Hikers and anglers find multiple trail systems and fishing access at Soda Pocket Campground, located within Sugarite Canyon State Park near the Colorado border. This established campground sits atop a mesa accessed by an unpaved road that climbs from the main park area below.
The campground features 25 sites arranged in a loop, with sites 20-23 offering canyon views but more wind exposure, while sites 1, 3, 14, and 16 provide natural shade and greater spacing between neighbors. Each site includes a covered picnic table, fire ring, and bear box for food storage. The campground operates with vault toilets that campers consistently describe as clean, though no potable water is available on-site. "Potable water across from lake Alice Campground," notes emory, requiring a trip down the mountain for water supplies.
Trail access begins directly from the campground, including the challenging Little Horse Mesa Trail that leads to mesa-top views and the shorter Vista Grande Nature Trail. The park's two lakes provide fishing opportunities, with Lake Maloya accessible via a short drive to Colorado. Wildlife sightings include bears occasionally reported on the access road. Campers planning extended stays in the area can explore [campgrounds around Sugarite Canyon State Park] for additional options within the park system.
Description
The nature enthusiast will appreciate the abundance of wildlife, birds, butterflies, and wildflowers among the lakes, creeks, forests, and meadows. Nearly all outdoor recreation activities are possible: Fishing, boating, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and camping.
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!
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.
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.
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.
**IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER** **BOIL WATER ADVISORY** **Sugarite State Park Water System** **Does Not Meet Treatment Requirements** _ **Este informe contiene información importante acerca de su agua potable. Haga que alguien lo traduzca para usted, o hable con alguien que lo entienda.** _ Our water system is out of compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. As consumers of water in the park, you have a right to know what happened, what you should do, and what we are doing to correct this situation. Our water system is required to demonstrate complete inactivation of harmful pathogens. Our system is currently unable to meet these requirements. This is a significant deficiency that does not meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and indicates a potential elevated threat to public health. **What should I do?** - **BOIL WATER FOR AT LEAST 3 MINUTES BEFORE USING, OR SEEK AN ALTERNATE SOURCE.** - If you have a severely compromised immune system, have an infant, are pregnant, or are elderly, you may be at increased risk and should seek advice from your health care providers about drinking this water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. **What does this mean?** _ **Although no contamination has currently been detected in our Water System,** we are not meeting disinfection requirements. This means microbes such as bacteria and viruses may not be inactivated. *Fecal coliforms and E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes. Microbes in these wastes can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, and people with severely compromised immune systems . *_ **What is being done?** We are working to ensure there is adequate disinfectant in the water and that complete inactivation of pathogens is taking place. Meanwhile, routine bacterial testing in August and September has shown compliance with safe drinking water standards. We expect the advisory to remain in effect until disinfection is ensured. **For more information, please contact:** Danny Byler (575) 868-2270 _*Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly. You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.*_
ADA site campers must display a Handicapped Placard or have a Handicapped license plate. Customers not displaying this will be asked to relocate.
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).
Please bring proof of your reservation with you to your campsite.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsSoda Pocket Campground is located in New Mexico near Raton
Directions
TAKE EXIT 452 ON INTERSTATE 25, TRAVEL EAST ON STATE HIGHWAY 72 FOR 4 MILES TO ITS INTERSECTION WITH STATE HIGHWAY 526, TRAVEL NORTH ON STATE HIGHWAY 526 FOR 2 MILES TO THE PARK ENTRANCE.
Address
211 Hwy 526
Raton, NM 87740
Coordinates
36.973 N
104.394 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Firewood Available
- Reservable
- Showers
- Electric Hookups
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
Drive Time
- 1 hr 50 min from Pueblo, CO
- 2 hrs 29 min from Colorado Springs, CO
- 2 hrs 42 min from Santa Fe, NM
- 3 hrs 18 min from Albuquerque, NM
