What are your favorite camp grounds?

What are some camp grounds around Southern New Mexico and Texas?

• I am planning a trip with friend(s) to go camping this summer. What are some good camping grounds around Southern New Mexico (not Las Cruces; that's where we live and we want to get out!) that: -Have swimming, picnicking, hiking, stargazing, etc -Allow you to build a bonfire -Aren't too expensive -Have restrooms, possibly shower facilities Thanks so much!

• Answer:

  Hello Las Cruces! I was born there and later on went to Las Cruces High and NMSU for a time. Haven't been there in almost 40 years..... I'm an old guy...... (not really. ;<} We used to go up to Dona Ana mountain and camp, but it's not a campground, or wasn't. The two best places for what you want (considering I haven't been for awhile) are the Gila: http://www.fs.usda.gov/gila/ Or the other direction, Ruidoso: http://www.ruidoso.net/ At least that's where we used to go......