Unique Camping Experience at City of Rocks State Park in New Mexico
City of Rocks State Park
Whenever we travel I love to find unique spots to visit. Whether that be a campground or a destination, I will search until I find some place to visit that we have never been to before. During our travel to New Mexico, I found this campground that was in the middle of nowhere. It is so unique that these giant boulders just stand straight up around this campground and then the area all around it is flat.
It is about one mile square foot of land in the Chihuahuan desert region. These enormous volcanic rocks, protruding about 40 feet high, were formed about 34 million years ago when a volcano erupted. Over the years, erosion formed this area into the large rocks you see today.
City of Rocks State Park is located in Faywood, New Mexico. We stayed at this campground a couple days and really enjoyed walking around and climbing the rocks. The rocks are massive and do provide some shade although the area is still very hot in the summer.
Things to know
Address: 327 Highway 61, Faywood, New Mexico
Hours: 7am - 9pm. Although they close at 9pm we were still able to go around the gate to get to our camping spot after closing time.
Open: Year round
Amenities: Picnic tables, fire grill, trashcans, camping, potable water spigots (water spigot on west side of park by toilet #3)
Facilities: modern restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers
Visitor Center: can buy firewood, ice and souvenirs and learn about the history of the park.
Hours: 10am to 2pm daily
Things to do: 5.5 miles of hiking trials, flower viewing, birding, educational activities in the visitor center
Trail Map: Can be found HERE by clicking on the park map link on the left side.
Pets allowed
Hiking Trails Map
Hiking Trails Map
Hiking is available throughout the park. Sandy/rock path so bring good walking shoes. Temps are hot in the summer so don’t forget sunscreen and water.
Camping
Cost for camping: The cost was $10 for non electric and $14 for electric sites a night plus $4 booking fee online. They do have walkup reservations available at the entrance where you fill out the envelope and put your money in.
Camping details: There are 41 developed sites. 4 of those sites have water and electric hookups. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire ring, and trash can. Large boulders do provide some shade. Click here for reservations. Walk up reservations are available on a first come first serve basis.
Group camping: There is a section for group camping
When we went in the summer of 2021 there were only about 7 campers there so plenty of space to spread out. We stayed in the Pegasus section of the campground at site 15A. This spot was all the way in the back and very quiet. It was also close to the hiking trail.
Showers & Restrooms
Facilities: They have nice warm showers located at the entrance next to the visitor center. There are 4 restrooms with flush toilets located throughout the park but the only showers are at the front entrance next to the visitor center. They are open 24 hours.
We spent two nights here just because we enjoyed walking around and climbing on the rocks. It was a peaceful time here and very quiet at night.
City of Rocks State Park Aerial View
Look at this aerial view of the park. The boulders just come up out of nowhere and the rest of the area is flat. So cool!
Picture from www.emnrd.nm.gov
Such a cool place to visit. I recommend you add this place to your list if you are ever visiting New Mexico. The boulders definitely made this spot unique and gave the kids a place to explore like no other. You are literally out in the middle of nowhere within the Chihuahuan desert region experiencing such a dramatic back drop to an already beautiful country.
I hope you enjoy your journey and take time to find unique travel destinations along the way,
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