The best desert campgrounds near Lordsburg, New Mexico

Desert camping near Lordsburg punches above its weight. With over 75 options, you’ll find sites scattered across sunbaked flats, cactus-dotted washes, and rocky outcrops. Nights drop quiet and cool; days stretch wide and dry. Average prices run around $37 per night, with some sites dipping as low as $20. Top picks like Smugglers' Roost (39 reviews), Bakers Akers (29 reviews), and Silver City above San Vicente Creek (8 reviews) see the most buzz for a reason. Most camps let you build a campfire, bring your dog, and rinse off in a shower. Hiking trails cut through the open country. Horseback riding and fishing round out the scene. The desert looks tough—come prepared, and you’ll see why locals keep coming back.

88% (81)

Top-rated campgrounds

Desert camping near Lordsburg punches above its weight. With over 75 options, you’ll find sites scattered across sunbaked flats, cactus-dotted washes, and rocky outcrops. Nights drop quiet and cool; days stretch wide and dry. Average prices run around $37 per night, with some sites dipping as low as $20. Top picks like Smugglers' Roost (39 reviews), Bakers Akers (29 reviews), and Silver City above San Vicente Creek (8 reviews) see the most buzz for a reason. Most camps let you build a campfire, bring your dog, and rinse off in a shower. Hiking trails cut through the open country. Horseback riding and fishing round out the scene. The desert looks tough—come prepared, and you’ll see why locals keep coming back.

88% (81)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Smugglers' Roost

92%

(48)

28mi from Lordsburg · 10 sites · RVs · Animas, NM

Smugglers' Roost is located in Animas, NM, situated at the site of the infamous Clanton Gang’s hideout along Smuggler’s Trail. The community is positioned along the original Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Winter Route; a short two hour drive from Las Cruces , New Mexico or just 2.5-hours from either El Paso, Texas or Tucson, Arizona. We are located in the Middle of Everywhere, surrounded by wealth of wide-ranging activities and natural amenities which include extraordinary, yet uncrowded state and national recreation areas, caves, mines, ghost towns, museums, historic locations, native sites, observatories, local wineries and micro-breweries. Learn more about this land: Bring your RV and join us at Smugglers' Roost for our warm sunny days and starlit nights! We are a pioneering community which serves as a hub for exploration, creativity, trade and most of all... the passionate celebration of life! We offer 228 Full Hook-up RV Sites with 50-amp electric, water, commercial septic and free high-speed Wi-Fi. Pull-throughs are available and there's plenty of room to spread out! Smugglers' Roost is located in Animas, NM, situated at the site of the infamous Clanton Gang’s hideout along Smuggler’s Trail. The community is positioned along the original Butterfield Overland Stagecoach Winter Route; a short two hour drive from Las Cruces , New Mexico or just 2.5-hours from either El Paso, Texas or Tucson, Arizona. We are located in the Middle of Everywhere, surrounded by a treasure trove of wide-ranging activities and natural amenities which include extraordinary, yet uncrowded state and national recreation areas, caves, mines, ghost towns, museums, historic locations, native sites, observatories, local wineries and micro-breweries. BIRD WITH US! We offer an onsite birding station and three additional affiliated and nationally acclaimed birding sites, including one at the mouth of the famed Cave Creek Canyon in Portal, AZ only a short drive away. EXPLORE THE UNIVERSE! Our dead-dark night skies are nothing short of awe-inspiring, so come explore with our onsite star guides with telescopes!

2. Silver City above San Vicente Creek

75%

(12)

38mi from Lordsburg · 2 sites · RVs · Silver City, NM

Learn more about this land:Looking for a place to park your rig while checking out Silver City, gateway to the Gila Wilderness? Park at Perk! Located conveniently on the outskirts of town, the park borders the San Vicente creek open space with hiking and biking trails that lead downtown through a beautiful riparian area. Overlooking the expanse, our sites are level and easy to access from town. Each site has easy access to WiFi, water and electric, and with a little creativity, even sewer hookups! This is not your typical RV park, with limited sites and no onsite bathroom, it's a diamond in the rough!

3. Bakers Akers

94%

(71)

30mi from Lordsburg · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Lordsburg, NM

Bakers Akers is located in what used to be Nebblett, New Mexico but is now Virden, New Mexico. The one room Nebblett school house was located on this property. Virden was settled by the Mormons when they were ran out of old Mexico by Poncho Villa. Kit Carson took this route guiding General Kearney and the Army of the west to California during the Mexican American war. It is now being discussed that Coronado may have come through this area also. The farm was used for breeding and training race horses. It is now a cow/calf operation. Learn more about this land: Camp on the Gila River amongst the century old Cottonwoods and Mulberry trees, with Bermuda grass carpeting. Plenty of shade to pitch a tent or park under. Wildlife abounds with deer, beaver, turkeys, javelina, and a large variety of birds. Located on a eighty acre cattle ranch. Quiet with great views of stars at night and majestic mountains in the day. The camp grounds are located beyond the cattle pastures and next to the Gila River. Fire pits available and plenty of wood to gather for burning. Eleven miles from the historic town of a Duncan Arizona, filled with little markets, craft store, antique shop, rock shop, and home town restaurants, if any needs arise or an itch needs scratching. With prior notice and extra fees a New Mexican dutch-oven dinner and hayride can be included.

4. Coronado National Forest

80%

(46)

479 sites · Sonoita, Arizona

If you think southern Arizona is nothing but parched desert, think again.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

5. Rose Valley RV Ranch

40mi from Lordsburg · 2 sites · Silver City, NM

Nestled on 44 pristine acres, Rose Valley RV Ranch stands out as the premier destination for modern and comfortable RV and cabin accommodations in Grant County. Our facility features 57 premium RV sites, each offering stunning views in a serene, low-density environment. Guests can choose from both pull-thru and back-in lots, equipped with 30 and 50 amp electricity to ensure a hassle-free stay. Our rustic cabins blend seamlessly with the Old West ambiance of the ranch, yet inside, you'll discover clean, comfortable, and contemporary living spaces. We offer a variety of cabin options, including cozy camping cabins and spacious units with half baths, microwaves, and refrigerators, catering to all your needs. As the newest RV facility in Grant County, we pride ourselves on providing top-notch amenities for our guests. Enjoy our exercise room, complete laundry facilities, a book exchange, and a picturesque walking trail that invites you to explore the natural beauty surrounding the ranch. Escape to over 3 million acres of wilderness, where you can immerse yourself in the local art scene featuring renowned Southwest artists, or unwind with live music, delicious food, and friendly company. Whether you're seeking a relaxing getaway or an adventurous weekend, Rose Valley RV Ranch in Silver City is the perfect spot to recharge and enjoy the

6. THE OLD WEST

100%

(4)

40mi from Lordsburg · 1 site · Rodeo, NM

Built in 1917

Public campgrounds near Lordsburg

Portal Bunkhouse Campground

41mi from Lordsburg · 1 site · in Coronado National Forest

100%

(2)

Idlewilde Campground

41mi from Lordsburg · 9 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

On the road from Portal, a half mile from the campground.

100%

(2)

Stewart Campground

41mi from Lordsburg · 12 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

100%

(2)

Sunny Flat Campground

42mi from Lordsburg · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

Herb Martyr Campground

45mi from Lordsburg · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Coronado National Forest

Rustler Park Campground

45mi from Lordsburg · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

Sycamore Campground

50mi from Lordsburg · 7 sites · Tents, RVs · in Coronado National Forest

Stories from the community

Katie

July 2025

16 ft car

2 nights at Smugglers' Roost

I loved car camping on smugglers roost! They had a really nice bathroom and showers and gave clear instructions on arriving! The hosts were very communicative!

J

Jessica

March 2025

21 ft travel trailer

1 night at Silver City above San Vicente Creek

I found the site to be clean, level, quiet and safe. Yes you are near mobile homes and you might see an ant or two. I’m just not precious enough to find this to be a deterrent! I stayed over a week and enjoyed being visited by the local chicken gang every morning! Raven (camp host) was very friendly and welcoming. The price was very affordable for full hook ups! I’d stay here again!

M

Meech

March 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Bakers Akers

Easy quick within a few hours booking Met lovely Jessie and his assistants ( we’ll get dogs and cows and a pony. Led to our camping area, perfect had some benches and plenty of space. Noise didn’t seemed to. Other anyone as we chuckled around dinner Checked our then, small river the morning, had dip and swim Not much fishing going on but it was nice Not much to fish but fun good morning walk to get ya line wet and a hot coffee to finish Jesse was so kind to gift us some noice banana bread Will spend spots here in the future

Susie

March 2025

25 ft travel trailer

With pets

5 nights at Smugglers' Roost

It just depends on what your needs are. There's are community of people here and it's good for that. We found it far too windy and ended up leaving to head to picture rocks instead.

A

Anne

December 2024

32 ft fifth wheel

With pets

4 nights at Smugglers' Roost

Curly was very helpful. Comfortable and close to good rockhounding sites

Curi

November 2024

Tent

With kids

1 night at Bakers Akers

We were met by a very kind man, Jesse I believe, who led us to our spot. Our daughter had so much fun playing with everything. Is as adults absolutely enjoyed the large fire and peace we felt. The sunset was amazing! Great place for the family!