Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico Top RV Parks and Campgrounds
Carlsbad KOA
Just north of the town of Carlsbad and 40 minutes from the Carlsbad Caverns, Carlsbad KOA is one of the closest campgrounds to the tiol Park. It’s also in a very scenic area, right next to Brantley Lake and Brantley Lake State Park. Carlsbad KOA is right off of US Highway 285 near the Guadalupe Backcountry Byway. Because this KOA is outside of town, it’s a good quiet getaway.
Carlsbad RV Park & Campground
Located right in the town of Carlsbad near the local airport, this RV park is convenient and just 15 minutes from the Carlsbad caverns. It’s about as close as you can get to the tiol Park. It’s just off Highway 62, where you’ll find multiple nearby dining and gas options as well as places to stock up on supplies. The scenic Guadalupe Mountain National Park is just 60 miles south from Carlsbad.
Pine Springs Campground
Across the Texas state line just 30 minutes south of Carlsbad Caverns, you’ll find Pine Springs Campground. It’s in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, so it’s the perfect spot for RV travelers who want to spend their trip soaking up the incredible tural beauty of the American Southwest and cross off multiple tiol parks in one trip. Although remote, the surrounding area is incredibly scenic and filled with outdoor recreation.
The Ranch – Escapees Park
Between Artesia and Carlsbad, you’ll find this Chihuahuan desert oasis in Lakewood, New Mexico. It’s about 45 minutes north of the Carlsbad Caverns off of U.S. Highway 285. The area is remote and scenic, near Brantley Lake State Park and just 14 miles from Artesia. Fort Sumner, the Billy the Kid Museum, and Roswell’s UFO Museum are not far either.
Artesia RV Park
Located an hour north of Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the town of Artesia, this park offers immediate access to all amenities. In Artesia, you’ll find plenty of restaurants and gas stations as well as a Wal-Mart and other place to pick up supplies. At the same time, you’re just off U.S. Highway 285, which will take you straight to Carlsbad and the Carlsbad Caverns.
White’s City RV Park
Located in White’s City at the intersection of National Parks Highway and Carlsbad Cavern Highway, this RV park is as close as you can get to the Carlsbad Caverns. It sits directly outside of the entrance to the National Park, so you can even walk to it. It’s a 4 mile hike to the visitor’s center. White’s City itself is a small town, but it has everything you could need, including supply stores and restaurants.
Red Barn RV Park
If you want to combine your trip to the Carlsbad Caverns with a trip to the infamous Roswell, New Mexico, a town that is home to a suspected “alien crash site” but also many other lovely attractions, the Red Barn RV Park is a great place to stay. Located right in Roswell, it’s just minutes from the crash site and the UFO Museum and Research Center, and under 2 hours from the Carlsbad Caverns.
Cowboy’s RV Park
You’ll find Cowboy’s RV Park on the outskirts of the town of Hobbs, just down the street from a number of restaurants, shops, and a Pilot Travel Center. It’s minutes from the local casino and horse track and right on the edge of the Texas state line. The RV park is only 90 minutes from the Carlsbad Caverns National Park and a great midway option for people coming from Lubbock or Odessa, Texas.
Dog Canyon Campground
While camping in the serene surroundings, visitors can enjoy essential amenities, including drinking water and flush toilets at the campground. It's important to note that Dog Canyon Campground does not offer hookups, dump stations, or shower facilities. To ensure environmental preservation, only cooking stoves are permitted, with restrictions on the use of charcoal, wood fires, and propane firepits. The Dog Canyon Campground invites nature enthusiasts to revel in the beauty of its elevated landscape while embracing the simplicity and peacefulness of the camping experience.
Frijole Horse Corral Campground
If your group doesn't require accommodations for stock use, we recommend considering a campsite at the Pine Springs Campground, conveniently situated just one mile west of the Frijole Horse Corral Campground. Frijole Horse Corral Campground is strategically positioned one mile east of the Pine Springs Visitor Center, located off U.S. 62/180, and sits at an elevation of 5,400 feet. This campground features a spacious gravel parking area, serving as a trailhead for accessing the Foothills and Frijole trails, and offers additional parking for horse trailers. The picturesque surroundings showcase prominent landmarks, including Hunter Peak, El Capitan, and the iconic Guadalupe Peak, visible from the campground. Venturing up either side of Pine Springs canyon reveals breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape.
Pecos River RV Park
This family-friendly RV park in Carlsbad, New Mexico is nestled right along the Pecos River, just downstream from the Playground on the Pecos and across from Lake Carlsbad Beach Park. You can walk to the center of Carlsbad from here as well as a number of restaurants, grocery stores, shops, and even the Carlsbad Museum and Art Center. It’s also just 25 minutes from the entrance to the Carlsbad Caverns National Park.