Rob Jagger'S Campground

0.15

6 reviews

NM 220 (Rob Jaggers Camping Area)

Quick Facts

6,300 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

27 campsites

Season

Cave (recreational c...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Electric

Opens Bureau of Land Management, Roswell Field Office site

Get Directions

Quick Facts

6,300 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

First-Come

Sites

27 campsites

Season

Cave (recreational c...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Not Allowed

Electric

Opens Bureau of Land Management, Roswell Field Office site

Get Directions

Rob Jagger'S Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Campsites and horse corrals are first-come, first-served. Some events require a Special Recreation Permit from the BLM (contact Roswell Field Office...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

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

Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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Provider

575-627-0272

What Campers Say

0.15

Mixed Reviews

Based on 6 reviews

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Best Time to Camp at Rob Jagger'S Campground

Perched at approximately 6,300 feet elevation, the campground enjoys the crisp, clean air of New Mexico's high desert country. The Fort Stanton Cave typically welcomes recreational cavers from mid-April through November, though access is currently on hold. During winter months, the cave becomes a sanctuary for hibernating bat colonies, reminding visitors of the delicate balance between recreation and conservation that defines this special place.

Best

Spring (Mar-May)

Wildflowers bloom, mild temperatures, fewer crowds. Great for hiking and photography.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Peak season with warm days. Most facilities open. Reserve ahead.

Fall (Sep-Nov)

Beautiful fall colors, cooler temps, quieter campgrounds. Ideal for peaceful trips.

Winter (Dec-Feb)

Snow activities available. Some facilities may close. Check conditions.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Cave (recreational caving normally open Apr 15 - Nov 1)
Current Alerts: Recreational caving moratorium for Fort Stanton Cave due to White Nose Syndrome risk. The Carrizozo Land Partnership vehicle pass page is temporarily unavailable and the Roswell Field Office is currently unable to issue vehicle passes to cross private lands.

About Rob Jagger'S Campground

Nestled within the Fort Stanton Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, Rob Jaggers Camping Area offers 27 well-appointed campsites where modern convenience meets wilderness adventure. Each site features electricity and potable water hookups, while equestrians will appreciate the hitching rails and horse corrals perfect for staging backcountry rides into this remarkable high desert landscape. Campsites and corrals operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with group shelter reservations available through the friendly on-site camp host.

Rob Jaggers Camping Area includes 27 developed campsites with hookups and supports dispersed (pull-off) overnight camping within the Fort Stanton NCA; a separate Cave Campground is also present within the NCA.

Historical SignificanceHistory whispers from every corner of this landscape, where ancient voices meet frontier tales. The nearby Historic Fort Stanton stands as a remarkably preserved frontier military post, its original buildings and museum offering glimpses into territorial life. Along the Rio Bonito, Petroglyph Rock bears the artistic legacy of the Jornada Mogollon people, while the cave system itself harbors archaeological treasures that span centuries. This is land where human stories have unfolded for millennia, each layer adding depth to your camping experience.

Weather and SeasonsPerched at approximately 6,300 feet elevation, the campground enjoys the crisp, clean air of New Mexico's high desert country. The Fort Stanton Cave typically welcomes recreational cavers from mid-April through November, though access is currently on hold. During winter months, the cave becomes a sanctuary for hibernating bat colonies, reminding visitors of the delicate balance between recreation and conservation that defines this special place.

ElevationAt roughly 6,300 feet above sea level, the campground occupies that perfect elevation zone where high desert character meets mountain influence, creating a landscape of twisted juniper and cedar punctuated by stately Ponderosa Pine corridors.

Natural Features and SceneryThe landscape here tells a story of contrast and surprise. High desert hillsides covered in aromatic juniper and cedar give way to canyon bottoms where Ponderosa Pines tower above hardwood groves and the Rio Bonito traces its ancient path. The crown jewel remains the Snowy River Cave system itself, named for its stunning calcite formations that shimmer like frozen rivers beneath the earth. Cave enthusiasts and geologists marvel at the rare mineralogy found within these passages, while those who prefer surface exploration will find the interplay of desert and forest equally captivating. From Petroglyph Rock to the cave entrance, every vista rewards the curious traveler.

Geological RegionFort Stanton Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area, characterized by high desert cedar and juniper hillsides interwoven with Ponderosa Pine stringers that follow the natural contours into sheltered canyon bottoms.

Campsite details

AccessibilityNearby Valley of Fires Recreation Area (separate site) notes two accessible RV sites, accessible restrooms, and wheelchair-accessible group shelters. No specific accessibility features are described for Rob Jaggers in the source.

Sites SizeCampsites with electricity and potable water hookups; horse corrals; group shelter available

Total Campsites27 campsites

Recommended CampsitesSites provide electricity and potable water hookups; group shelter also has water and electricity. Hitching rails and water for animals are located at the Rob Jaggers Camping Area. Day-use parking areas are separate from camping; do not camp in day-use parking. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for some trailhead and partnership-area access.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

14-day maximum length of stay

Groups

Agroup shelter with water and electricity is available for reservation
the campground is occasionally rented for Special Recreation Permit events and BLM requires a Special Recreation Permit for some events (contact Roswell Field Office).

Tents

Tents are not allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive are allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutTwo large day-use parking areas, 27 campsites with electricity and potable water hookups, a group shelter with water and electricity, hitching rails, vault toilets, and facilities for staging horseback riding. Horse corrals and campsites are first-come, first-served.

Open and Closed SeasonCave (recreational caving normally open Apr 15 - Nov 1)

Reservation PlatformsGroup shelter reservations: contact camp host at 575-322-0030. For other information contact the Roswell Field Office at 575-627-0272. Campsites and corrals are first-come, first-served.

Walk-in AvailabilityWalk-up availability: campsites and horse corrals are first-come, first-served.

Cancellation PolicyCampsites and horse corrals are first-come, first-served. Group shelter reservations or other campground information: contact camp host at 575-322-0030. BLM requires a Special Recreation Permit for some events; contact the Roswell Field Office to determine if a permit is required (575-627-0272).

Accomodation available

GroupGroup campsites are offered for larger parties such as families, schools, or organizations. These sites provide space and facilities to accommodate multiple people camping together.

Amenities available

Potable water

Flush toilets

Vault toilets

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Activities you can enjoy

Fort Stanton NCA and the Rob Jaggers Camping Area offer a broad range of activities including hiking, caving (permit-based and currently under moratorium for some access due to White Nose Syndrome), horseback riding, mountain biking, camping, visiting cultural and historic sites, picnicking, hunting, wildlife viewing, nature study, and photography. The trail system and the Rio Bonito Petroglyph Trail are highlighted recreation features; many trails originate at the Rob Jaggers Camping Area where hitching rails and animal water are provided.

Hiking

The NCA has 73 miles of sustainable trails for hiking (many trails begin at Rob Jaggers). The Rio Bonito Petroglyph Trail is a loop of approximately 2.1 miles; Petroglyph Rock is about a 450 ft walk from the parking area and the loop is rated easy-to-moderate (plan ~1 hour).

Biking

Mountain biking is explicitly listed; trails are marked and riders are strongly encouraged to stay on established trails to protect riders and the landscape.

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing and nature study are listed recreation opportunities in the NCA. The Cave area supports bat populations and other species; protections (seasonal cave closures) are in place to protect hibernating bats.

Cultural and Educational Programs

Visitors can explore historic Fort Stanton (museum open daily) and petroglyph sites along the Rio Bonito. The Snowy River Cave area has scientific research and planned interpretive products; Fort Stanton Cave access is permit-managed and subject to moratoriums and seasonal closures to protect resources.

Winter Activities

Fort Stanton Cave is closed during winter months to protect hibernating bats; recreational caving is normally permitted April 15–November 1 but is currently under a moratorium pending White Nose Syndrome monitoring.

Campground rules

Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsCaving access and activities are affected by White Nose Syndrome (WNS) concerns; the cave is under a recreational caving moratorium pending research and monitoring. Trails may have loose footing in places; some access roads and partnership-area roads are extremely rocky and rough (high-clearance 4x4 recommended). Winters result in cave closures to protect hibernating bats.

Active alertsRecreational caving moratorium for Fort Stanton Cave due to White Nose Syndrome risk. The Carrizozo Land Partnership vehicle pass page is temporarily unavailable and the Roswell Field Office is currently unable to issue vehicle passes to cross private lands.

Weather at Rob Jagger'S Campground

°F

Dec 11

Thursday

Clear sky

Precipitation: 0%

Humidity: 37%

Wind: 0.4 mph

Clear sky

Weather History

Weather data powered by Open-Meteo

Detailed 7-Day Forecast

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Good to know

Trash and recyclingValley of Fires Recreation Area (nearby) is described as having trash cans; trash/recycling details for Rob Jaggers are not specified.

Proximity to water featuresCampground has potable water outlets and drinking water; Rio Bonito and the Petroglyph Trail are nearby. Water is available at the Rob Jaggers Camping Area and at the Cave Campgrounds.

HostCamp host (for reservations and information): 575-322-0030. For other information contact the Roswell Field Office at 575-627-0272.

Campground Map

NM 220 (Rob Jaggers Camping Area)

Driving directionsFrom the intersection of NM 246 and US 380 in Capitan, drive east on US 380 for 4.3 miles to NM 220 (right). Take NM 220 approximately 1 mile; Rob Jagger's Campground will be on the left. From the west end of Lincoln, drive west 7.75 miles to NM 220 (left), then drive south 0.9 miles to Rob Jaggers Campground.

Accessible from US 380 via NM 220; major approach routes described from Capitan (US 380) and Lincoln.

Nearby places

Capitan ~5 miles west on US 380

Lincoln ~8 miles east on US 380

Ruidoso (distance not specified) is a nearby resort town.

Nearby supplies

Capitan, Lincoln, and Ruidoso (towns mentioned as nearby with visitor services and amenities).