The best campgrounds near Mescalero, New Mexico with swimming

Welcome to Hipcamp! Looking to go camping near Mescalero, New Mexico and indulge in some swimming? We've got you covered with over 120 options specifically tailored to your preferences. From serene lakes to refreshing rivers, you'll find the perfect spot to take a dip. Check out our top campsites like Hot Springs Glamp Camp (101 reviews), Camp Rio (95 reviews), and Sugarhill Woodworks (25 reviews) for tried and true options. With prices starting as low as $20 per night and an average price of $50 per night, you'll find a campsite that fits your budget. Plus, popular amenities like pets, trash, and toilets are available to make your camping experience hassle-free. So get ready to make a splash and enjoy your camping trip!

94% (281)

Top-rated campgrounds near Mescalero

Welcome to Hipcamp! Looking to go camping near Mescalero, New Mexico and indulge in some swimming? We've got you covered with over 120 options specifically tailored to your preferences. From serene lakes to refreshing rivers, you'll find the perfect spot to take a dip. Check out our top campsites like Hot Springs Glamp Camp (101 reviews), Camp Rio (95 reviews), and Sugarhill Woodworks (25 reviews) for tried and true options. With prices starting as low as $20 per night and an average price of $50 per night, you'll find a campsite that fits your budget. Plus, popular amenities like pets, trash, and toilets are available to make your camping experience hassle-free. So get ready to make a splash and enjoy your camping trip!

94% (281)

Top-rated campgrounds near Mescalero

1. Camp Rio

95%

(291)

25mi from Mescalero · 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. Midtown Mountain Campground and RV

100%

(4)

16mi from Mescalero · 32 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

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!!!

3. Timberon NM Golf & RV Camping Site

91%

(48)

35mi from Mescalero · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Timberon, New Mexico, is a charming and peaceful retirement community nestled in the scenic Sacramento Mountains on the southern edge of the Lincoln National Forest. Timberon offers a tranquil escape surrounded by natural beauty and abundant outdoor activities. The town features a 9-hole golf course, two fishing ponds, a lodge, a swimming pool, a church, an airstrip, and a volunteer fire department. Visitors can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including camping, fishing, swimming, golfing, hiking, biking, and ATV/UTV riding areas. During the winter months, the area also offers seasonal activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Cell reception is limited in the town of Timberon but all the local businesses will share their Wi-Fi password. Timberon has a local restaurant Connie's Deli and the High Country Lounge and Grill (Saturday karaoke night 8pm). Two well-equipped stores stocked with groceries, camping supplies, ice, and RV accessories. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, Timberon provides the perfect retreat. . For more details, visit Timberon.org.

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

5. Sugarhill Woodworks

95%

(50)

1.8mi from Mescalero · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

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!

Public campgrounds near Mescalero

Silver Overflow Campground

12mi from Mescalero · 52 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lincoln National Forest

Silver Campground and Amphitheater

12mi from Mescalero · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lincoln National Forest

Upper Fir Group Campground

12mi from Mescalero · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Lincoln National Forest

Lower Fir Group Campground

12mi from Mescalero · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Lincoln National Forest

Pines Campground

12mi from Mescalero · 24 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lincoln National Forest

Saddle Campground

12mi from Mescalero · 16 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lincoln National Forest

Apache Campground

12mi from Mescalero · 25 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lincoln National Forest

Deerhead Campground

14mi from Mescalero · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lincoln National Forest

Aspen Group Campground

14mi from Mescalero · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Lincoln National Forest

Black Bear Group Campground

14mi from Mescalero · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Lincoln National Forest

100%

(1)

Sleepy Grass Campground

14mi from Mescalero · 45 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lincoln National Forest

Slide Group Campground

14mi from Mescalero · 1 site · Tent, RV · in Lincoln National Forest

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

R

November 2025

23 ft campervan

With pets

2 nights at Midtown Mountain Campground and RV

We loved our time at Reeve's place! The space is very homey, nestled in the trees, and although it was nearly full we felt like our site was private. The restrooms were spotless and each has a very nice shower. Midtown Mountain is located close to several restaurants, a grocery store, and hiking trails are easily accessible. Reeve was full of information about the area. We absolutely will be back if we return to Ruidoso. Thanks for a great stay!

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.

J

Julio

September 2025

33 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Timberon NM Golf & RV Camping Site

Very nice and peaceful. No phone service nothing but fresh air and wild life

H

Hannah

September 2025

33 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Timberon NM Golf & RV Camping Site

Love the remote location! It was peaceful to be the only campers at the time. Children loved playing around and exploring. Dogs also loved the freedom of being unleashed. Very peaceful and relaxing, wish we could have stayed longer!

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

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.

J

Judith

May 2025

32 ft Class C

With pets

4 nights at Timberon NM Golf & RV Camping Site

We loved camping up at Andrews place Peaceful, clean and quiet! Caught a lot of fish up at the ponds! Can’t wait to go back

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.

Halbert

April 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Timberon NM Golf & RV Camping Site

Excellent location easy to follow directions. Quiet and clean place with plenty of space. Fast response from host. Highly recommend.

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!

M

Mathew

March 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Timberon NM Golf & RV Camping Site

We really enjoyed the remote location and didn’t see another person the whole time (a plus for me). Beautiful scenery and quiet campsite. Couldn’t ask for more.

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!