The best luxury RV parks near Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Cloudcroft is a little Old Western town tucked away high in the Sacramento Mountains at nearly 8,700 feet above sea level—it’s actually the highest town in New Mexico. Cloudcroft is a popular summer retreat for Las Cruces and El Paso locals looking to escape the summer heat and enjoy a little greenery. Cloudcroft’s compact downtown is lined with cafes, bakeries, and local art shops, plus you’ll find numerous hiking, mountain biking, and camping opportunities just outside of town. Cloudcroft makes a wonderful basecamp for exploring Lincoln National Forest.

97% (214)

Top-rated campgrounds near Cloudcroft

1. Camp Rio

95%

(291)

15mi from Cloudcroft · 57 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

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. Bonito Hollow RV Park and Campground

100%

(4)

34mi from Cloudcroft · 45 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Discover the unique charm of Bonito Hollow RV Park and Campground, your ultimate vacation destination nestled in the heart of Lincoln National Forest, surrounded by the legendary tales of Smokey Bear and Billy the Kid. This privately owned campground spans 12 scenic acres along the tranquil Rio Bonito, offering a peaceful retreat just minutes from the vibrant attractions of Ruidoso, including delightful restaurants, shopping, nightlife, skiing, and horse racing. Additionally, the stunning Bonito Lake is only 3 miles away, making it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts. At Bonito Hollow, you can unwind and create lasting memories with family and friends or enjoy a serene solo getaway. Engage in a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking along nature trails, and observing the diverse wildlife and bird species that call this area home. Let the soothing sounds of the Rio Bonito lull you to sleep each night, enhancing your camping experience. Marshall and Christina Thompson, along with our friendly camp hosts, are eager to welcome you and ensure your stay is filled with positive memories that will last for many seasons. Happy Camping and Safe Travels!

Cloudcroft is a little Old Western town tucked away high in the Sacramento Mountains at nearly 8,700 feet above sea level—it’s actually the highest town in New Mexico. Cloudcroft is a popular summer retreat for Las Cruces and El Paso locals looking to escape the summer heat and enjoy a little greenery. Cloudcroft’s compact downtown is lined with cafes, bakeries, and local art shops, plus you’ll find numerous hiking, mountain biking, and camping opportunities just outside of town. Cloudcroft makes a wonderful basecamp for exploring Lincoln National Forest.

97% (214)

Top-rated campgrounds near Cloudcroft

1. Camp Rio

95%

(291)

15mi from Cloudcroft · 57 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

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. Bonito Hollow RV Park and Campground

100%

(4)

34mi from Cloudcroft · 45 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Discover the unique charm of Bonito Hollow RV Park and Campground, your ultimate vacation destination nestled in the heart of Lincoln National Forest, surrounded by the legendary tales of Smokey Bear and Billy the Kid. This privately owned campground spans 12 scenic acres along the tranquil Rio Bonito, offering a peaceful retreat just minutes from the vibrant attractions of Ruidoso, including delightful restaurants, shopping, nightlife, skiing, and horse racing. Additionally, the stunning Bonito Lake is only 3 miles away, making it an ideal spot for outdoor enthusiasts. At Bonito Hollow, you can unwind and create lasting memories with family and friends or enjoy a serene solo getaway. Engage in a variety of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking along nature trails, and observing the diverse wildlife and bird species that call this area home. Let the soothing sounds of the Rio Bonito lull you to sleep each night, enhancing your camping experience. Marshall and Christina Thompson, along with our friendly camp hosts, are eager to welcome you and ensure your stay is filled with positive memories that will last for many seasons. Happy Camping and Safe Travels!

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp 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.

K

KD

October 2025

18 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Bonito Hollow RV Park and Campground

Great place to camp.. Very clean, quiet, and so cute. The dog run was a great amenity. The bathrooms were clean. So many places to see right on-site. Can’t wait to go back!

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.

E

Earl

June 2025

21 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Bonito Hollow RV Park and Campground

Campground was great! Helpful staff and friendly people. A true hidden gem. We plan on another trip this year.

Charlie

May 2025

24 ft pop-up camper

With pets

2 nights at Bonito Hollow RV Park and Campground

We rolled in for the night and were pleased with every aspect of this property. From the staff to the site... great property!

Shelise

November 2024

16 ft pop-up camper

With pets

14 nights at Camp Rio

The bathrooms were warm, clean and had consistent hot water! Water and power hook-up worked, as advertised. I used the pavilion to work out and it was clean (no hot water to wash dishes). I wouldn't say that my spot was "romantic" but the grounds were beautifully well-kept and the stream featured in all the photos online was as magical as people say. Firewood and a fire ring is $25 extra. The food truck that was open on Fridays had the best elote I have every tasted. The staff we met were all very nice, friendly and personable, with the exception of one male staff who took a rude tone with me about my 12 year old dog being off leash for less than five minutes. I welcome all reminders about the rules, I do not welcome rudeness. So keep your dog on a leash unless you want him to yell at you. Lauri was especially attentive (remembered my name) and wonderful to talk to! Make sure to throw your garbage away at the end of the night and supervise your food, as there was a stray dog that visited often, day and night. My wifi didn't work well in this mountainous valley (Starlink) but I was able to connect to the camp's wifi and was able to work my full schedule. What a god send. No phone service, so be prepared. A little slice of heaven with Elk, wonderful stars and lovely people. I would recommend this place and I would visit it again!

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best luxury RV parks near Cloudcroft guide

Where to go

Trestle Recreation Area

On the west end of Cloudcroft, the Trestle Recreation Area offers hiking trails and a cozy picnic area. The highlight is hiking the Mexican Trestle Overlook trail, which takes you right to the base of the Mexican Canyon Trestle, a 323-foot wooden curved railroad trestle constructed in 1899 for the Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway. You can also view the trestle from Highway 82 just north of town.

Lincoln National Forest

Lincoln National Forest covers a huge variety of terrain in southcentral New Mexico, including much of the wildlands outside of Cloudcroft. The forest features two wilderness areas, dozens of hiking trails, and several designated campgrounds. Lincoln National Forest was home to real-life Smokey the Bear, a bear cub orphaned by a wildfire in 1950 that spurred an entire forest fire prevention marketing campaign.

White Sands National Park

Cloudcroft is only 40 miles from White Sands National Park. It’s one of America’s newest national parks and it’s also one of the most unique. White Sands is home to the largest gypsum sand dunes in the world and visitors can climb the dazzling white dunes and sled down them on plastic saucers available for purchase at the visitor center. No overnight camping is available in the park although backcountry camping is allowed with a permit.

When to go

Cloudcroft’s high elevation makes it a great place to escape the heat of the neighboring lower-lying desert areas. The best time for camping and hiking near Cloudcroft is from April through October. Many camping areas in the Sacramento Mountains are only open from May through September. There’s also a small downhill ski area in Cloudcroft making it a fun place to visit in winter.

Know before you go

Cloudcroft has restaurants, cafes, a gas station, an outdoor shop, and a small grocery store.
Reservations are only available for some group campgrounds in Lincoln National Forest. All other campgrounds are first-come, first-served only.
Campgrounds in Lincoln National Forest have little or no drinking water, so come prepared with lots of water.
The Osha Trail begins and ends just outside of Cloudcroft and provides fantastic views of the area in just a short distance.