Joe Skeen Campground
El Malpais National Conservation Area
Write a Review Hwy 117 Grants, NM 87020 505-280-2918 Official WebsiteGPS: 34.9411, -107.8237
Overview of Joe Skeen Campground
The Joe Skeen Campground offers 10 campsites with sheltered picnic tables and two ADA accessible vault toilets. 8 visitors are allowed per site.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by Mike&Em on 4/2/2024
Longest RV Reported: 38 feet (Class A)
Reported by Karaecu1 on 5/17/2020
Number of Sites 10
Pad Type dirt
Elevation 6,856 ft / 2,089 m
Max Stay 7
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Joe Skeen Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 505-280-2918
Rhino1977 asked on 6/3/2021
If all the spots are filled then can I camp anywhere off of one of those dirt roads? That campground closed sign sai...
Fisch asked on 5/2/2023
Where is the nearest water spigot? I saw a mention that there was water available at the BLM station on 117, but the...
Outdoor man asked on 11/14/2021
I'm passIng threw late November, is it open year round and do thy get snow there?
Reviews of Joe Skeen Campground 75 people have reviewed this location.
“Perfect And Quite”
Reviewed 4/2/2024
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
We pulled in on April 1 at about 7 PM and the campground was 3/4 full. So, don’t come too late later in the year or you may not find a spot. Nice spacious campsites with covered picnic table, firing and grill. Pit toilets were clean.
Road in is a bit rough, but was easily passible with my class C 25 foot RV
Mike&Em would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Clean, Nice Spot”
Reviewed 4/1/2024
Days stayed: | 2 |
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I enjoyed my two nights here. Enough space between sites for privacy and easily found a level spot. The pit toilet was clean and stocked. I didn’t get out to explore because of wind and rain / snow.
llauer would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“This Place Is Great! ”
Reviewed 3/1/2024
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Easy to find as I needed a place to set up last minute.. only about 20 minutes off the interstate. Clean park, large sites that are separated slightly for privacy. Met some cool people there and stayed for three nights. Stars were outstanding at night. Highly recommend stopping here. Each set up also has a fire pit and covered table.
camper-873897 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very Nice Little Campground”
Reviewed 2/27/2024
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 2 |
RV Length: | 21' (Travel Trailer) |
I pulled in on a Monday at 10am and there were only about 4 people here. There are bathrooms, many trash cans, covered picnic tables and fire rings. I posted pictures of the “gully” at the entrance. People made it seem really bad but never showed pictures. I took some so maybe it’ll help someone else. I have a 21ft TT and I had no prob... more
I pulled in on a Monday at 10am and there were only about 4 people here. There are bathrooms, many trash cans, covered picnic tables and fire rings. I posted pictures of the “gully” at the entrance. People made it seem really bad but never showed pictures. I took some so maybe it’ll help someone else. I have a 21ft TT and I had no problems
HeadForTheHeels would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Sunsets, Stars, and Silence”
Reviewed 11/12/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 5 |
Although it is well visited, it is quiet. The 10 well spaced gravel pull thru sites provide enough privacy, so it doesn't feel crowded. Each site has a fire ring, sheltered tables, and a grill. Site 5 had the best cell signal. If you snag this spot, bring leveling blocks. It's not super level. Any rig could make it here. Roads are pave... more
Although it is well visited, it is quiet. The 10 well spaced gravel pull thru sites provide enough privacy, so it doesn't feel crowded. Each site has a fire ring, sheltered tables, and a grill. Site 5 had the best cell signal. If you snag this spot, bring leveling blocks. It's not super level. Any rig could make it here. Roads are paved.
15 minutes into Grants that has a Walmart and plenty for supply needs.
Water is available at the rangers station daily from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
Close to Sandstone Bluffs and El Malpias National Monument. There is plenty of hiking around the campground. Gorgeous sunsets from atop the cliffs. Bring your binoculars/telescope, the stars are dreamy.
FawnDoveView would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Campsites well maintained.”
Reviewed 3/11/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Site Number: | 3 |
Arrived around 6pm on a Friday night and was able to get one of the last sites available. Looking forward to staying here again
JasQuilter would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Spot”
Reviewed 3/7/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Nice spots for campers. Verizon cell coverage spotty but some sites completely usable.
camper-780095 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice small campground in El Malpais National Monument”
Reviewed 11/18/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 5 |
Site Number: | 8 |
RV Length: | 35' (Fifth Wheel) |
Note: older reviews reference an overflow area right before the entrance to the campground. That area was blocked off when I arrived there. I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and parked in the site #8, a free, back-in site. The dry wash leading into the campground was a bit steep and my rig just barely cleared it. T... more
Note: older reviews reference an overflow area right before the entrance to the campground. That area was blocked off when I arrived there. I travelled here with a 35’ 5th wheel, long bed pickup and parked in the site #8, a free, back-in site. The dry wash leading into the campground was a bit steep and my rig just barely cleared it. The road is somewhat rough and there is a good sized hill going up into the CG. I took it slow and didn’t have any real issues. Sites 8 and 10 are the best for larger rigs. 6 and 7 would be good for multi-family groups. The sites are totally open to the sun which is good for solar. Other spots are spread pretty far apart. There are two vault toilets, no water. Had 2-3 bars LTE with Verizon (40.1 mbps download). No wifi and I didn’t check OTA. Nice covered picnic tables and lovely views. Great access to El Malpais and El Morro wasn’t too far – made for an easy day trip. Saw many CDT through hikers as that trail passes through that area. The night sky was spectacular.
ElaineS would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great For A Night Or Two!”
Reviewed 11/1/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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I arrived a little past 6pm and the place was full to capacity, there seem to be a few people who’d been here a while,Definitely the sites towards the back judging on how their plot was setup. I didn’t see any trash in the area. Did see a bathroom assuming just toilets in there. The road coming up through the entrance is pretty long a... more
I arrived a little past 6pm and the place was full to capacity, there seem to be a few people who’d been here a while,Definitely the sites towards the back judging on how their plot was setup. I didn’t see any trash in the area. Did see a bathroom assuming just toilets in there. The road coming up through the entrance is pretty long and has bad wash away spots that was manageable to get around.
Ron would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Beautiful Views, Rattlesnakes, Close to Highway”
Reviewed 9/23/2022
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
I arrived before sunset and just after a rain storm, which left a very beautiful backdrop for the sunset over beautiful scenery. I was worried when I pulled in that I wouldn’t find a spot. Some of the spots were fairly close together, but I managed to snag one of the last two spots. I didn’t get to stay long because there AT&T and Ver... more
I arrived before sunset and just after a rain storm, which left a very beautiful backdrop for the sunset over beautiful scenery.
I was worried when I pulled in that I wouldn’t find a spot. Some of the spots were fairly close together, but I managed to snag one of the last two spots. I didn’t get to stay long because there AT&T and Verizon signals were poor, and I had to take a video call for work. While I was walking my dog, another camper told me to beware of rattlesnakes because they had seen two.
The campground was only 11 miles from the interstate. It was very well maintained and clean.
camper-728750 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
noted 4/19/2020
2018 Camper's Choice #20
2018, 2019 Best Free Camping list
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- ADA Accessible
- restrooms: vault
- trash
Pets
- pets
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