This park has large, level gravel sites. There is no local TV, so you have to set up your own satellite. There is a view of the desert. It's a clean park with good Wi-Fi and easy access to I-25. We camped here in a Motorhome.
We stayed at this campground twice. The second time was for a month because we enjoyed it so much. Nice large park, well maintained, lots of room to walk the dogs. We had no problems of any kind while at this campground and will definitely stay there again. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
N 33 degrees 12.0557' W 107 degrees 14.4645' As originally layed out, this park was designed for over sized mobile homes. A large part of it is now for RV's only so you have plenty of room to park two vehicles, open the slides or awnings and still walk around. The park is quiet, not crowded, well maintained, and multi-level. Clubhouse facilities are very good. Close to the lake and social activities in the winter months. Reasonable rents make it a good destination park for snow birds. The only reason I didn't rate it higher is no swimming pool. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Camping area was dirty and some of the sites were permanent occupant and their campsites were not very well kept. Checked the area out for one night and moved on to another campground We camped here in a Motorhome.
The park is located on the southeast side of the lake. Signs to the park are not very easy to follow, as you have to drive through the cabin area to get to the RV sites. The sites are unkempt and half of the sites are taken up by residents. Some of the RVs have been there for a number of years and are very unattractive. The center of the Park has a nice area for gathering, plenty of trees, and is the only area that allows campfires. They are not allowed at the individual campsites. Probably will not be returning. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Another great NM state park. We stayed in Desert Cove with electric and water, but there are sites for every kind of camper. Beautiful views of the lake and nice loop trail for exercise. We liked the recycling program, but the camp hosts didn't do anything to enforce quiet hours. Family next to us left their untrained dog tied up outside all night. (Note that we saw a fox hunting a rabbit and a pack of coyotes in the campground!) We camped here in a Motorhome.
We stayed at the "Monticello South" section of this state park and highly recommend it! The site is sparkling clean and spacious, very well kept and the view is spectacular. The facilities are first rate and very quiet, with many species of birds flying over. There is a wonderful walking trail that is great. We will stay here whenever we are in the area. Wonderful spot! We camped here in a Motorhome.
Nice sites at the campground nearest the Visitor Center, 'tiered' with good views of the lake. Neighbors a little close but otherwise very pleasant; covered picnic table, gravel neatly raked. Decent space for a tow vehicle. Toilets and showers were dated but functional; the hand dryer in ours was broken. No soap: ever heard of Swine Flu? How about Hepatitis? It is a windy place with lots of birds, and friendly park people. Great views, nice playground. We would definitely camp there again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
We stayed here during this past Memorial Day Weekend and found this park to be extremely busy but well kept. The bathrooms were kept clean despite the volume of people using the facilities. The front gate personnel were always polite and happy to see you. I can recommend that campers with children stay here. The beach area is beautiful and plenty of things to do to keep the kids busy! We camped here in a Motorhome.
we stayed at Lion's Beach. Nice large sites. On bluff w/ full view of lake. Fairly clean showers. Nice camp host who left helpful message on our windshield regarding tag needed for our extra vehicle. paved level sites, shady table w/ fire ring. The only problem w/ Elephant butte is it often is windy, therefore, dusty. We camped here in a Motorhome.
South Monticello Campground Very nice park stay although if you are not into water sports you might find yourself a little bored. Bring your boat, kayak, wave runner and fishing rod. We were in a site right by the bluff overlooking the Rio Grande. The nearest town is Truth or Consequences. (5 miles) There you can find a Walmart, do some hot springs (Riverbend), and dinner at Los Arcos. The early bird dinner is worth the money. The nights at the campground are quiet. We used our aircard and it worked sporadically. As a state park, they only offered electricity and water. The dumping station was by the exit and it was easy access. The pullthru's are not by the lake. PS: Be prepared for strong winds. The winds were so strong one night we had to close all our slideouts we were concerned that our awnings would be ripped right off. We would stay here again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
I agree w/other reviews, we stayed in Lion's Cove A64; camp host was VERY pleasant to us. If you're unfamiliar w/camping area, I'd sure get here in daylight .. big rigs stay on pavement as sand is soft, and many 'roads' and/or 'loops.' Pads are mostly level but sloped (some steeply) to back-in. Grand views, quail, coyotes, bunnies and we had night-time quiet too. We camped here in a Motorhome.
This is a nice state park right on Elephant Butte Reservoir. The fees were very reasonable. There were pull throughs with 50 amp service. Many of the sites are not level and that was a problem for us since we were in a motorhome. Each site has a covered picnic table which was nice but made it difficult to turn and pull in. Once there, we enjoyed our visit. The ground is all sand so it's like being at the beach. We camped here in a Motorhome.
The grounds of this park are (given where it is) really quite pretty. And they have an interesting and informative nature walk through the desert. We were in one of the upper loops which afforded some view of the lake and backdrop of hills. This was nice. Restrooms were clean, as was the campground. Some of the loops closer to the lake had very small back-in sites, offering little privacy. The town itself has little to offer other than huge RV and boat storage areas. We stayed one night (although we planned to stay 3-4). We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
This review is based on the three campgrounds available on the Truth or Consequences side of the lake (south end) Quail Run & Desert Cove have 50 amp service & water at the sites. Lions Beach has 30 amp & water. Some sites are available first come/first served. Others are reservable. NM State Parks charges $10.60 service fee to make a reservation. You can also camp lakeside (dry camping) for $8 a night. Signs indicate you are driving on soft sand and to enter at your risk - we saw lots of tents and smaller trailers - no big rigs lakefront. This is a beautiful park offering lots of nature & peace and quiet. If you are looking for good New Mexican food we recommend La Cocina which is located in town. We will stay here again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
This is a very large lake-oriented New Mexico State Park. The facilities are excellent and the price is too. We would definitely stay here again. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Beautiful park, however crime is out of control at this state park. We had our 2 ice chests stolen the 2nd night we were there, as did several other campers. One couple had their tent, clothes, sleeping bags, etc stolen as well. Per a maintenance man this has been going on for a couple of months now. They were unable to catch the people or even locate the ice chests. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
I really enjoyed this campground. There are many campgrounds to select from. We stayed at Quail Run, I believe. I really liked that they had personal gazebos available for each site. All of the sites had a great view of the lake. The only complaint I had was that the campground manager, I can't remember her name, was very rude to my aunt when she referred to her dog's barking. She said "What do I have to do to get that dog to shut up!" She could have been more tactful. Otherwise, I enjoyed very much. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
We have stayed here several times during the off-season. We camped at Lion's Cove. The campgrounds were very busy (due to spring break) and we were glad we had reservations. The sites are always very nice, clean, and have a covered picnic table and fire ring/grill as well as electric, water, and in other campgrounds (not Lions Cove), a handful have sewer. We enjoyed watching the bunnies and quail. The only complaint we had is that there were several groups camped on the beach and one party in the campground that was very noisy and rowdy with music blaring until 4:00am and kept us awake! They also left a trail of trash! We were wondering where the ranger or sheriff was to tell them to keep it down. I called the main phone number but was greeted with an voice message that did not leave a contact number for emergencies or problems. We know that this state park has a reputation for rowdiness especially during the summer. We will not camp there again until the off-season late next fall. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
A very pleasant surprise after 8 weeks of commercial campgrounds. We enjoyed the privacy this park afforded. And the wildlife everywhere. A typical beautiful desert park with a lovely sunset each evening. We camped here in a Motorhome.
We have stayed here a number of times. It is a convenient stop for overnight or longer term. There were not many campsites taken this time of year. The sites are clean and well spaced. We stayed at Lion's Cove, Loop A. The only other sites taken in this row were the 4 campground host sites. We stayed at the other end in site #59. We were told at the visitor center that there were no reservaton sites reserved and to camp at any space. The next day, the campground host was somewhat rude. She came to our campsite about 11:00am and she did not say hello and asked us when we arrived. She also told us that we had to leave that day because the site was reserved. This was not true. That is probably why this row of sites were all empty and the next loop, which were first -come, first-served sites were more filled. I think she misunderstood the park policies. If the reservable sites were not reserved, you can camp there. This is true of all New Mexico state parks. Her behavior was a turn-off and not very welcoming. We will overlook this and will camp here again at a later date. Funny how some people can give you a bad taste in your mouth. Too bad this person is a camground HOST. She sure does not act like one. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Spent 3+ months here volunteering. Largest SP in New Mexico, with unlimited "primitive" camping in the desert, more/less waterfront...$8. Rate shown ($14) is for water/electric & a covered picnic table. Pull thrus @ Quail Run loop will handle 98% of big rigs. Back-ins @ Lion's Beach are quite scenic. Two dump stations. Quiet town, limited groceries, coupla good family restaurants. Secondary location @ Monticello is new & nice, BUT, about last mile + is dirt road. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
The only reason this park didn't rate a 10 is that the Wi-Fi was down - and had been for several days when we got there - we stayed 2 days and it was still out when we left. They are somewhat anal about their sites, manicuring them to the nth degree, and the sites are very close together - felt like our dining room was in the other folks bedroom. The folks that were wintering there were very nice and they had a social hour every day at 4 - terrific lending/exchange library and a lot of DVD's and music as well. We would stay here again - but we'd call and check on the Wi-Fi first! We camped here in a Motorhome.
Our first time here. Quiet and spacious. The park has large, level sites and very well maintained desert landscaping. The staff is very friendly and efficient. The free WI-FI is fast. I stayed at the Passport America rate. The only negative is the absence of picnic tables at the sites. We will return again to enjoy the evening happy hour at the office patio and the morning coffee in the club house. Best of the RV parks in the area. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
We have stayed at this RV Park several times over the past 4-5 years and I agree with the other posts that the place is very well kept. The problem I have with this RV Park is that the new managers and staff are not "kid friendly". Past managers and staff were extremely polite to our children. In fact, if you have kids with you, you are treated badly. We have stayed here without our kids and treated fine, but when we have our kids with us it is a different matter. I know the majority of the RV public are "seasoned" campers, but managers and staff should keep in mind that there are younger campers out there who like to stay at quiet campsites who have good kids. I suggest that if you have children, that you look elsewhere. We may not stay here again. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Nice park on bluff in town. Friendly managers and well kept and nicely landscaped. Will definitely stay here again. We are here for 1 week and would stay longer if it were not for previous commitments. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
This is a very well maintained park with large, level sites and very nice desert landscaping. The staff is very cordial and efficient. The free WIFI works well. I stayed at the Passport America rate. I will return again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
This is a great park. The managers and staff were very friendly and helpful. After check in we were escorted to our site and assisted in parking. We were going to stay here just 2 nights, but after being in the park and finding so much to do in the area we stayed an additional 2 nights. We would definitely come back. We camped here in a Truck Camper.
The camp host made us feel so welcome on arrival. The sites are all gravel and well groomed. The club house, patio and showers were always so clean. We fell in love with the park and the staff. We will certainly stay here again. Rate is based on a Good Sam discount. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
This is a very clean, quiet park. We stayed here several months during 2008 and into 2009. Staff is friendly and helpful. The roads, although gravel, is religiously groomed. There is no dust. The sites are very large and all but a few are pull-through. We will stay here again. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Review Rating
[ 8 / 10 ]
November 2008
$17
This is a very nice campground suitable for a night, week, or a month. We stayed here for 1 week, and the nightly rate is reflective of the weekly rate. There isn't more than 1 or 2 weeks worth of interesting things to do or see in the surrounding area. However, if you are a snowbird and enjoy participating in campground activities, you could stay busy here for a month or two. Be advised that this campground is located at approximately 4500 feet, so it gets chilly at night and in the mornings. The landscaping motif is very good and blends into the desert scenery. There is a Wal-mart Supercenter in the neighboring town of Truth or Consequences (4 mi), but that is about the extent of close-by shopping. The only alternative for extensive shopping is driving to Las Cruces (80 mi). The cable TV signal was good as was the Wi-Fi. The laundry facilities were clean and adequate. I would stay here again. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
This park is very well kept. The sites are gravel and are raked before each new occupant. The roads are raked often. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The laundry room, although small - 4 each washers and dryers, is very clean and the appliances were new. We found the park to be very quiet. Our rate reflected a Passport America weekly rate. It is located very near Elephant Butte Lake State Park. We would definitely stay here again. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Pleasant, well kept RV park. As is typical in this area, the whole park is gravel which is groomed each day. Most sites are level and there are trees and flowering bushes around the edge of the park and between levels but few sites with shade. Very helpful staff, many snow-bird campers which means that the WiFi is excellent. No lake view and the lake is a very long walk away. We camped here in a Motorhome.
The rate is a Passport America rate. We parked in a pull through garden site. The owners are very friendly and helpful. The park is well maintained. The gravel site was large and level. Elephant Butte Lake is a short walk from the park. We would stay here again. WiFi was good. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Very friendly staff. Our dog was welcome. Could not see lake, and there were lots of full-timers, who seemed like very nice folks. Overall friendly people, well maintained, and clean park. We camped here in a Motorhome.
We like this campground, but our site #51 was difficult to level. Good location. Friendly and helpful staff. We would return to this campground. We camped here in a Truck Camper.
Highway signs not very good going into park. Easy access for large rigs both getting to and inside park. Most sites are large enough for larger rigs and are mostly level. Very good cable and Wi-Fi worked well. Employees are very friendly and helpful. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
We stayed at the Passport America rate…a bargain. Person who backed us into our site almost had us hit a trailer in the next site. Interior roads are tight. Sites are somewhat tight, and short. (We have a 38’ motor home.) They really need better signage from I-25 to the CG. No pool or table. We camped here in a Motorhome.
Signage to campground good. Limited area to park and register. Office staff very friendly and efficient. Escort to site. Access roads to site fairly tight but OK if take it steady. Gravel circled wagon layout of level sites with desert landscape in middle. The campground has two tiers. Full-hook up including cable TV. WiFi good. Quiet location in walking distant of Elephant Butte state park. A well maintained and run campground. We camped here in a Motorhome.
This is an excellent park. We agree completely with the previous posts. For a gravel park it is very clean and neat. newer area opened for big rigs, nice ( southwest ) landscaping. All RVs here and many people winter here in this park. Golf nearby as well as beaches and fishing and recreation on the largest lake in New Mexico. Nice, well managed RV Park We camped here in a Motorhome.
We drove by here only to check it out for a possible later stay, but it was so nice that we spent two nights. This is the first park that I have rated a ten. It is clean with lots of space between sites. The camp hosts are very friendly and helpful. The free wireless Internet is the best that I have found lately. The rate shown is for Passport America. The only thing that is needed to make this place perfect would be a swimming pool. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
The sites are fine gravel. Extremely clean RV Park with friendly staff. Wifi works great in lower section of RV Park. Within walking distance of Elephant Butte State Park, which is free to walk into. We would stay there again! We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Low rate reflects Passport America. Well, I travel full time (2 1/2 years) and this is one of the nicer places I have been. Most sites spacious, no problem for most big rigs to maneuver around, all surface area small gravel ('swept' daily to prevent holes), MOST excellent WIFI free service. The staff was very helpful and friendly. The grounds were landscaped (desert style of course) and very neat and clean. Evening social hour outside or in the campground lounge. Would definitely stay again. This one earns my first '10' rating. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
We stayed there two nights while visiting the Trinity Site which is about 2 hours drive away. The campground was clean and well maintained. Management was very helpful. Very friendly place. Be sure and get detailed directions. This place is not easy to find without them. We camped here in a Travel Trailer.
Very nice park with friendly, helpful staff. Rate reflects a monthly rate. WiFi worked great. Very close to the state park. We camped here in a Fifth Wheel.
Well kept, very friendly staff and owners. Beautiful views. Even had 2 new gas grills at the clubhouse for use (free) by campers. Rates are for "2 adults and 3 childern".Their brochure includes any information you could want. The owner explained he was in the process of creating some "super sites" for big rigs. Very clean, friendly park with a lot of amenities and no bad attitudes. We camped here in a Motorhome.