RV Parks In Roswell, New Mexico
33.3944° N, 104.5249° W
Quick Overview
Roswell is one of those towns that punches well above its size as an RV stop. Yes, it is famous for the 1947 UFO incident and leans cheerfully into all things alien, but it also sits beside a genuinely unusual state park, a major bird refuge, and an easy day trip to one of the country's great caverns. For RVers it is an affordable, sunny high-plains base with a good mix of public and private camping.
The scenic standout is Bottomless Lakes State Park, about 15 miles east of town. As New Mexico's oldest state park, it is set among a string of deep, blue-green sinkhole lakes, with swimming at Lea Lake, desert trails, showers, wifi, and a dump station. Every developed site has 30-amp electric, at least six add full water and sewer hookups, and the sites handle rigs up to about 60 feet, all for around $14 to $18 a night, which is excellent value. In town, several private parks fill the full-hookup niche: Red Barn RV Park has 50 full-hookup sites, Town & Country offers pull-throughs for large rigs plus laundry, and Spring River provides level, spacious sites off East College.
So the landscape is a strong public park plus a solid private bench. Public wins on scenery and price; private wins on in-town convenience, full-hookup pull-throughs, and being minutes from the UFO museum. Big rigs do well in either, with the state park taking sizable back-in rigs and the private parks offering easy pull-throughs.
Time your trip with the calendar and the climate. Fall is the best all-around season, spring is pleasant but windy, summer is hot with monsoon storms, and winter is mild by day, freezing at night, and prime for birding the refuge. The one date to plan hard around is the early-July UFO Festival, when the whole town books up. Staying a while and need to empty your tanks? See our guide to RV dump stations in Roswell. Below we cover the campgrounds, seasons, costs, and how far ahead to reserve.
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All Dump Stations Near Roswell
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring River RV Park | 1.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Trailer Village RV Park | 1.5 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Red Barn RV Park | 2.5 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Wild Willy's RV Park | 2.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Midway RV Park | 7.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Bottomless Lakes RV Park | 12.5 mi | 4.9 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Lake Van RV Park | 16.8 mi | 4.5 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Hagerman RV Park | 22.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| R&p RV Park And Laundry | 34.7 mi | 4.1 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Pine RV Park | 35.0 mi | 4.7 | Dump Station | Varies |
Spring River RV Park
1.3 miTrailer Village RV Park
1.5 miRed Barn RV Park
2.5 miWild Willy's RV Park
2.8 miMidway RV Park
7.3 miBottomless Lakes RV Park
12.5 miLake Van RV Park
16.8 miHagerman RV Park
22.3 miR&p RV Park And Laundry
34.7 miPine RV Park
35.0 miTraveling to Roswell by RV
Roswell sits on the high plains of southeastern New Mexico, reached on US-285 running north and south and US-70 and US-380 crossing east and west. These are open, well-kept highways with no tight mountain passes, so they are comfortable for big rigs, but there is no interstate right at Roswell, so plan your fuel stops on the longer high-plains stretches between towns. Carlsbad is about 75 miles south and Lubbock, Texas roughly three hours east.
The town itself has full services, with fuel, propane, groceries, and RV supplies easy to find, which makes it a convenient base for restocking before heading out to Bottomless Lakes or the refuge. Most of what you will want to see is within a short drive: the UFO museum and downtown are central, Bottomless Lakes is 15 miles east, and Bitter Lake refuge sits about 10 miles northeast. Roswell Air Center handles regional flights if you are meeting a rig. Once you are set up, day trips to Carlsbad Caverns or birding the refuge are comfortable outings from a single base camp, with little traffic to fight along the way.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Roswell, New Mexico, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Roswell
Roswell is an affordable RV destination. Bottomless Lakes State Park is the bargain, at roughly $14 a night for water and electric and about $18 with full sewer, which is remarkable value for a swim-lake state park with a dump station and showers. For self-contained rigs, that is one of the better deals in the region, and the surrounding desert offers boondocking for those who want to go even cheaper.
The private in-town parks cost more, generally landing in the $30 to $45 range for full hookups, with weekly and monthly rates that lower the effective nightly cost for longer stays. Roswell is not a pricey market overall, so the real cost spike is the early-July UFO Festival, when demand surges and sites get scarce and dearer, so book well ahead for those dates. Watch for the usual event-weekend premiums then. Our honest take: camp Bottomless Lakes for the scenery and the low rate when you can land a site, and use an in-town park for full hookups, big-rig pull-throughs, or proximity to the sights, paying the festival premium only if those dates matter to you.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Roswell
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Best Time to Visit Roswell by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
26F - 57F
Crowds: Low
Mild, sunny days and cold, freezing nights. Camping is quiet and cheap, and this is prime time for sandhill cranes and snow geese at Bitter Lake refuge. Bring cold-weather gear for the nights.
Spring
Mar - May
43F - 78F
Crowds: Medium
Warm and pleasant but famously windy on the high plains, so pick a sheltered site and stow your awning when you leave. A good shoulder season before the summer heat and crowds arrive.
Summer
Jun - Aug
64F - 92F
Crowds: High
Hot, dry days with afternoon monsoon storms in July and August. The early-July UFO Festival packs every park in town, and Lea Lake swimming is the big draw. Book well ahead.
Fall
Sep - Oct
44F - 77F
Crowds: Medium
The best all-around season: warm days, cool nights, calmer winds, and the first cranes arriving at the refuge. Easy availability midweek and gorgeous desert light.
Explore the Roswell Area
A few things worth knowing before you camp Roswell. The single biggest planning factor is the UFO Festival in early July, when alien-tourism crowds fill every park in town. If you want to be here for it, book months ahead; if you do not, you may prefer to time your visit around it. Outside that, Bottomless Lakes State Park is the value and the experience, so grab a site there if your rig fits, and remember the few full-hookup sites go first.
Plan for the high-plains climate. Spring is genuinely windy, so pick a sheltered site and stow your awning whenever you leave the rig. Summer days are hot and dry with afternoon monsoon storms, so carry shade and water and keep the air conditioning ready on the electric hookups. Winter days are mild but nights drop below freezing, so a winter camper should be ready for cold-weather precautions. Birders should aim for fall and winter, when thousands of sandhill cranes and snow geese gather at Bitter Lake refuge. And do not skip the easy day trip south to Carlsbad Caverns, which pairs perfectly with a Roswell base.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Roswell
What are the best RV parks in Roswell, New Mexico?
Roswell has a nice split between a standout state park and several in-town private parks. Bottomless Lakes State Park, about 15 miles east, is the scenic value pick, with electric and a few full-hookup sites among deep blue sinkhole lakes and swimming at Lea Lake. In town, Red Barn RV Park offers 50 full-hookup sites, Town & Country RV Park has pull-throughs for large rigs and laundry, and Spring River RV Park provides level, spacious full-hookup sites. That mix covers both a memorable public setting and convenient full-hookup stays close to the UFO sights.
Do RV parks in Roswell have full hookups?
Yes. The private parks in town, including Red Barn, Town & Country, and Spring River, are built around full-hookup sites with water, sewer, and 30 or 50 amp electric. At Bottomless Lakes State Park, every developed site has 30-amp electric and at least six sites add full water and sewer hookups, plus there is a dump station for everyone. So you can get full hookups either in town for convenience or at the state park if you grab one of the full-hookup sites, and even the electric-only state-park sites pair with the on-site dump station for easy tank management.
How much does RV camping cost in Roswell?
It is quite affordable by national standards. Bottomless Lakes State Park is a genuine bargain, around $14 a night for water and electric and about $18 with sewer, which is excellent value for a swim-lake state park. The private in-town parks cost more, generally in the $30 to $45 range for full hookups, with weekly and monthly rates available for longer stays. Roswell is not an expensive RV market overall, so your main cost spike is the early-July UFO Festival, when demand surges and you should book early to get any site at all.
How far ahead do I need to reserve a campsite in Roswell?
For most of the year, not far, but there is one big exception. Bottomless Lakes State Park books through New Mexico State Parks up to six months in advance, and while it is usually available outside peak times, summer weekends fill. The private parks in town often have space a few days out. The exception is the UFO Festival in early July, when alien-tourism crowds pack every park in Roswell, so reserve months ahead for those dates. Fall and winter weekdays are the easiest times to find a site on short notice.
When is the best time to go RV camping in Roswell?
Fall is the standout, with warm days, cool nights, calmer winds, and the first sandhill cranes arriving at Bitter Lake refuge. Spring is pleasant too but notoriously windy on the high plains, so secure your awning. Summer is hot and dry with afternoon monsoon storms, and the early-July UFO Festival brings the biggest crowds, though Lea Lake swimming is a nice perk in the heat. Winter is mild by day and freezing at night, quiet and cheap, and the best season for birding the refuge. For all-around comfort, aim for fall.
Can big rigs camp in Roswell?
Yes, easily. Bottomless Lakes State Park accommodates rigs up to about 60 feet on its back-in sites, and the in-town private parks like Town & Country are built with full-hookup pull-throughs for large motorhomes and fifth-wheels. Roswell sits on flat high-plains highways, US-285 and US-70/380, that are open and big-rig friendly with no tight mountain passes to worry about. For the easiest big-rig stay with full hookups and pull-throughs, the private parks are the simple choice, while the state park is well worth it for the setting if your rig fits its back-in sites.
Are there free or first-come camping options near Roswell?
There are some, mostly for self-contained rigs. The high-desert public land around Roswell offers dispersed boondocking possibilities, and the state park occasionally has first-come availability outside peak periods. But Roswell is primarily a reservation market for developed sites, especially during the UFO Festival. For true free camping you would rely on BLM and desert land with no services, so come fully self-sufficient with water and power. Most visitors find the cheap state-park rate at Bottomless Lakes hits the sweet spot between cost and having a dump station, water, and showers on hand.
Is Bottomless Lakes State Park worth it for RVers?
For most RVers, yes, it is the highlight of camping here. It is New Mexico's oldest state park, set among a string of deep, vividly blue-green sinkhole lakes formed by collapsed limestone caverns. Lea Lake is open for swimming, there are desert hiking trails, fishing, a playground, showers, wifi, and a dump station, and rates start around $14 a night. The sites are big-rig friendly up to about 60 feet, with electric throughout and full hookups at a few. The trade-off is that it is 15 miles from town, so plan your supply runs, but the setting and value are hard to beat.
Can I see the UFO sights while camping in Roswell?
Absolutely, that is a big reason people come. The International UFO Museum and Research Center is downtown and tells the story of the 1947 Roswell incident, and the whole town leans into alien themes, from murals to alien-decorated storefronts and the famous early-July UFO Festival. From the in-town private parks you are minutes away, and even from Bottomless Lakes it is a short drive. It is a genuinely fun, only-in-Roswell experience to pair with the natural sights, and families especially enjoy mixing the quirky UFO tourism with swimming at Lea Lake and birding at the refuge.
Are the RV parks in Roswell pet friendly?
Generally yes. Bottomless Lakes State Park allows leashed pets in the campground and on trails, fitting its open desert setting, and the private parks in town, like Town & Country, advertise pet-friendly stays with laundry and the usual leash and cleanup rules. Confirm any breed or number limits with private parks when you book. The main thing to manage is the climate: summer days are hot and dry, so walk dogs early and late and keep water available, while winter nights are freezing, so make sure pets are warm in the rig. Lea Lake is a fun spot for dogs in the cooler hours.
What else is there to do around Roswell?
More than the UFO theme suggests. Bottomless Lakes State Park offers swimming, fishing, and desert hiking, and Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a major birding destination, with thousands of wintering sandhill cranes and snow geese. Downtown has the UFO museum, the Roswell Museum, and a small zoo. For a day trip, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is about 75 miles south, an easy and worthwhile run to one of the country's great cave systems. Between quirky tourism, a swim lake, world-class birding, and a national park nearby, Roswell keeps a camping family busy for several days.
How do I get to Roswell with a big rig?
Roswell sits on the high plains of southeastern New Mexico, reached on US-285 running north-south and US-70 and US-380 east-west. These are open, well-maintained highways with no tight mountain passes, so they are comfortable for big rigs, though there is no interstate right at Roswell, so plan fuel stops on the longer high-plains stretches. Lubbock, Texas is about three hours east and Carlsbad is roughly 75 miles south. The town itself has full services for fuel, propane, groceries, and RV supplies, making it an easy base once you arrive.
Should I stay at the state park or an in-town private park?
It depends on your priorities. Bottomless Lakes State Park wins on scenery, swimming, and price, with that unusual sinkhole-lake setting and rates around $14 to $18, but it is 15 miles from town and has limited full-hookup sites. The in-town private parks win on full hookups, pull-through big-rig sites, laundry, and being minutes from the UFO museum and restaurants. Our honest take: book Bottomless Lakes for the experience and value if your rig fits and you can land a site, and choose an in-town park when you want full hookups, big-rig ease, or to be close to the sights, especially during the UFO Festival.
What are the best RV parks in Roswell, New Mexico?
Roswell has a nice split between a standout state park and several in-town private parks. Bottomless Lakes State Park, about 15 miles east, is the scenic value pick, with electric and a few full-hookup sites among deep blue sinkhole lakes and swimming at Lea Lake. In town, Red Barn RV Park offers 50 full-hookup sites, Town & Country RV Park has pull-throughs for large rigs and laundry, and Spring River RV Park provides level, spacious full-hookup sites. That mix covers both a memorable public setting and convenient full-hookup stays close to the UFO sights.
Do RV parks in Roswell have full hookups?
Yes. The private parks in town, including Red Barn, Town & Country, and Spring River, are built around full-hookup sites with water, sewer, and 30 or 50 amp electric. At Bottomless Lakes State Park, every developed site has 30-amp electric and at least six sites add full water and sewer hookups, plus there is a dump station for everyone. So you can get full hookups either in town for convenience or at the state park if you grab one of the full-hookup sites, and even the electric-only state-park sites pair with the on-site dump station for easy tank management.
How much does RV camping cost in Roswell?
It is quite affordable by national standards. Bottomless Lakes State Park is a genuine bargain, around $14 a night for water and electric and about $18 with sewer, which is excellent value for a swim-lake state park. The private in-town parks cost more, generally in the $30 to $45 range for full hookups, with weekly and monthly rates available for longer stays. Roswell is not an expensive RV market overall, so your main cost spike is the early-July UFO Festival, when demand surges and you should book early to get any site at all.
How far ahead do I need to reserve a campsite in Roswell?
For most of the year, not far, but there is one big exception. Bottomless Lakes State Park books through New Mexico State Parks up to six months in advance, and while it is usually available outside peak times, summer weekends fill. The private parks in town often have space a few days out. The exception is the UFO Festival in early July, when alien-tourism crowds pack every park in Roswell, so reserve months ahead for those dates. Fall and winter weekdays are the easiest times to find a site on short notice.
When is the best time to go RV camping in Roswell?
Fall is the standout, with warm days, cool nights, calmer winds, and the first sandhill cranes arriving at Bitter Lake refuge. Spring is pleasant too but notoriously windy on the high plains, so secure your awning. Summer is hot and dry with afternoon monsoon storms, and the early-July UFO Festival brings the biggest crowds, though Lea Lake swimming is a nice perk in the heat. Winter is mild by day and freezing at night, quiet and cheap, and the best season for birding the refuge. For all-around comfort, aim for fall.
Can big rigs camp in Roswell?
Yes, easily. Bottomless Lakes State Park accommodates rigs up to about 60 feet on its back-in sites, and the in-town private parks like Town & Country are built with full-hookup pull-throughs for large motorhomes and fifth-wheels. Roswell sits on flat high-plains highways, US-285 and US-70/380, that are open and big-rig friendly with no tight mountain passes to worry about. For the easiest big-rig stay with full hookups and pull-throughs, the private parks are the simple choice, while the state park is well worth it for the setting if your rig fits its back-in sites.
Are there free or first-come camping options near Roswell?
There are some, mostly for self-contained rigs. The high-desert public land around Roswell offers dispersed boondocking possibilities, and the state park occasionally has first-come availability outside peak periods. But Roswell is primarily a reservation market for developed sites, especially during the UFO Festival. For true free camping you would rely on BLM and desert land with no services, so come fully self-sufficient with water and power. Most visitors find the cheap state-park rate at Bottomless Lakes hits the sweet spot between cost and having a dump station, water, and showers on hand.
Is Bottomless Lakes State Park worth it for RVers?
For most RVers, yes, it is the highlight of camping here. It is New Mexico's oldest state park, set among a string of deep, vividly blue-green sinkhole lakes formed by collapsed limestone caverns. Lea Lake is open for swimming, there are desert hiking trails, fishing, a playground, showers, wifi, and a dump station, and rates start around $14 a night. The sites are big-rig friendly up to about 60 feet, with electric throughout and full hookups at a few. The trade-off is that it is 15 miles from town, so plan your supply runs, but the setting and value are hard to beat.
Can I see the UFO sights while camping in Roswell?
Absolutely, that is a big reason people come. The International UFO Museum and Research Center is downtown and tells the story of the 1947 Roswell incident, and the whole town leans into alien themes, from murals to alien-decorated storefronts and the famous early-July UFO Festival. From the in-town private parks you are minutes away, and even from Bottomless Lakes it is a short drive. It is a genuinely fun, only-in-Roswell experience to pair with the natural sights, and families especially enjoy mixing the quirky UFO tourism with swimming at Lea Lake and birding at the refuge.
Are the RV parks in Roswell pet friendly?
Generally yes. Bottomless Lakes State Park allows leashed pets in the campground and on trails, fitting its open desert setting, and the private parks in town, like Town & Country, advertise pet-friendly stays with laundry and the usual leash and cleanup rules. Confirm any breed or number limits with private parks when you book. The main thing to manage is the climate: summer days are hot and dry, so walk dogs early and late and keep water available, while winter nights are freezing, so make sure pets are warm in the rig. Lea Lake is a fun spot for dogs in the cooler hours.
What else is there to do around Roswell?
More than the UFO theme suggests. Bottomless Lakes State Park offers swimming, fishing, and desert hiking, and Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a major birding destination, with thousands of wintering sandhill cranes and snow geese. Downtown has the UFO museum, the Roswell Museum, and a small zoo. For a day trip, Carlsbad Caverns National Park is about 75 miles south, an easy and worthwhile run to one of the country's great cave systems. Between quirky tourism, a swim lake, world-class birding, and a national park nearby, Roswell keeps a camping family busy for several days.
How do I get to Roswell with a big rig?
Roswell sits on the high plains of southeastern New Mexico, reached on US-285 running north-south and US-70 and US-380 east-west. These are open, well-maintained highways with no tight mountain passes, so they are comfortable for big rigs, though there is no interstate right at Roswell, so plan fuel stops on the longer high-plains stretches. Lubbock, Texas is about three hours east and Carlsbad is roughly 75 miles south. The town itself has full services for fuel, propane, groceries, and RV supplies, making it an easy base once you arrive.
Should I stay at the state park or an in-town private park?
It depends on your priorities. Bottomless Lakes State Park wins on scenery, swimming, and price, with that unusual sinkhole-lake setting and rates around $14 to $18, but it is 15 miles from town and has limited full-hookup sites. The in-town private parks win on full hookups, pull-through big-rig sites, laundry, and being minutes from the UFO museum and restaurants. Our honest take: book Bottomless Lakes for the experience and value if your rig fits and you can land a site, and choose an in-town park when you want full hookups, big-rig ease, or to be close to the sights, especially during the UFO Festival.
Are there free dump stations in Roswell?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Roswell.
All Dump Stations Near Roswell (13)
RV ParkWest Main RV Park
RV ParkArtesia RV Park
RV Park with Dump Stations



