The best campgrounds near Capitan, New Mexico with climbing

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping adventures in the United States! If you're into climbing and looking for a great camping spot near Capitan, New Mexico, we've got you covered. With over 190 options in this area that cater to climbers, you're sure to find the perfect campsite for your outdoor escapades. Whether you prefer a traditional campsite or a unique accommodation like the 1972 Winnebago Convert to Tiny Home, we've got options for every style. Check out top-rated campsites like Camp Rio (95 reviews), 1972 Winnebago Convert to Tiny Home (34 reviews), and Sugarhill Woodworks (25 reviews) to get an idea of what to expect. Plus, you'll enjoy popular amenities like potable water, showers, and toilets. So pack your gear, strap on your climbing shoes, and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience near Capitan, New Mexico!

96% (288)

Top-rated campgrounds

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to website for camping adventures in the United States! If you're into climbing and looking for a great camping spot near Capitan, New Mexico, we've got you covered. With over 190 options in this area that cater to climbers, you're sure to find the perfect campsite for your outdoor escapades. Whether you prefer a traditional campsite or a unique accommodation like the 1972 Winnebago Convert to Tiny Home, we've got options for every style. Check out top-rated campsites like Camp Rio (95 reviews), 1972 Winnebago Convert to Tiny Home (34 reviews), and Sugarhill Woodworks (25 reviews) to get an idea of what to expect. Plus, you'll enjoy popular amenities like potable water, showers, and toilets. So pack your gear, strap on your climbing shoes, and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience near Capitan, New Mexico!

96% (288)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Camp Rio

94%

(290)

46mi from Capitan · 57 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Mayhill, NM

Camp Rio, formerly named Camp @ Cloudcroft is located in beautiful SE New Mexico! This clean family park is surrounded by thousands of acres of the Lincoln National Forest. The forest is laced with small villages, picturesque roads, riding, hiking, golf, and walking trails. Small valleys, surrounding mountains, racing streams, wildlife, birds, mountain glens and outdoor activities are available to Camp Rio guests. The small towns around us are Mayhill, Cloudcroft, Weed, and Pinion. These towns have scheduled activities such as arts and craft fairs, car shows, bluegrass festivals, dog shows, and Lumberjack days. Additional day trips to Alamogordo, Capitan (Smokey the Bear), Carlsbad, Las Cruces, Lincoln (Billy the Kid), Ruidoso (skiing), Sunspot (National Solar Observatory, Truth or Consequences (Hot Springs) and White Sands National Monument! Guests enjoy our upgraded free wifi to have the best of both worlds, surrounded by beautiful nature, while still being able to connect with family/friends/work. Our location is superb to use as a base camp for numerous attractions as a centralized location to have many adventures.

2. El Mistico

96%

(42)

6mi from Capitan · 7 sites · Lodging · Nogal, NM

Unplug from the city to soak up in nature and experience El Mistico Ranch. El Mistico Ranch consist of 30 acres of natural high desert land with natural spring waters, nearby Lincoln National Forest as our next door neighbor, you are actually just a short drive to Capitan for basic services and shopping; Ruidoso for arts, golf, dining, skiing, and more. The climate is mild here and the property is vegetated with pinon pine, juniper, and a variety of cacti. We're delighted to introduce you to Chester, our friendly Saint Bernard. At just a year old, Chester is a gentle giant with a heart of gold, spreading joy to all who visit. Chester not only brings warmth and joy to our guests but also plays an important role in taking care of the property. He roams around the ranch, ensuring that everything is in order and providing a sense of security to our guests. Sometimes, he even accompanies guests to their units to ensure they arrive safely.

3. Midtown Mountain Campground and RV

100%

(3)

15mi from Capitan · 32 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Ruidoso, NM

Midtown Mountain Campground and RV is one of the top 5 RV Parks and Campgrounds in New Mexico, as rated by RV Life Magazine. We have the fastest WiFi in any RV Park in New Mexico. And we are one of the top destination locations in the Nation! Ruidoso New Mexico has it all from horse racing, casinos, hiking, fishing, shopping and much more!!! Midtown Mountain Campground and RV Park is at it's center. Come stay here and get out there!!!

4. Sugarhill Woodworks

95%

(50)

29mi from Capitan · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Mescalero, NM

Learn more about this land:Nice outdoor views with elk usually in the yard in the early mornings, outdoor grills available outdoor fire pits available. Very nice view of the church, and we have a homemade zipline!

5. River Ranch RV Park

14mi from Capitan · 54 sites · Ruidoso Downs, NM

Discover the unique charm of River Ranch RV Park & Campground, nestled along the picturesque Rio Ruidoso River. This stunning natural setting provides a perfect blend of tranquility and modern amenities, ensuring an exceptional camping experience for all visitors. Here, you can immerse yourself in a variety of outdoor activities, including camping, hiking, fishing, and biking. The park's serene environment allows for peaceful relaxation while still offering the excitement of adventure. Conveniently located just 8 miles east of Ruidoso Downs, River Ranch is minutes away from shopping, fine dining, and the thrilling Ruidoso Downs Racing. Whether you’re seeking warm days or cool nights, this campground is an ideal escape throughout the seasons. Enjoy the beauty of nature and the comfort of modern facilities at River Ranch RV Park & Campground.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Capitan

100%

(1)

Red Cloud Campground

44mi from Capitan · 5 sites · in Cibola National Forest

Stories from the community

T

Tishal

October 2025

36 ft fifth wheel

With pets

3 nights at Camp Rio

Camp Rio was a cool place. Nice and secluded in the mountains.

Sheila

October 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Camp Rio

This hipcamp was super easy. Lots of space, there weren’t that many people there so it felt really private. The showers/bathrooms were great. We had a lovely night here

Lisa

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Rio

Camp Rio location and staff were peaceful and welcoming. We tent camped and enjoyed the tranquility there.

T

Terry

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Rio

Nice spot, separate from the RV sites. I was the only tent camper while I was there

L

August 2025

27 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Midtown Mountain Campground and RV

Everything was very nice about this park. The bathrooms were clean staff was friendly and the park was very pleasant. Would stay here again

A

Amy

July 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Rio

Beautiful place with great staff. I would highly recommend.

Cody

July 2025

36 ft Class A

With pets

2 nights at Camp Rio

This is a mixed site campground with some small and some spacious accommodations. Owners are very hands on and approachable. Our pack of six dogs in our 36' Class A were welcomed to join us! We already have another trip up booked for October in another site with more room. Site 11 is small but has a wonderful shade tree on the camp side.

T

Tiffany

June 2025

Tent

Group trip

3 nights at Camp Rio

What a beautiful campground!! The camp hosts are amazing and very responsive! They went out of their way to let us spend one night on an rv pad because our tent site had flooded a little! The tent sites are separate from the rv sites and the creek runs right through them. There is a convenience store walking distance and about 17 minutes to cloudcroft. Lots of great hikes available too! We suggest bridal veil falls!

R

Rainy

June 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Rio

It was quiet, secluded and clean! Owner is very nice and our site was so pretty! I want to come back here again!!

S

Scott

June 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Rio

Camp Rio and its staff provided a great experience for a weekend getaway. We loved lounging by the stream and quiet nights/mornings among the trees. Great showers!

R

June 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Rio

Nice bathrooms and showers, mostly RV’ers there, I was the only tent. Occasionally hear a car go by but pretty quiet overall.

R

Robin

May 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Camp Rio

The photos led me to expect a different setting, it turned out to be a more traditional RV park. It felt safe, and although the high winds made it quite dusty, that's certainly not the park's fault. The park is actually located in Mayhill, NM, not Cloudcroft. Check-in was very straightforward, and I found all the employees to be incredibly helpful and kind. The bathrooms were also clean and well stocked. Very nice reprieve from the heat of Alamogordo

K

Kerry

May 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Camp Rio

Clean mountain air. Tucked away with a little more privacy.

A

Ave

May 2025

Tent

1 night at Sugarhill Woodworks

Grateful to have been able to meet Kevin and hear about his commitment to help improve the lives of the people in his local community.

T

Travis

May 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Camp Rio

Excellent area and clean. Very homey and everything that was provided from the bathroom to the showers was well kept. Highly recommend and we will be going back again!

A

Anh

April 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Sugarhill Woodworks

Kevin is a great host. He made us feel welcomed. We will definitely go back!

Kim

April 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Camp Rio

Very well maintained site next to a small river. We were visites by ducks, deer and turkeys! Flat area with hookups for trailers, several flat areas near the river for tents, and super cute trailers for glamping. Bath house with heated showers and flush toilets. They even set up our fire ring

J

Jennifer

April 2025

Tent

1 night at Camp Rio

This was a great camp site. Wonderful bathrooms… great showers… a real treat.

R

Raychel

April 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Rio

We absolutely LOVED camping Rio! Clay, the other, was incredibly welcoming over the phone, and the campground manager, Lori, was an absolute doll and so accommodating! Pleasantly surprised with how clean the campground was, along with much nicer restrooms than we expected. Overall, would highly recommend

A

Angel

March 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Camp Rio

Beautiful place, lovely river and the restroom are clean! And they have these ducks on the river that are so cute and sometimes in the morning you can see turkeys!!!