WOW!!! We were in need of finding a place to stop for the night and were just about to just pull of to the side of the road in a pull out when we came across this place. When we pulled in and saw the view it was amazing. You are surrounded by a lava field. We arrived just as it was getting dark so we could not see much. The next morning we spend time walking the trail thru the lava field. It was such a surprise to find this in the middle of New Mexico. We wish we had time to spend the whole day looking around. We do plan on coming back. The sites are all asphalt and very nice. The park overlooks the lava field. We camped here in a Motorhome.
When we first arrived at the park we noticed that the first 5 electric sites were not anywhere close to being level. It would have taken quite a few blocks to level out our motorhome. It is totally going up hill. When we reached the crest of the road we saw that most of sites were level and there was only 1 site left. The sites have 20/30 amp hookups but their breaker kept switching off. We tried 2 sites and when the park host came over she didn't seem surprised that we were having electrical problems. Seems they are in the process of updating the park and I guess the electrical is next. We've stayed in lots of National Parks and National Forest Campgrounds and this was really paved over. Not really our cup of tea so we ended up heading to Sumner Lake State Park where we aren't having any electrical problems. We camped here in a Motorhome.
The rating is based on similar type campgrounds. The spots are very spacious and there are pull-throughs. The roads and RV pads are paved. Plenty of room for a big rig. The pads are not quite level because of the inclines in the access road but it was not a problem. Each site had a covered sheltered table, trash can, and a grill. The hook-ups are on the "wrong" side but that was no problem as we had extra long connectors. The electric service was stable this time of year and the water pressure was OK. Verizon cell service worked great. The views are stupendous and there is a great paved signed nature trail. It 4 miles west of Carrizozo which does not have a grocery store but does have a few cafes and convenience gas stations. It is in a great location to see many of the area sites. The heated bathrooms are roomy and were acceptably clean but not squeaky clean. There was three shower stalls with locks and the water temp was fine. It was very peaceful and relaxing. The campground hosts were friendly and helpful. I would definitely return and recommend it to others. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Very nice, quiet campground. Good 30 amp, electric, and water pressure. New restrooms and showers. Well laid out and spacious. They were kept fairly clean, but not spotless. Plenty of room for our 40' and toad. We will stay there again when in the area, but not in summer. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Very cool in the middle of the lava flows. We stayed in a primitive site which was down in a low spot with trees and lots of shade. Other sites were on top of the hill with a great view but no trees and out in the open. Nice trail through the lava with many info stops. Great staff and very clean. We camped here in a Tent Trailer.
Nice little place for a stop over. Very quiet. We stayed here going down to AZ and coming back to Nebraska. Would have liked to had the chance to stay longer & explore. Campground hosts were very nice and helpful! We camped here in a Motorhome.
Nice little campground out of the way and seems to be overlooked. Stayed one night and my kids really enjoyed it. Walked the Lava flows and was amazed, never seen anything like it and would stay again however probably wouldn't stay more than 2 nights. We camped here in a Tent Trailer.
This is a great place to stay for a night or two, has great views of the lava flows, and is a good place to stay and take in the local area! The park gets passed over because most people who come thru this town stay in Ruidoso. The lava flows are interesting, you can see the test site for the first atomic bomb(through a telescope), and the local town is worth visiting. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Park is four miles west of Carrizozo off US 380. 14 sites have water and electric hookups. Sites a relatively level and are generally well separated. Sites, while not shaded, have cabanas that offer some protection from the sun. Focal point of the park is the 1,000+ year old
lava flow (only one of its kind in the continental USA, similar to the flows in Hawaii). Also near several other attractions. We camped here in a camper.