Mesa Rest Area

I arrived at midnight so was confused by the different parking areas and decided to just park in front of the bathroom building in my car. I didn’t have any trouble doing that, but I was on the road at sunrise.

To be completely legit, head to the bathroom building and then follow the signs just south of it. There are parking areas on both sides of the highway, but I wouldn’t cross it on foot.

Road noise ok, lots of 18 wheelers parked here, some cows mooing. Great place for a quick overnight. Bathrooms extremely clean and open all night.

Clean and typically load with Freeway noise as to be expected. One person posted that overnight camping is not allowed, but the was in New Mexico are pretty clear and very simple. Yes, you can stay for the night. The on real restriction, other that the usual “no commercial activities”, is no longer than 24 hours over 3 days. The following is from New Mexico Rest Area Rules as updated April of 2021:
“No person shall remain, or willfully allow any property under his control to remain, in any publicly owned and controlled rest and recreation area or sanitary or tourist information facility, which area or facility is located immediately adjacent to a public highway and is intended for use by persons travelling the highway, for more than twenty-four hours in any three-day period, unless otherwise provided by law.”

If you look at the rest stop on google maps it shows a big loop around the restrooms. We thought we’d be able to park on the back side far from the road. Unfortunately the entire loop has signs stating no overnight parking. Instead there is a section by the road with spots to park in. The sound of cars and trucks speeding by was a little too close for comfort. On the positive side the facility was clean and there are large areas of grass so our dogs were able to run and stretch their legs. It’ll do in a pinch if needed.