Elephant Butte Lake

Star4.88
25 reviews
P.O. BOX 13, Elephant Butte, New Mexico, 87935, United States
Summer Destination

Quick Facts

4,465 ft

Price

$25 - $35/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Seasonality of open/...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Showers
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Elephant Butte Lake
$25.00 - $35.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fee ranges from $25 to $35 per night for standard campsites; additional fees may apply for certain amenities or services.
Standard Site Fee$30.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.88

Top-Rated

Based on 25 reviews

25 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewsquietcleansites

"User reviews generally praise the campground for its cleanliness, peaceful environment, and scenic views. Some users have reported lukewarm showers as a minor issue."

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Campground Map

P.O. BOX 13, Elephant Butte, New Mexico, 87935, United States

Elephant Butte Lake

P.O. BOX 13, Elephant Butte, New Mexico, 87935, United States

Driving directionsFrom I-25 South or North take exit 83, turn onto NM State Rd 195 South. North bound traffic goes 4.2 miles and turns left off 195 to the Visitor Center. Southbound traffic goes 4.6 miles and turns left off of 195 to the Visitor Center. After the Visitor Center/Entrance enter the traffic circle and take the 3rd exit for Ridge Road. The campgrounds are along Sumac Rd from there. South Monticello Campground Directions: From I-25 take exit 89 onto Martin Ranch Road/Rock Canyon Road heading east. Follow Rock Canyon road for about 7 miles. This will take you into and back out of Monticello Canyon, across two cattle guards and then to the pay station in the middle of Rock Canyon Road. The entrance to South Monticello Campground is on your left. Do not confuse the State Park campground with signs to the privately owned Monticello RV Park along this same route. You can also follow Rock Canyon North from the City of Elephant Butte to South Monticello Campground approximately 10 miles.
The campground is accessible from I-25 and NM State Rd 195. Roads to the campground include both paved and unpaved sections, with specific navigation challenges such as crossing cattle guards and navigating Monticello Canyon. Seasonal road conditions are not mentioned.
Nearby places
Santa Fe, NM - 208 miles (approximately 3.5 hours by car).
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies information is not explicitly provided.

Best Time to Camp at Elephant Butte Lake

Experience the dramatic personality of the Southwest desert, where crystal-clear winter mornings give way to sun-drenched days perfect for hiking and exploration. Spring and fall emerge as the sweet spots for camping, offering those coveted mild temperatures and endless blue skies that make outdoor living pure joy. Summer transforms the landscape into a sun-worshipper's paradise, with the reservoir providing welcome relief from the desert heat. Plan your visit during the shoulder seasons to enjoy nature's perfect balance of warm days and cool, star-filled nights.

Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer supports boating and swimming though desert heat is a factor.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.5 / 5
Top 13% in NM

Fall described as a 'sweet' season—likely ideal temps and activities.

Best
Spring(Mar-May)
4.5 / 5
Top 4% in NM

Spring called out as a 'sweet' season for hiking and exploration.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Clear winter mornings noted; fewer water activities and cooler temps reduce appeal.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: Peak season dates are not provided.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Seasonality of open/closed periods is not provided.
  • Current Alerts: No active alerts are specified.

About Elephant Butte Lake

Where endless desert horizons meet the sparkling waters of New Mexico's largest reservoir, Elephant Butte Lake offers an oasis of tranquility for outdoor enthusiasts. This expansive campground provides generous, well-spaced sites that give visitors room to breathe and truly disconnect from the everyday hustle. Whether you're seeking waterside adventures or simply a peaceful retreat under vast Southwestern skies, this desert gem delivers the perfect blend of aquatic recreation and high desert beauty.
Elephant Butte Lake offers a range of camping accommodations. Official sources confirm the presence of campsites, but no details on specific types like primitive, RV, or tent-only sites are given.
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Check-in
Check-in time is not specified.
Check-out
Check-out time is not specified.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay limit is not specified.

Amenities available

Showers
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

The campground offers a variety of recreational activities including hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, and birdwatching. Visitors can also enjoy interpretive programs and horseback riding.
HikingHiking trails are available, but specific trail details such as difficulty levels, lengths, and popularity are not provided.
FishingFishing is permitted with facilities such as docks and a marina available. Specific fishing conditions or types of fish are not detailed.
SwimmingSwimming areas are available, but no information is provided about safety measures or additional facilities.
BikingBiking is mentioned as an activity, but no further details about trail terrain or difficulty are available.
BoatingA marina and boat launch ramp are available for boating activities. Further details are not specified.
Wildlife viewingBirdwatching is noted as an activity, suggesting opportunities for wildlife viewing. Specific wildlife species are not mentioned.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPotential hazards include navigating cattle guards and Monticello Canyon on the way to the campground.
Active AlertsNo active alerts are specified.

Weather at Elephant Butte Lake

Reviews

4.9
25 reviews
Top-Rated
Top-Rated
Elephant Butte Lake is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews generally praise the campground for its cleanliness, peaceful environment, and scenic views. Some users have reported lukewarm showers as a minor issue.
Review Summaries
Based on 25 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean facilities, quiet atmosphere, scenic views of the desert and reservoir, nicely spaced campsites.
Based on 25 reviews

Common Concerns

Lukewarm showers were reported by one user as a minor inconvenience.
Based on 25 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Consider staying at South Monticello Campground for peace and quiet. The area is away from highways, offering a serene experience.
Based on 25 reviews

Seasonal Insights

No seasonal trends are explicitly discussed in the reviews.
Based on 25 reviews

Camper Quotes

"South Monticello Campground in Elephant State Park has been a very good place for us to spend two weeks on our travels. The campsites are nicely spaced with views of the desert and the large...
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Based on 25 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

South Monticello Campground is highlighted as a peaceful and clean location offering scenic views.
Based on 25 reviews

Accessibility Features

One user positively noted the handicap accessibility, but no reviews from users with disabilities were found.
Based on 25 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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