Looking for the best pet-friendly campgrounds in New Mexico? Find the best information on pet-friendly camping in New Mexico, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your RVing experience. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect pet-friendly campsites that are scenic and easy to access.
Located just 14 miles southeast of Roswell, Bottomless Lakes State Park is your place for bottomless fun! Enjoy non-motorized boating in your kayak or canoe, camp, fish, picnic, swim, hike, go birding or even scuba dive! The unique lakes at this park are sinkholes, ranging from 17 to 90 feet deep. The greenish-blue color created by aquatic plants is what gives the lakes the illusion of great depth.
$18 / night
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
$10 - $14 / night
This KOA is conveniently located one mile from I-10, overlooking the amazing views of Las Cruces, Mesilla Valley, and nearby mountains. Many upgrades have taken place over the last year, including Wi-fi with which you can stream and zoom, paved streets and a new playground. Choose from breathtaking view sites, big-rig friendly pull-thru sites, KOA Patio Sites with fire pits, Tent Sites or one-room Camping Cabins with refrigerator/freezer and fire pits. An RV wash area (Care Camps donation encouraged), 24-hr laundry and heated pool (seasonal) will complete your visit. Many come for one night and end up staying longer. Visit La Mesilla, known for its rich history and great cuisine. Shop for local specialties, chilies, and pecans at the popular farmers' market in downtown Las Cruces. Other area attractions include White Sands National Park & Missile Museum, Spaceport America Visitors Center, and the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. Pool: Mid May – Sept 31st. Max pull thru 85 ft.
$25 - $35 / night
Welcome to Albuquerque KOA. We have a beautiful campground nestled close to the Sandia Mountains. Whether you are looking for a big rig friendly 80 foot RV sites, cabins , or just tent camping, we are your Albuquerque campground . We have a swimming pool, indoor hot tub, mini golf, playground, horseshoes and a huge park for your pets. We are definitely pet friendly . We are here to help you relax and take care of all your camping needs. There's plenty to do during your camping stay with us. Our KOA is conveniently located near attractions such as the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta , the world's longest aerial Tramway , and we are the closest campground to Expo New Mexico Fairgrounds. The campground is also conveniently located near a variety of restaurants, the aquarium, zoo, multiple museums and the fascinating Old Town shopping district.
From the KOA website: Kick back with family and friends at this beautiful desert oasis built in 2000. This award-winning KOA is big rig friendly: All sites are huge 30/50-amp pull thrus with free Wi-Fi and free cable TV. The staff will spoil you as you enjoy the 2,000-square-foot community room, meals delivered to your site, a beautiful commercial laundry, outstanding restrooms, a fenced dog park and a heated pool. From this KOA in the heart of SE New Mexico, visit Carlsbad Caverns, Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, Sitting Bull Falls Recreation Area, Roswell's International UFO Museum and White Sands National Monument. Check out the Robert H. Goddard rocket collection at the Roswell Museum and Art Center and the "Billy the Kid" history at the campground. A horse hotel also is available. See how this KOA is going green with the help of a wind turbine. Pool: March 15 - October 15. Max pull thru: 75 feet. Your hosts: Scott, Susan and Brian Bacher.
From the KOA website: Nestled in the Tularosa Basin, the Alamogordo / White Sands KOA is a perfect location to set up as your base camp while touring the beauty and attractions of Southern New Mexico! With RV sites, tent sites, and cabins we can accommodate most every type of traveling camper. Mild winters make Alamogordo a wonderful place to escape the cold and snow of northern climates so be sure to ask about winter rates. Escape the desert heat by cooling off in our inviting pool. A large rec room and long covered outside patio work great for group events. Enjoy hiking or disk-sledding down the vast gypsum dunes at White Sands National Monument, only a short 15 mile drive from the campground! Learn about New Mexicos role in the US space program through interactive exhibits at the New Mexico Museum of Space History. Explore ancient rock drawings at the Three Rivers Petroglyph site, just 30 miles north of the campground! Or, simply unwind while taking a leisurely stroll through the oldest zoo in the Southwest the Alameda Park Zoo established in 1898. Though were located in the southern New Mexico desert, the tall, cool pines of Cloudcroft (8600 feet) and Ruidoso (7000 feet) are within an hours drive of the campground and make great day trips to escape the heat. Your hosts will gladly share other hidden gems in Alamogordo during your stay. Well see you soon!
Valley of Fires recreation area is located immediately adjacent to the Malpais Lava Flow. Approximately 5,000 years ago, Little Black Peak erupted and flowed 44 miles into the Tularosa Basin, filling the basin with molten rock. The resulting lava flow is four to six miles wide, 160 feet thick and covers 125 square miles. The lava flow is considered to be one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States. The Bureau of Land Management maintains and manages the Valley of Fires Recreation area, which is located four miles west of Carrizozo, NM, on US Highway 380. Valley of Fires offers both camping and day use. 20 of the campsites have 30 and 50 amp electrical hookups and water hookups, all sites have picnic shelters, tables, trashcans and barbeque grills. Two of the RV sites are accessible, as are the restrooms. Showers are provided in the main restroom/shower house. An RV dump station is also available. Two group shelters are accessible and available for rental. The 3/4 mile Malpais Nature Trail offers a close-up look of the lava surface.
Valley of Fires Recreation area offers opportunities for RV Camping (both full-service and primitive camp sites), tent camping and day use. The Malpais Nature trail offers a unique experience of getting trail users out into the lava. The trail is paved and accessible. Each campsite and group shelter is equipped with picnic shelter and picnic table(s) for the public's enjoyment.
From a distance, Valley of Fires appears as barren rock but when you walk through the nature trail there are many varieties of flowers, cactus, trees and bushes typical of the Chihuahuan desert. Animals include bats, roadrunners, quail, cottontails, mule deer, barbary sheep, and lizards. It's also a virtual birdwatcher's paradise with great horned owls, burrowing owls, turkey vultures, hawks, gnat catchers, cactus wrens, sparrows and golden eagles.
Carrizozo Land Partnership **The Carrizozo Land Partnership vehicle pass page is temporarily unavailable and the Roswell Field Office is currently unable to issue vehicle passes to cross private lands while collection policies for personal identifiable information are updated. All other open BLM lands remain accessible during this time. For more information please contact the Roswell Field Office at 575-627-0272.** The Carrizozo Land Partnership provides access to recreators wishing to enter public lands managed by the BLM, between the Carrizozo Lava Flow and the White Sands Missile Range which can only be reached by crossing private land. The CLP, a partnership between the BLM, private land owners and ranchers of this area, has arranged for public access to BLM lands in this area by a vehicle pass process. Once on the BLM lands in the area, the public is allowed to hunt, camp, hike, observe wildlife and other appropriate recreational activities. This partnership provides access to many miles of roads and thousands of acres of public lands for recreational enjoyment. Terrain is from flat to rolling, with some bluffy/hilly country overlooking the lava flows. High desert plant species inhabit this area, ranging from desert shrubs, multiple varieties of cactus and cedar/juniper trees. Other nearby camping/recreation opportunities: Other nearby fee areas include campgrounds in the Lincoln National Forest, and the BLM Rob Jagger's Campground. There are numerous private RV Campgrounds in the area as well. Additonal nearby attractions include Capitan, Lincoln, and Ruidoso. Capitan, located 24 miles east of the Valley of Fires on U.S. Highway 380, is known as the birthplace of Smokey Bear, and features a popular visitor center. Lincoln, located 37 miles east on U.S. Highway 380, is famous as the site of the historic Lincoln County Wars as well as the exploits of Billy the Kid and Sheriff Pat Garrett. Ruidoso is a popular resort town that features a horse racetrack, the Ski Apache skiing resort, and the Inn of the Mountain Gods casino. The BLM's Fort Stanton National Conservation Area, located approximately 27 miles east of the Valley of Fires on U.S. Highway 380, has 93 miles of sustainable horseback, mountain biking, and hiking trails that wind through open meadows and canyons. Trails are marked with flexible fiberglass markers with the trail name or an arrow attached to the marker. Cross-country horse and foot travel is allowed. Mountain bikes are strongly encouraged to stay on established trails to protect the rider as well as the landscape. The trails offer great views of the surrounding Sacramento and Capitan Mountains. The majority of the trails start at the Rob Jaggers Campground on NM 220 where you will find excellent camping opportunities, water for your animals, and vault toilets.
$25 / night
Traveler
I stayed here the second week of a two week vacation to the Taos area. I had been at the State Park out of Pillar the week before. As a veteran RV owner and road warrior for many decades I know my stuff. This RV park is very well maintained and managed. The owner went out of her way to provide tips and maps of things to do in the area. It is out of the way yet close to everything you’d want to do. I highly recommend!
Scout
Great location just outside of Santa Fe, super easy to get to off of I-25. Bathrooms are clean and showers are comfortable. Everything is well maintained and the dog park is a massive plus if you have pups. There’s a little road noise, but not bad, and definitely worth it for ease of use. Would recommend!
Guide
Site is about 2 miles of main highway on paved road. Sites look like they double as day-use, with small shelter, picnic table, trash, grill, and fire pit. Some right on pond. Park has playground and vault toilets. Very quiet. Good star gazing.
Guide
Easily found the dispersed sights from the app. Spent a very quiet night nestled back off the highway under the stars.
Guide
I will start with the only downside of this site: it is very active with hikers, families, dogs, and photographers. You can expect dozens upwards of a hundred faces a day hiking up here which can be extremely annoying and the car traffic can drive you nuts. That said, for the ease of access, for the beautiful trails, and for the clean amenities I think it is worth it. In the winter right before the ski area opens is your best bet for quiet camping. But in the summer, spring, fall, and during ski season you will have a lot of friendly faces. Again, not bad, but I know some folks are very interested in getting "away" from people while camping. To those I recommend this site for hiking and not staying. Highly recommend for folks who are less physically abled; I developed a heart condition which limits my abilities most days and the ease of access to these sites and close parking is great for someone who wants to be in touch with nature while enduring limiting conditions.
Traveler
$18 rate if you mention the billboards on the highway, but $22 otherwise so it's a good deal. Park is close to the casino, pretty level sites, clean, with full hookups (including sewer), no riffraff. Call the casino hotel front desk, or stop in at the front desk to register. Only about 10% of sites occupied when I was there in December.
Big truck stop gas station across the street if you need anything. Casino has a buffet restaurant and another bar to watch the game. Ended up staying an extra night to get prime rib on Saturday.
Security will drive you back and forth to the casino if you request, but it's only a 5 minute walk.
Scout
Stayed here 2 nights and had a great time. This campsite is in a great location to see the falls, and has a good layout. The pit toilets were clean, and well maintained. The camp hosts were very friendly and helpful when we had questions. I’ll definitely be back at some point!
Traveler
After reading how the area around Roswell is tough to find BLM/ cheap overnight - i fired up the Dyrt app and found this gem.
$3 for me and my van. Came in after dark to get some sleep before heading into Roswell proper. Only a few other vans.
Bathroom was immaculate, views are great . Thank you to the host for keeping it this way.
Legend
This is a very nicely spaced campground. Can't really see the water from here but the sites have water and electric. The bathroom was being worked on so not open during the visit and the water level is at like 5 % capacity but there are lots of places to walk and bike and camping here in the winter provides very livable temperatures.
Legend
This is a pretty normal lake campground. Not a lot of shade or privacy but picnic tables and covered outdoor spaces. There are bathrooms close by and they seem fine. Quiet during the off season and nice hiking trails.
Legend
If it were to stay here again, I'd stay in this campground as the layout is a lot nicer and more private. This campground is full and none of the others are right now. Nice walking trails and spots with some privacy and full hook ups.
Legend
You can camp right up next to the lake if you want. This appeals to certain campers. No services and you are literally just parking. I'm not sure what the above review is on about, this would be just like camping near any other lake in NM.
Legend
Caballo is kind of hidden between Percha and Elephant Butte but has lots of places to camp and is well maintained. This has a nice paved road leading to it, tons of spots where you can have privacy and trees. During the spring, it would keep you out of the wind.
Traveler
When you first arrive to the end of the road and the beginning of the public land - you have the option to go left, straight, or right. The left turn has one semi level campsite with a homemade fire ring but not as much on that left side. The straight route has the most options I found. I drove around for 15 minutes looking for the best spot but didn't see too many pre-cleared "camping spots" from previous travelers. Plenty of places to pull over to camp with a great view.
Incredible scenery, overlooking the valley and mountains in the West, with great sunsets. My first morning I was surrounded by a group of 5 cows grazing. They ended up laying 30 feet from the trailer all morning. Saw one other camper about a mile away.
The gravel roads are really tight for my 27" trailer, manageable but did rub on a couple of trees and shrubs on the drive in. Don't necessarily need a 4WD unless there is bad weather, but a few spots where ground clearance of a regular truck or SUV is important. Pretty isolated from supplies, which is the charm, but come prepared.
Great Starlink location and pretty good cell service (3/4 bars)
GuideDon’t arrive when it’s dark. Not much going on, no fire rings, no wild horses to wake up to. Maybe it was too cold for the horses. No fire rings I saw nonetheless.
Legend
I stayed here in 2018 and the trees didn't look very good. They must have had to remove a lot of them and the spots are now in the sun. Very hot and dry most of the year and the river doesn't run most of the year either. Stickers everywhere and the trails are not well maintained.
ScoutLots of dispersed sites but looks like a very popular area we passed over 20 campers before finding a spot. Spots are pretty well spaced out with lots of vegetation inbetween. Road is a little rough 4x4 definitely recommended.
Legend
I had hiked here before but staying was nice. Quiet and somewhat off spaces but very well maintained. Do not expect any privacy in spots.
Legend
I chose to stay in town this visit but these spots are much nicer and there are trails and things to see very close.
Legend
I think the campground is very nice and convenient to downtown. Full hookups, clean bathrooms and for the summer, nice shade. A lot of local tenants but it was quiet and well cared for with just a few spots coming and foing.
Legend
As the photos show, I'm not sure this is open. Nice long and private spots if it were open.
Legend
This is the most exposed of the campgrounds to the road. Nice and close to get to a picnic table but I'd stay at one of the others before staying here.
Legend
Of the handful of formal places to camp, this is very small but very nice. Trees, a decent hike on a maintained trail. Only a few spots to take but cute if you get one.
Scout
Area is open. There’s some trash right as you come in, but there’s plenty of clean spots not too much further in. Decent spot, though also popular.
Guide
There was a decent amount of snow but the road was easy enough to navigate. I came in from Las Alamos and went in about 7-8 miles. The site I found was amazing. There was a site available right as you pulled in and about 3-4 more half developed sites (fire rings) within a quarter mile walk in. It looks like there’s a bit of an OHV trail leading up the mountain, halfway. From there if you want to reach a peak you do have to bushwhack a bit. This was easily by top 10 dispersed campsites I’ve even been to and will definitely be coming back. Little to no service, roughly an hour 45 minutes from Albuquerque stayed 2 nights.
Guide
This place is about 20-30 minutes outside of Las Alamos. If you go through Santa Fe, you do have to go through a military checkpoint. There was a decent amount of snow, so I didn’t go very far in. I saw plenty of 4x4 trucks making it further than I did. The site was nice, but there was broken glass nearby so be careful. Made a couple of fires, and had a good time. From my site you could see the town below but thankfully it did not impede my view of the stars. I had full service too which was nice.
TravelerMostly residential area until you get to the open space. I didn't make it to the actual coordinates as I took a wrong turn near the end, but there is a ton of open space out here. Easy to get to in 25' RV. Recommend.
New Mexico offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry companions. From scenic views to ample amenities, these campgrounds cater to both you and your pets.
