Fort Stanton Cave Campground

Surrounding the Fort Stanton Cave Campground is the Fort Stanton Snowy River Cave National Conservation Area (NCA). At around 6300' elevation the NCA offers a diverse habitat of High Desert cedar/juniper hillsides with Ponderosa Pine stringers and hardwoods meandering through the canyon bottoms. Within the NCA is Fort Stanton Cave. At over 44 miles, it is the second longest cave in New Mexico, the 9th longest cave in the U.S., the 40th longest in the world, and the largest cave managed by the BLM. 

Fort Stanton Cave Campground features several shelters, tables and fire rings, as well as a vault toilet. All sites are dry and on a first-come, first-served basis. The access road off of U.S. Route 380 is graveled. This site provides a convenient location for camping, hiking, and exploring the history of the local area.  

Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)

  • The gravel road that leads to the Cave Campground is well maintained, level, and does not require a 4WD vehicle.  

    • The road leading into the campground is also graveled and level.  
    • There is a vault toilet in the center of the campground with a handicap accessible concrete ramp. Visitors can drive to it. 

  • A few feet from the road the shaded tent pads are concrete and raised 2-to-3 inches, but don’t have ramps. The primitive fire rings are on the ground.  

    • There are additional picnic tables and fire pits spread out between the tent pads. To access the amenities in this area one needs to be able to crouch, bend over, and/or walk over uneven or rocky ground to access the other amenities.  

Adventure is at Your Fingertips

Know Before You Go 

Fees 

  • None 

Facilities  

  • Three developed campsites and one undeveloped one.  

  • There are three, shaded concrete tent pads and several fire rings.  

  • One vault toilet, but no potable water.  

  • There are several trashcans between the first and second camping spot.  

  • There is also a stone plaque near the closed off cave entrance. 

Nearby Amenities 

  • The nearest place to get gas, food, and water is in Capitan, which is 7 miles away via U.S. Route 380 West/Billy the Kid Trail.  

Seasons/Hours 

  • Open year-round 

    • The side road that leads to the campground may become difficult to navigate after heavy rain.

Special Rules  

  • Please make sure to carry out any litter or put it in the trashcans.  

  • No fireworks, discharge or use of firearms, or any other weapons. 

  • Pets must be on a 6-foot leash.  

  • Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.   

BROCHURES, MAPS, AND PUBLICATIONS 

  • There are several trails along the road leading that lead to the campground. Some are closed to motorized use and can only be travelled by foot or horseback.  

  • There are also trail roads that are connected to the campground; a 4WD is recommended for exploring these roads.  

  • There is also the Salado Trail down the road via Billy the Kid which has several additional trails and informative kiosks.  

Wildlife in Area  

  • Mountain lions 

  • Pronghorn 

  • Ravens 

  • Bats 

Phone

575-322-0030

Email

BLM_NM_PDO_Mail@blm.gov

Activities

Iconograph of a tent.
CAMPING
Iconograph of a bicyclist
BIKING
Iconograph of two people wearing backpacks and using walking sticks
HIKING
Iconograph of a camera
PHOTOGRAPHY
Iconograph of a picnic table
PICNICKING
Iconograph of binoculars
WILDLIFE VIEWING

Addresses

Roswell Field Office
2909 West Second Street
Roswell
New Mexico
88201

Geographic Coordinates

33.50657, -105.49295

Directions

From the east side of Capitan, NM, drive east on US 380 for approximately 5.78 miles to Cave Canyon Rd. Once on Cave Canyon Rd. (to the right), drive approximately 1.12 miles to the campground. From the west side of Lincoln, NM, drive west on US 380 for approximately 6.18 miles to Cave Canyon Rd.

Fees

No 

Stay Limit

14 Days