Storrie Lake State Park offers camping options only 5 miles north of Las Vegas, New Mexico at 6,700 feet elevation. Temperatures range from highs in the 80s during summer days to below freezing at night from October through April. Seasonal water shutoffs and gate closures affect camping access throughout the year.
What to do
Fishing at Storrie Lake: North Area Campground features accessible shoreline fishing with sites directly on the water. "Big lake great to go into water," notes one visitor, while another mentions it's "a lake for great fishing -requires day fees."
Hiking near El Porvenir: Located about 12 miles northwest of Las Vegas in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, this campground provides access to mountain trails. "We wish we could've stayed here longer! We loved this campground... Our kids loved playing in the gorgeous mountain stream adjacent to the campground," reports a camper at El Porvenir Campground.
Day trips to town: Las Vegas/New Mexico KOA Journey provides a convenient base for exploring the historic town. "We came to see the town, because when passing through NM you have to stop and see how their Vegas compares, you know. The town was pretty neat! I loved all the history there," shares one traveler who visited Las Vegas/New Mexico KOA Journey.
What campers like
Affordability: North Area Campground offers budget-friendly options with basic amenities. "It's not fancy but I like that. Lots of open space, a lake for great fishing... Reasonable fees. Nice park ranger! RV hookups," mentions one visitor to North Area Campground.
River access: Villanueva State Park provides water recreation opportunities along the Pecos River. "We went 2017 summer and it was one of the best campgrounds we have been to. We had lots of fun in the creek and hiking the trails," says one camper at Villanueva State Park.
Hot showers: Gallinas River Campground at Storrie Lake State Park has well-maintained facilities. "I was about to rate this 3 stars before I went to the comfort station. The clean free hot showers and proximity to Vegas changed my mind," notes a camper who appreciated this basic but important amenity.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Water systems at many campgrounds shut down during colder months. At North Area Campground, "They shut off ALL water on October first and fail to put that into the reservation site or make it clear at the self pay. The gate closes at 5PM after Oct 1 also. NO CODE to re-enter!"
Weather challenges: Winter storms can impact travel and camping plans. "We were hit by a blizzard driving through the I-25 pass from Santa Fe to Denver and had to take refuge in the KOA Las Vegas, NM for 2 nights," reports a visitor who found safety at the KOA.
Fire impacts: The 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire affected several camping areas. At Johnson Mesa Campground, a notice warns: "This recreation site and its surroundings were burned in the 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. Use of this site is not recommended. Exercise extreme caution and pay attention to the weather to avoid flash flood danger."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly spaces: South Area Campground offers level sites with covered tables. "Made the reservation online. $14/night for a leveled site with covered table, fire pit and a water spigot. Had a great night. Felt very safe and noise was minimal," reports a camper at South Area Campground.
Playground access: Villanueva State Park includes play areas for children. "This is a great little state park with nice hikes, friendly staff and great fishing. Our kids loved the playground and we enjoyed how quiet and beautiful the area is," shares one family.
Wildlife awareness: Small animals may cause damage if food is accessible. At Villanueva, "please be advised to keep your food OUT OF your tent. The squirrels and chipmunks are particularly good at finding food and did cut a hole through our neighbors tent to get to it!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At the Las Vegas/New Mexico KOA, "We were in spot 53 which was a long pull through, but very narrow and close to the neighboring spots. We were lucky that they were not reserved so we had a little more room. We were glad we were in the trees due to the daytime temps."
Water pressure issues: Some campgrounds have utility challenges. "Easy off/on I25. Campsites are spread out with trees separating sites. The only bad is water pressure; very low. We slowly filled tank and used our pump," advises an RVer at the KOA.
Alternative options: For a quieter mountain setting, Pendaries RV Resort offers good facilities. "Very nice campground that was almost full during the pandemic. Beautiful pines, lots of amenities, clean and quiet. We hiked to the abandoned turquoise mine and took in the views from atop the hill," reports a visitor to this campsite near Las Vegas, New Mexico.
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