RV Parks In Carrizozo, NM
33.6417° N, 105.8772° W
Quick Overview
Carrizozo sits at the junction of Highways 54 and 380 in the Tularosa Basin of south-central New Mexico, a small ranching town surrounded by some of the most striking volcanic and desert landscapes in the state. The area has several RV campgrounds and parks, with some free camping options for travelers exploring this remote but rewarding corner of New Mexico. Valley of Fires Recreation Area, managed by the BLM, is the area's main attraction -- it sits right on the edge of the Malpais lava flow, one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States at roughly 5,000 years old. The recreation area has camping with hookups and a nature trail that winds through the black lava formations where you can see the striking contrast of ancient rock and the hardy plants and animals that have colonized it. Carrizozo was once a bustling railroad and ranching hub, and while the town has quieted down considerably, it's experienced a small art revival in recent years with galleries and studios occupying some of the old commercial buildings along the main street. White Sands National Park is about 55 miles south, and the town of Lincoln, site of the Lincoln County War and Billy the Kid's famous escape, sits about 50 miles east on Highway 380. The surrounding Tularosa Basin and Sacramento Mountains provide a dramatic landscape of white gypsum dunes, dark lava fields, and forested mountain peaks that makes this region unlike anywhere else in North America. RV parks here are basic and very affordable. For RVers, the combination of the Valley of Fires lava formations, proximity to White Sands and Lincoln, and genuinely affordable campgrounds makes Carrizozo a unique stop you won't find duplicated anywhere else on a New Mexico road trip. The dark night skies over the Tularosa Basin are exceptional, with minimal light pollution allowing for extraordinary stargazing conditions year-round.
Top Rated Dump Stations in Carrizozo
No rated stations yet. Be the first to leave a review!
All Dump Stations Near Carrizozo
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sands Motel & RV Park | 0.3 mi | \u2014 | RV Park | Varies |
| Campsite 13, Electric And Water | 3.9 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Valley Of Fires | 3.9 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Mountain Springs Ranch RV Park | 10.3 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Along The River RV Park | 18.1 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Along The River RV Park, Campground And Cabins | 18.1 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Mama Bear RV Park | 18.6 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Little Creek RV Park | 20.8 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Pine Ridge RV Park | 26.6 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Lazy Dayz RV Park | 27.1 mi | \u2014 | Dump Station | Varies |
Sands Motel & RV Park
0.3 miCampsite 13, Electric And Water
3.9 miValley Of Fires
3.9 miMountain Springs Ranch RV Park
10.3 miAlong The River RV Park
18.1 miAlong The River RV Park, Campground And Cabins
18.1 miMama Bear RV Park
18.6 miLittle Creek RV Park
20.8 miPine Ridge RV Park
26.6 miLazy Dayz RV Park
27.1 miTraveling to Carrizozo by RV
Highway 54 runs north-south through Carrizozo, connecting to Alamogordo about 55 miles south and Tucumcari about 180 miles north. Highway 380 runs east-west, heading to Roswell about 100 miles east and Socorro about 85 miles west. Both highways are two-lane roads through open rangeland, flat and easy for any size rig. Fuel is available at stations in town, but fill up here because the distances between services in any direction are long. For groceries beyond the basics available at the small local store, Alamogordo to the south or Ruidoso about 60 miles east have full supermarkets. Valley of Fires Recreation Area is just four miles west of Carrizozo on Highway 380 -- the turnoff is well-marked and the road into the campground handles RVs without any issues. Watch for free-range livestock on the highways in the basin, particularly around dawn and dusk. Cell service is limited in Carrizozo on some carriers and drops out entirely on the more remote stretches of Highway 380 and Highway 54 between towns, so download your maps and plan your route before leaving an area with signal.
Useful Links
Find additional dump stations near Carrizozo
Browse RV parks and campgrounds in New Mexico
Helpful articles for RV travelers
Navigate to Carrizozo, NM
National Weather Service forecast
Recreation.gov campground search
Find emergency medical care nearby
Find grocery shopping nearby
Dump Station Costs in Carrizozo
Of the campgrounds near Carrizozo, a portion% are free while a portion% charge a fee. Valley of Fires Recreation Area charges a modest per-night camping fee with hookup sites, and it's one of the best-value campgrounds in the state given the unique lava-field setting and well-maintained facilities. RV parks in Carrizozo itself run about $15 to $30 per night for basic hookups. Free camping options include undeveloped BLM land in the surrounding basin for self-contained rigs. Monthly rates may be available at local parks for extended stays. This is one of the most affordable camping areas in central New Mexico, and the combination of low costs and extraordinary natural scenery makes it a standout value.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Carrizozo
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
Best Time to Visit Carrizozo by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
22-52°F
Crowds: Low
Mild winter days with cold nights make the Tularosa Basin comfortable for camping if you're prepared for freezing temperatures after dark. The lava fields at Valley of Fires are less crowded, making for a peaceful winter visit.
Spring
Mar - May
36-74°F
Crowds: Low
Spring brings warming temperatures and occasional wind across the basin. The desert wildflowers may bloom in wetter years, adding color to the otherwise stark volcanic landscape surrounding Carrizozo.
Summer
Jun - Aug
58-94°F
Crowds: Medium
Summer days are hot in the Tularosa Basin, but the 5,400-foot elevation keeps things slightly more bearable than the lowlands. Monsoon storms from July through August bring afternoon rain and cool the evenings noticeably.
Fall
Sep - Oct
42-78°F
Crowds: Low
Fall is the most comfortable season for camping near Carrizozo, with warm days, cool nights, and clear skies ideal for stargazing over the lava fields and basin floor.
Explore the Carrizozo Area
Valley of Fires Recreation Area is the must-see stop near Carrizozo -- the campground sits right on the edge of the Malpais lava flow, and the interpretive nature trail through the black basalt formations is an easy walk with stunning views of the Tularosa Basin and Sierra Blanca peak to the east. Bring sturdy shoes for the lava trail, as the rock is rough and can shred soft soles. The small art galleries along Carrizozo's main street are worth browsing if you're in town during business hours. White Sands National Park south of Alamogordo makes an excellent day trip from Carrizozo -- the white gypsum dune field is unlike anything else you'll see on a road trip. The town of Lincoln on Highway 380 east of Carrizozo preserves the historic buildings from the Lincoln County War era and Billy the Kid's time, and the entire town is a National Historic Landmark. Nights in the Tularosa Basin are dark and quiet, with excellent stargazing conditions most of the year.
National Parks Nearby
Other Cities in New Mexico
RV Tips & Articles
Secure Your Site: A Guide to FootLoose RV Sewer Caps and Grip-N-Lock Well Caps
Read more →Understanding AASHTO M306, H20, and EN 124 Load Ratings: What They Really Mean for Manhole Covers
Read more →Anti-Tamper & Locking Solutions for Public Utility Access Points: Keeping Manholes Secure and Compliant
Read more →Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Carrizozo
Where can I find RV parks near Carrizozo, NM?
Carrizozo has {{stationCount}} RV parks and campgrounds including the Valley of Fires Recreation Area just four miles west of town. Valley of Fires offers hookup camping right on the edge of the Malpais lava flow, and basic parks in town provide additional options at very affordable rates.
Are there free camping spots near Carrizozo?
Yes, {{freeCount}} free camping options exist near Carrizozo. Undeveloped BLM land in the Tularosa Basin surrounding the town provides dispersed dry camping for self-contained rigs. The expansive open basin has plenty of space, though there are no facilities whatsoever at these locations.
How much does RV camping cost near Carrizozo?
Valley of Fires Recreation Area charges a modest per-night fee for hookup campsites in an extraordinary lava-field setting. RV parks in Carrizozo itself run about $15 to $30 per night for basic hookups. This is one of the most affordable and scenic camping areas in all of central New Mexico.
What is Valley of Fires near Carrizozo?
Valley of Fires Recreation Area is a BLM-managed campground and day-use area sitting directly on the edge of the Malpais lava flow, one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States at roughly 5,000 years old. The campground has hookup sites and an interpretive trail through the dramatic black basalt formations.
What attractions are near Carrizozo for day trips?
White Sands National Park is about 55 miles south, featuring stunning white gypsum sand dunes. The historic town of Lincoln, site of the Billy the Kid saga, is about 50 miles east on Highway 380. The mountain town of Ruidoso with skiing and horse racing is about 60 miles east through the Sacramento Mountains.
Where can I find RV parks near Carrizozo, NM?
Carrizozo has {{stationCount}} RV parks and campgrounds including the Valley of Fires Recreation Area just four miles west of town. Valley of Fires offers hookup camping right on the edge of the Malpais lava flow, and basic parks in town provide additional options at very affordable rates.
Are there free camping spots near Carrizozo?
Yes, {{freeCount}} free camping options exist near Carrizozo. Undeveloped BLM land in the Tularosa Basin surrounding the town provides dispersed dry camping for self-contained rigs. The expansive open basin has plenty of space, though there are no facilities whatsoever at these locations.
How much does RV camping cost near Carrizozo?
Valley of Fires Recreation Area charges a modest per-night fee for hookup campsites in an extraordinary lava-field setting. RV parks in Carrizozo itself run about $15 to $30 per night for basic hookups. This is one of the most affordable and scenic camping areas in all of central New Mexico.
What is Valley of Fires near Carrizozo?
Valley of Fires Recreation Area is a BLM-managed campground and day-use area sitting directly on the edge of the Malpais lava flow, one of the youngest lava flows in the continental United States at roughly 5,000 years old. The campground has hookup sites and an interpretive trail through the dramatic black basalt formations.
What attractions are near Carrizozo for day trips?
White Sands National Park is about 55 miles south, featuring stunning white gypsum sand dunes. The historic town of Lincoln, site of the Billy the Kid saga, is about 50 miles east on Highway 380. The mountain town of Ruidoso with skiing and horse racing is about 60 miles east through the Sacramento Mountains.
All Dump Stations Near Carrizozo (19)
RV Park with Dump StationsSands Motel & RV Park
RV ParkValley Of Fires
RV ParkCampsite 13, Electric And Water
RV ParkMountain Springs Ranch RV Park
RV ParkAlong The River RV Park
RV ParkAlong The River RV Park, Campground And Cabins
RV ParkMama Bear RV Park
RV ParkLittle Creek RV Park
RV ParkPine Ridge RV Park
RV Park