98% (131) • 9 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Artesia
Dusty Rabbit Van Life
1. Dusty Rabbit Van Life
99%
(238)
41mi from Artesia · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
STARGAZING & MYSTERIOUS LIGHTS ABOUND!
Dusty Rabbit Van Life @ Schrimsher Ranch is an alternative camping and Star Gazing location just outside of ROSWELL, yet close to the open road. A great place to relax under the stars, have a camp fire, and kick back next to your travel rig after a long day. You might just want to crash for the night in a safe location out on the rangeland or stay a day or two to enjoy the land to walk, mountain bike antelope trails, and maybe even Sniffers the pronghorn antelope will find ya before you head out. This is a primitive site, so leave no trace practice is appreciated and pack in/out is how we do it here. If you come in the summer prepare the morning coffee early and enjoy the desert sun's rays hit the Capitan, but by 9am it will be hot, so be ready! Best star gazing and satellite watching in the world!
I have several sites to choose from. But remember to keep an eye on the wind and weather as it can get crazy out here sometimes…..!!! I try to keep the sites stocked with firewood, but fill free to bring your own.
Lonely Bull Camp 1 is my most popular site. It is very private and is easily accessible by most vehicles and campers.
Ask about Lonely Bull Camp 4x4 if you have a capable vehicle. Amazing stars!!
Old Highway Camp is a great alternative if you want something closer to the highway and have a safe private place to pull over, camp, kickback, make a fire and get back to your life on the on the road in the morning. It is closer to the highway, but is quite at night and has great star gazing. Enjoy being greeted by The Mountain in the morning. Let me know where you would like to stay and I will do my best to accommodate you! Safe travels!
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from
$32
/ night
Brantley Lake State Park
2. Brantley Lake State Park
100%
(5)
27 sites · Happy Valley, New Mexico
Discover Brantley Lake State Park: A Haven for Water Sports and Camping.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Bottomless Lakes State Park
3. Bottomless Lakes State Park
95%
(11)
16 sites · Midway, New Mexico
Swimming, sailing, scuba diving…and mythical monsters?!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lincoln National Forest
4. Lincoln National Forest
92%
(31)
386 sites · Twin Forks, New Mexico
Lincoln National Forest is a delight for the senses! Gaze upon cacti, smell the spruce at the top of the Sierra Blanca mountains, and feel the cool water on your skin relaxing at Sitting Bull Falls. With a range of elevation comes a range of activities; trails for both beginner and experienced hikers or hop on your horse and explore Dog Canyon Trail that traverses up over 2,000 feet (gnarly!). Camping is cushy and available year round, allowing you to experience the vast array of wildflowers at Bluff Springs in the springtime, or surf the snow in the winter at Ski Apache. With scenic mountain views, ranger programs to brush up on the area, and easy access to the town of Ruidoso, Lincoln is a mountain lovers dream without the crowds!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
98% (131) • 9 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Artesia
Dusty Rabbit Van Life
1. Dusty Rabbit Van Life
99%
(238)
41mi from Artesia · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
STARGAZING & MYSTERIOUS LIGHTS ABOUND!
Dusty Rabbit Van Life @ Schrimsher Ranch is an alternative camping and Star Gazing location just outside of ROSWELL, yet close to the open road. A great place to relax under the stars, have a camp fire, and kick back next to your travel rig after a long day. You might just want to crash for the night in a safe location out on the rangeland or stay a day or two to enjoy the land to walk, mountain bike antelope trails, and maybe even Sniffers the pronghorn antelope will find ya before you head out. This is a primitive site, so leave no trace practice is appreciated and pack in/out is how we do it here. If you come in the summer prepare the morning coffee early and enjoy the desert sun's rays hit the Capitan, but by 9am it will be hot, so be ready! Best star gazing and satellite watching in the world!
I have several sites to choose from. But remember to keep an eye on the wind and weather as it can get crazy out here sometimes…..!!! I try to keep the sites stocked with firewood, but fill free to bring your own.
Lonely Bull Camp 1 is my most popular site. It is very private and is easily accessible by most vehicles and campers.
Ask about Lonely Bull Camp 4x4 if you have a capable vehicle. Amazing stars!!
Old Highway Camp is a great alternative if you want something closer to the highway and have a safe private place to pull over, camp, kickback, make a fire and get back to your life on the on the road in the morning. It is closer to the highway, but is quite at night and has great star gazing. Enjoy being greeted by The Mountain in the morning. Let me know where you would like to stay and I will do my best to accommodate you! Safe travels!
Pets
Campfires
Picnic table
from
$32
/ night
Brantley Lake State Park
2. Brantley Lake State Park
100%
(5)
27 sites · Happy Valley, New Mexico
Discover Brantley Lake State Park: A Haven for Water Sports and Camping.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Bottomless Lakes State Park
3. Bottomless Lakes State Park
95%
(11)
16 sites · Midway, New Mexico
Swimming, sailing, scuba diving…and mythical monsters?!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Lincoln National Forest
4. Lincoln National Forest
92%
(31)
386 sites · Twin Forks, New Mexico
Lincoln National Forest is a delight for the senses! Gaze upon cacti, smell the spruce at the top of the Sierra Blanca mountains, and feel the cool water on your skin relaxing at Sitting Bull Falls. With a range of elevation comes a range of activities; trails for both beginner and experienced hikers or hop on your horse and explore Dog Canyon Trail that traverses up over 2,000 feet (gnarly!). Camping is cushy and available year round, allowing you to experience the vast array of wildflowers at Bluff Springs in the springtime, or surf the snow in the winter at Ski Apache. With scenic mountain views, ranger programs to brush up on the area, and easy access to the town of Ruidoso, Lincoln is a mountain lovers dream without the crowds!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
C
Courtney
November 2025
Tent
Such an amazing place. Never seen that many stars literally ever. Host was super awesome, he answered any questions I had within a few hours of our spontaneous arrival. We will come back here without question, it was such a beautiful spot.
See more
c
charles
October 2025
Tent
Great location from downtown. Great for stargazing.
See more
C
Charles
October 2025
18 ft campervan
Convenient, private, quiet site underneath an amazing starry sky
See more
J
Jeff
October 2025
16 ft car
With pets
Beautiful location and easily found. The seclusion is ideal for just relaxing. Already planning another trip to stay here
See more
J
Jeff
October 2025
16 ft car
With pets
Nathan was quick to respond and helpful. Camp was exactly as described and very peaceful. Already planning another trip and will be staying here again
See more
L
Leah
September 2025
20 ft travel trailer
With kids
Conveniently of highway but still felt quiet and isolated! Easy access, level site. Enjoyed the sky and sunrise!
See moreB
B
August 2025
19 ft Class B
Great spot! Just what I expected and looks better than the pictures
See more
H
Hailey
July 2025
Tent
With pets
This site is a MUST! My 2 pups and I have e been on the road for 13 days so far and this place was by far the nicest ive been. Id come back 1000 times. The landscape was beautiful the site was cute (there was a little lasso setup which made for a good laugh. The sunset was something to write home about for sure. Sunrise was nearly just as magical. Got the best sleep of my life and took some of the prettiest photos. I could not recommend this site enough.
See more
Rick
July 2025
Tent
Delightful spot for an overnight trip. I saw lots of nice wildflowers on the path in. Site was well stocked with firewood -- beautiful drive from here to White Sands.
See moreR
Rorey
July 2025
18 ft travel trailer
With pets
The site is nice and remote but not far from Main Street. Be careful if you arrive at night. The turn is before the big rock. A big caution about the area. When we arrived the picnic table was COVERED in thick spider web. There was a huge black wooden spider who have turned the whole table into its nest. Also be aware there are cattle on this land. We were awoken one morning by 5 of them scratching their heads on the side of our camper. Not a big deal and my wife found it funny but just FYI. There is a fire pit and a cooking grate on site. Which was nice. Overall a good spot. Just could benefit from the host doing some checking on it before people arrive to clear out any dangerous spiders that have setup shop.
See more
J
Jeff
June 2025
16 ft car
Exactly what I was looking for. Wide open space, far enough from town to avoid light pollution. Outstanding stargazing. Easy access. Easy host. Thanks!
See moreC
Chloe
May 2025
Tent
This was so amazing for us to adventure through New Mexico and end the day by staying the night on the land. We were able to have a small fire, star gaze, and be in near silence. Would definitely recommend staying here!
See moreB
Bryan
May 2025
Tent
Easy to get to and very relaxing. Beautiful sunrise and sunsets and stars everywhere at night.
See more
J
Jason
May 2025
16 ft car
With kids
Easy directions and instructions. Excellent campsite with a table and wood for a fire. Love the seclusion and the beautiful night sky.
See more
Nathan
May 2025
Tent
Great camping spot that isn’t far off of the main road but far enough to not hear any of the traffic, I was looking for a quick evening out in my iKamper and this was it. I will definitely be back.
See moreS
Samantha
April 2025
Tent
No coverage wide open! So just be prepared for wind and dust. Beautiful stars and a nice private space you can’t see from the road. We were in a tent and had a pop open shade tent as well and as long as everything was anchored properly the wind didn’t take it down. Great spot just 20 minutes outside Roswell.
See moreC
Cheryl
April 2025
16 ft car
With pets
It was perfect for me. Wanted to pull over and felt safe as a solo female traveler to spend the night on this sprawling ranch. Just a picnic table, fire pit amd view. No one around, rode my mt bike with my pup and enjoyed myself.
See more
Gary
April 2025
20 ft Class B
This was really a terrific experience! If you like solitude and nobody around you, this is the place. Nathan was very responsive, considerate and accurate in all of his descriptions.
See more
J
Joshua
March 2025
20 ft Class C
25 ft. Class C had no problems in or out. Good directions, easy to follow. Pretty and peaceful. Bring your own firewood.
See morej
joey
March 2025
Tent
Wonderful spot wide open area we could have watched the stars all night. Great directions and easy to get to with a few rough spots but nothing crazy. Close enough to town but far enough to not hear a thing even from the highway at night.
See more
