Parks Ranch Campground
BLM
Write a Review Carlsbad, NM 88220 575-234-5972 Official WebsiteGPS: 32.1097, -104.407
Overview of Parks Ranch Campground
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
Learn more: Boondocking 101
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by camper-911467 on 3/31/2024
Longest RV Reported: 33 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Mortons on the Move on 1/6/2019
Number of Sites 2
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 3,543 ft / 1,079 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
Discover a smarter way to RV with Roadtrippers
All your Campendium favorites and more are now in Roadtrippers.
Q&A - Ask the Community about Parks Ranch Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. (575) 234-5972
Reviews of Parks Ranch Campground 28 people have reviewed this location.
Cell Phone Coverage
Confirmed by 13 Users
Last reported 11/22/2021
Confirmed by 12 Users
Last reported 5/19/2021
Confirmed by 5 Users
Last reported 3/31/2024
“Cool Caves And No Neighbors ”
Reviewed 3/31/2024
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|
Overall Rating
We stayed off the dirt road just pass the black cattle guard. There are white poles with yellow tops indicating a gas line. You could fit multiple rigs here but we stayed alone. The road past here is doable if your confidant however once to caves and tent sites it’s gets rougher than I like. I have a tiffin 35’ gas class with air suspe... more
We stayed off the dirt road just pass the black cattle guard. There are white poles with yellow tops indicating a gas line. You could fit multiple rigs here but we stayed alone. The road past here is doable if your confidant however once to caves and tent sites it’s gets rougher than I like. I have a tiffin 35’ gas class with air suspension. I don’t think a pusher class a would make it where I camped.
T-Mobile 5G
camper-911467 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Area Not Recommend for Trailers or Rigs.”
Reviewed 12/29/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 14 |
Overall Rating
New Sign on the side of the road right off the highway says trailers not recommeded pass it. The sign states camping is only allowed in designated campsites which are roped off with cable down by the loop near the caves which are also fenced in. Trailers and rigs are recommended to go to Sunset Reef Campgrounds or Chosa Campgrounds. Th... more
New Sign on the side of the road right off the highway says trailers not recommeded pass it. The sign states camping is only allowed in designated campsites which are roped off with cable down by the loop near the caves which are also fenced in. Trailers and rigs are recommended to go to Sunset Reef Campgrounds or Chosa Campgrounds. The Ranger was making patrols to make sure new regulations are being followed.
Loved the site. It was very quiet and could not hear any noise from the highway. There are 2 areas to camp in. Both have a small area to park in and the camp areas are roped in with cable. One area has 2 fire/grill rings and the other has 1. Both area are dirt pads for tents. There are no trash cans or dumpsters. Pack it in, pack it out. No pit toilets, picnic tables, or shade structures. Make sure to bring everything you will need i.e. water, food, shelter, portable toilet, etc. Nearest town is Whites City 7 miles away with a small store and Wal-Mart is in Carlsbad 25 miles away.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
T-Mobile 4G
Campsite_James would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very peaceful, beautiful views ”
Reviewed 11/22/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 3 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
I would certainly camp here again
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 4G
Jojo would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice, quiet, and close to the Cavern”
Reviewed 5/19/2021
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
| RV Length: | 26' (Travel Trailer) |
Overall Rating
We have been here for a few days and this time of year it's pretty quiet. We have had a few cars come by but not many. We did not have any problems getting our trailer in here but we have a trailer built for offroad. Be sure to bring plenty of water, the days are HOT and the nights are COOL. Finding the road was a little bit of... more
We have been here for a few days and this time of year it's pretty quiet. We have had a few cars come by but not many. We did not have any problems getting our trailer in here but we have a trailer built for offroad. Be sure to bring plenty of water, the days are HOT and the nights are COOL.
Finding the road was a little bit of a challenge the first time. We made the turn onto the first road and then just followed the dirt road up to the the cattle guard (it looks like). The one turn that you can get onto the road is coming south, it's a small entrance right after road 418 (Washington Ranch Rd). The middle is dirt and you will need a high clearance vehicle to get over it. If you make the first turn (before 418), you can use the paved turn around and then make the right. This road will bring you to a gate, you are close, turn around and follow the small dirt road south, you will see the cattle guard and a left hand turn.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
Dogdays would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great spot”
Reviewed 11/15/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 2 |
Overall Rating
After going through the gate we turned left just before the no camping sign, and the right at the next fork. We quickly found a site plenty big for our 25ft travel trailer. We explored more the next day and found more sites beyond ours. There isn’t an ideal turnaround spot at the end of the road but could be done if necessary. The site... more
After going through the gate we turned left just before the no camping sign, and the right at the next fork. We quickly found a site plenty big for our 25ft travel trailer. We explored more the next day and found more sites beyond ours. There isn’t an ideal turnaround spot at the end of the road but could be done if necessary. The sites are well spaced out which we loved. This was our first boondocking experience and we were very pleased.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 4G
gavinlt would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Rocky narrow road, barely any room for trailers”
Reviewed 11/13/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
Overall Rating
We ended up leaving right away. The road to this camp spot is long, rocky and surrounded by bushes and cacti on both sides. Nevertheless we made it all the way to this campground, hoping it will get better... At the end of the road there were just a few tight places where you could possibly fit a trailer, but it seemed that it would be... more
We ended up leaving right away. The road to this camp spot is long, rocky and surrounded by bushes and cacti on both sides. Nevertheless we made it all the way to this campground, hoping it will get better... At the end of the road there were just a few tight places where you could possibly fit a trailer, but it seemed that it would be quite a task.
The area was also very secluded, very dark with only one other trailer parked there. We boondocked in many other locations, but didn't feel very safe here
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
Verizon 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“We did not camp here. ”
Reviewed 10/16/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 0 |
| Site Number: | 0 |
Overall Rating
The camp area was close to the freeway. It was wide open. Windy and dusty and road noise. It felt unsafe. I would not recommend it.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
AT&T 4G
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great place”
Reviewed 9/7/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | In the three spot parking lot but the cave |
Overall Rating
I wish I could have spent a little more time here. There are some cool caves although people told me of a rattle snake encounter. The spots are not easy to find in the dark although on a holiday weekend I found one. Great place to stay if hitting Carlsbad in the morning. Not great for huge rigs but my 2wd van was fine. I was ki... more
I wish I could have spent a little more time here. There are some cool caves although people told me of a rattle snake encounter.
The spots are not easy to find in the dark although on a holiday weekend I found one.
Great place to stay if hitting Carlsbad in the morning. Not great for huge rigs but my 2wd van was fine. I was kind of close to other campers.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
AT&T 4G
Millerhoo would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great convenient site a few minutes off the highway”
Reviewed 5/26/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 1 |
| Site Number: | Gas pipeline |
| RV Length: | 20' (Pop Up Camper) |
Overall Rating
Great open site along the gas pipeline ROW. Bug level: very low, a few flies. Beautiful scenery of Guadalupe mountains all around. There are a handful of great sites proximate to some caves to explore. We stayed on Monday night (memorial day) and were the only ones for miles around. Access was easy in dry weather with a 4x4, just a few... more
Great open site along the gas pipeline ROW. Bug level: very low, a few flies. Beautiful scenery of Guadalupe mountains all around. There are a handful of great sites proximate to some caves to explore. We stayed on Monday night (memorial day) and were the only ones for miles around. Access was easy in dry weather with a 4x4, just a few minutes off the highway, but distant enough to not really notice any traffic noise. Middle of the night is dead silent. At&t phone mobile hotspot worked well for remote work in the morning with no issues.
| Access | |
| Location | |
| Cleanliness | |
| Site Quality | |
| Noise |
AT&T 4G
sweetlou362 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Amazing place”
Reviewed 3/11/2020
| Nightly rate: | FREE! |
|---|---|
| Days stayed: | 5 |
Overall Rating
Flat, bumpby roads but not horrible just some areas you should be extra cautious, place for tent camping, and lots of open road to drive back on. Great view of the mountains. Verizon: 50mbps upload and download. AT&T is here but much slower. I worked remotely all week with no issues. If it is raining or has rained that day BE CAREFUL c... more
Flat, bumpby roads but not horrible just some areas you should be extra cautious, place for tent camping, and lots of open road to drive back on. Great view of the mountains. Verizon: 50mbps upload and download. AT&T is here but much slower. I worked remotely all week with no issues. If it is raining or has rained that day BE CAREFUL coming in. Everything turns to clay. I lost all traction with my TT and slid everywhere. Really a mess. Everything else is gorgeous! I will definitely come back here.
AT&T 4G
Verizon 4G
FT_Boondocker would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
Page 1 of 3
22 reviews
“super rough toad”
noted 4/20/2023
Just drove in to check out the caves. Glad we did not try to camp here. The warning not for trailers is definitely in order. Not good for any big rig. A bit of a drive on super rough road. Several camping spots. Evidence of cows visiting the site. No facilities. That's why Sunset Reef is so popular. Much easier access. I would not drive in after a rain. Ruts in low places.
3 reviews
Boondocking near Carlsbad Caverns » Haus von Floof
Ever wondered how to camp for free near National Parks? If you read my last blog post, you know that we went to New Mexico recently to visit Carlsbad Caverns National Park. What I realized...
7 reviews
Parks Ranch Campground, BLM - Carlsbad, NM
Parks Ranch Campground, BLM - Carlsbad, NM We were looking for somewhere to boondock near Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, and we stumbled upon some BLM land not too far away. What looked...
Contact us to update this listing.
Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Pets
- pets
Nearby RV Rentals
In partnership with
Nearby RV Rentals
In partnership with
2 Reviews
2018 TRAVEL TRAILER
Coachmen RV Catalina SBX 251RLS
$132 /night | Sleeps 4 Guests
New Listing
2021 TRAVEL TRAILER
Heartland Trail Runner 25 JM
$129 /night | Sleeps 7 Guests
5 Reviews
2015 TRAVEL TRAILER
Coachmen RV Freedom Express 248RBS
$106 /night | Sleeps 6 Guests
2 Reviews
2018 TRAVEL TRAILER
Palomino Puma 31-BHQB
$110 /night | Sleeps 7 Guests
New Listing
2017 FIFTH WHEEL
Heartland Bighorn 3760EL
$144 /night | Sleeps 4 Guests
Nearby
White's City RV Park
It works. REALLY tight spots. 7 min from Carlsbad NP entrance.
- Wide Turns Only
Please select a reason for flagging this item: