorado border. Situated at the top of a hill, the views here are outstanding. When you arrive you are greeted and escorted to your site and given some parking help if you need it. It seems to be a quick overnight for most people, although we elected to stay 2 nights to do some sightseeing. The sites are close, but who cares when you have this view out your back window? The bathhouse is very clean and opens with a code. I did some laundry, which was $1.25/load. We will definitely stay here again if we come through this way.


Great Views!

We stopped here for an overnight stay. Pull thru &amp; back in with full hook ups with 30/50 amp sites. Bathhouse with showers &amp; laundry room as well. Gates close at dark so if you are arriving after dark you will not be able to get in. Back in sites look over the freeway but you can also see pretty scenery farther off. Sites are close together.

Overnight Stay

We only stayed the night but we are definitely coming back for longer stays.   It is not a big campground but we’ll laid out and accessible.  The sites are close and level but it’s the views!   You are up in the mountains and have a fantastic vista views.  There is a short hiking trail with swings long the way so you can take in the views.  

A real gem!

It’s bear season here so you have to keep your eyes peeled.  Large dog walking area, excellent service and there hasn’t been a theft here in 22 plus years!

Beautiful mountain views

We made our camping reservation the day before our arrival. Campground manager Kenny called us the day of our arrival to confirm our arrival time. After arrival Kenny took us directly from our upgraded campsite. Our stay was quiet and restful.

Great little campground 

The views are the best part about this camp ground! The people who checked us in and brought us to our site were nice. The place was very quiet and we rarely saw or heard any other guests. We didn't use the bath house so I'm not sure how it is but I have no complaints about this place.

Great views and quiet.

All the sites had very well groomed gravel and all hookups were well maintained. The view you get right outside your rv is really amazing. The location is convenient with everything you need within 15 miles of the campground. All the other guests were quiet and had clean sites. They also kept their outside lights off so there was a decent view of the night sky.

Excellent little campground with a heck of a view.

Nothing really to add to previous reviews; great location with absolutely spectacular views. Very friendly staff that is very helpful. Decided to stay here on the way back from Colorado. Again, great stay over.

Beautiful Views

This place sits upon a mountain and overlooks such a beautiful view! The staff are wonderful and make you feel welcome. The only thing that would’ve made the stay better, is if the spots were further apart. It was very busy so everyone was parked right up against one another. It’s a small place so it makes sense why it had to be that way, but still a great spot to spend a night or two!

Great place to stop for the night

We booked a view site at this campground after reading about the incredible views but unfortunately, when we arrived, it was completely socked in, and we could not see a thing! Views the next morning were much better but although we had a view of the mountains, we also had a view of Highway 25 (and could hear highway noise). It was considered spring slow and there were only two other campers there besides us (and I believe one of them was the workamper), so it was quiet. In high season, however, there is no separation/privacy between sites. All sites are gravel, and each site has a picnic table. 

  

The office was closed (as was the café) but we received a text message the morning of our arrival confirming our stay (it was pre-paid) and giving us directions to the campground, the bathhouse code, and the WiFi code. The bath/shower house was very clean and there was laundry available for a very reasonable price of $1 for the washer and $ 1 for the dryer. The showers looked very clean as well but did not use them as it was below freezing during our stay (late April). 

  

Sorry to be the one to harsh the mellow of all the five-star reviews but for us, even though our stay was quiet and uneventful (and the amenities were clean), the proximity to the highway and closeness of the sites are generally not our preferred type of camping.

Good for a night passing through

We were passing through on our way from Arizona having automobile issues for pulling our fifth wheel trying to find a place for the night. I contacted this place and I got a lady that I explained that we needed to come in between 9 and 10 PM because that’s the only place we could find on a route. She immediately handed the phone to somebody else and that lady said may I help you and I started to explain and she very rudely said may I help you and I was like yes we are trying to find someplace we can pull into tonight between nine and 10 is that possible.? She said no no we don’t allow anybody to come in that late. It’s dark and it’s too difficult I tried to explain that was our only option right now on the route and she started laughing and said well that’s not my problem. That’s not anything I can do anything about. She wasn’t very sensitive to our situation and the laughing was rude and I felt that she didn’t understand what was going on, so I just hung up. I would never try to stay here just because of how rude this person was on the phone. Gave me a bad feeling about the place before even seeing it other than on the good Sam website.

Photos of Raton Pass Camp & Cafe

Real photos from real campers