Hit the road and enjoy the great outdoors of Southern NM!
From desert flatlands to rugged mountains, Southern New Mexico offers a variety of camping locations that are just a short drive from Artesia. Whether you're a primitive camper or enjoy a RV hookup, this list has a local campsite perfect for your next Summer adventure.
Three Rivers Campground
Three Rivers Campground is located on the West side of the Sacramento Mountains and at the base of some of Southern New Mexico’s tallest mountains. Be sure to visit the Three Rivers Petroglyph Site to see a pueblo ruin and petroglyph rock art.Glamping in Mayhill
This outdoor experience offers authentic tipis and a treehouse! Enjoy the fresh air and stargazing at 8,000 feet elevation. Visit their website to book: www.newmexicotipis.com. The nearby town of Cloudcroft offers fun shopping and some unique restaurants! The pizza at Cloudcroft Brewing Company cannot be beat!Bottomless Lakes Park Campground
Located just 50 miles north of Artesia, Bottomless Lakes State Park offers a little adventure for the whole family. Enjoy swimming, kayaking, and fishing in the cool clear waters of the bottomless sinkholes. The park also has shaded picnic tables and 32 camp spots with hook-ups!Baca Campground
Enjoy the sunshine and brisk mountain air at this free campground! Busy with wildlife, the area is a popular location for hunters. Visit the historic sites in the nearby town of Lincoln, NM to brush up on your western heritage. Just a short drive down Billy the Kid Trail you will find the Village of Capitan, home of Smokey Bear Historical Park!Dog Canyon Campground
If you are looking to escape to somewhere secluded, let Dog Canyon be the place. With only 9 tent sites and 4 RV spots, the quiet campground located south of Carlsbad is ideal for solitude. Access to many trails makes Dog Canyon popular for hiking, backpacking, and horseback riding. Be sure to visit Queen Cafe for a delicious lunch!Pine Springs Campground
Pine Springs is located at the base of the Guadalupe Mountain range. This wilderness area offers a diverse trail system that makes the location a popular destination in the spring and fall. It is known to have over 80 miles of trails, including Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas! The campground has many tent and RV sites that can be booked online.Camp of the Tall Pines
This retreat in the Sacramento Mountains offers it all; with multiple cabins, RV hookups, and camping platforms, there is a campsite to accommodate anyone and everyone! Enjoy time with the family under the pavilion, enjoy fishing and hunting on site, or challenge yourself on the ropes course — this makes a great campsite for large groups and families.Brantley Lake State Park
Nestled between Artesia and Carlsbad, Brantley Lake is a great place for a day trip or weekend camping! The desert oasis offers shoreline camping for RVs and tents plus over 50 additional primitive campsites. Brantley Lake is a popular location for motorized boats and jet skis!16 Springs
Located near the village of Cloudcroft, this area is perfect for tent and RV camping in the Lincoln National Forest. Enjoy the beautiful weather and picture perfect mountain views from the Trestle Depot Rec Area or take Sunspot Highway to view the waterfalls at Bluff Springs.Bonito Recreation Area
Just slightly north of Ruidoso, Bonito Canyon has a ton of camping spots dispersed into the White Mountain Wilderness. Although this is a popular area to visit in the summer, no reservations are taken for this back county camping. Follow NM48 into Ruidoso and check out the Monjeau Lookout for hiking or Grindstone Lake Recreation area for swimming and mountain biking!
Article written by Jessica Addington and originally published in Focus on Artesia 2022 Summer edition.
